Northeast or Dakotas this summer?

[wwells]

The Princess and I are planning a 14-17 day trip the last half of July. We are hoping you will have some suggestions about rides and campgrounds (or reasonable Mom & Pops) in Maine, VT & NH... or for a trip that will take us into the Dakotas.

We have no point of reference for the Northeast.

If we go into the Dakotas we will probably want to swing through Yellowstone again. We have flown to Yellowstone and rented a cage to get around in. If we go that way we will see it differently. We also need suggestions re: rides and camping. We are leaving from E. of Nashville, TN.

In the meantime I am searching and reading this and other forums as I can. Thanks in advance...

[Mellow]

I haven't hit the Dakotas yet or the Northest, yet... but plan to resolve those issues this year.

I do think Yellowstone in July will probably be busy but I don't know if it will be 'too' busy.. last time we were there it was during the 1st snow and temps were up and down but sunny and dry after the snow (light dusting/drizzle). It still seemed too busy for me but we still were able to get around easily.

[wwells]

The last time we were in Yellowstone was in early June. Our time frame is dictated by impending births of grandchildren and work schedules. July might be a problem... however, someone else may also have insight...

[Ripshod]

For general good camping and pleasant riding, I recommend a trip to New England. You can't go wrong heading through W Virginia and Pennsylvania. Take her camping in the Catskills. Vermont is romantic too. Just avoid the I-95 corridor and you'll do fine.

Having said that - I'm riding to Yellowstone this August, via Seattle. Either way you're up for a great time.

[G wizz]

Me and the SO prefer the wide open spaces of the west, along with the awsome mountian roads & views.
Although we haven't ventured any further east than Pennsylvania, I've found the traffic gets more congested the further east we went.
Maybe someday we'll tough it out and go all the way to the east coast.
Just once, I'd like to ride to Maine for a fresh lobster dinner.

G wizz

[wwells]

...I'm riding to Yellowstone this August, via Seattle. Either way you're up for a great time.

Knoxville - Seattle - Yellowstone... Interesting how taking the 2-wheeled transportation makes the "long route" seem more appealing. P^

[wwells]

Me and the SO prefer the wide open spaces of the west, along with the awsome mountian roads & views.
Although we haven't ventured any further east than Pennsylvania, I've found the traffic gets more congested the further east we went.
Maybe someday we'll tough it out and go all the way to the east coast.
Just once, I'd like to ride to Maine for a fresh lobster dinner.

G wizz

The traffic concerns me. We have lived in Western PA and loved it! Rural NE states have their appeal, but... I'm leaning toward the west. Texas being my background... I love the "wide-openness"... but then... this is not about me.

She hasn't made up our mind yet.:confused:

[Ironheadziggy76]

She hasn't made up our mind yet.:confused:

Glad to know I'm not the only one who make decisions like this! :p

[wwells]

Glad to know I'm not the only one who make decisions like this! :p
The Princess announced this morning that we are going west this summer. She also said "we" weren't changing our minds again... We'll see...

[bigTom]

The Black hills of SD are amongst the best riding places on the planet, especially when the HD's aren't clogging up everything...

[G wizz]

The Black hills of SD are amongst the best riding places on the planet, especially when the HD's aren't clogging up everything...

big Tom:
Now wait a minuite ... are you insinuating Harleys clogg?

G wizz

[bigTom]

Individual Harleys DO NOT clog. Groups of 50,000 or so do:)

[coopdway]

The Black hills of SD are amongst the best riding places on the planet, especially when the HD's aren't clogging up everything...

We visited last year two weeks before and while we weren't alone, it was far from clogged. I'd love to go again and now have no excuse to avoid it except at Prime Time.

[anrfknm]

The Dakotas are a nice ride as is Montana and Wyoming on any summer day. Yellowstone will be a mess in July with more people then animals. Instead, I would suggest a ride to Glacier for the beauty and peace that that northern park has to offer. It has some fantastic roads too.

[wwells]

The Dakotas are a nice ride as is Montana and Wyoming on any summer day. Yellowstone will be a mess in July with more people then animals. Instead, I would suggest a ride to Glacier for the beauty and peace that that northern park has to offer. It has some fantastic roads too.
Great idea! We'll look at the time and mileage...

[G wizz]

Great idea! We'll look at the time and mileage...

wwells:
I agree with anrfknm about the beauty of Glacier National Park, with it's "Run to the Sun" scenic road though the park.
My wife & I took two weeks to visit there a couple of years ago.
I'm thinking you'd have plenty of time to go there and back from Tennessee in two weeks.

G wizz

[wwells]

G wizz,
Did you take your MC or the tour bus up the scenic road?

[G wizz]

G wizz,
Did you take your MC or the tour bus up the scenic road?

wwells:
Motorcycle & trailer. It's all paved.
You only have to watch out for an occasional stray Moutian Goat or Buffalo wandering into the road.

G wizz

[wwells]

GNP looks like a great trip. We can catch the attractions around Rapid City and it will be on the way. It is 2100 miles from the house which is easily do-able.
I picked up Frommer's National Parks of the West at the bookstore earlier today. This looks really promising.
Any thought about camping? The Princess WILL NOT do unimproved campgrounds. Something about taking care of the "S's" with some civility I think.:shower1::oh2:

[G wizz]

GNP looks like a great trip. We can catch the attractions around Rapid City and it will be on the way. It is 2100 miles from the house which is easily do-able.
I picked up Frommer's National Parks of the West at the bookstore earlier today. This looks really promising.
Any thought about camping? The Princess WILL NOT do unimproved campgrounds. Something about taking care of the "S's" with some civility I think.:shower1::oh2:

wwells:
We camped in private campgrounds while in that area, all with the things your SO wants / needs.
Try Googleing " "Montana Campgrounds" I'm sure you'll find some nice ones.

G wizz

[Ripshod]

Our loop will take in the Black Hills and Glacier, Cascades, Crater Lake and Yellowstone NP's. It'll be in late August so hopefully the crowds will have died down by then. Can anyone tell me something about Cascades NP? I stuck it in the itenerary because it was on the way and looked like a good camping spot. Is it?