Northwest Adventure: Iowa to Montana & Wyoming Loop

Day 1: Solon → Cheyenne

Morning: Depart from 1690 Newberry Ave NE, Solon, IA and head west on I‑80, enjoying the rolling prairie scenery. Stop for coffee in Des Moines before crossing into Nebraska.

Afternoon: Continue on I‑80 and I‑76 into Colorado, then take I‑25 north to reach Cheyenne, WY. Check in at your hotel and stretch your legs with a walk through the historic Cheyenne Historic District.

Evening: Dine at a local steakhouse and experience the lively atmosphere of Frontier Days Plaza before a restful night.

Day 2: Cheyenne → Cokeville → Jackson

Morning: Drive west on I‑80 and I‑25 to the small town of Cokeville, WY. Explore the Cokeville Museum and enjoy a quick hike near the Upper Goose Creek Canyon.

Afternoon: Head north on US‑89 to the gateway town of Jackson, WY. Wander the Jackson Town Square and browse the art galleries.

Evening: Relax with a sunset dinner overlooking the Snake River and perhaps catch a live music show at the Alaska Café.

Day 3: Jackson → Victor → Salmon

Morning: Take the scenic Jackson Hole Scenic Loop and cross into Idaho via the Snake River Canyon. Arrive in Victor, ID for a quick coffee and a stroll through the historic downtown.

Afternoon: Continue on ID‑33 to Salmon, ID. Visit the Idaho Salmon River Museum and enjoy a riverside walk.

Evening: Savor a hearty meal at a local lodge and unwind under the clear night sky, perfect for stargazing.

Day 4: Salmon → Twin Falls → Jordan Valley

Morning: Drive south on US‑93 to the iconic Shoshone Falls near Twin Falls, ID. Spend time admiring the “Niagara of the West” and the surrounding park.

Afternoon: After lunch, head east on US‑30 toward the high desert of Jordan Valley, OR. Stop at the Jarbidge Wilderness overlook for breathtaking vistas.

Evening: Check into a rustic cabin, enjoy a campfire, and reflect on the day’s diverse landscapes.

Day 5: Jordan Valley → McCall → Lewiston

Morning: Travel north on ID‑3 and US‑20 to the resort town of McCall, ID. Take a leisurely walk along Payette Lake and sip coffee at a lakeside café.

Afternoon: Continue west on ID‑55 and US‑95 to Lewiston, ID. Explore the Nez Perce County Historical Museum and the scenic Lewiston Riverfront Park.

Evening: Dine on fresh trout at a riverside restaurant and enjoy a sunset view over the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers.

Day 6: Lewiston → Sandpoint → Selkirk Loop Start

Morning: Drive north on US‑95 and ID‑13 to the charming town of Sandpoint, ID. Stroll the Lake Pend Oreille shoreline and explore the Schatz Construction Company Museum.

Afternoon: Begin the International Selkirk Loop, crossing into Canada via the Boundary Dam. Enjoy panoramic mountain views along the loop’s first stretch.

Evening: Return to Sandpoint for dinner, sampling local craft brews, and settle in for the night.

Day 7: Selkirk Loop → Kalispell → Flathead Lake

Morning: Continue the Selkirk Loop through the breathtaking Cabot Trail scenery before re‑entering the U.S. via the Roosevelt Border Crossing into Kalispell, MT.

Afternoon: Explore downtown Kalispell’s historic district and the Polson Museum. Then drive east to the stunning Flathead Lake, stopping at Lake County Historical Museum.

Evening: Set up camp or check into a lakeside resort, enjoying a sunset over the largest natural freshwater lake in the western United States.

Day 8: Flathead Lake → Hungry Horse → Apgar → Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road

Morning: Follow US‑2 south to the impressive Hungry Horse Dam. Take a short hike on the Hungry Horse Reservoir Trail for spectacular water‑canyon views.

Afternoon: Continue on US‑2 to the Apgar Village at the western entrance of Glacier National Park. Grab lunch and prepare for the iconic Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road.

Evening: Drive the first half of the road, stopping at Logan Pass and St. Mary Lake for sunset photography before returning to Apgar for a relaxing night.

Day 9: Glacier National Park → St. Mary → Yellowstone

Morning: Explore the full stretch of Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road, visiting highlights like Wild Goose Island and Sunrise Visitor Center.

Afternoon: Descend to St. Mary and enjoy a boat cruise on St. Mary Lake. Then head east on US‑89 towards Yellowstone National Park, entering through the North Entrance.

Evening: Arrive at the iconic Old Faithful area, catch an eruption, and settle into nearby lodging for a night of geothermal wonder.

Day 10: Yellowstone → Sheridan → Return to Solon

Morning: Tour Yellowstone’s major sites: Grand Prismatic Spring, Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Afternoon: Depart the park via US‑14 east to Sheridan, WY. Walk the historic Fort Phil Kearny State Historic Site and enjoy a quick lunch.

Evening: Begin the long drive back to Solon, IA, stopping overnight in a convenient midway town such as Rapid City, SD before completing the loop the next day.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Cheyenne Historic District – 2 hrs – $0 (free)
• Cokeville Museum – 1.5 hrs – $5
• Jackson Town Square – 2 hrs – $0
• Victor Downtown – 1 hr – $0
• Salmon River Museum – 2 hrs – $8
• Shoshone Falls (Twin Falls) – 2 hrs – $5
• Jarbidge Wilderness Overlook – 1 hr – $0
• Payette Lake (McCall) – 2 hrs – $0
• Lewiston Riverfront Park – 2 hrs – $0
• Lake Pend Oreille (Sandpoint) – 2 hrs – $0
• International Selkirk Loop (scenic drive) – 4 hrs – $0
• Kalispell Historic District – 2 hrs – $0
• Flathead Lake – 3 hrs – $0
• Hungry Horse Dam – 2 hrs – $0
• Apgar Village & Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road – 4 hrs – $35 (park entry)
• St. Mary Lake Cruise – 1.5 hrs – $20
• Old Faithful (Yellowstone) – 2 hrs – $0
• Yellowstone Main Attractions – 6 hrs – $35 (park entry)
• Fort Phil Kearny (Sheridan) – 2 hrs – $5
• Accommodation (10 nights) – – $1,200
• Meals (average $45/day) – – $450
• Fuel (≈ 2,200 miles @ $3.80/gallon, 25 MPG) – – $335
• Miscellaneous (souvenirs, tips) – – $200
• Total Estimated Cost: $2,318

Tips

To extend the trip, add an extra day in Glacier National Park for additional hikes like Highline Trail or a boat tour on Lake McDonald. If you need to shorten the itinerary, skip the detour to Jordan Valley and combine Twin Falls with the drive to McCall, saving a full day without missing major highlights.