Our visit was during late September (in 2019) and I honestly didnt notice that many crowds, though I also dont have a frame of reference to compare to! I hope you find it useful when planning your own road trip through the Western United States! Lumbering bears, moose, bison, and llamas. Torreys 33F. Few things are more romanticized than an all-American road trip, and Im happy to report that they do indeed live up to the hype. Moon Travel Guides has a comprehensive guide to Glacier National Park, plus a Moon Yellowstone to Glacier National Park Road Trip guide. Your 2nd tour option is a historical icon of Glacier National Park: the Red Buses were the first-ever motorized tour buses in a US National Park, and they have been operating since the early 1900s! Because of its recent history and remote destination in the mountains, the buildings are well-preserved and worth a quick stop if you have time. Clear Sky. If youre interested in experiencing Indian Country during your visit to Montana, I recommend reading through this booklet or browsing this site! If you have any questions about this Western United States road trip guide, leave a comment below. WebCheck the road conditions from Idaho to Montana and plan a trip based on the weather along the way. Montana wasnt on my bucket list yet but your post convinced me . We headed to the Target across the street (6 minutes before it closed) for pillows and blankets (we took the extra 30 seconds to get blankets that matched our houses, obviously). We learned there used to be 7 volcanoes in the area, the last of which erupted 2,000 years ago. This was a really amazing and helpful post. We moved along quickly because we wanted to make sure we made it out to the main road before it was completely dark. You can even take the lift up, down, or both ways depending on your preference something I have wished for on literally every hike Ive ever done. After leaving the caverns, we continued on from Montana to Yellowstone National Park to start our Wyoming road trip. Even small, cute animals like chipmunks have been known to hurt humans who come too close to them. 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. We spent the morning exploring the different geyser basins throughout Yellowstone. Its the perfect celebration of locally sourced Montana cuisine! Youll be staying on the banks of the lake in a charming little town called Bigfork, one of many charming little towns located around Flathead Lake. We headed back to our lodge where we (annoyingly) had to change rooms, since there were no rooms available 2 nights in a row. Everythings coming up Dana & Alicia! Youll be walking distance from everything in Whitefish! After two wonderful days in Glacier National Park, its time to continue your journey through Montana. Roadtrip Idaho Montana Wyoming US Travel. Today, we share down-to-earth travel tips from our many (mis)adventures on our blog andpodcast! The town is a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. There is a stage and ample seating outside where live shows are hosted in the summertime, and guests flock in from Bozeman, Livingston, and other nearby towns for the experience. (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': The group has a very unique sound and its members come from multiple nations who come together in one musical destination. Domesticating a llama is not difficult or harmful to the llama. Dont know what a huckleberry is? On the road, we did some quick research (when we were lucky enough to get reception between the trees and mountains in the middle of nowhere) and found the Weir Creek Hot Springs in Clearwater National Forest on our route to Montana. Whats the difference between a national park and a national monument? The primary difference is the reason for preserving the land. Lunch is included and carried on the llamas, who are excellent pack animals (if youre a differently-abled hiker, this is a HUGE help, particularly for overnight or multi-day treks which would be far more difficult without the assistance of a pack animal). Boujie coffee and sustainability a match made in heaven! 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 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. Photo Credit: Idaho Tourism Jet boating, Hells Canyon. The tickets were open at 8:00 that morningand were gone by 8:03. Yellowstone travel tip: keep your distance from the wildlife! Also didnt mention fire season which is a big part of September, so many angry tourists who cant see a dong thing because its so smokey. After a few hours of biking, youve worked up an appetite for Ciao Mambo with Italian dishes big enough to share, and an Italian Nachos that will have your cardiologist running for the hills. It was an easy and relaxing ride. Note from Alicia: I would go back to this park a thousand times. Bozeman will be your next stop from Billings. :) Purchase a step-by-step guide to this itinerary. We enjoyed the warm hues of the setting sun as we continued our way out to the main road and back to our little cabin in the woods. WebTrip: Big Sky (Washington, Idaho, Montana) TakeMyTrip.com The Big Sky Trip An adventure in the Pacific Northwest The Big Sky trip is a 10-night driving trip to the northwestern United States. ), 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). Day 15 Flathead Lake, MT drive to Whitefish, MT. Day 1: Drive from San Francisco to Stanley, Idaho (~12 hours) Day 2: Stanley, Idaho Day 3: Salmon, Idaho & Missoula, Montana Day 4: Drive from Missoula to Big Sky, Montana Day 5: Big Sky, Montana & Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Day 6: Livingston, Montana Day 7: Beartooth Highway and Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming Stanley, population ~60, is located in Central Idaho, about 130 miles from Boise. We had many hmmm.should we move here? moments during our visit. WebDay 14 Day at Flathead Lake, MT. Oh, and youll also need to book your tour about a year in advance. By the time we got back to the campsite where we parked, the park had come to life with tons of rangers and visitors out and about. And in the second installation of whats the difference between we learned: Whats the difference between a farm and a ranch?. Do NOT be rude to staff in our establishments or our National parks. Visiting Glacier National Park was top of the list on our Montana itinerary so we knew wed find a way to make it happen! In this guide, I divulge essential tips and tricks for a successful road trip, share a 10-day itinerary, and outline detailed guides to every destination we visited, including where to stay and places to eat. Outdoorsy has a diverse selection of road trip vehicles ranging from no-frills campervans to glamping-ready RVs that fit any budget. Make sure you give plenty of space to the animals in national parks, even ones that arent aggressive! We continued for a stop at must-see on any Idaho road trip, Craters of the Moon National Monument - an insanely unique landscape in the middle of nowhere. It was the perfect stopping point for a quick mile hike and a dip in the relaxing, warm spring water. Our itinerary took us through the iconic national parks with a number of must-see stops on the way to Idaho, Montana and Wyoming! If you choose to explore Beartooth, I would budget at least 3-5 hours so you can get out and explore. My partner and I went there today and we felt extremely uncomfortable and upset. The land that is currently Glacier National Park was actually given to the Blackfeet Nation as part of their original reservation. On the way out of town, we stopped at Fiddle Creek Fruit Stand and sampled some Huckleberry pie (eating something huckleberry is one of the must do things in the areaand we sampled our fair share by the end of the trip). come one and all but REMEMBER YOUR MANNERS. 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. We recommend adding it to your Montana itinerary. WebThe ultimate road trip planner to help you discover extraordinary places, book hotels, and share itineraries all from the map. WebDay 14 Day at Flathead Lake, MT. Detour to Capitol Reef or Bryce Canyon National ParkCapitol Reef National Park is an hour and a half north of Escalante, and Bryce Canyon is about an hour South. Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a WebTrip: Big Sky (Washington, Idaho, Montana) TakeMyTrip.com The Big Sky Trip An adventure in the Pacific Northwest The Big Sky trip is a 10-night driving trip to the northwestern United States. Its a shameful fact that all outdoor enthusiasts and National Park visitors should be aware of, as well as the efforts that are being made by the National Park Service. The older llamas are very friendly and sociable. 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. To quote the Essential Understandings, American Indian individuals and tribes are still here with distinct and intact governments, languages, and cultures that contribute to modern Montana. The plight of American Indians is quite complex, and relations between US citizens (and the federal government) and Tribal citizens are, in a word, tense. 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. The hike consists of six unforgiving miles straight uphill, covering 3653 feet of elevation. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. 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!). We found a hotel a couple miles from downtown and had enough time for Alicia to squeeze in a quick run before heading out for dinner. The shuttles are ADA accessible and make several stops, but take about the same amount of time as driving your personal vehicle. It isnt huge like most towns in Montana but it has a cute main drag to explore. 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. Thats the beauty of a FREE country! Alicia and I stayed the recommended 100+ yards away and watched through our binoculars. Our alarms jarred us awake in pitch black (which felt strange since we had woken with the sun at 5:30 on the previous mornings) with the pounding of rain on the roof of our cabin. Check out some of our other posts! But theres a hidden loophole! Eat: Vegas is a food destination that I hope to explore more in the future. This summer, we took a 10-day road trip through the Western United States, hitting Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, and briefly passing through Utah and Nevada on the way back to San Francisco. Road Trip through Idaho to Missoula, Montana After splashing and sunning in Lava Hot Springs and leaving our comfy digs in Idaho Falls, Idaho, we headed straight up the I-15 and then I-90 into Missoula, Montana, our home for two nights and three action packed days. 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. Did we spend too much time looking at all of the amazing pieces and come home with a few prize possessions? This is one of those things you kind of just learn to deal with when traveling. The state is home to federally recognized Tribal Nations, as well as many unrecognized communities (the fact that Tribes must be defined by the State or Federal government in order to exist is, in and of itself, super problematic). Their eggs benedict is LEGENDARY, or if youre feeling sandwhichy, the Reuben is insanely good. We took a rather long detour on our stop to Glacier National Park at the National Bison Range in Charlo, Montana. With so many gorgeous scenic byways and charming rural towns to stop in along the way, the journey can be as much of a draw as the destinations themselves. Whatever you bring in, you should bring back out againpack it in pack it out. Whichever you decide, they are both great stops for your Western United States road trip! Well, I for one am super happy I stumbled upon this post! Although the parks had been fairly crowded this whole time (Yellowstone more so than Glacier), this is the first time it began to feel a bit too touristy. So yeah, enjoy your visit. The town is a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Fuel up at Pocketstone Cafe, the ultimate American breakfast spot in Big Fork. 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. You can also turn this road trip into a fantastic RV trip, complete with some of the best RV camping the country has to offer in Glacier National Park. The road is 50 miles long and takes about 2 hours one-way with no stopping (but youll definitely be stopping a few times, so allow yourself extra time). Even our new downtown 3-level parking garage gets full now. We had no cell service, and there was no one around. Do NOT hit golf balls off Glacier National Parks Going to the Sun Road because youre stopped in construction traffic with nothing better to do than ENJOY THE SCENERY. Here are a few highlights: Sawtooth Lake (10 miles RT, moderate rating) Pettit Lake to Twin Lakes (13 miles RT, moderate rating) Bench Lakes (7.8 miles RT, moderate rating) Alpine Lake Trail (7.4 miles RT, moderate rating) You can find tons of other hikes on AllTrails. After a long day of exploring, dinner at Grille 459 is exactly what you need to refuel and get ready for your trip back to the big city in the morning. The simplest answer I can give you is to seek out Native-owned businesses. It also serves I guess when you live in the middle of nowhere youve got to entertain yourself somehow. But nothing was going to keep up from experiencing the wonders of Glacier National Park! WebThe route to here from Bear Lake weaves along the Idaho/Wyoming border through Jackson, Wyoming, and passes west of another popular local destination, Grand Teton National Park, before ending in West Yellowstone, Montana. Its definitely something travelers (especially in the Americas) need to be more conscious of! We decided to drive through the park anyway just to see the dunes. Of all Montana road trips, this one is perhaps the most popular (and is sometimes referred to as Glacier National Parks Road to the Sun). Here you'll find everything travel, food, and culture. Day 6: Helena, Montana to Yellowstone National Park, Alicia ready to slide down the Beaver slide at the Lewis and Clark Caverns. Multiple scenic byways, some of the most picturesque mountain views in the state, and plenty of waterfront beauty makes this road trip one you'll never forget. So cool! All National Parks utilizes the ethos of Leave No Trace. How bout the old state prison or butte or battle of the little big horn? About halfway there, we had our first animal encounter - a dog darted out in front of our car. The scenery at Pine Creek Lake is stunning, but boy, do you have to work for it. Day 2: Riggins, Idaho to Missoula, Montana, Post white water rafting on the Salmon River in Riggins, Idaho. We even included a map to make things extra helpful. We will also send you our favorite tips to help you plan your Montana road trip! Drop us a comment below! With so many gorgeous scenic byways and charming rural towns to stop in along the way, the journey can be as much of a draw as the destinations themselves. To get you started, we mapped out an Idaho road trip for you and the family with more diversity than most cross-country trips can provide. It was the perfect place to stay for the night in this tiny, charming western town. Apart from that, the rest of the trip is completely flexible. 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