My 2020 Golf / Parks Road Trip (IN PROGRESS)

[Alex Miller]

Hello friends...


Thought I would share a road trip I am planning for the second half of September in which we're apparently attempting something close to ~12 rounds of golf and 5 or 6 national parks. A lifelong friend and I are renting a campervan (unlimited mileage) and will hopefully pull off the following:


LA > St George UT (play Wolf Creek)
St George > Zion (27 at Sand Hollow)
Zion> Bryce
Bryce > Yellowstone
Yellowstone > Coeur D'Alene/Spokane (Rock Creek + Gozzer? alternatives?)
Spokane > Walla Walla (Gamble Sands)
Walla Walla > Silvies Valley (Wine Valley + Silvies1)
Silvies Valley > Bend (Silvies2 + Tetherow)
Bend > Tahoe
Tahoe > Yosemite (Clear Creek)
Yosemite > LA


A couple multiple night stays in Yellowstone and Yosemite to slow down and soak up nature for a bit. I'd imagine I would never have attempted such a trip if the world were not in the state that it is, but I'm excited to explore new places / courses in one go that I would have probably passed over if I relied on air travel. Feedback / advice / things to look for appreciated as this has come together fairly quickly.

[Matthew Petersen]

Sounds great. As good as the golf looks, the time in the western parks is every bit as good. Yellowstone, Tetons, Yosemite ... that's America at her best IMHO.

[Tim Gavrich]

Sounds like a heck of a trip. Make sure to play Indian Canyon in Spokane if there's time. I enjoyed Kalispel, Hangman Valley and Liberty Lake as well.

[Pete_Pittock]

Another road warrior this Summer! The two most scenic routes I've been on are Zion and the road from Bryce to Capitol Reef.  Surprised Arches NP didn't pass muster. I was in Yellowstone about a week ago, not too crowded.  My legs washed out on thr Fairy Falls trail to the Grand PRismatic Sprints and that cashier ed the walking trails of the travertine at Mammoth Hot Springs.


I'd check on the status of Silvies at that time of year because of elevation and you'Ll probably run into late season aeration. The back 9 of Milton Freewater is one of my all time quirk courses and 8ts 45 minutes from Wine Valley

[Jeff Schley]

Alex what a great idea. I have been to only a handful of parks, most recently Glacier National Park in northern Montana and what treasures we have in our country. I hope the budgets can throw the national park service a few billion more as I heard recently. Enjoy.

[William_G]

well done Alex!


many National Parks need reservations to visit just an FYI

[Tom_Doak]

I have been pondering a similar trip, though I've got to start from Michigan so there are more miles involved.  I hope to touch base at several of my own courses that I haven't played for a while.

[JLahrman]

Hoping to do something like this somewhat soon, albeit with 3 kids and without golf clubs.


Make sure to do Angels Landing at Zion, but don't go if it's raining!

[Stewart Abramson]

Alex, that sounds like a fun (and ambitious) trip. Two summers ago I had a week playing 36 holes most days,  between Yellowstone and Spokane. Besides the better known courses like Rock Creek Cattle Co (MT), Rock Creek Club (ID), Gozzer, Circling Raven, Old Works etc, I visited a bunch of little "mom & pop" courses and munis that can be found just a few minutes off of many of the Interstate 90 exits between Butte and Spokane. Among others,  I played Canyon River and the Ranch in Missoula, three nine hole courses:  Shoshone, Trestle Creek, and a roller coaster of a mountain course called Galena Ridge (reminiscent of Wolf Creek in a different setting). The Coeur D'alene public course is pretty good as are two Spokane munis, Indian Canyon and the Creek at Qualchan. It's a gorgeous part of the Country to visit and play golf in.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/collections/72157631879646821/ -

[Kalen Braley]

Hey Alex,

Sounds like a great trip and a fantastic time of year to do it!

- I will 3rd the recommendation for Indian Canyon. Its a short sporty track with lots of fun shots and tons of undulation and certainly the best course in the Spokane area.
- For CDA, Circling Raven or Black Rock are great alternatives if Goozer doesn't work out or if looking to add rounds.

P.S.  Its a bit of a detour if time isn't an issue, but Arches is also a must see. No doubt thou Zions is certainly the star attraction for Utah Parks.

[Alex Miller]

Thanks guys!


Grey - we're currently set for Yellowstone and Utah. Yosemite we will be jumping on things as they unfold... worst case we detour to the California coast for a couple of days.


Kalen - Gozzer is fully closed to any guests this summer so if we aren't able to do a second round at Rock Creek we may just do IC.


Tom - if you're in western Montana around 9/26 I would be elated to meet up.


Joel - definitely noted! Hoping for no rain but given the weather over the last few months in Los Angeles witnessing a desert monsoon would be a treat.


Stewart - I gave a look at courses along the I-90 and it's great to hear your insights. If we have a change of plans it's wonderful to know there are backups.


Pete - Glad to hear I'm not the only one! Arches could still be in the cards but if our itinerary holds it would be a little bit further of a detour than we'd like... Just a tidy 56hrs of driving and 216 holes of golf over 16 days as it stands right now  .


Jeff - I have a lot of thoughts on how we can use the national budget differently. Our National Parks are definitely something to protect and visit!

[Dan Gallaway]

Just got back from Gamble Sands and the new short course looks like a must play.  Hopefully it will be available for some preview play for you.

[Alex Miller]

Thought I'd share a small update as things are becoming more finalized, with pretty much only one more piece still up in the air:

LA > St George UT (play Wolf Creek)St George > Zion (27 at Sand Hollow)
Zion> Bryce Canyon
Bryce Canyon > Grand Tetons
Grand Tetons > Yellowstone
Yellowstone > Coeur D'Alene (Rock Creek hopefully 9/25 or 9/26, our host fell through but fingers-crossed it works out)
Coeur D'Alene > Walla Walla (Gamble Sands)
Walla Walla > Silvies Valley (Wine Valley + Silvies1)
Silvies Valley > Portland (Silvies2 + challenge par 3 course)
Portland > Bandon (playing all courses, and staying the first night at Bullard's Beach)
Bandon > SF
SF > LA


No Yosemite this time around... limited camping and access have us opting for the best public golf resort this side of Neptune. We'll survive.

[Daryl David]

Skip Wolf Creek. Do something else. Anything else will be better than playing there. I made the mistake of stopping on the way to Sand Hollow. It was about as much fun as having long steel needles shoved in your eyeballs. Just horrendous.


Are you driving from CDA to Gamble, playing and then driving on to Walla Walla?  That’s a long day, but you sound up to it!

[Pete_Pittock]

I'd recheck travel times in eastern WA and OR.  Easily 4 hours between destinations.  Stay at Brewster not Walla Walla  of course in a travel trailer you can stop anytime anyplace where we think  towns and motels  two drivers is certainly different from my August experience

[Alex Miller]

We've got all driving times mapped out and will rarely have to be driving while the sun is down, if at all. A couple points:

• The drive to Yellowstone from Bryce Canyon for instance, will not be done in one day. There are a couple pieces of the trip mentioned that won't be over a single day.
• We are doing CDA (well, Spokane) to Gamble and down to Walla Walla in one day. Definitely one of our longest days, but we're ready for it. Our Gamble tee time is 9am, so we'll be up at 6am to get there in time. Finish and drive to Walla Walla by 6pm.
• Wine Valley to Silvies Valley is 4 hrs indeed. We'll be playing WV at 7am, expecting to finish around 10:30, and then booking it to Silvies to get our afternoon round in. These back to back days will probably be the toughest of the trip.
• Both of us have played Wolf Creek before, so we know what we're getting into with it. I'm not aware of any options that really outshine it on our route... I've played Paiute which was fine, but WC has won out so far. 

[Kalen Braley]

Agree with Daryl on the Spokane to Gamble Sands to Walla Walla itinerary.

** Edited: Spokane to Gamble Sands is a 2.5 hour drive, so that saves a bit
Then Gamble Sands to Walla Walla is another 3.5 hours.  And if you want to break up this part of the drive take a small detour to Palouse Falls, its worth a look...

P.S.  Good to see the Tetons on the itinerary.  My wife and I went there for the first time 2 years ago and it blew me away how amazing it is in person over seeing it in pictures...

[Mark Kiely]

• Both of us have played Wolf Creek before, so we know what we're getting into with it. I'm not aware of any options that really outshine it on our route... I've played Paiute which was fine, but WC has won out so far. 

I enjoyed Wolf Creek, but if you're looking for an alternative on that route, have you played Coyote Springs? Or maybe that new Copper Rock in St. George?

[Alex Miller]

• Both of us have played Wolf Creek before, so we know what we're getting into with it. I'm not aware of any options that really outshine it on our route... I've played Paiute which was fine, but WC has won out so far. 

I enjoyed Wolf Creek, but if you're looking for an alternative on that route, have you played Coyote Springs? Or maybe that new Copper Rock in St. George?

Copper Rock looks very intriguing - we might make the swap. Thank you Mark.

[mike_beene]

I finally did Yellowstone a few years ago. Not sure what I was expecting but it blew me away. Hopefully the fires will be settled down out west.

[Alex Miller]

Once I have my photos properly gathered I think I will do a write up (a couple days at a time) of the trip.


Back home today, and long story short, it was fantastic. We barely missed out on Rock Creek (found out about 2hrs too late a member could host us after considerable effort from a couple of close friends - a huge thank you to them), but good weather and no unexpected delays or issues allowed us to complete what was still an aggressive and immensely enjoyable itinerary.


Soon to come, days 1-3: St. George golf and Utah National Parks

[Mark Kiely]

Awesome! Anxious to read it.

[Dan_Callahan]

Let's not pump the Tetons too much. That's probably my favorite national park, and it is typically fairly empty as people sprint to Yellowstone. I'd love to keep it that way. Same is true for the Badlands and Black Hills. Unbelievable part of the country for a hike and camping that most people bypass on their way to the more famous options.

[Steve Lang]

Let's not pump the Tetons too much. That's probably my favorite national park, and it is typically fairly empty as people sprint to Yellowstone. I'd love to keep it that way. Same is true for the Badlands and Black Hills. Unbelievable part of the country for a hike and camping that most people bypass on their way to the more famous options.

I said almost the same thing 45 years ago, when you could drive in, get a camp site for $3, hike up to Lake Solitude and not see anyone, and spend the afternoon on Jenny Lake...


Is the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar still open in Jackson?

[Kalen Braley]

Let's not pump the Tetons too much. That's probably my favorite national park, and it is typically fairly empty as people sprint to Yellowstone. I'd love to keep it that way. Same is true for the Badlands and Black Hills. Unbelievable part of the country for a hike and camping that most people bypass on their way to the more famous options.

I said almost the same thing 45 years ago, when you could drive in, get a camp site for $3, hike up to Lake Solitude and not see anyone, and spend the afternoon on Jenny Lake...


Is the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar still open in Jackson?

It was 2 years ago when we were up there, but it was giving off a tourist trap vibe so we didn't go in...