planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I am tentatively planning on driving from the St. Louis burbs to Missoula the 2nd weekend in June (my birthday) for a fly-in and would like to take a week and a half to two weeks to get out there and back so I can take pics along the way. I haven't been anywhere west of MO since I quit driving a semi in '07 due to health concerns and would like some suggestions on where to stop. Two different routes by Google Maps are within 30 miles of a 24 hr drive to get out there meeting in Sioux Falls. Thanks in advance for time to read and respond.

ewforbess Loc: San Antonio, TX

I got some great shots a few years back going through Beartooth Pass. It is in northern Wyoming near the Montana border. Wherever you go, I'm sure you'll get some great shots -- enjoy the trip!

PhotoKurtz Loc: Carterville, IL

We did about the same couple years ago. WEst along the northern Route and back along the south.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1tN4yScN7Eg3oaYgnpNPCe9TYFpw&usp=sharing

Great parks and landmarks all along the way. Among other things... I pre-mapped truckstops in order to manage a 30' travel trailer. Most of the sidetrips aren't detailed on this map.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

Couldn't find the pass, but saw the highway (212 - closed in winter) - looks rugged.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

Was it easy mapping out a route on Google? Truckstops (and regular places that trucks gather at) tend to have better food along highways, especially if they aren't associated with chain restaurants. I'd be driving a Ford Focus...don't need to worry about parking :) I saw that Devil's tower (Close Encounters) is almost directly on my route and I could take a detour and go through Yellowstone on hwy 14, but I'm not sure how much extra time that would take.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

If you take 90 west you'll go by Badlands. YNP and TNP are great. GNP has wonderful landscape, if you have a passport Waterton, Glaciers sister park in .Canada is wonderful.

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

btw, there is a National Parks Senior Pass for $10, good for your lifetime, and good for a carload of people; be sure to get one

willmscr Loc: Beloit Wisconsin

Beartooth Pass may not be open in June. The earliest they try to open it is in late May and I have found it closed in July and August.

It does provide some beautiful sites for picture taking.

willmscr Loc: Beloit Wisconsin

Some places to consider:

Mount Rushmore. It's a tourist site but interesting.
Crazy Horse Memorial.
Badland National Park.
Devil's Tower.
Battle of the Little Bighorn
Lolo Pass area
Anything around Bozeman, Missoula, or Butte.
Any of the National Parks but June is early and travel may be difficult.

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

Unfortunately, I'm about 8 years too young for a senior pass. I'll try to remember to get one when I get old enough - if I don't lose my memory by that time :)

planepics Loc: St. Louis burbs, but originally Chicago burbs

I had no idea Teton was so close to Yellowstone...GNP is about a 3 hr detour, but it'd probably be worth it...I'm not sure if I've ever been there. If I had it was during a family vacation with the old Chevy station wagon, with me in the way back with the luggage, cooler and dog...those were the days!

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

"IF" you just drive[ to Missoula and don't take the time to drive North to Flathead Lake and Glacier Park you have wasted the whole trip. It is a relative shot drive - one day each way will be quite rewarding. In MY Humble Opinion.
Harvey


quote=planepics]I am tentatively planning on driving from the St. Louis burbs to Missoula the 2nd weekend in June (my birthday) for a fly-in and would like to take a week and a half to two weeks to get out there and back so I can take pics along the way. I haven't been anywhere west of MO since I quit driving a semi in '07 due to health concerns and would like some suggestions on where to stop. Two different routes by Google Maps are within 30 miles of a 24 hr drive to get out there meeting in Sioux Falls. Thanks in advance for time to read and respond.[/quote]

jerjane

I live in Montana during the summer and Yuma,AZ in the winter and have to agree with Harvey. Glacier Park and around that area are the highlights of Montana. I have been in Yellowstone park and wouldnt go back. Some nice places to see but not worth putting up with the tourists. Glacier is busy but they have free shuttles and going to the sun highway is a must see. I also have travled the Bear Tooth highway and it is an adventure for sure. I would just avoid Yellowstone park in my humble opion. I also travled on motorcycle and that makes a lot of difference.

clint f. Loc: Priest Lake Idaho, Spokane Wa

Remember that Montana is almost 550 miles across. Imho you must see Glacier park and Yellowstone park. Totally different experiences. The problem is that they are not a short detour. Just going from one side of the park to the other and back, which is very common, will take a good portion of the day if you stop at even a few of the vista points. I spent an entire summer working and playing in Glacier and hardly scratched the surface. It is not a couple hour side trip. Physically you are closest to Glacier when you are in Missoula. Going up the Mission and Flathead valleys next to the Mission mountains is wonderful scenery. Yellowstone is also a must see. Geysers in abundance greater than any where else on earth. They both support large tourist crowds but that is because of the tremendous beauty of the areas. I have no idea of your interests so can't say much about other things you want to see, but The state is the size of the entire country of Germany, with a population far less than 1/2 of the St Louis metro area. I travel by motorcycle and enjoy the challenge of route finding so if you want to PM me I've got some opinions on other places to see in the Big Sky State.
As regards Beartooth Pass, it is almost always open by the middle of May.