Seattle to Boise Road Trip Guide

From the surf to the river to the forest, you will really get to see a wide range of environments on your trip to Boise. Umatilla National Forest is between Deschutes River State Recreation Area and Boise, so the drive will only be around three hours.

Umatilla National Forest features over one million acres and is between 1,600 and 8,000 feet above sea level, which is quite a change from the beginning of the trip when you were hanging by the beach in Seattle. This will be the best place during your trip if you are looking for solitude, with a large chunk of the forest being wilderness and plenty of hiking trails are available. There are also four different lakes, three rivers, rock climbing areas, mountain biking trails, and cross country skiing can also be done during the winter months. To see everything you would have to stay for months, but these choices mean that there will be something within the forest that you are interested in doing.

You have the choice of several camping options due to the size of the forest, but if you are wanting to stay on the way to Boise, the Olive Lake Campground will be the best place to call home for the night.

If you hit the road early and miss the Seattle morning traffic you should be able to hit the Oregon border after around four hours. Passing over the border will result in going across the Columbia River, so it makes sense to make this gorgeous area your next destination on your solo RV road trip.

Deschutes River State Recreation Area is the perfect place to visit if you want to get a taste of the Columbia and Deschutes River since this is the location where they split. You will be within a short drive from some awe-inspiring waterfalls, along with numerous canyons and a wide variety of wildlife. Of course, the Columbia River will be calling your name, so you will have the chance to go fishing, kayaking, or even white water rafting if you feel like an adventure.

Another great aspect of staying at the Deschutes River State Recreation Area is that you will have a place to stay once the sun goes down. There are 63 sites that will be suitable for your van, including some with water and electric hookups.

Going on a solo beach trip is one of the best ways to enjoy some solitude since you can stick to your own schedule and spend as little or as much time as you want in the water or watching the waves crash down. Since you are heading inland, paying a visit to Alki Beach Park is a must if you love the ocean.

Located around eight miles from the center of Seattle, Alki Beach Park can be visited at any time of the year, but during the summertime is when it will be busiest. People flock from all over to go for a dip in the ocean, but if you aren't interested in swimming you can also go beach walking whatever time of the year that you plan your trip. There are also plenty of picnic tables and restrooms to make your visit as comfortable as possible.

If you visit after dark you can also light a fire in one of the designated fire pits and cook up some smores or just spend this time thinking about life. There is no RV camping available at Alki Beach Park, but you can stay at the Seattle / Tacoma KOA Journey or Ruby Chow Park, which is a free dry-camping area.

This dramatic 80-mile canyon carved by the Columbia River features numerous waterfalls, world-class windsurfing, and the scenic Historic Columbia River Highway with easy RV access to multiple viewpoints.

The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area showcases over 90 waterfalls, including the famous 620-foot Multnomah Falls and the picturesque Latourell Falls. The Historic Columbia River Highway provides scenic access to numerous viewpoints and trailheads, while I-84 offers efficient RV travel with periodic scenic stops for waterfall viewing.

For those looking to extend their Columbia River Gorge experience, Cascade Locks Marine Park Campground offers an idyllic riverside camping destination overlooking the Columbia River. This family-friendly RV park features 15 sites (11 with electric and water hookups) and serves as the perfect base for exploring the Cascade Locks Historical Museum and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. With easy access to dramatic waterfalls like Multnomah Falls via the Historic Columbia River Highway, plus amenities like free WiFi and central bathrooms, it's an ideal spot to experience the gorge's beauty up close.

Popular activities include waterfall photography, hiking to viewpoints, and exploring the Bonneville Dam with its fish viewing windows. The town of Hood River offers dining and shopping opportunities, while numerous state parks provide camping options. The area serves as a natural transition between Washington's forests and Oregon's high desert landscapes.

This stunning 198-foot waterfall in southeastern Washington offers one of the state's most dramatic natural spectacles, accessible via a scenic detour through rolling Palouse farmland.

Palouse Falls plunges dramatically into a basalt canyon, creating one of Washington's most photographed waterfalls. The falls flow year-round but are most spectacular during spring snowmelt. The state park offers camping facilities and hiking trails to various viewpoints, including options for experienced hikers to reach the base of the falls.

The surrounding Palouse region features rolling hills of wheat fields that create a unique agricultural landscape often called "America's Tuscany." The area provides excellent photography opportunities and a peaceful contrast to the mountainous terrain elsewhere on the route. Several RV camping options are available in nearby towns.

North America's deepest river gorge offers dramatic scenery, excellent fishing, and numerous recreation opportunities along the Snake River corridor between Oregon and Idaho.

Hells Canyon, carved by the Snake River, reaches depths exceeding 7,900 feet and provides spectacular wilderness scenery. The area offers numerous viewpoints accessible by RV, plus opportunities for jet boat tours, fishing, and hiking. The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area encompasses nearly 700,000 acres of diverse landscapes.

Popular activities include scenic drives to overlooks, fishing for steelhead and salmon, and exploring historic sites related to early settlement and mining. Several campgrounds accommodate RVs, while nearby towns provide services and supplies. The area represents a dramatic transition into Idaho's mountain wilderness landscape.

This vast, often-overlooked landscape features endless horizons, unique geological formations, and authentic Western ranch country that captures the spirit of the American frontier.

Eastern Oregon's high desert region provides a stunning contrast to the state's better-known coastline and forests. The area features wide-open spaces, distinctive rock formations, and wildlife viewing opportunities including pronghorn antelope, eagles, and numerous bird species. Historic ranching operations and small towns offer glimpses into authentic Western life.

The John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, accessible via a slight detour, showcases ancient geological history and paleontological discoveries. The area offers numerous hot springs, both developed and natural, providing relaxation opportunities. This section creates a peaceful transition between Oregon's mountains and Idaho's diverse landscapes.

Idaho's capital city offers vibrant downtown culture, immediate access to outdoor recreation, and serves as the gateway to the state's incredible wilderness areas and outdoor adventures.

Boise combines urban sophistication with easy access to outdoor recreation, featuring a revitalized downtown along the Boise River, excellent dining and brewing scene, and numerous cultural attractions. The Boise River Greenbelt provides urban outdoor recreation, while nearby foothills offer hiking and mountain biking opportunities.

The city serves as an excellent base for exploring Idaho's outdoor attractions, including nearby hot springs, the Sawtooth Mountains, and Sun Valley. Multiple RV parks provide full amenities for extended stays, while the city's compact downtown offers walkable exploration of restaurants, breweries, and cultural attractions.