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. The Island is actually a state park, and home to several wild horses plus bighorn sheep, mule deer, songbirds, waterfowl, bald eagles, and falcons. Though in true Dana fashion (and much to Alicias dismay), the owner's dogs, who live on the property, somehow found their way into our room. Unfortunately we here in Montana have our fair share of right-wingers. Read more Access exclusive video content, free resources, and more! The app provides route maps, difficulty levels, trail photos, user reviews, and more. With rustic log cabins, winding rivers, and rolling green meadows all framed by the snow-capped the Sawtooth mountains the town looks straight out of a fairy tale. This road trip is focused around western Montana in Glacier Country, so we recommend booking your flights in and out of Missoula. We arrived at the Big Iron Motel just before 9 (and it was still light outside!) Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a And of course we are always open to guest posts if youd like to create an itinerary for us . Stay: We slept at our friends quaint and reasonably priced Airbnb, though there are also a few motel options in town. Lumbering bears, moose, bison, and llamas. In retrospect, I wonder if some of the people we told were thinking to themselves that we were the dumb tourists who thought a coyote was a wolf (which, lets be honest, we were). Llamas take a very long time to go to the bathroom. Downtown Livingston, pictured above, looks like an idyllic old western town, though vintage shops and cafes now line the street instead of saloons. WebCheck the road conditions from Idaho to Montana and plan a trip based on the weather along the way. You can pick up the boat to Wild Horse Island right in the heart of downtown Big Fork just make sure to call and reserve your spot in advance! Insider tip: try the cheeseburger pizza! It was fun though, and Im glad we got to try it. And by the way, Glacier is now going to restrict access, and initiate an online reservation system to get into the park, that you need to reserve at least 30, possibly 60 days in advance. Like everywhere we stopped in Montana, mountains frame the city in the distance. The cocktails are boujie yet surprisingly affordable be sure to try the smoky grapefruit! Our final itinerary: 3 states, 3 national parks, 1 national monument, 2 state parks and 2,000 miles driven in our trusty steed, Huckleberry. We hit the beginning of the main road when it was still dark and rainy, but we found a spot to camp out along Lake McDonald to watch the sun rise. We asked our adventurous friends Jen & Ed from Coleman Concierge, who lived in Whitefish for many years, to help us create the best itinerary for your 2 days in Whitefish! From there, we set out to Jenny Lake where we rented a canoe to paddle across to Inspiration Point - a great thing to do in Grand Teton. This is one of those things you kind of just learn to deal with when traveling. We spent some time here watching the chipmunks and ground squirrels play. During my trip I spoke with a Montana state government employee involved in developing Indigenous tourism, who shared some of the challenges faced at the State level. Our main activity was a visit to the Goldbug Hot Springs in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Today, the Island is part of the Flathead Indian Reservation and is managed by the Montana parks department. Those who complain about visitors and new residents dont seem to realize that most of these folks who have been rude to staff in establishments and our Natl Parks, who have been raging litter bugs and just generally inconsiderate have been among their own. WebDay 14 Day at Flathead Lake, MT. After closing that place down, we went next door to a little Italian place for dinner (which closed at 9), and then ended the evening down the street at Lewis and Clark Brewering (which closed at the very late hour of 10 PM). and enjoyed chatting with the owner and his father. We unfortunately were not one of the lucky winners of said tickets (Dana may or may not have thrown her phone across the room in frustration). 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. 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). 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. If I return to Teton in the future, I would try the more difficult Delta Lake vis Amphitheater Lake Trail. ), 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). Sadly I didnt have a chance to take this tour myself during my trip, but Ive heard nothing but good things. This excursion essentially a big loop back to where we started took almost the entire day, but I really wanted to see what is considered one of the most beautiful and treacherous roads in America. 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. Your next stop on the lake is the Mission Mountain Winery for lake views and wine tasting. But if you wait until after school starts, youll be able to enjoy a much less crowded park and absolutely perfect weather! Alternatively, you can rent an RV or campervan and have your shelter conveniently on wheels. Be sure to book your boat shuttles in advance! Just another good story to tell, right? We didnt even play any car games with so much to see! These unique and beautiful formations are a must-see on any Wyoming itinerary. :) Purchase a step-by-step guide to this itinerary. 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 Domesticating a llama is not difficult or harmful to the llama. Subscribe and well send you our FREE 22-page Travel Planning Guide. Be careful, though: if you time your trip too late in September, everything in Glacier National Park will begin shutting down because of snow (yes, that early)! We shared a small raft with two couples older than us who gladly gave us the front spots. So if you want to post some cool pics of the nature you seego for it! Start by biking to City Beach and along the River Trail to take in lakeside views more details & a map can be found here. The roads dont support the influx of travellers, there have been over 2 hour traffic jams on the 2 lane road that runs through town. I dont know when Jen and Ed lived there, or when they last visited Whitefish, but Im sure they would be disappointed and sad to see the amount of people who cram into our small town. Driving time to West Glacier: About 30 minutes. But if you do have some time in town, we recommend booking a Missoula Back Alleys tour! Youll be walking distance from everything in Whitefish! Would love any/all suggestions for ways to be a responsible tourist while respecting, enjoying, and supporting the local community in Whitefish! Additionally, my trip was hosted by Glacier Country, Montana. If you choose to take on the task, make sure to bring sunblock, plenty of water, and snacks to fuel you along the way. Please at least include a trigger warning if not!! 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. I, personally, drive on side streets (where possible) because the main streets get all backed up. Even though they share a border, its a long drive through Idaho to Montana and we love an adventure-packed pit stop so Riggins was the perfect place to stop on a road trip from Idaho to Montana. Your next stop on the road will explore the rich Indigenous history of Montana at The Peoples Center. The road coming in was very windy with a huge drop off over the side of a cliff (this made Alicia especially nervous since the cliff edge was just inches from the passenger side door). 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. Bring themalongand youll be covered with detailed information, maps, and landmarks along the way. Were hoping to visit late June as thats when our daughter is done with school. 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. After Salmon, we drove to Missoula, a funky college town of 75,000 that we loved. The next morning we explored the town of Riggins (population 401) and ate lunch at Kates Cattlemens Homestyle Cooking, where we were served by Kate herself (get the biscuits and gravy, youll thank us later)! Thank you!!! We dubbed Boise the Orlando of the West as the downtown areas are very similar. Were sick about it. You'll also be subscribing to our monthly newsletter. The primary road through Glacier National Park is a feat of engineering. It was another awesome Alicia & Dana Adventure! There are lots of great things to do in Whitefish for every season if you know where to look! Jackson, the closest town, is crowded and expensive. If you are planning on coming to Whitefish, be prepared to see throngs of people walking the streets and filling our stores and restaurants. 1. It was another awesome Alicia & Dana Adventure! Do you condone those messages? A bear ready for a dip in Hells Canyon. It may not have happened exactly how we planned, butit all came up Dana & Alicia in the end! You can plan your Whitefish getaway in broad strokes and then fill in the details once you get there. In the morning, we joined Papa Elk (aka a male elk) for breakfast. If you cant maybe theyll put up with you at Disney Land. 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. It was windy and the water was choppy, which made it a much more difficult journey! This website, run by the Montana State Government, provides excellent resources. 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. From there about an hours drive from Big Fork Wild Horse Island is just 45 minutes of athletic activity away! If we could redo our trip, I would have gone this route. Weve also created a free, printable summary of this Montana Road Trip! Just in time too, because about 20 minutes later the skies opened up. Sightsee at Idaho's Greatest Natural Wonders Google Map katie wheeler/Flickr Whats the difference between a national park and a national monument? The primary difference is the reason for preserving the land. 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. 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! I guess when you live in the middle of nowhere youve got to entertain yourself somehow. I would like to spend more time digging into some of the more challenging hiking trails and exploring the Many Glacier and Medicine Road sections of the park as well. We decided to hike the Trail of Cedars to Avalanche Lake, about a 5 mile out and back trail. The town is a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Until next time. 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. You basically just hug them until they get used to you. Today was one of our main driving days, which can be some of the best days of a road trip! But like, there were llamas there. When we got to Boise, we ate a delicious lunch at Forks and then checked into our hotel to get ready for the evening. Everythings coming up Dana & Alicia! This time it was not a dog but a Black Bear that darted out in front of our car! Not only will you be learning about the park directly from the people who originally inhabited (and still, technically, own) it, but your tour fee will be directly supporting a Native-owned business. It also serves The simplest answer I can give you is to seek out Native-owned businesses. 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. I also loved your post on the Galapagosused it for my own trip and it was super helpful! 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. Its the perfect celebration of locally sourced Montana cuisine! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. By the time we got ready to canoe back, a storm was starting to roll in. It went FAST!! (Note: if you have any suggestions for resources not included here, or ways I can better present this information, please drop us a comment and let us know!). We thought we made it on time, but when we went to the rental desk, we were told it was 81 degrees outside. This was great other than your Miracle of America Museum suggestion. While we were waiting for him, a pick up truck pulled up to us and the driver yelled Let him go, hell follow!. We recommend Stageline Pizza, which is a local legend for great pie. Missoula, Montana is an adorable college town and makes a great base to begin and end your trip to Montana! We explored both the Brink of the Lower and Upper Falls, as well as Artist Point. Oooh, creepy! At a restaurant in small-town Idaho, we had a lengthy conversation with a man about his stockpile of 100 guns, the 300+ gophers he killed with his 5-year-old grandson on a recent hunt, and his belief that the standoff between liberals and conservatives will end in a bloody civil war. 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. People live in isolated rural areas hours away from the nearest grocery store. and we had a shared campsite bathroom (which was actually quite clean and close to us). We ended our night with dinner at our lodge, watching the sunset over Yellowstone Lake while a herd of elk and their babies grazed on the grass in front of us. 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. On Saturday morning, we checked out the citys weekly farmers market, which we read is a must during any visit to Missoula. The tours run between April and October note that they are not wheelchair accessible. If youre thirsty, The Great Northern Brewing Company, Bonsai Brewing, or Spotted Bear Spirits have you covered. This craft distillery, set in a stunning 1880s era saloon, creates spirits from grain grown on the owners fathers farm in central Montana. Follow along for an epic Idaho road trip through Ketchum, Stanley, Salmon, Missoula (a little side trip to Montana), Coeur dAlene, and McCall. It was another awesome Alicia & Dana Adventure! Their eggs benedict is LEGENDARY, or if youre feeling sandwhichy, the Reuben is insanely good. If you choose to explore Beartooth, I would budget at least 3-5 hours so you can get out and explore. Take your camera! No dont be sorry, its SO helpful to get reader feedback like this letting us know things have changed or are no longer the way we experienced or described them! Road Trip Conditions. And yes: there are llamas. But, adorably, they step politely off the trail to do it. Though Missoula is pretty small, the nightlife is young and lively and there were a lot of people out and about. So we did, and the dog followed as promised, but.rude!!! 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). Our final itinerary: 3 states, 3 national parks, 1 national monument, 2 state parks and 2,000 miles driven in our trusty steed, Huckleberry. So good! Firstly: be aware during your trip that Glacier National Park and, in fact, most USA National Parks was originally inhabited and maintained by Indigenous peoples. 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