AboutSue Mecham Expertise Best places to stay, eat, best roads to travel on activities. Idaho native for 45 years, travel is my number 1 hobby, I enjoy conversing with people via internet, and really enjoy helping others plan an enjoyable trip.
We (3 adulds, age 35-40) will be traveling in late May from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone NP and "back-track" afterwards through Idaho. My idea was to stay 3 nights at Redfish Lake Lodge - to explore local hot springs (Gold Bug in particular) and to see also City of Rocks National Reserve.
1) What do you think about this plan?
2) Would you recommend something different that we can see on the way from Yellowstone to SLC?
3) What is your best guess on weather conditions for the late May and for this particular part of the ste state?
Thanks a lot,
Alexei
Answer Hello! Sounds like you've done your research!
1. When going from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone, go north to Brigham City (exit 354) and then over to Logan, and east towards Montpelier, Idaho (hwy 89)... You'll go by Bear Lake and see some great scenery. You can travel up the west side of Wyoming through "star valley" and up through Jackson, Wyoming (stars like Harrison Ford live here)...then up through Grand Teton and then Yellowstone.
You can "do" yellowstone in 2 or 3 days, then come back through West Yellowstone, MT and down through Rexburg. There's a wal-mart on the north end of town for replenishing supplies. Then, Highway 33 is the center exit of Rexburg and it takes you straight west over I-15 and through "mud lake" then north towards Salmon on Hwy 28. When you get to a traffic light, that's where you turn left to the south (or turn right for a nice grocery store before you leave town) and you'll get to the Hot Springs after going through Elk Bend. You could talk to Marcia Ross at http://www.salmonriverrvp.com/localfun.html
and she will tell you the road to Gold Bug is one mile further south from her RV park. It's a hike - be prepared... From there you can go south to Challis 35 miles, then south of town is the start of Hwy 75 to Stanley, then Redfish Lake Lodge is south of Stanley and you should have reservations. Watch for rocks on the road between Clayton and lower Stanley.
When you leave Stanley, I suggest going south through Sun Valley, Shoshone, and get on I-84 a few miles north of Twin Falls. You can get to the city of Rocks from the Burley exit, and get back on I-84 at exit 245 to Tremonton, Utah, then back to Salt Lake City.
For weather conditions, BRING A COAT for evenings and mornings in Yellowstone and Redfish, but the middle of the day should be wonderful...maybe even HOT for a change! Also, there are lots of picnic areas in Yellowstone and between Clayton-Stanley, and at Redfish...sometimes that will be the ONLY option for eating...bring a cooler and stock up in the big towns...
This is quite a loop with some scenic areas, some that are not...but bring your camera and lots of room for pictures. Please let me know if you have ANY other questions like places to eat or stay etc...
