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5 Best Northern Route Road Trips to Escape the Summer Heat

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Northern Route Road Trips Are This Summer’s Way To Go!

A cross-country northern route road trip through the US is the kind of experience every adventurer should try at least once in their life.

With unique national parks, stunning beaches, locally inspired eateries, and fun roadside attractions, there’s enough to keep you exploring for a lifetime. But when’s the best time to go on a road trip? And what are the best routes you can take?

Well, now that summer has arrived, those high temperatures will have us running for the…mountains! And this is the perfect opportunity to pack up and head out on an adventure-filled road trip.

Our chosen route hangs in the northern part of our country, so you can avoid boiling in the sun. The main route we chose will be on US Highway 2, a.k.a. the Great Northern Road, spanning over 2,500 miles.

The best part? There’s no exact science to it. Simply begin your journey from whichever coast you want and immerse yourself in all that this northern route road trip has to offer. Ready, set…click “next” to see all the unique stops along this route!

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Seattle, Washington

We love Seattle, but you’ll find a fantastic RV park in the nearby town of Bothell. The short drive is worth it because Lake Pleasant is, as the name suggests, a pleasant RV park. You have pull-through sites outfitted with full utility hookups and incredible lakeside views.

The park also has a good reputation for having various facilities, bathrooms, and much more. The lake it sits on is available for fishing to give kiddos something to do if you’re traveling with the family.

And this park rounds out its facilities with a playground, walking trails, and laundry facilities. While there isn’t a camp store on-site, you WILL find a grocery store and RV wash facility right across the street.

Things To See And Do:

Many of the popular tourist attractions on this northern route road trip can be found along Puget Sound. This includes Sky View Observatory, Pike Place Market, and the Museum of Flight.
We also recommend checking out the unique Chihuly Garden and Glass and be sure to also visit the wildlife along the Hiram M. Chittenden Locks.
But can a trip to this location be complete without a visit to the world-famous Space Needle? And if you don’t want your northern route road trip to end here, take off to Glacier National Park.

…Click to get to the next page to explore Montana on your northern route road trip!

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West Glacier, Montana

There are many stunning places you could explore in this state. But we recommend planning a visit to Great Northern Resort. It’s well-known for its lodging, whitewater rafting, and fly fishing.

It’s also the main spot for those looking to be close by to the West Glacier entrance of Glacier National Park. This resort offers cozy log cabins with fireplaces, kitchens, and anything else you would typically imagine about a place like this.

When you begin your exploration, head toward the Going-to-the-Sun Road, and once inside, stop at the Montana House in Apgar Village before making your way to the picturesque Lake McDonald.

Things To See And Do:

Glacier National Park is where one would go to experience the true northern wilderness. So you won’t find many modern attractions here. Most of your time here will be well-spent on the trail, where you can hike to areas of interest like Logan Pass, Lake McDonald, and Grinnell Glacier.
And if you love scenic drives, Going-to-the-Sun Road is one of the best northern route road trips to take in our entire country.
West Glacier is also known for white water rafting, so if you feel a little adventurous, check out a local rafting company.

…Are you still with us? Then you’ll really enjoy our next northern route road trip spot!

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Medora, North Dakota

We’re always up for a trip to North Dakota. But we especially enjoy Medora because of its fantastic campground and closeness to all the action and local attractions.

Another thing worth mentioning is that Medora can accommodate big rigs, and you can do full utility hookups if necessary. You’ll also find shower and bath facilities, a playground, a dump station, and a camp store.

All this is cradled in a scenic site on the breathtaking banks of the Little Missouri River.

Things To See And Do:

While here, check out the Old Town Hall Theater, where you’ll see Teddy Roosevelt reenactments.
You can also go on an adventure horseback riding around the local landscape, pay your respects to cattle rustlers at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame, and see the live Medora Musical.
Golfing anyone? Pack your clubs because there are plenty of golf courses along the terrain.
But the crown jewel of this northern route road trip is at the Theodore Roosevelt National Park. There are many draw-dropping points of interest, including Painted Canyon Overlook, Peaceful Valley, and Buckhorn Trail.
And don’t forget to stop by the Petrified Forest Loop, where you can see remains of nature’s past.

…Next stop on our northern route road trip itinerary? You’ll have to click “next” to find out!

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Montpelier, Vermont

This northern route road trip is a lovely New England delight with amenities and facilities to boot. There are many campground sites that come with full utility hookups. So you’ll have all your creature comforts covered.

Limehurst Lake Campground, for instance, is considered a full-service campground, and it has Wi-Fi, a country store, a snack bar, a dog park, and rentals. You’ll feel like you’re in the enchanting New England countryside at whichever site you choose.

Things To See And Do:

Montpelier is an ideal place to explore the rugged landscape of New England. Within a couple of hours away, you can visit the Green Mountains in Vermont and the White Mountains in New Hampshire. These areas are fantastic for mountaineering, hiking, or nature watching.
But in Montpelier itself, you also have many options to keep you busy. History buffs will love the old-time charm of the Vermont Historical Society Museum and the Vermont State House.
Other main points of interest include Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks to taste some famous Vermont maple syrup, the Lost Nation Theater with exciting performances, and North Branch Vineyards for some relaxing wine tasting.

…One more northern route road trip spot to go! Can you guess which location is last on our list?

Photo by Sean Pavone at Shutterstock

Augusta, Maine

Like many other KOAs in Augusta, there are several site types to choose from. But even the most basic of sites come equipped with water and electric hookups. Most even have full utility hookups.

While on this northern route road trip, you’ll get bright, clean bathhouses with several other practical amenities, including group pavilions, a dog park, propane refills, and even a cafe.

You’ll also find fun amenities like fishing, mini-golf, disc golf, a playground, and many nature trails.

Things To See And Do:

One of our country’s most famous National Parks is located just a few hours away at Acadia National Park. This is an excellent park for that old salt feeling and happens to be a birdwatcher’s paradise.
For an incredible view, go for a leisurely hike to Cadillac Mountain, or take the scenic Park Loop Road if you want to enjoy the views from your vehicle.
But while you’re in this area, make sure you visit charming Bar Harbor and go on a boat tour of the area.
Augusta is also perfect for museum lovers. It’s got Old Fort Western, the Maine State Museum, and the Children’s Discovery Museum.
And if you simply want somewhere to relax, pack a picnic basket and check out the Pine Tree State Arboretum.

As you can imagine, we’ve skipped many incredible places. So be sure to let us know about your own unique stops when taking this northern route road trip!

Pro Tip: If you wish to avoid the bulk of the crowds, you can try the earlier or later parts of the summer season, like early June or late August.

We hope you enjoyed reading about our favorite northern route road trips to visit during the summer heat. But if you want to continue the summer vibes well into the chilly seasons, we recommend reading about 5 Reasons You Should Visit Florida This Cold Winter

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View Comments

Shannon Hunter says:

June 16, 2023 at 8:05 am

Hey 2 from Duluth Mn to the Mackinac Bridge in Michigan is a must travel so many quaint small town on the north shores of the Great Lakes swim in Lake Superior lake heron and Lake Michigan all on the same trip stay at lakeside hotels dabble in small
Town hospitality and home cooking. The vast deer along the roadside with so many sites