Seattle to Boise Road Trip Guide
Introduction
Sometimes a solo weekend trip can be the best thing for your mind, body, and soul, especially if you are feeling the stress from your everyday life. Packing up the van and hitting the road by yourself will allow you to see many natural and manmade hidden gems that you otherwise wouldn't get the chance to.
A solo van trip leaving from Seattle is an ideal platform to start from since you can choose so many different natural areas and city sights to check out. Seattle is one of the most popular cities in the country, and for good reason. There are so many interesting activities and entertainment options within the city, including seeing the city sights from the world-famous Space Needle, visiting the Museum of Pop Culture, or heading to a Seahawks, Mariners, or Sounders game.
Heading southeast from Seattle will give you the chance to get back to nature due to this route being located in an area where the Columbia River and the forests of Oregon are only a short drive from each other.
Having your final destination as Boise in western Idaho will mean that you can explore the nature of southern Washington and Oregon while also being able to visit a city that is often overlooked as a getaway destination. There is a lot going on in Boise, especially for nature lovers. It is home to the Boise River Greenbelt, World Center for Birds of Prey, and it is also close to the slopes of Bogus Basin. So, pack up your van and hit the road! Let's go on a weekend road trip from Seattle to Boise.
Point of Interest
Umatilla National Forest
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.
Deschutes River State Recreation Area
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.
Alki Beach Park
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.
Summary
As you reach the end of your solo RV getaway, the city of Boise will be waiting for you to enjoy. Boise is an underrated destination no matter what time of the year that you visit, so get ready to have some fun!
The city is known for having some great outdoor activities, so consider spending some time at the highly-rated Boise River Greenbelt. If the weather isn't great during your visit you can check out the Boise Art Museum exhibitions or the Old Idaho Penitentiary Site, which is an old prison that features daily tours. The city is also home to some wicked restaurants, and after your weekend in nature, you may feel like spoiling yourself. If this is the case, pay a visit to Barbacoa Grill, Fork, or the Bittercreek Alehouse.
You deserve a little luxury to finish your trip and staying at the Boise / Meridian KOA Journey will give you the chance to stay at a full hookup site with free WiFi and cable TV connections available. You will be tempted to stay a few extra days if you set up camp here, but it's time to get back to reality. Maybe next time you can head out on a seven-day trip!
