Texas to Montana

[SacStateHornets]

2&4 year old, yes may God bless you. I wouldn't make it out of Texas driving.
Flew from Raleigh to Maui with our 3yr old a few years ago, went through about three cans of Skoal on the way over.
Get some Kindles and have Mike the knight and Little Bear playing in continuous loop.


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[Quicksand~]

2&4 year old, yes may God bless you. I wouldn't make it out of Texas driving.
Flew from Raleigh to Maui with our 3yr old a few years ago, went through about three cans of Skoal on the way over.
Get some Kindles and have Mike the knight and Little Bear playing in continuous loop.


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Yea we took a 4 hour trip to Dallas that turned into an 8 hour trip. I was thinking I could stop in Colorado and get them some brownies lol


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[DanMan]

Also, if you'd like a creek crossing photo op in GTNP check out the area southeast of the Moran entrance. There are a few different roads with creek crossings over there, but Uhl Hill Rd has plenty.

 

[mcox522]

It's in between I25 and I15, but if you can manage it will be worth it. The drive through Durango/Ouray near the 4 corners area is some of the most amazing mountains I have ever seen, and I grew up in Colorado. The drive going up I25 to Wyoming is boring to say the least, so you'll need to travel a west to get to some scenery.

 

[Quicksand~]

Thanks [MENTION=97256]DanMan[/MENTION] and [MENTION=142687]mcox522[/MENTION]! GTNP sounds like it's going to be a must go. If I have time I'm hoping to come back south on I15. Thanks again


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[Kamalani Mahie]

Montana:
Glacier National Park - One of the most beautiful parks I've ever seen and the Going to the Sun Road is a spectacular drive. Absolutely phenomenal. Kind of a pain to get all the way up to the park but worth it if you have the time.
Wyoming:
Grant Teton National Park - Another one of the most beautiful parks I've been too. Northwest part of Wyoming. Many have mentioned this park already.
Devils Tower National Monument - Pretty spectacular. Like Devil's Postpile near Mammoth, CA but on a whole different level. Northeast corner of Wyoming. Not sure if you're going past it.

 

[philsey]

Yellowstone is overcrowded, overrun with foreigners and tour busses this time of year. Also it takes 2 or 3 days to see the park, it is a long ways between the attractions and there is usually construction in the summer. Also anytime anyone spots any wildlife the traffic really backs up. I enjoy the drive on the mountain roads in the area more than the park itself. The small kids will quickly be bored.

This. I hate to be a downer, but he's right. I was there 4 weeks ago, which was still pretty early in the season, and even then it was quite busy. Definitely big tour buses, definitely stupid, stupid people stopping everywhere, limited parking. And yes - construction. It is a beautiful park, and maybe you have unlimited patience, but I don't, and with 2 little ones, I'd simply not go there this time of year.

The road construction is on the NW section of the Figure 8 "Loop Drive" still in the park (As if you were going to exit on Rt. #89, heading N. to Gardiner). I'd seriously suggest avoiding this section, as it's major road construction and 4 weeks ago traffic was seriously impeded. The normally 2 lane, is down to lots of one-way rutted shitty roads with dump trucks, construction equipment, buses, etc. Ugh!

Unless you've reservations, you'll not find lodging or camping either. Believe me, it's a zoo. We had 2 full days, with moderate traffic, and it was not really adequate to do justice. You're going to spend a lot of windshield time in traffic. Sry man, but be prepared. This park is way over capacity this time of year ... way, way over capacity.

 

[Quicksand~]

Thanks [MENTION=165740]Kamalani Mahie[/MENTION], I wish I could make it that far east to see devils towers. Always has drew my interest. Glacier national park is another that may be a little out of my reach, we'll see how how it goes.
[MENTION=51186]philsey[/MENTION], definitely sounds like a pain in the ass. I think I'm going to do a quick drive through on the way up to Bozeman and then will probably only go back down to grant teton. Thanks again guys


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[Woz1976-MT]

If you're going to do a "drive through" of Yellowstone NP, take the Beartooth Highway (US 212) into Montana. The drive is fantastic; you'll go through Cooke City-Silver Gate, and then over Beartooth Pass, and then down into Red Lodge, Montana. There are some unimproved roads/trails as you're coming down from the pass in Montana where you can get some great views, too. Lots of places to stop and let the kids out to walk a bit, and Red Lodge (a resort/ski town) has a lot of cool little places to eat. Then it's up towards Laurel and on to Bozeman.

 

[DanMan]

I'll throw in my 2c on YNP.

Assuming you're staying in Cody the night prior to driving through, I think you would have a decent day. Personally, I'd go Fishing Bridge -> Canyon -> Tower -> Mammoth -> Bozeman. The key to this is to be in Canyon by 7 or 8am. Hayden Valley produces some of the worst traffic jams. People will stop in the middle of the road to look at a bison. You just have to laugh at them.. Once you're past Canyon you shake a lot of those people.

Some stops on that route:

• Hayden Valley -- If you hit it early people will probably be wolf watching so if you are interested in that you can stop. They're usually far, but rangers / researchers are really nice about letting people have a look through their scopes.
• Canyon -- Lower falls (gets crowded quick). One of those iconic photos.
• Chittenden Road -- Dirt road up to the Mount Washburn trail head. Great views of Lamar Valley. Usually some big horn sheep around there.
• Calcite Springs overlook -- Nice canyon views.
• Tower Falls -- Been a while since I've gone to the overlook, but the trail might be a bit much. Good ice cream stop though.
• Mammoth -- Terrace drive. Visitor center has wifi as well.

 

[Trixx]

Look up the continental divide route. It goes from Mexico to Canada. Primarily reasonable Off Road trails the whole way.

 

[philsey]

If you're going to do a "drive through" of Yellowstone NP, take the Beartooth Highway (US 212) into Montana. The drive is fantastic; you'll go through Cooke City-Silver Gate, and then over Beartooth Pass, and then down into Red Lodge, Montana. There are some unimproved roads/trails as you're coming down from the pass in Montana where you can get some great views, too. Lots of places to stop and let the kids out to walk a bit, and Red Lodge (a resort/ski town) has a lot of cool little places to eat. Then it's up towards Laurel and on to Bozeman.

+1 on Red Lodge ... cool town. Touristy, could be difficult to stay w/o reservations.

+2 on Beartooth, but be aware it's steep, full of switchbacks, and far from a wide road. Beautiful, but it seriously freaked my wife.

 

[philsey]

Thanks [MENTION=165740]Kamalani Mahie[/MENTION], I wish I could make it that far east to see devils towers. Always has drew my interest. Glacier national park is another that may be a little out of my reach, we'll see how how it goes.
[MENTION=51186]philsey[/MENTION], definitely sounds like a pain in the ass. I think I'm going to do a quick drive through on the way up to Bozeman and then will probably only go back down to grant teton. Thanks again guys

Ha!!!!

 

[duNord]

Great info in this thread! Not yet planning a trip to these areas but saving for future reference, thanks everyone who contributed so far!

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[greatape]

Beautiful areas up in WY and MT..sure you'll hit the Tetons and Yellowstone..I spent a lot of time east in the Cloud Peak Wilderness Area..big difference there..and always attended the Crow Fair when I lived up there in Aug in MT w/my peeps if you dare...

 

[Quicksand~]

If you're going to do a "drive through" of Yellowstone NP, take the Beartooth Highway (US 212) into Montana. The drive is fantastic; you'll go through Cooke City-Silver Gate, and then over Beartooth Pass, and then down into Red Lodge, Montana. There are some unimproved roads/trails as you're coming down from the pass in Montana where you can get some great views, too. Lots of places to stop and let the kids out to walk a bit, and Red Lodge (a resort/ski town) has a lot of cool little places to eat. Then it's up towards Laurel and on to Bozeman.

Sounds nice, I was looking at 212 or 191. I guess it all depends on how the kids are. I know after the wedding on Friday we have another week and we'll be staying close by with family so we will probably be going back down maybe Monday. Thanks for the insight!


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[Quicksand~]

I'll throw in my 2c on YNP.



Assuming you're staying in Cody the night prior to driving through, I think you would have a decent day. Personally, I'd go Fishing Bridge -> Canyon -> Tower -> Mammoth -> Bozeman. The key to this is to be in Canyon by 7 or 8am. Hayden Valley produces some of the worst traffic jams. People will stop in the middle of the road to look at a bison. You just have to laugh at them.. Once you're past Canyon you shake a lot of those people.



Some stops on that route:

• Hayden Valley -- If you hit it early people will probably be wolf watching so if you are interested in that you can stop. They're usually far, but rangers / researchers are really nice about letting people have a look through their scopes.
  
• Canyon -- Lower falls (gets crowded quick). One of those iconic photos.
  
• Chittenden Road -- Dirt road up to the Mount Washburn trail head. Great views of Lamar Valley. Usually some big horn sheep around there.
  
• Calcite Springs overlook -- Nice canyon views.
  
• Tower Falls -- Been a while since I've gone to the overlook, but the trail might be a bit much. Good ice cream stop though.
  
• Mammoth -- Terrace drive. Visitor center has wifi as well.
  

Great information! Once I get close by I'll have to pull this back up and go through all the info. Sounds like there'll be plenty to see and do. Thanks DanMan!


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[Wrighter]

Yellowstone is everything you go to a national park to avoid. I'd focus that time on the Grand Tetons. Plenty of kid-friendly day hikes. I recommend Lizard Creek Campground. It's the northernmost campground, so you're close if you must get to Yellowstone. Large sites on Jackson Lake and it rarely fills up.

The drive from Austin to Texline just sucks. There's no way around it. Capulin is cool and you'll pass within sight of the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs if you stay on 25.

 

[Quicksand~]

[MENTION=164090]Wrighter[/MENTION] as you already know getting out of Texas is a journey. I be relieved just to get hat accomplished and get some new views. Grand Teton seems to be overall consensus, thanks for he advice. Would be nice to take a quick look but I'm not one for tourists and be groups of people. So I'll probably end up passing. Thanks again Wrighter


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[MissouriBreaks]

Here is a shot of my former FJ Cruiser on the 4x4 only road in Grand Teton. You can see how the road is along the bluff overlooking the river (second photo) and the Grand Tetons in the distance. The road is fairly easy and I only needed the clearance of the FJ at times and 4 wheel drive going up one slope. In fact, I encountered some tourists in a minivan on the road and just chuckled to myself, wondering about their journey in that on the road.