Idaho and Utah sights worth seeing?
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
As far as Idaho, I am most familiar with SE Idaho, which is mostly farm country and not much to see, other than the West side of the Tetons. If you find yourself on ID-20, near Ashton - Upper and Lower Mesa Falls are nearby and are very scenic.
I was born and raised in Utah and it has some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Zion NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Arches NP, Lake Powell NRA, the list goes on and on. Monument Valley is absolutely awe-inspiring. Try to get through the urban areas from Ogden-Salt Lake City-Provo quickly and head to the southern part of the state.
Enjoy your trip!
I was born and raised in Utah and it has some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Zion NP, Bryce Canyon NP, Arches NP, Lake Powell NRA, the list goes on and on. Monument Valley is absolutely awe-inspiring. Try to get through the urban areas from Ogden-Salt Lake City-Provo quickly and head to the southern part of the state.
Enjoy your trip!
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 185
From: Utah
So far, the only place you're getting steered astray is on the advice to skip northern Utah. And that's only bad advice depending on the amount of time you have. Your plan to go straight south from Missoula to Craters of the Moon is also probably a mistake. Take the suggestion of riding Highway 12 to Kooksia. It's one of the best roads in the country.
Here's my suggestion of a route from Glacier through Idaho and Utah to Arizona. This assumes that you've already seen Yellowstone and the Tetons. It also assumes that you'll catch monument valley on your way back from Arizona to Colorado Springs. Finally, the biggest factor is going to be the amount of time you have to devote to this part of your ride. Trying to cover Colorado, Black Hills, Yellowstone, Glacier, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona all in two weeks is a pretty tall order. The portion of the ride that I have outlined could easily take 5 days and would be difficult to do in under 4.
http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.c...r/share/213922
Sounds like you've got some fun ahead of you. Enjoy!
Here's my suggestion of a route from Glacier through Idaho and Utah to Arizona. This assumes that you've already seen Yellowstone and the Tetons. It also assumes that you'll catch monument valley on your way back from Arizona to Colorado Springs. Finally, the biggest factor is going to be the amount of time you have to devote to this part of your ride. Trying to cover Colorado, Black Hills, Yellowstone, Glacier, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona all in two weeks is a pretty tall order. The portion of the ride that I have outlined could easily take 5 days and would be difficult to do in under 4.
http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.c...r/share/213922
Sounds like you've got some fun ahead of you. Enjoy!
HDF Community Team
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 902
Likes: 152
From: Georgia
Thanks for the advice. I am still planning,trying to fit everything in 2 weeks. I will bypass Denver,was planning on going east and up to Rocky Mountain NP. In Idaho I was thinking of 93 South from Missoula to Craters of the Moon,then to I-15. I-15 thru Salt Lake down to rt.6/191 then on to Moab. South from Moab to monuments.Hwy 95 past Blanding,hwy 24 to hwy 12 to hwy89 at Kanab.Spending a night in Idaho around Idaho Falls and a night in Moab,another night around Bryce Canyon. Then I an heading to the north rim of Grand Canyon,then Sedona,spend a night and onto Four Corners. Not looking like I will have time for New Mexico. I want to spend my last few days doing the southwest of Colorado.
Supporter
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis
I don't know how old you are or if you're into movies but outside of Kanab is the old movie set for the old TV show Gunsmoke. It's delapidated now but you can still see the stairs going up to Doc Adam's office and all the buildings are still there. That area was used for about 60 films in all including the Apple Dumpling Gang series.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 916
Likes: 12
From: NoVA
All the hot spots have already been mentioned by other posters. So I'm going to give you a slightley weird spot in Utah. Goblin Valley SP. It's south of I-70 and west of Arches. For the most part unknown and passed by but worth seeing.
Now here's some advise you don't want to hear. For two weeks cut your destinations in half, at least. Not that you can't do it, but blowing by these great places at 70 MPH is not the way to see the west. I'm sorry to have said that but I'm an old geezer who has learned the hard way.
Take your time, allow 6 days out and back. The rest use to immerse yourself in one state or area. Just say'in because I once did twice the mileage and saw half as much as I do today.
Now here's some advise you don't want to hear. For two weeks cut your destinations in half, at least. Not that you can't do it, but blowing by these great places at 70 MPH is not the way to see the west. I'm sorry to have said that but I'm an old geezer who has learned the hard way.
Take your time, allow 6 days out and back. The rest use to immerse yourself in one state or area. Just say'in because I once did twice the mileage and saw half as much as I do today.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
Would only add that, IMO, riding I-15 and whistling through Salt Lake City & northern Utah is the way to do it. The really good part of Utah is in the southern half.
26 over to Blackfoot. Just past Pocatello, exit for US-30 and Lava Hot Springs/Soda Springs. Take 30 south to Montpelier, ID. Take 89 on the west or 30 to the east...they both loop around Bear Lake. Stay south on UT-16 to Woodruff, UT. Take UT-39 west over Monte Cristo to Huntsville. Left on UT-167 (trappers loop rd) to Mountain Green. East on I-84 to Morgan/UT-66. Take UT-66 around East Canyon Reservoir, over Big Mountain Pass and down to I-80. I-80 east to US-40 east, towards Heber, UT. Stay east on US-40 over Daniels Summit, past Strawberry & Stavation Reservoirs to Duchesne, UT. Hang a right on US-191 south (Indian Canyon) to Helper, UT. Stay on 191 South and you'll end up in Moab, UT.
Now that's a hell of a lot better than "whistling by SLC on I-15, huh?
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 185
From: Utah
Sorry, but this is complete and total bullshit. If you want to flit through SLC, be my guest, but don't do it on I-15! There is amazing riding in northern Utah. And there is absolutely no excuse for taking I-15. Let's assume you're leaving Craters of the Moon...
26 over to Blackfoot. Just past Pocatello, exit for US-30 and Lava Hot Springs/Soda Springs. Take 30 south to Montpelier, ID. Take 89 on the west or 30 to the east...they both loop around Bear Lake. Stay south on UT-16 to Woodruff, UT. Take UT-39 west over Monte Cristo to Huntsville. Left on UT-167 (trappers loop rd) to Mountain Green. East on I-84 to Morgan/UT-66. Take UT-66 around East Canyon Reservoir, over Big Mountain Pass and down to I-80. I-80 east to US-40 east, towards Heber, UT. Stay east on US-40 over Daniels Summit, past Strawberry & Stavation Reservoirs to Duchesne, UT. Hang a right on US-191 south (Indian Canyon) to Helper, UT. Stay on 191 South and you'll end up in Moab, UT.
Now that's a hell of a lot better than "whistling by SLC on I-15, huh?
26 over to Blackfoot. Just past Pocatello, exit for US-30 and Lava Hot Springs/Soda Springs. Take 30 south to Montpelier, ID. Take 89 on the west or 30 to the east...they both loop around Bear Lake. Stay south on UT-16 to Woodruff, UT. Take UT-39 west over Monte Cristo to Huntsville. Left on UT-167 (trappers loop rd) to Mountain Green. East on I-84 to Morgan/UT-66. Take UT-66 around East Canyon Reservoir, over Big Mountain Pass and down to I-80. I-80 east to US-40 east, towards Heber, UT. Stay east on US-40 over Daniels Summit, past Strawberry & Stavation Reservoirs to Duchesne, UT. Hang a right on US-191 south (Indian Canyon) to Helper, UT. Stay on 191 South and you'll end up in Moab, UT.
Now that's a hell of a lot better than "whistling by SLC on I-15, huh?
I also heartily agree with the poster who said that you ought to cut your destinations down dramatically, but you probably already got that from my earlier post on the subject.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: topaz,idaho
Thanks for the advice. I am still planning,trying to fit everything in 2 weeks. I will bypass Denver,was planning on going east and up to Rocky Mountain NP. In Idaho I was thinking of 93 South from Missoula to Craters of the Moon,then to I-15. I-15 thru Salt Lake down to rt.6/191 then on to Moab. South from Moab to monuments.Hwy 95 past Blanding,hwy 24 to hwy 12 to hwy89 at Kanab.Spending a night in Idaho around Idaho Falls and a night in Moab,another night around Bryce Canyon. Then I an heading to the north rim of Grand Canyon,then Sedona,spend a night and onto Four Corners. Not looking like I will have time for New Mexico. I want to spend my last few days doing the southwest of Colorado.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: topaz,idaho
Sorry, but this is complete and total bullshit. If you want to flit through SLC, be my guest, but don't do it on I-15! There is amazing riding in northern Utah. And there is absolutely no excuse for taking I-15. Let's assume you're leaving Craters of the Moon...
26 over to Blackfoot. Just past Pocatello, exit for US-30 and Lava Hot Springs/Soda Springs. Take 30 south to Montpelier, ID. Take 89 on the west or 30 to the east...they both loop around Bear Lake. Stay south on UT-16 to Woodruff, UT. Take UT-39 west over Monte Cristo to Huntsville. Left on UT-167 (trappers loop rd) to Mountain Green. East on I-84 to Morgan/UT-66. Take UT-66 around East Canyon Reservoir, over Big Mountain Pass and down to I-80. I-80 east to US-40 east, towards Heber, UT. Stay east on US-40 over Daniels Summit, past Strawberry & Stavation Reservoirs to Duchesne, UT. Hang a right on US-191 south (Indian Canyon) to Helper, UT. Stay on 191 South and you'll end up in Moab,
Now that's a hell of a lot better than "whistling by SLC on I-15, huh?
26 over to Blackfoot. Just past Pocatello, exit for US-30 and Lava Hot Springs/Soda Springs. Take 30 south to Montpelier, ID. Take 89 on the west or 30 to the east...they both loop around Bear Lake. Stay south on UT-16 to Woodruff, UT. Take UT-39 west over Monte Cristo to Huntsville. Left on UT-167 (trappers loop rd) to Mountain Green. East on I-84 to Morgan/UT-66. Take UT-66 around East Canyon Reservoir, over Big Mountain Pass and down to I-80. I-80 east to US-40 east, towards Heber, UT. Stay east on US-40 over Daniels Summit, past Strawberry & Stavation Reservoirs to Duchesne, UT. Hang a right on US-191 south (Indian Canyon) to Helper, UT. Stay on 191 South and you'll end up in Moab,
Now that's a hell of a lot better than "whistling by SLC on I-15, huh?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 224
From: Coeur d'Alene
Sorry, but this is complete and total bullshit. If you want to flit through SLC, be my guest, but don't do it on I-15! There is amazing riding in northern Utah. And there is absolutely no excuse for taking I-15. Let's assume you're leaving Craters of the Moon...
26 over to Blackfoot. Just past Pocatello, exit for US-30 and Lava Hot Springs/Soda Springs. Take 30 south to Montpelier, ID. Take 89 on the west or 30 to the east...they both loop around Bear Lake. Stay south on UT-16 to Woodruff, UT. Take UT-39 west over Monte Cristo to Huntsville. Left on UT-167 (trappers loop rd) to Mountain Green. East on I-84 to Morgan/UT-66. Take UT-66 around East Canyon Reservoir, over Big Mountain Pass and down to I-80. I-80 east to US-40 east, towards Heber, UT. Stay east on US-40 over Daniels Summit, past Strawberry & Stavation Reservoirs to Duchesne, UT. Hang a right on US-191 south (Indian Canyon) to Helper, UT. Stay on 191 South and you'll end up in Moab, UT.
Now that's a hell of a lot better than "whistling by SLC on I-15, huh?
26 over to Blackfoot. Just past Pocatello, exit for US-30 and Lava Hot Springs/Soda Springs. Take 30 south to Montpelier, ID. Take 89 on the west or 30 to the east...they both loop around Bear Lake. Stay south on UT-16 to Woodruff, UT. Take UT-39 west over Monte Cristo to Huntsville. Left on UT-167 (trappers loop rd) to Mountain Green. East on I-84 to Morgan/UT-66. Take UT-66 around East Canyon Reservoir, over Big Mountain Pass and down to I-80. I-80 east to US-40 east, towards Heber, UT. Stay east on US-40 over Daniels Summit, past Strawberry & Stavation Reservoirs to Duchesne, UT. Hang a right on US-191 south (Indian Canyon) to Helper, UT. Stay on 191 South and you'll end up in Moab, UT.
Now that's a hell of a lot better than "whistling by SLC on I-15, huh?