Note: If youre planning to stay in Whitefish, we recommend considering stopping your trip through the park mid-way at Logan Pass, going for a lovely day hike we recommend the 5 mile Hidden Lake hike using the facilities at the Logan Visitor Center, and then turning around and heading back to West Glacier or Many Glacier. It went FAST!! I was lucky enough to have a lakeside room, and that view was everything. Here are the top things to do in the area: Livingston is a historical railroad and ranching town in Southwestern Montana, a short distance north from Yellowstone National Park. We were exhausted and crashed quickly. Unfortunately, the bad weather thwarted our planned 2nd hike of the day, so instead, we did a scenic drive, hitting all the Big 4 things to do in Grand Teton National Park along the way. However, because we road-tripped in the summer and stayed near well-known US national parks, these cost about $100 an average each night not the cheapest option for accommodation. Did you pocket some of those cheese samples for later? Day 3: Missoula, Montana to Glacier National Park. WebDay 14 Day at Flathead Lake, MT. The town is a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Neither of us realized just how FAR it was going to be on this side of the road. But nothing was going to keep up from experiencing the wonders of Glacier National Park! Theyre very popular. This was one of the biggest cities we had been to so far, so we had high hopes of finding a room. In 2016 we quit our jobs, put our stuff in storage, and took off on a (disastrous) year-long honeymoon. Alternatively, if youll be heading back to Boise or into Wyoming from Sun Valley on your Idaho road trip itinerary, make it a point to stop by Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve for some dramatically different landscape to everything youve seen on the trip so far. However, some Tribal Nations, including the Confederated Salish and Kootnai Tribes and the Blackfeet Nation, are leading the way on Tribal infrastructure and, in turn, tourism. This was a really amazing and helpful post. The shuttles are ADA accessible and make several stops, but take about the same amount of time as driving your personal vehicle. The drive up to glacier has the bison range just to point out something you missed. Or this comfortable condo in Marina Cay with a master bedroom that looks SO cosy. You know Dana touched ALL the animals and then Alicia doused her in hand sanitizer before letting her back in the car. And when thousands of people converge on a small number of specific wilderness locations, those locations are negatively impacted and at risk of being harmed, destroyed, and blocked off to visitors entirely. One crucial part of the equation is relationship building understandably, many Tribal Nations arent exactly thrilled to work with the same Government who has spent the past several centuries destroying them. Another car stopped as well and the two of us and the gentleman from the other car tried to coax the dog to us so we could read his tag. The colorful and unique rocks at Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park. Ethical tourism can be a great way to support and grow Indigenous communities while educating others about their culture, but immersive, sustainable Indigenous tourism such as community homestays or community-led tours of Tribal Nations doesnt currently exist in Montana. Montana has so much to offer including its crown jewel, Glacier National Park and weve designed the perfect 10-day Montana road trip itinerary through Western Montana, complete with details to help you plan each step of your trip. Its important to be aware of your impact in Glacier, like any National Park. Day 11: Boise International Airport to Orlando/Boston, Our final itinerary: 3 states, 3 national parks, 1 national monument, 2 state parks and 2,000 miles driven in our trusty steed, Huckleberry. Whats the difference between a national park and a national monument? The primary difference is the reason for preserving the land. Take your camera! Within this guide, weve kept our suggestions for specific spots within Glacier National Park to a minimum to honor this principle. Make sure you give plenty of space to the animals in national parks, even ones that arent aggressive! Our favorite part was the beaver slide, an area so narrow you literally had to sit and slide down to get through. Need some help planning your next adventure? But before we jump into all of the amazing things youll be doing and seeing, we need to cover a few important basics. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, on the other hand, is just as impressive and a true hidden gem. Id like to update this post to include a heads up to our readers about visiting Whitefish, and Id love your input or any other locals reading this. In all seriousness, I had no idea Idaho was this beautiful. Youre welcome. It was already 7:00good thing it stays light until 10 that far north! If you cant maybe theyll put up with you at Disney Land. But like, there were llamas there. Today was one of our main driving days, which can be some of the best days of a road trip! The weather can change in an instant and you can experience all 4 seasons in 1 day! I LOVE LLAMAS SO MUCH. We had no cell service, and there was no one around. Another fantastic option we found is this cute condo, located directly in town. Heres what we did in Stanley: Stay: The Sawtooth Hotel is a charming and relatively budget-friendly option. After about 2.5 miles walking east on Going to the Sun road, we decided to turn back and go for a hike. Day 15 Flathead Lake, MT drive to Whitefish, MT. A bear ready for a dip in Hells Canyon. Domesticating a llama is not difficult or harmful to the llama. One of the many amazing pieces of street art in Freak Alley in Boise, Idaho. This time it was not a dog but a Black Bear that darted out in front of our car! We also love their biscuits and gravy, and the giant, gooey cinnamon rolls. We spent our afternoon hiking to the Escalante Natural Bridge, which we had all to ourselves. We stopped first to walk through Freak Alley, an awesome display of street art and fun thing to do in Boise, and then got appetizers and drinks at Juniper (potatoes of course) and Chandlers, a fancy steakhouse. So cool! After breakfast, spend a few hours strolling around downtown Whitefish, taking in all its charm and shopping opportunities. About halfway there, we had our first animal encounter - a dog darted out in front of our car. An excellent reminder, and we couldnt agree more! Most restaurants are closed by 9 PM at the latest. We decided to hike the Trail of Cedars to Avalanche Lake, about a 5 mile out and back trail. There are lots of great things to do in Whitefish for every season if you know where to look! Although your adventurous friends Jen and Ed probably felt that they were doing a good thing by highlighting our town of Whitefish, the bummer for the residents of Whitefish is that our town has been TOTALLY overwhelmed with tourists the last few years. Their pizza is cooked in a wood fire oven installed directly in the truck. We enjoyed our meal with a nice view of the sun setting over Jackson Lake and had our first local beer (a local beer and a local meal is our required criteria for getting to claim having been to a place). At local businesses and restaurants, taxidermy animal mounts outnumber patrons. Today was another driving day from Wyoming to Idaho and our first stop was the Snake River Brewing Company in Jackson Hole. Were hoping to visit late June as thats when our daughter is done with school. Jackson, the closest town, is crowded and expensive. Psst:Weve also created a free, printable version of this Montana Road Trip Itinerary! After our musical detour, we grabbed a final meal of our road trip at Wild Root and headed back to the hotel to get some sleep before our early - and long - day of travel home. The cabin we stayed in was adorable. The water is the most beautiful turquoise color flowing over smooth, multicolored rocks with tree lined mountains as the backdrop. I took my trip in later September, and while the leaves were beginning to turn into lovely golden colors, nearly everything in the park was shutting down, including many of the highlights of this itinerary! We were very excited to have a bear sightingfrom the safety of our car, and not on a hiking trail. Just when winter is over and our beautiful summer is in full swing, we dont even want to go into town for groceries or to a restaurant because they are packed. I had a lot of questions about llama trekking, and if you do too, heres what to expect: The hike was pleasant and easy, and we ate lunch overlooking a beautiful waterfall. Today, they have free admission to visit the park but are not allowed to live on their land despite the original agreement made between the Tribe and the United States Government. Sadly I didnt have a chance to take this tour myself during my trip, but Ive heard nothing but good things. Georgies Outdoor Mexican Cafe has a quesadilla bursting with melted cheese and generously portioned fish tacos. If you have any questions about this Western United States road trip guide, leave a comment below. We recommend visiting in late August/early September. It was the perfect stopping point for a quick mile hike and a dip in the relaxing, warm spring water. We learned that it is not uncommon for people living in these small towns to drive 1 hours to get to everyday events (like baseball games or getting your tractor fixed). Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism Jet boating, Hells Canyon. Try not to let it bother you and focus your energy on appreciating the incredible natural phenomenon in front of you (easier said than done, sometimes). Downtown Livingston, pictured above, looks like an idyllic old western town, though vintage shops and cafes now line the street instead of saloons. But if you do have some time in town, we recommend booking a Missoula Back Alleys tour! We knew we had to be there early because they stopped renting boards when the temperature outside reaches 80 degrees. We arrived in the evening, so we watched the sunset at Higgins Street Bridge, took a walk downtown, and had a few drinks at The Rhino Bar, a proper dive with yummy beers on tap (this part of the country has consistently incredible beer). When we were done with our hike, it was lunch time. By the time we left the monument, it was around 7:00 and we decided it was a good time to start looking for a place to stay the night. Speaking of which: Before you leave Big Fork, stop by the adorably named Grateful Bread Cafe and pick up a slice of one of the top 10 huckleberry pies in Montana! We arrived at the Glacier Haven RV Park & Campground in the early evening. A waitress showed us a photo of herself at four months old next to a bear her father had just killed. This was great other than your Miracle of America Museum suggestion. Until next time. Depending on when your flight arrives, you may or may not be spending the night in Missoula. Here you'll find everything travel, food, and culture. One of the best ways to get the full Idaho experience is to road trip through the state. WebThe ultimate road trip planner to help you discover extraordinary places, book hotels, and share itineraries all from the map. We sampled some wines (he joined us because why not!?) Everythings coming up Dana & Alicia! A bear ready for a dip in Hells Canyon. We enjoyed the views of Yellowstone and the beautiful Wyoming scenery from the drive and arrived at our Grand Teton cabin at Signal Mountain Lodge right before dinnertime. Apart from that, the rest of the trip is completely flexible. It is a must-do. It also serves But if not, the next best thing is a guidebook. Five Northern Idaho Bike Trails Quirky sights on the Montana Idaho Road Trip Coeur dAlene in Northern Idaho Harrison in Northern Idaho Flathead Lake and the Silver Dollar Bar Glacier National Park camping West Glacier National Park East Glacier National Park Garnet Ghost Town in the Montana Mountains near Glacier National Park The beautiful thing about visiting Whitefish particularly in August & September is that you have easy access to the town, lake, and mountain in one neat little package. Eat: Sawtooth Luces serves up cold local beer and a mean Idaho Kobe beef burger, and we had a delicious breakfast at Stanley Baking Company. Ready to pack some snacks and hit the road for your Montana road trip? Crystal (historical) 29F. We would like to spend a few days in Seattle and Portland at the start, aswell as a lake in Montana for a few days at the end. Its an area of incredible natural beauty, isnt it? This was probably my personal highlight of my entire Montana road trip! Our itinerary included three out of the five most conservative states in America Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho and I now know what it feels like to experience culture shock in my own country. Insider Tip: Visiting Montana in the fall is all about flexibility. So much has been said about Yellowstone already, so Ill just share a list of attractions we visited in the park: Detour to Ashton, IdahoIt is impossible to find a campsite in Yellowstone in the summertime. Aquamarine lakes spilling into gushing waterfalls. Day 6: Helena, Montana to Yellowstone National Park, Alicia ready to slide down the Beaver slide at the Lewis and Clark Caverns. They can only handle a few visitors at a time before the landscape and the animals start to feel the impact. Alternatively, you can rent an RV or campervan and have your shelter conveniently on wheels. My partner and I went there today and we felt extremely uncomfortable and upset. The 50-mile route cuts across Glacier National Park at an elevation of 6,646 feet and is open seasonally, so youll want to plan accordingly. Downtown Missoula is quite walkable, so pick a place to eat from this curated list and explore the town on foot! How bout the kettle house amphitheater and seeing show how bout rafting a river. Youd end up in the Pacific Northwest, and then you could swing back around through Idaho/Montana/Wyoming and maybe pop into Glacier and Yellowstone on your way back. A Rookies Road Trip Through Montana, Wyoming and Idaho A car-averse traveler finds freedom in the drivers seat, covering 700 miles and three states over three days. Theres an excellent hike that starts right at the Many Glacier Hotel: Josephine Loop is an easy/moderate 5.8 mile hike with connections to Grinnell Lake or Hidden Falls. Every few feet, Boxcar would find an exciting looking leaf to munch on, which gave me a chance to catch my breath and earn brownie points for letting him snack. Back on the road, we crossed over the border to Montana and stopped for the night in Missoula. The Ultimate Yellowstone in Winter Guide: Everything You Need to Know, How to Be a More Responsible Tourist: a Travelers Guide to Ethical Tourism, The Perfect 10-Day Utah National Parks Road Trip Itinerary: Utah Mighty 5 Road Trip Guide, The Perfect 2-Day Glacier National Park Itinerary, 14 Epic Things to do in Yosemite National Park, California, Copyright 2023, Practical Wanderlust. Day 16 Whitefish, MT drive to Calgary, AB. We passed a kayaker who told us to keep a lookout for a black bear he had just seen not too far from where we were going so we quietly paddled by and tried to catch a glimpse but he had disappeared back into the woods. I havent been to The Peoples Center, but will definitely be checking it out when were home next year. Truly, you arent helping. 6. International Selkirk Loop, 6373 Bonner St, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805, USA 4. Its the perfect celebration of locally sourced Montana cuisine! Eat: Vegas is a food destination that I hope to explore more in the future. The drive from Idaho Falls to Missoula is gorgeous. Bummer. Wellwe learned from a ranger the next day that what we saw was actually a coyote. I grew up right around Glacier National Park and I think everything you mentioned was perfect for enjoying the area! Try the Huckleberry Creme Brulee, because there is no such thing as too much huckleberry in Montana. We each purchased a bottle and said our farewells as we headed on to our final destination. Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a You can loop back from Lakeside to Big Fork. A 12-Day Road Trip Itinerary for Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas Before we dive in here, it's important to note that this itinerary does include traversing through or near some Indigenous lands, mostly belonging to It was windy and the water was choppy, which made it a much more difficult journey! Montana wasnt on my bucket list yet but your post convinced me . Crystal (historical) 29F. A Rookies Road Trip Through Montana, Wyoming and Idaho A car-averse traveler finds freedom in the drivers seat, covering 700 miles and three states over three days. First up on your clockwise drive around the lake is the town of Polson, the largest town on Flathead Lake. Our final itinerary: 3 states, 3 national parks, 1 national monument, 2 state parks and 2,000 miles driven in our trusty steed, Huckleberry. Once youre back in Big Fork, head to Raven for a post-hike dinner! I had an I love America moment at Shangs because only here will you see a Hispanic person hand-pulling noodles in the Northern Chinese tradition. It is a beautiful, scenic spot. It has a beautiful outdoor seating area, the perfect place to enjoy the brewerys delicious Amber Ale. We typically try to visit popular or overtouristed destinations during the offseason to minimize our impact and prefer to recommend the same to our readers. Unfortunately we here in Montana have our fair share of right-wingers. It bared its teeth and pulled back on its paws like she was going to strike. Boujie coffee and sustainability a match made in heaven! It took us about 30 minutes to reach the turn off from the main road, and then another 90 minutes until we even reached the official park entrance (so much for the nice dinner we planned for the nightPB&J again it is!). Visiting Glacier National Park was top of the list on our Montana itinerary so we knew wed find a way to make it happen! Bozeman will be your next stop from Billings. We only had one day scheduled in the park so we only had one shot to make it in before they stopped letting un-ticketed cars in at 6! Please try again. You dont want to trust the weather report beyond a couple of days out, and even then, you pack an umbrella and a jacket. How about a thank you, Hanks dad!? A bison at the National Bison Range in Charlo, Montana. I love small towns and their charm and appreciate you highlighting restaurants and lodging, super helpful! Be sure to bookmark this page to refer back to while youre planning! We recommend Stageline Pizza, which is a local legend for great pie. While his convictions differ significantly from mine (Ive lived in liberal cities my entire life and have never handled a gun), it was eye-opening to hear an opposite perspective on familiar issues. Thank you so much for including info about Native American lands and supporting indigenous communities. Still, Im not sure I would choose this trail again as it was crowded and there is a large portion that runs alongside a road. Would love any/all suggestions for ways to be a responsible tourist while respecting, enjoying, and supporting the local community in Whitefish! Both boat shuttles are operated by the family-run Glacier Park Boat Company and operate from June through September. The land that is currently Glacier National Park was actually given to the Blackfeet Nation as part of their original reservation. Since this itinerary is a loop, you can rent a car directly at the airport once you arrive in Missoula. Today, the Island is part of the Flathead Indian Reservation and is managed by the Montana parks department. Learn how your comment data is processed. We passed through several dying towns of boarded-up windows before driving to Twin Falls, Idaho. Whichever you decide, they are both great stops for your Western United States road trip! Youre gonna wish you had, because Montana actually has a burgeoning wine scene. We tied up our canoe on the bank and hiked halfway up to Inspiration Point, enjoying the views of the Hidden Waterfall on the way. After our bellies were full, we swung back by the airport to pick up Alicias bag and started our Idaho road trip north towards Riggins. Weve got an itinerary for the California bit of it to help you plan: https://practicalwanderlust.com/pacific-coast-highway-road-trip-itinerary/. Photo Credit; Idaho Tourism. I hope you find it useful when planning your own road trip through the Western United States! How can you support Montanas Indigenous communities & Tribal Nations? The town is a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Ahem: Remember all that stuff from earlier in the post about how you can support Montanas Indigenous communities? 6. So cool! We recommend staying somewhere walkable, so youll want to base yourself close to downtown on either side of the river. We rode horses and ate beef, as one must, and went on some of the most scenic hikes anywhere. Sightsee at Idaho's Greatest Natural Wonders Google Map katie wheeler/Flickr If you plan to go to more than one national park, opt to buy an annual pass for $80 instead of individual day passes at $35 a pop. We traveled through Montana as the trees and mountains gave way to vast farmlands. You might recognize the town as the setting of A River Runs Through It (if not, be sure to watch it or read the book before your trip)! Bozeman will be your next stop from Billings. Here you go! It was crowded, as we expected, but we stayed a ways back and got a leg up on a log for a good view of the show. Since my trip, Ive been reflecting and researching ways that I can better educate myself as well as supporting existing Indigenous activism. We were averaging about $250 a night. The tickets were open at 8:00 that morningand were gone by 8:03. But if you wait until after school starts, youll be able to enjoy a much less crowded park and absolutely perfect weather! Well also send our favorite travel tips straight to your inbox! Roadtrip Idaho Montana Wyoming US Travel. WebDay 14 Day at Flathead Lake, MT. Clear Sky. Psst: Looking for more of our favorite outdoorsy destinations? If you choose to take on the task, make sure to bring sunblock, plenty of water, and snacks to fuel you along the way. We readied ourselves quickly (lets be honest, Alicia stared Dana down with as much intensity as one can muster at 4AM to make sure she was moving quickly enough for Alicias type-A liking) and headed out to the West entrance of the Park. Dining on Big Mountain is almost as much fun as mountain biking, with a lot less chance of serious injury. Road Trip Conditions. We really enjoyed our chicken fried steak and roasted pork tenderloin with rosemary and huckleberry demi-glace. The cocktails are boujie yet surprisingly affordable be sure to try the smoky grapefruit! Fuel up at Loulas Cafe, a beloved local breakfast staple located in an old Masonic temple. Day 3-4 of your Montana Road Trip: Bozeman. Download offline maps on Google to ensure that you will never get lost and your favorite playlists and podcasts on Spotify to stay entertained. I appreciate that you wrote about ethical tourism and what can be done to improve our relations with tribal nations and with the natural environment and places they call home. Then we crossed back over the border and found a perfect place to stop on the drive between Wyoming and Idaho: Idaho Falls for some yummy Huckleberry Ice Cream at Reeds Dairy. If youre feeling athletic, you can drive around the lake and pick up a canoe, kayak or paddleboard, or SUP. When we arrived at the Cold Springs Winery, the owner was out fixing the pond and opened for us even though we arrived before opening. ), and it was Danas job to book us tickets to Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park (they were limiting the number of cars in a day due to the amount of post-Covid 19 travelers to the national parks). So, we made the hour and a half drive to Ashton for affordable lodging, which we found at the Eagle Peak Lodge. Its larger than Lake Tahoe and 18 bodies have been discovered lurking in its murky depths. A bicultural Taiwanese-American, she lived in Taiwan from the ages of 3-10 and finds it fascinating to analyze the differences between the two cultures that have shaped who she is. The man who was helping hopped the fence to check the farm house a little ways up. Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism Jet boating, Hells Canyon. They provide an all-encompassing history and experience surrounding the landscape of Glacier National Parks inhabited areas: Park history; animal species; common plants and roots used for nutrition and medicine; and the Blackfoot spiritual and philosophical perspectives/stories of life in the Buffalo Days as well as modern times.. We thought we made it on time, but when we went to the rental desk, we were told it was 81 degrees outside. Looking for a convenient summary of our Montana itinerary? We explored both the Brink of the Lower and Upper Falls, as well as Artist Point. 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