Planning a Seattle -> Glacier National Park Road Trip

Submitted by Status_Quail_2559 t3_11b0kxq in Washington

Thinking of driving from Seattle to Glacier National Park, stopping in Spokane and Coeur d'Alene. Typically make it out to Seattle area yearly to hike, this time going for my birthday in early April :) Any seasonal things I shouldn't miss?

Where should I stop along the route? Interesting towns, scenery, pretty drives, trails? Restaurants, bars, cute stores and shopping? Lakes, water, parks, ghost towns?? (I've been to some in WA!)

Thinking of staying a night in Spokane or Coeur d'Alene then a night in Montana somewhere. Idaho and Montana are both on my list (13 more states to go until I cross off all 50) so I really want to explore the local area!

I'm an avid hiker / love to workout. Love rock scrambles and high views. Love outdoor activities, water rafting, is it warm enough to be on the water in April? Also an avid cocktail drinker and ice cream enjoyer, especially on my birthday lol :) Possibly going with my boyfriend! We're both 26!

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_Miskey_ t1_j9vauie wrote

Keep in mind that Glacier will be in winter still, the full park generally isn't open until late June because of snow

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Status_Quail_2559 OP t1_ja0oyxr wrote

Good to know - I’m sure the winter views will still be awesome though?

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_Miskey_ t1_ja0szd3 wrote

I think it depends on what you're going for. I'm sure there are lots of blogs that could give you an idea of what April in Glacier is like. Another option could be Yellowstone, it's beautiful with snow.

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OrangeGolem2016 t1_j9xat3h wrote

I visited Glacier in early May and almost nothing was open, so please keep that in mind. Check your routes and plans carefully.

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Status_Quail_2559 OP t1_j9xcyl3 wrote

Oh shoot so things won’t be open?

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OrangeGolem2016 t1_j9y1ns5 wrote

Technically, the park is open but none of the vendors operate until summer so there is no food or lodging, no rental kayaks, bikes, etc. Going to the Sun Road, which is basically the jewel of the park, doesn’t usually open until late June. If you want to do a road trip from Seattle in April, I’d head south or even west. Have you been to Neah Bay? It’s gorgeous!

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Status_Quail_2559 OP t1_ja0qnz0 wrote

I didn’t plan to stay in the park (I get cheap rooms from my employer since I work at a hotel) but is it better to stay in the park? The vendor activities sound really fun maybe I should do something else in the spring and plan this trip for the summer. But I’ve never been west of Bainbridge! That’s an interesting idea, Neah Bay looks stunning!

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ImpulseBimmer t1_j9zakpy wrote

Building on what Orange recommended...

AND if you are really that into hiking...

Enchanted Valley ONP.

Permits are required.

It's an actual Rain Forest, so be prepared. And it is the most spectacular during the wet season. The trail follows the Hoh River up into the valley and it's a there and back unless you cross the pass (snowshoes) and have someone meet you on the other side.

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Status_Quail_2559 OP t1_ja0ssqi wrote

That looks beautiful I'm totally adding it to the list. So things like seasonal roads and all will be open in ONP that time of year? Oh I guess cause it's the rainy season in the spring? Maybe I'll do that in April then!

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ImpulseBimmer t1_j9xbswq wrote

Did this right before the pandemic... traveling west to east.

Stayed off 2/90.

Did the Okanagan Ghost Town/Old Skagit Mental Institution route. (HWY 20) Old Wauconda Museum is highly recommended.

Super enjoyed Republic and the Kettle Range.

Caught up to HWY 2 in Idaho. Do the Suspension Bridge.

Took 37 north from Libby MT. There's an Air Muesum out there that you have to make a reservation for. Worth it.

Caught GNP the second full week of June. Going to the Sun road had fully opened the week before. Absolutely marvelous. BUT! The trails were still snow-covered at the pass.

Then, I did the Montana ghost town (Garnet, but there are others) route, driving through Missoula and taking HWY 12 east to west.

The only hotel reservation that I made in advance was for Kalispell as hotels fill fast around GNP. Everywhere else was the day of.

My spouse and I did it as a road trip and enjoyed ourselves immensely.

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BellaBlue06 t1_j9xg3di wrote

I’ve driven from Southern Alberta to Glacier National Park thinking it would be like Waterton National Park. It wasn’t. Everything was closed in the winter and was a dead zone. So that was a big waste of time. Go in Summer

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Doyouseenowwait_what t1_j9xnnd5 wrote

You should plan a great flood trip and really learn about the geological event that essentially shaped the Northwest as we know it. You will end up at Glacier start in the Willamette Valley.

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thearchiguy t1_j9xtxlp wrote

Going to the sun road isn't open until June/July depending on the snow still present. So it's doable but be prepared for a longer drive to go between places, and for some others to still be closed. I went in early June and I had a good time.

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TSAOutreachTeam t1_j9vtrue wrote

If you don't mind getting to Idaho late, head up towards Grand Coulee for some sightseeing and hiking.

I'd definitely suggest staying in Coeur d'Alene, if you can get a place on the riverfront. It's much nicer, IMO, than Spokane.

If you're taking the long way heading up to Hwy 2 via Sedro-Wooley, stop at the LaConner tulip festival and Snow Goose Market for a giant ice cream. This might throw off your schedule significantly, so plan for a stop somewhere in WA rather than the first night in Idaho.

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Desperate-Gas7699 t1_j9wz0of wrote

Downtown Spokane is actually really fun. Stop at Bistango for cocktails. Don’t miss Boo Radleys right up the street from Bistango. It’s a unique store/Spokane favorite and one of the things I miss most about living there. Head to Becks Harvest House in the green bluff area of north Spokane for some ice cream. Green bluff is a really cute area with lots of farm stores and it even has a winery or two. Coeur d’Alene is gorgeous. Tubbs Hill is a nice easy walk/hike close to downtown with views of the lake. Really pretty. Have a great trip!

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Candid-Mine5119 t1_j9yo5bd wrote

To real, I went to Glacier NP & it’s not as good as getting a pass to the JBLM training areas in Thurston County. There’s some beautiful driving through Montana & stopped in Hot Springs, MT to soak, that was quirky & great

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Wellcraft19 t1_j9zske6 wrote

Depending on time you have available, doing the ‘great loop’ can be fun that time of year. But that entails driving ‘around’ GNP (as the park really isn’t open)via East Glacier, St Mary, then up into AB via Waterton NP. In Pincher Creek you can go west to Fernie (and enjoy southern BC/the Kootenays), or up along the western spine to Radium, Golden, Revelstoke. Once in Revelstoke, you have a couple of directions to head back to Seattle. Regardless of ‘where, amazing scenery. With lots of snow but roads should be all clear. Radium Hot Springs, Banff Hot Springs are worthy. Skiing in Fernie is second to none, as is Kicking Horse, etc. The small towns in BC offer a lot once stopping and venturing.

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Status_Quail_2559 OP t1_ja0s2j4 wrote

I bet the hot springs would be fun in the snow honestly. I literally lost my passport I'm so mad I don't want to pay for another one lol but yes a trip to BC and those parts is also on the list. I have 5 days right now but could request more, or I'll just quit my job and move out there haha

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Wellcraft19 t1_ja0zn73 wrote

Got it! Yes, 5 days is way too short. And I’d say even too short to head to ‘only’ Glacier. OP, the Okanagan, western ID, NE OR, OR or WA coast, etc. So much to see and do when out here. Take your time and enjoy the moment(s).

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