A Gem of a Summer Road Trip Itinerary

America’s first national park, Yellowstone National Park, in the Great American West, is one of the most central and exciting starting points for a summer road-trip adventure.

A multi-day road-trip can take visitors far beyond the park in every direction. Follow along in our latest blog here as a great example!

In this Thelma and Louise style girls’ road trip, our adventurers headed west, northwest, through Idaho and some jaw-dropping scenery and many exciting experiences. Here are some of the highlights:

Departing Yellowstone National Park at West Yellowstone, Montana, its western entrance, the girls discovered a town dedicated to visitors of this natural wonder.

The top must-dos in West Yellowstone

Image: Zipline Adventure Park. Credit: Visit Idaho.

Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center: This not-for-profit, wildlife park and educational facility is an amazing opportunity to experience the world of grizzly bears and grey wolves.
Zipline Adventure Park: Well worth a trip to break up the hiking and biking by zipping through the trees. Especially in the summer when there is also a Ropes Course for the kids to do.
Under Canvas glamping: Located only 10 minutes from Yellowstone National Park’s West Entrance, this is the perfect spot to experience Montana’s unique hydrothermal and geologic wonders, diverse wildlife and boundless means of outdoor recreation, with a large serving of style.

Yippee; now let’s go to Idaho!

Crossing back into Wyoming and the Teton Mountain Range, via Mesa Falls Scenic Byway, the girls detour to check out the wildly beautiful Lower and Upper Mesa Falls. The Mesa Falls Scenic Byway then heads northeast into the lush landscape of the Targhee National Forest. This close-to-thirty-mile loop includes stops at two of the most magnificent waterfalls in the West — Lower and Upper Mesa Falls.

Image: Lower Mesa Falls, credit Visit Idaho.

A Sidestep East

Without a doubt the backtracking east is well worth it especially to stay at the fabulous Teton Springs Lodge and Spa, a great option for families, golfers and skiers in winter, as it’s located an easy drive from the Teton Mountains and both Grand Targhee and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort (over the border in Wyoming). Next on the list, dining and drinks- check! And the spa: heaven for girls ‘roughing it’ in the ‘wilderness’!

Of course visitors shouldn’t skip on the sensational breakfast; well needed for people looking to keep their energy up on the road!

Image: Teton Mountain Range. Credit: Visit Idaho

When in Idaho Go West

Idaho Falls for a visit to the oh-so-memorable Idaho Potato Museum.

Image: Idaho Potato Museum. Credit: Visit Idaho

Idaho’s ‘Strangest Little Town’

Arco is one of Idaho’s strangest little towns; a tiny town with a big story. In 1955, tiny Arco won fame as “the first city in the world to be lit by atomic power”. Today, it mainly serves as a jumping-off point for nearby Craters of the Moon National Monument.

Craters of The Moon National Monument and Preserve: To the Moon Alice!

Image: Craters of the Moon National Monument entrance, near Arco. Credit: Visit Idaho.

Start your Craters experience with a stop at the Visitor Center for maps, trail suggestions and information and then drive the loop road or hike a variety of trails. The area is a designated International Dark Sky Park, which means there will be no shortage of stars to observe, so stay on as the sun goes down and check out the out-of-this-world night sky.

Discover Twin Falls

Twin Falls is one of those road trip ‘finds’ that travellers love.

Image: Perrine Coulee Falls, Twin Falls. Credit: Visit Idaho.

When in Twin Falls, a stop-off at Snake River is essential. Another fun find is the Blue Lakes Inn with its quirky 50’s, road-trip style motel accommodation and friendly family service.

Image: Mountain biking near Snake River Canyon. Credit: Visit Idaho

The Shoshone Falls: who knew?

Image: Shoshone Falls, near Twin Falls. Credit: Visit Idaho.

Shoshone Falls, outside Twin Falls, is a stand-out attraction of great scenic beauty on the Snake River. The falls are higher than Niagara Falls and offer playgrounds, hiking trails, picnic areas, a boat ramp, swimming area, and a scenic overlook.

Image: Shoshone Falls, near Twin Falls. Credit: Visit Idaho.

What a detour; gotta love these dunes!

En route to Boise don’t miss Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park, the US’ tallest freestanding sand dunes and hike to the very top of this adult-sized sandpit. The view and bragging rights are well worth it.

Image: Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park, near Twin Falls. Credit: Visit Idaho.

Too many things to delight and discover about Boise

Image: Biking tracks, Boise River Green Belt. Credit: Visit Idaho.

First up: a stay at Hotel 43 in downtown Boise, with perfect plush robes, free wifi, Caffe D’Arte coffee AND close to everything. Plus: free bicycles for Exploring Boise’s Green Belt. This 25 miles of pathway and green oasis is a wildlife habitat showcasing scenic views with pedestrian or pedal-power access to the city’s popular riverside parks.

The Worldwide Center for Birds of Prey saved the Peregrine falcon from extinction; a joyous tale of conservation success. This is a haven for unique animals and a glimpse into the world of some of the most fascinating and rare birds from around the globe and the ancient art of falconry