road trip help

[spider2]

I am planning on going out west next year leaving from central Ohio. I want to see Yellowstone and other places of interest. I no some of you hvave already done this so hoping for some ideas and routes to take. Maybe a big loop?

[kwputt]

We are in the planning stages of the same trip Spider2. The HD trip planner and Honda trip planner are good sites to start with, if you have'nt already. When you start checking room rates you will find they get real expensive if you plan a stop close to the tourist attractions.
We are looking at Mt. Rushmore, Bad Lands, Bear Tooth Pass, Glacier Park, Yellowstone, Denver and then head back east. Looks like at least a three week trip.

[cscsonny]

We have done this same trip twice from our home in St.Louis.
Do it in spring or early fall.Both our trips were in July or August and temps were 100-110 .In the mountains temps were cooler once we arrived there.
West Yellowstone was a good place to stay with reasonable room rates and you can get inside the park from there daily to visit attractions.
We did both trips in 9 days,did all the sight seeing mentioned and covered about 4000 miles to do so.
Bear Tooth is the most scenic way in to Yellowstone,stayed in Cody, Wyoming the night before.
There is so much to see and do out there,plan your trip before you leave or you may have to go back again and see what you missed.
Be careful in Yellowstone,all the animals you will see during the day,are also there after dark and they do get on the roads.
Two of the best trips we have ever taken.

[Lucky]

I am planning on going out west next year leaving from central Ohio. I want to see Yellowstone and other places of interest. I no some of you hvave already done this so hoping for some ideas and routes to take. Maybe a big loop?

Me and my riding buddy have been west twice and are planning to go again ext year.Just suggestions:ROUTE 66,Wolf Creek Pass,Million Dollar Hwy.Monument Valley.If you are like us you will over do the planning.Lot depends on wheather you want to see a lot of stuff or cover a lot of ground.

[spider2]

We are in the planning stages of the same trip Spider2. The HD trip planner and Honda trip planner are good sites to start with, if you have'nt already. When you start checking room rates you will find they get real expensive if you plan a stop close to the tourist attractions.
We are looking at Mt. Rushmore, Bad Lands, Bear Tooth Pass, Glacier Park, Yellowstone, Denver and then head back east. Looks like at least a three week trip.

When are you going to go? This is what we have in mind. I will have to look at this trip planners. How many miles do you ride a day?

[kwputt]

Late June and we cover anywhere from 400 to 600. Prefer around 400 to 450. Leave early and stop early if the motel stops work out.

[spider2]

Late June and we cover anywhere from 400 to 600. Prefer around 400 to 450. Leave early and stop early if the motel stops work out.

Will it be extra hot in June when traveling west?

[pcombe]

Will it be extra hot in June when traveling west?

Welcome, I live in Wyoming.

In answer to your question, it is normally cold and rainy during the first couple of weeks in June. We normally move immediately to Hot temps with no gradual warm up.
Expect to still have snow on the ground in the high lonesome, though the roads will be open.
There are plenty of sites to see out here and quite a bit of your trip will be crossing High Mountain dessert country, It would be impossible to see all this country offers in the 4 or 5 state area in one trip.

pepper(you may want to save yourself an extra trip by sending all your belongings on ahead of you?)

Summit Togowotee pass, Wyoming

If you search my profile for threads i have started over the last 1 1/2 years you could probably gain allot of info, on some of the areas you may be planning on traveling through.

[kwputt]

Spider, May can be cool and wet, I've been there in mid August and the high country roads were already closed. You are correct, it can be hot in June & July across parts of the route. That's the reason we like to be on the road early.
Paul, thanks for your suggestions. I know there is no way to see it all in one short vacation.

[DK Custom Products]

I am planning on going out west next year leaving from central Ohio. I want to see Yellowstone and other places of interest. I no some of you hvave already done this so hoping for some ideas and routes to take. Maybe a big loop?

Sounds like you're going to have a fun ride!

I would definitely include Beartooth Pass. Also, you won't be far from the Black Hills, lots to see there (Needles Highway is great).

Would not be too far out of your way to cut south and hit the Million Dollar highway in Colorado. Three times I have planned to do that...but each time something prevented it...fire, storms, etc.

In Northern Idaho there is a fantastic road (if you like curves and great scenery)...the 12 headed into Missoula.

Year before last Mary and I spent a couple of days in Yellowstone...did not see anywhere near all there was to see. It is an amazing place.

You can look at our Ride Report in the forum here, it will give you some ideas of what there is too see-

http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threa...Back-Pic-Heavy

[Phill Griggs]

I will say one thing take plenty of time. Don't miss a chance to anything. 300 mile day is plenty.

[kwputt]

Plan on there being some 150 mile days once we reach the different sights. Two hard days to get to the first tourist stop.

[pcombe]

Check out the posting i made called the trip of a lifetime and see what you think?

- - - Updated - - -

We are in the planning stages of the same trip Spider2. The HD trip planner and Honda trip planner are good sites to start with, if you have'nt already. When you start checking room rates you will find they get real expensive if you plan a stop close to the tourist attractions.
We are looking at Mt. Rushmore, Bad Lands, Bear Tooth Pass, Glacier Park, Yellowstone, Denver and then head back east. Looks like at least a three week trip.

Check out the post i put up called the trip of a lifetime under trike travel

[Pegasus1300]

As long as you are in Yellowstone,be sure to do Teton Park as well. They are almost side by side and each will need a couple of days. There is also the Chief Joseph Hiway, Devils Tower, Jackson Wyo, and so much more. I would suggest unless you have a lot of time save Utah and Colorado for another trip.In fact each of those almost deserve a trip of their own.If you concentrate on Northern Wyo, Montana,and maybe Eastern Idaho,Western South Dakota,you will have enough to fill a 2/3 week trip, or more.The most important thing is not do too much,ride too far and get too tired to enjoy yourself.This is a vacation not a marathon.
To save money try the KOA cabins. They are nicer then tents and cheaper then motels. AMA membership gives you a discount to KOA and some motels and also roadside service. I have used the service and it is good.

[pcombe]

as long as you are in yellowstone,be sure to do teton park as well. They are almost side by side and each will need a couple of days. There is also the chief joseph hiway, devils tower, jackson wyo, and so much more. I would suggest unless you have a lot of time save utah and colorado for another trip.in fact each of those almost deserve a trip of their own.if you concentrate on northern wyo, montana,and maybe eastern idaho,western south dakota,you will have enough to fill a 2/3 week trip, or more.the most important thing is not do too much,ride too far and get too tired to enjoy yourself.this is a vacation not a marathon.
To save money try the koa cabins. They are nicer then tents and cheaper then motels. Ama membership gives you a discount to koa and some motels and also roadside service. I have used the service and it is good.

warning koa cabins in and around glaicer park runs to 150.00 per night, tents are 40.00 plus!

[ehroyal]

Wife and I did a 6000 mi trip this summer from Indiana. Badlands, Black Hills, Devils Tower, Glacier NP, Yellowstone, Tetons, Mt. Rushmore etc. Also visited every NP in Utah. Spent a couple days in a cabin at KOA in Livingston, MT, very nice and a little cheaper than a hotel. Also if you are a HOG member, check out Best Western's website for deals for Harley owners. We pulled a small trailer with our trike, which was a great idea, (regardless of what the MoCo says). We also had 2 of the one-gallon Reda gas cans with us. Glad to have them as we needed a gallon after leaving the Tetons. It was a trip of a lifetime for us.

Take your time, enjoy the scenery and be safe!

[werewolf]

First do a search for Yellowstone here<br /><br />
There are a lot of past posts on the subject<br /><br />
<br /><br />
If you are coming from the east, you need to stop and visit Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse,<br /><br />
Iron Mt Road and the Needles Highway. People have post videos of their rides on Youtube.com<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Figure an extra day or two for this.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
When you get to Buffalo, keep going right on west over the Big Horn Mts, not a bad ride,<br /><br />
dont get in a hurry.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Make your reservations NOW for Yellowstone. If you dont mind sharing restrooms and showers<br /><br />
Rooms can be had cheaper in the park. Fact is, make all your reservations now. If your dates in<br /><br />
Yellowstone are not available, dont dispare, it is early and check back every couple of days.<br /><br />
Cancalations happen regularly.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<a href="http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threads/15935-Yellowstone-Here-I-come-in-August?highlight=Yellowstone" target="_blank">http://www.triketalk.com/forum/threa...ht=Yellowstone</a><br /><br />
This one is from earlier this year.<br /><br />
(see my post there)<br /><br />
(here is it is, I decided to cheat LOL)<br /><br />
<br /><br />
When my grandmother was alive, we made this trip every year for about 12 years<br /><br />
when the boys were small.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
This year, hopefully it will be the wife and I on the trike if it works out.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
The beartooth highway between Cooke City and Red Lodge is supposed to be<br /><br />
the best ride out there. I hope to finally get to do it this year.<br /><br />
There are several videos of bike rides on this highway on Youtube.com<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Buffalo Bill Cody Museum in Cody.<br /><br />
A tad expensive, but you can spend all day.<br /><br />
Eat before you go, food prices inside are EXTREME.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
The Irma Hotel in Cody is an interesting/expensive place to eat ONCE.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Tourist season in Cody is obviously expensive. <br /><br />
Food in the park is also. Fill up with gas in Cody.<br /><br />
inside the park and West Yellowstone gas prices are higher<br /><br />
We normally stop at the Walmart on the west side of Cody and<br /><br />
buy little bottles of water, chips, a loaf of bread, lunch meat and cheese.<br /><br />
It is one cheap meal once you decide to stop inside the park.<br /><br />
Then throw the left overs into the bear proof trash cans. HINT HINT HINT.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Go north from West Yellowstone Mt and then west over to Earth Quake lake.<br /><br />
Stop and see the little visitors center.<br /><br />
Then a little farther west, back south (into Idaho) a bit and finally east back into West Yellowstone. Kills a couple of hours.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Two years ago, there was a little artiesan?<br />
<br />
pizza place in the mini mall by the Travel Lodge in west end of Gardiner?

Mt., Pizza was good and prices were reasonable.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
If you are coming from the east, go west from Buffalo.<br /><br />
It is a nice ride up and back down.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Stop at Devils Tower in Eastern Wyoming.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Mt Rushmore area, need to take the day and ride the local small roads.<br /><br />
Some good videos on youtube.com<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Do NOT eat at the Long John Silvers/Dairy Queen in Gillette Wy'<br /><br />
The fish tastes like onion rings and the onion rings taste like fish.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Ride thru Custer Park, watch out for the buffalo.One popped up from a deep<br /><br />
ditch beside the road and I almost hit him in the car. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
ride south thru the Grand Tetons from Yellowstone. Go south to the Moran Junction ? and then turn around.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Do not try to pet the elk, buffalo or bears.....you will understand the warning when you see some of the clueless<br /><br />
<br /><br />
take winter gear, including gloves and wet weather gear. Three times we have been snowed on between cody <br /><br />
and the east gate. This was the second and third week of JUNE!<br /><br />
<br /><br />
<font color="silver"><font size="1">- - - Updated - - -</font></font><br /><br />
<br /><br />
Depending on your money and time available.<br /><br />
<br /><br />
When you are done with Yellowstone and Grand Teton<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Since you are this far west,<br /><br />
<br /><br />
There is Glacier Natl Park in Northern Montana.<br /><br />
Ie, the road to the sun<br /><br />
It is only open 3 months during the summer<br /><br />
It would add about 750 to 1000 miles to your trip<br /><br />
<br /><br />
Or<br /><br />
<br /><br />
There is Rocky Mt National Park in Colorado.<br /><br />
If you come south from Grand Teton,<br /><br />
you can also stop by Flaming Gorge

[rholliday]

I am planning on going out west next year leaving from central Ohio. I want to see Yellowstone and other places of interest. I no some of you hvave already done this so hoping for some ideas and routes to take. Maybe a big loop?

Check out our website. http://www.randjholliday.com/
We have picts and stops listed on several rides out west. Planning to head out this summer alsohere is what we have so far http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.c...6&locale=en_US

[Phill Griggs]

Yellowstone, Bear Tooth Mountain South to north 212 to red lodge. Glacier from the east to west. Then Hwy 93 to Kalispell to hwy 35 on the east side of Flathead lake. then 93 to Twin Falls and take in Shoshone falls. Then map you out a good route home. My 2 cents. Montana State Prison is good stop also if you have time