In August 2019, I went on a 13-day mother-daughter trip to Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. After my 2018 western trip, I was dying to see more incredible sights that differ from what I have access to nearby. This was a trip of threes – we were in three states, three national parks, three national forests, and three wildlife refuges.
If you plan to visit multiple national parks, I suggest you invest in an America the Beautiful Pass. An $80 annual pass lasts for a year from purchase – since I bought one in September 2018, it was still valid for this trip and saved me a ton of money.
This trip began with mom already out West, visiting a family friend at her cabin in Troy, Montana. I started with early flights from Charlotte to Phoenix, and then from Phoenix to Spokane, Washington. The plan my first day was to drive from Spokane to the cabin, where we were staying that night.
Roundtrip flight from Charlotte to Spokane and Bozeman to Charlotte
2019 Price: $483 per person
I landed at about 1 p.m. and picked up my rental car from Hertz. The rental car counters in Spokane are down a long hallway to the right of baggage claim.
Hertz Rental Car
2019 Price: $1,202 for 13 days
Since I had never been to Idaho, I found a couple of places to rest along my drive. The two extra stops did not add a lot of drive time to the trip, but I did underestimate the time it took to hike each place.
Cougar Bay Preserve
Cougar Bay Preserve near Coeur d’Alene, Idaho was first. There is an entrance to the preserve accessible from Highway 95. The preserve has a one-mile loop trail with forests, meadows and lake-front views open for public use. It’s a relatively easy hike.
Cougar Bay Preserve
2019 Price: Free
From the parking lot, cross the bridge and then turn left at the information sign to start your hike. Due to downed trees and overgrowth, I made it to the halfway point and turned around. While there, I saw ducks, geese, and chipmunks.
Since I had a four-hour drive from the airport to the cabin, this was a nice break to stretch my legs and get some fresh air. I always recommend finding places like preserves and wildlife reserves along your road trip to stop and enjoy nature.
I love Idaho too and the west in general. Thanks for these beautiful photos.
Thank you! These last two trips out West were amazing! I definitely need to go back and see more of Idaho.