Seattle to Casper Road Trip Guide

The deafening crescendo caused by these powerful cascades means that you will undoubtedly hear these falls before you see them. Located in the center of the city, these beautiful waterfalls have been a gathering place for thousands of years.

There are several viewing points of the falls, and a stroll through the Park is certainly advised for the best views. Although a trip on the Sky Ride gondola is also recommended! Gradually descending 200 feet, this promises excellent vantage points. If you would like to spend the night in the area, public camping is available at Riverside State Park. There are four different campgrounds within the park, and it is situated around nine miles from the town center. There is a lot to do here, including fifty-five miles of developed trails, fishing on the Little Spokane River and water sports on Lake Spokane.

Set among breath-taking scenery and picturesque landscapes, the next step on our journey is the beautiful Glacier National Park. Spread across more than a million acres, the park consists of over 700 miles of developed trails through pristine forests and alpine meadows.

Discover picturesque scenery around every corner and spot the wildlife that is at home here. This includes grizzly bears, black bears, moose, wolves, cougars, bighorn sheep, and even the elusive Canadian lynx.

There are thirteen different campgrounds located across the park and over a thousand campsites spread amongst them. Many of the campgrounds are first-come, first-served, but some do require reservations in advance, particularly the group campgrounds. Generators are permitted at the campsite but any noisy generators must be turned off during Quiet Hours (10 pm to 6 am). Also, you will need to ensure that you store your food properly as bears roam here.

With its impressive views of the Mission Mountains and some of the best sunsets on the planet, the Flathead Lake in North West Montana provides the perfect place to spend the night. Camp among the trees, hike through the forest, and swim in this large natural lake, or just spend the evenings gazing up at the constellations above.

There are thirteen public campgrounds located around this beautiful setting. The Big Arm area is one of the most popular options, a 2014-acre park that has restrooms with showers, electric and water hook-ups, boat launches, and hiking trails. If you are looking for a campground with lots of amenities, you could also stay at the Polson/Flathead Lake KOA in Polson, Montana. Keep your eyes peeled to see if you can spot the Flathead Lake monster. According to legend, the lake is home to a creature that lurks beneath the depths.

The next stop on our journey is an unusual one-of-a-kind place. Located near Arlee, Montana, a Native American reservation is not usually the place where you would expect to find the Garden of One Thousand Buddha; a spiritual site based around a Tibetan Buddhist Centre. Spread across ten acres of land, each path is lined with sculptures of Yum Chenmo arranged in a ‘wheel of dharma' formation, symbolizing the eternal cycle of life, death, and resurrection.

Although there are not quite a thousand just yet, volunteers are working to achieve their goal and the site was designated an International Centre of Peace in 2000. It is a place of rest and reflection, a truly peaceful site that oozes serenity.

Hidden high up in the Garnet Mountain range, this historic ghost town sits at an elevation of around 6, 000 feet. Check out the visitor center on the main street to discover more about the history of the area, and wander around the remains of the hotel, general store, saloon and post office. Providing a glimpse into the gold mining history of the region, Garnet was once a thriving town that was named after the semi-precious stones that were once discovered here.

There are several developed trails in the area, with the chance to wander through history. The area is also home to over 30 miles of backcountry roads and trails that have been designated for OHV use. All entrance fees go on to support the preservation of the Ghost Town and it is open to visitors year-round. However, visiting the Garnet Ghost Town in bad weather conditions is not recommended. When there is snow up in the mountains, the site is only accessible by snowmobile or cross country skiing.

Located in Jefferson County, the Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park is one of Montana’s best-known state parks. This is because it is home to one of the largest limestone caverns in North America. Providing visitors the opportunity to explore deep underground; examining the stalactites, stalagmites, helicities, and columns that protect the delicate ecology of the underground world. Despite being named after the legendary explorers, Captain Meriwether Lewis and Second Lieutenant William Clark, it is has been said that they never actually set foot in the caverns below.

Access to the caves is via guided tours only and these run from May 1st to September 30th. There are various tours available to suit different levels and abilities, so check to see which one would be best for you. If you would like to spend the night here, the park is home to a large campground with 40 sites. Encompassing 2015-acres, this site has a range of facilities, including flush toilets, showers, dump station, and drinking water.

One of the most famous parks in the world, Yellowstone National Park was the very first in the US; being designated with its park status in 1872. This epic wilderness area is home to snaking rivers, deep canyons, vast lakes, powerful cascades, and ethereal landscapes. It is a land of contrasts, with the chance to wonder at the amazing colors of the unique geothermal wonders, stroll through the dense forests, and spot extraordinary wildlife, including black bears, grizzly bears, wolves, bison and so much more.

It is recommended you spend at least a couple of nights here, as there is so much to see and do in the area. You will definitely want to visit Old Faithful, which is the largest natural geyser in the park. It erupts around every ninety minutes and each powerful blast lasts between two and five minutes. For a scenic drive, the Grand Loop is recommended. This is a 142-mile road which takes you past some of the park’s most famous attractions. If you are planning to camp here, you are advised to reserve your spot in advance.

Established in 1929, the Grand Teton National Park is spread across 210,000 acres and it welcomes over three million visitors each year. Located just south of Yellowstone National Park, it is home to famous landmarks including Mormon Row and the Moulton Barns. With such impressive landscapes and the opportunity to spot the range of wildlife that makes their home here, you will want to bring your camera. There is also a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities, including kayaking, fishing, hiking and biking and more.

Whether you prefer to explore along over two miles of trails or just float along the river, this is the perfect opportunity to relax amongst pristine lakes and alpine terrains. There are six different campgrounds located throughout the park, and at just ten miles from Yellowstone, this is a great backup plan if campgrounds there are full.

Have a prehistoric adventure at the Wyoming Dinosaur Centre and learn more about the majestic prehistoric creatures that once roamed the earth. Offering educational and entertaining geological and paleontological experiences, this site holds one of the largest and most unique fossil collections in the world. The most famous one is Jimbo the Supersaurus, a 106- foot long skeleton that stretches from one end of the museum to the other.

The center itself is located in Thermopolis, WY, and dig sites are just 18 minutes’ drive away, with more than 10, 000 bones being discovered in the Warm Springs Ranch site. If you are passionate about paleontology, there is also the option to work alongside the pros and learn more about the earth and the wonders that you may find within it.

It would seem such a waste to be driving in this area and not stop to see such an iconic American landmark. This large scale mountain sculpture was created by Gutzon Borglum (1927-1941) and it features the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, intricately carved from the granite mountainside.

Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the monument welcomes more than three million visitors each year. Follow the Avenue of Flags to the Grand View Terrace for the best possible view or follow The Presidential Trail for a half-mile loop that will take you to several vantage points and allows for a closer look. Just 18 miles away from here, the Crazy Horse Monument is also worth a visit. This structure was first commissioned 71 years ago and is still not finished. It depicts the Oglala Lakota warrior, Crazy Horse.