Glacier Nationwide Park to Seattle: 4 Day Highway Journey

See the total street journey right here

This leg of the Nice Northern street journey spans roughly 600 miles from Glacier Nationwide Park, MT to Seattle, WA. It’s among the many most different segments of the journey, passing by way of Montana’s pine forests, reducing throughout the Idaho panhandle, and traversing Washington’s open plateau and Cascade Mountains. Alongside the best way, you’ll be able to go to lakeside cities like Sandpoint, discover Spokane’s city parks, marvel on the Dry Falls canyon, and benefit from the Bavarian attraction of Leavenworth. Plan on 3–4 days (or as much as 5 with detours) to totally recognize this stretch. For an entire information to the whole journey, see our full Nice Northern street journey overview.

Phase Overview

This stretch follows US Freeway 2 throughout three states, with dramatic modifications in surroundings. You begin in Montana’s glacier-carved peaks and forests, then dip into Idaho’s lake nation, and at last cross Washington’s channeled coulee nation earlier than climbing over the Cascades. Summer season is the perfect time to drive (late June by way of September) when mountain passes and park roads are usually snow-free. In contrast, winter journey might require detours or traction tires (Stevens Go usually sees heavy snow). Count on mild site visitors exterior the cities, however plan for lengthy gaps between providers in rural areas and be ready for quickly altering climate within the mountains.

Fast Stats

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Glacier Nationwide Park, MT to Sandpoint, ID (~220 miles)

Depart Glacier Nationwide Park westbound on US-2. After winding by way of the Flathead Valley, take into account a resupply and gas cease in Columbia Falls or Kalispell. The route then follows the wild Kootenai River towards Libby – don’t miss the brief hike to Kootenai Falls, one of many largest free-flowing waterfalls within the Northwest. A swinging footbridge excessive above the 30-foot falls affords an exciting view of the cascade. Proceed into Idaho, crossing dense forests and the lands of the Kootenai Tribe close to Bonners Ferry. By late afternoon you’ll attain the lakefront city of Sandpoint on Lake Pend Oreille. Get pleasure from a stroll at Sandpoint Metropolis Seaside or browse the artsy downtown earlier than settling in. Camp for the evening at Spherical Lake State Park simply south of Sandpoint, or keep on the town for extra eating choices.

Day 2: Sandpoint, ID to Grand Coulee space, WA (through Spokane) (~200 miles)

Within the morning, comply with US-2 alongside the Pend Oreille River into Washington. It’s about 1.5 hours to Spokane, the most important metropolis on this route. Take a break in Spokane’s Riverfront Park – experience the cable gondola over Spokane Falls or seize lunch downtown. Heading west from Spokane, US-2 spans open wheat fields and small farming communities. Gasoline up in Davenport or Wilbur earlier than venturing into the distant Grand Coulee area. Within the late afternoon, arrive at Dry Falls close to Coulee Metropolis – a viewpoint reveals a 3.5-mile-wide, 400-foot cliff (remnant of an Ice Age waterfall ~4 instances the scale of Niagara). From Dry Falls, proceed north alongside Banks Lake to achieve Steamboat Rock State Park by early night. Arrange camp with a view of the lake and the looming basalt butte of Steamboat Rock. After dinner, take into account a brief drive to Grand Coulee Dam to catch the free nightly laser mild present (Memorial Day by way of September) projected onto the dam’s enormous spillway.

Day 3: Grand Coulee to Leavenworth, WA (~150 miles)

If time permits within the morning, hike the brief path up Steamboat Rock for panoramic views over Banks Lake. Then proceed south on US-2 towards the Columbia River valley. The street traverses wheat prairies after which descends into Wenatchee, often known as the Apple Capital of Washington. Contemplate stopping at a fruit stand or the Rocky Attain Dam overlook for a break. Subsequent, head west on US-2 alongside the Wenatchee River into the Cascades through scenic Tumwater Canyon. By afternoon, you’ll arrive in Leavenworth, a Bavarian-themed mountain city nestled under excessive peaks. Browse Leavenworth’s alpine downtown – you’ll be able to go to the quirky Nutcracker Museum (over 9,000 nutcrackers on show) or get pleasure from brats and beer in an out of doors biergarten. Campers can head 20 minutes north to Lake Wenatchee State Park for a quiet forest campground by the lake. (Personal choices just like the Leavenworth KOA or native RV parks are additionally obtainable nearer to city.)

Day 4: Leavenworth, WA to Seattle, WA (~130 miles)

On the final leg, comply with US-2 west by way of the Stevens Go Greenway (a delegated Nationwide Scenic Byway). The freeway climbs to Stevens Go (4,061 ft) – a ski space in winter – then winds down by way of lush forests on the west facet. Stretch your legs on a brief stroll at Deception Falls close to the summit, or try the historic Iron Goat Path alongside an outdated railroad grade. Because the street descends alongside the Skykomish River, you’ll cross small cities (Index, Gold Bar) in style for hikes, rafting, and fishing. When you attain Monroe, site visitors will increase as you close to the metro space. If time permits, detour south to Snoqualmie Falls (a well-known 268-ft waterfall about 25 miles off US-2) earlier than heading into the Seattle space. In any other case, proceed west to Everett and merge onto I-5 for the ultimate stretch into Seattle, the place this phase concludes. Purpose to reach by early afternoon to keep away from Seattle’s rush-hour site visitors on weekdays.

Campgrounds to Contemplate

• Spherical Lake State Park Campground (Idaho) – A peaceable, well-maintained campground in North Idaho’s Panhandle, about 10 miles south of Sandpoint. Set in a forest round a small lake, it has swimming, paddling, fishing, and mountain climbing trails proper by camp. The campground gives ingesting water, restrooms with showers, and each tent and RV websites (some with electrical hookups). Its pleasant environment and shaded websites make it a calming stopover between Glacier and Spokane.
• Bowl and Pitcher Campground – Riverside State Park (Washington) – Situated on the Spokane River simply exterior Spokane, this state park campground blends metropolis comfort with nature. Campsites (for tents and RVs) sit amongst ponderosa pines and basalt rock formations; a brief path results in a CCC-built suspension bridge over the river rapids. The campground has flush bogs, sizzling showers, and picnic tables. It’s a handy in a single day if you wish to camp close to Spokane – solely a 15-minute drive from downtown – whereas nonetheless having fun with mountain climbing trails and river views at camp.
• Solar Lakes–Dry Falls State Park Campground (Washington) – Camp within the coronary heart of the Grand Coulee’s desert oasis. This state park campground sits under the cliffs of Dry Falls and subsequent to Park Lake, providing a novel high-desert tenting expertise. It has tent websites, RV websites (with hookups), and cabins, plus facilities like restrooms, token-operated showers, and a few grassy picnic areas. Guests swim and fish within the chain of lakes and revel in vivid sunsets on the canyon partitions. (Be ready for infrequent sturdy winds at evening.) Solar Lakes is open from spring by way of fall and makes an awesome base for exploring Dry Falls and the Coulee Hall.
• Steamboat Rock State Park Campground (Washington) – A big campground on Banks Lake, set under the towering mesa of Steamboat Rock. The park has a number of loops with over 150 websites, together with full-hookup RV spots, tent websites, and some cabins. Households recognize the sandy swimming seaside, boat launches, and miles of mountain climbing/biking trails (together with the path up Steamboat Rock itself). Services are trendy – count on clear loos, sizzling showers, and a playground. This campground may be very in style in summer time, so reserve upfront. Out of your website, you’ll be able to get pleasure from dawn over the lake and may see deer or wild turkeys wandering by way of the realm.
• Lake Wenatchee State Park Campground (Washington) – Nestled on the wooded shores of a transparent alpine lake, this campground affords a traditional mountain tenting expertise. The park has two tenting areas (north and south shore) with practically 200 websites for tents and RVs, plus a couple of cabins. Facilities embrace picnic tables, fireplace rings, potable water, flush restrooms, and coin-operated showers. In summer time, campers swim, paddle, or horseback experience; in winter, the park’s trails are in style for snowshoeing and snowboarding. It’s about 20 minutes from Leavenworth, making it an excellent base for exploring that space or mountain climbing close by trails within the Cascades.
• Lincoln Rock State Park Campground (Washington) – This family-friendly campground sits alongside the Columbia River (Lake Entiat) simply north of Wenatchee. It options spacious lawns and a swimming seaside, nice for youths and water recreation. There are over 100 campsites, together with full-hookup loops for RVs and grassy tent areas, plus a number of cabins. Guests reward the clear loos, sizzling showers, and well-kept grounds. A paved path connects the campground to picnic shelters and boat launches. The campground is called after an area rock formation that resembles Abraham Lincoln’s profile on the alternative shore. It’s a preferred weekend spot for boating and biking, so reservations are really helpful for summer time.
• Leavenworth Pine Village KOA (Washington, non-public) – A full-service non-public campground positioned 2 miles from downtown Leavenworth on the Wenatchee River. It has a variety of lodging – RV websites with hookups, tent websites, and cabins – together with in depth facilities (seasonal pool, sizzling tubs, playground, canine park, Wi-Fi, and a camp retailer). In summer time, the campground affords shuttle service to Leavenworth’s Bavarian Village, which is helpful throughout festivals. The riverside setting is gorgeous, with some websites backing onto the water. This KOA may be very in style with households and may be busy (and a bit dear) in peak season, but it surely’s laborious to beat for comfort and kid-friendly actions.

Prime Actions & Points of interest

Pure Highlights

Kootenai Falls (MT) – A brief path close to Libby results in a swinging bridge over these highly effective falls on the Kootenai River. The principle waterfall is about 30 toes excessive and drops 90 toes over lower than a mile, and the encircling canyon is a spectacular photograph spot. Lake Pend Oreille (ID) – A 43-mile-long glacial lake ringed by mountains. Cease at Sandpoint’s Metropolis Seaside or the Lake Pend Oreille Scenic Byway pullouts for swimming and views. Dry Falls (WA) – Go to the Dry Falls Overlook and Customer Heart to witness the 400-ft cliffs and find out how Ice Age floods created this big waterfall remnant. Deception Falls (WA) – A family-friendly nature path close to Stevens Go that loops over bridges and boardwalks alongside a cascading creek within the mossy forest. If in case you have further time and wish extra mountain surroundings, a detour north to North Cascades Nationwide Park (through Freeway 20) will reward you with alpine lakes and jagged peaks.

Cultural & Historic Websites

• Riverfront Park, Spokane – This 100-acre park downtown was the location of the 1974 World’s Truthful. As we speak it options the historic 1909 Looff Carousel, public artwork, and Spokane Falls viewpoints (experience the SkyRide gondola for a novel perspective over the falls).
• Grand Coulee Dam Customer Heart – Displays and movies right here clarify the development of Grand Coulee Dam and the Columbia Basin Venture. In summer time the dam hosts a nightly laser mild present telling the story of the river.
• Leavenworth – A once-timber city reinvented as a Bavarian-themed village. Stroll Entrance Road to admire the alpine structure, pattern German baked items and sausage, or catch an out of doors summer time theater efficiency. Leavenworth’s calendar is full of occasions like Oktoberfest and the Christmas Lighting Pageant, reflecting its cultural aptitude.
• Panida Theater, Sandpoint – A historic 1927 Spanish Mission–fashion theater downtown that now hosts movies, concert events, and neighborhood occasions – a neat cease to understand native historical past and perhaps catch a present if timing aligns.

Out of doors Recreation

This phase is filled with out of doors enjoyable. Hikers can sort out trails just like the Iron Goat Path (6 miles, reasonable) on Stevens Go or the Wallace Falls path (5.6 miles round-trip to a 265-ft waterfall) close to Gold Bar. For shorter walks, strive the paths at Riverside State Park (a number of loops alongside the Spokane River) or the Path of the Coeur d’Alenes in Idaho (a paved rail-trail good for biking as effectively). Mountain bikers will discover routes within the forests round Lake Wenatchee and Sandpoint (the Schweitzer Mountain resort affords lift-served biking in summer time). On the water, in style actions embrace kayaking and paddleboarding – you’ll be able to hire gear at Sandpoint to discover Lake Pend Oreille, or convey your personal to paddle on Banks Lake or Lake Wenatchee. Anglers will recognize the fishing alternatives: forged for trout in Spherical Lake or Lake Roosevelt, or strive for walleye and bass in Banks Lake. In winter, parts of this route flip right into a cold-weather playground – Schweitzer Mountain and Stevens Go are high ski areas, and lots of state park campgrounds (like Lake Wenatchee and Riverside) have groomed snowshoe and Nordic ski trails.

Distinctive Stops

For one thing just a little completely different, try the Nutcracker Museum in Leavenworth, which shows over 9,000 nutcrackers from prehistoric carvings to quirky trendy collections – it’s oddly fascinating and a success with children. Within the tiny city of Skykomish, the Nice Northern & Cascade Railway operates miniature prepare rides on summer time weekends (a enjoyable, free cease for households and prepare buffs). If theme park thrills attraction, you may detour about 30 miles south of US-2 to Silverwood Theme Park (close to Coeur d’Alene, ID), house to curler coasters and a water park – a giant attract summer time. Driving by way of the wheat nation, maintain an eye fixed out for offbeat roadside artwork: for instance, Wilbur, WA has an enormous cement bull marking its ranching heritage, and a mural of a wheat farmer on Foremost Road. And as you strategy Seattle, take into account a fast cease in Snohomish or Monroe – these small cities provide vintage retailers, native bakeries, and farm stands that present a slice of native life in your remaining miles.

Journey Ideas for This Phase

Plan your gas stops fastidiously – after leaving the Glacier Park space, gasoline stations are few till you get nearer to Spokane. (Cities like Libby, MT and Bonners Ferry, ID have gas, however there could also be 60+ miles between providers, so high off when you’ll be able to.) Equally, replenish in Spokane or Davenport earlier than crossing central Washington, as providers are sparse on US-2 between there and Wenatchee. Mobile phone reception is spotty in stretches of the Idaho panhandle and across the Grand Coulee (don’t count on sign at Steamboat Rock State Park). Obtain offline maps or GPS knowledge upfront – utilizing a software like The Dyrt PRO for offline campground maps is usually a trip-saver. In summer time, maintain tabs on regional wildfire information; smoky circumstances and even fire-related street closures can happen in late summer time. In winter and early spring, be ready for snow – Stevens Go often closes for avalanche management, and Montana/Idaho mountain roads may be icy. At all times examine WSDOT and NPS alerts if touring exterior of summer time, and carry tire chains when crossing the Cascades from November by way of April. Look ahead to wildlife on the roads, particularly round daybreak and nightfall; deer, elk, and even moose frequent the freeway edges in wooded areas of Montana and Idaho. Lastly, be aware that Washington State Parks require a Uncover Go for automobile entry (a $10/day price or $30 annual cross), which you should purchase on-line or at park kiosks.

Extra Segments & Sources

This Glacier-to-Seattle drive is one phase of the bigger Nice Northern street journey route throughout the nation. For an summary of the whole journey (from the Higher Midwest to the Pacific Northwest), see our full Nice Northern street journey information with all segments. In the event you’re persevering with eastward, you’ll find phase guides protecting the legs from Seattle again to Glacier and onward by way of the Nice Plains and Nice Lakes. As you propose, leverage instruments like The Dyrt PRO for locating campsites (even offline) alongside the route, and bear in mind to apply Depart No Hint ideas to maintain these locations lovely for everybody. Benefit from the journey on this unforgettable northern coast-to-coast drive!

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