This time around, we tried to keep driving at a minimum outside of a few necessary travel days. The goal of the cultural center is to dispel myths and stereotypes about Native Americans, and its well worth a stop! Check out some of our other posts! After leaving the caverns, we continued on from Montana to Yellowstone National Park to start our Wyoming road trip. Youll have easy access to the boutique specialty shops and galleries in town, and still within reach of all the outdoor activities. Just in time too, because about 20 minutes later the skies opened up. We recommend adding it to your Montana itinerary. You'll also be subscribing to our monthly newsletter. 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 sampled some wines (he joined us because why not!?) Here are our picks: Your first stop after Missoula is the stunning, outdoorsy town of Whitefish, Montana, located just outside of Glacier National Park. Are there ways for visitors to enjoy Whitefish responsibly, such as by visiting during a specific season or during a lull in tourists? Big Sky, like so much of Montana, is absolutely stunning, with wide-open skies, winding rivers, and purple-hued mountains in the distance. After dinner but not too late, breweries and distilleries close at 8pm by Montana law head to Montgomery Distillery for an early nightcap. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. But fun fact: designated in 1996, Escalante was the last part of the continental U.S. to be mapped. 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. Day 16 Whitefish, MT drive to Calgary, AB. We havent been to Montana in 20 years and unfortunately didnt make it to Glacier then. If youre feeling up for a few hills, you can continue all the way up the accurately named Big Mountain for sweeping vistas. Hells Canyon National Recreation Area A scenic view of Hells Canyon. Theyre now fully emboldened since the governor and other right wing extremists got elected. Your next stop on the road will explore the rich Indigenous history of Montana at The Peoples Center. For a shortcut version, you can take the Chief Two Guns shuttle boat across Swiftcurrent Lake, board the Morning Eagle to shuttle across Lake Josephine, and then hike a 3.6-mile hike to Grinnell Glacier. There were several people who had walked out into the brush (not on a trail or path-stupid people) looking to get a better glimpse of the animal. It also serves We will be starting our trip from Las Vegas. come one and all but REMEMBER YOUR MANNERS. 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. We took a rather long detour on our stop to Glacier National Park at the National Bison Range in Charlo, Montana. Definitely add whitewater rafting on the Salmon River to your Idaho road trip itinerary! Road conditions from Idaho to Montana. Youre welcome. I think we ALL should be able to visit one anothers areas, respectfully of course. We really appreciate it! I would write about Las Vegas, but really, what hasnt been said about it already? 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. The majority of the drive from Yellowstone to Grand Teton was actually going to be through the remainder of Yellowstone. ), and then set out on the road. Roadtrip Idaho Montana Wyoming US Travel. Taking a guided tour is a fantastic option for Going to the Sun Road because it allows you to sit back and take in the views while learning about the history of the park and the flora and fauna that inhabit it. We had many hmmm.should we move here? moments during our visit. At local businesses and restaurants, taxidermy animal mounts outnumber patrons. 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. Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a WebCheck the road conditions from Idaho to Montana and plan a trip based on the weather along the way. The venue is an experience in itself, with wild game taxidermy lining the walls, a sturdy wooden bar, and a vintage piano in the corner. Your next stop on the lake is the Mission Mountain Winery for lake views and wine tasting. Youll need to purchase a $10 recreation permit for any outdoor activities you do on the south side of the lake, including fishing or day-hiking. Disclaimer: This post includes sponsored content from Moon Travel Guides and RVShare, both of which we have personally tried and vetted (theyre great). If you are on a tighter budget, you can do a mix of motels and camping, or even camp the whole time. From Livingston, we took a two-hour drive to Red Lodge to enter Yellowstone via the 68-mile Beartooth Highway. Everythings coming up Dana & Alicia! Wow I love this post and itinerary ,such lovely places. After about 2.5 miles walking east on Going to the Sun road, we decided to turn back and go for a hike. We drove with the intention of finding a cute town to visit and we were not disappointed in Augusta, Montana . We made it in perfect time, just 4 minutes before the geyser was set to blow. 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. Welcome to Montana, where there are two times as many cows as people and miles and miles of gorgeous, rolling wilderness to explore! 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. Our final itinerary: 3 states, 3 national parks, 1 national monument, 2 state parks and 2,000 miles driven in our trusty steed, Huckleberry. 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. By the time we got ready to canoe back, a storm was starting to roll in. Take your camera! The town is a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Day 15 Flathead Lake, MT drive to Whitefish, MT. 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). Another fun place to stop on the drive between Wyoming and Idaho! It was already 7:00good thing it stays light until 10 that far north! So if you want to post some cool pics of the nature you seego for it! One of the best ways to get the full Idaho experience is to road trip through the state. Missoula, Montana is an adorable college town and makes a great base to begin and end your trip to Montana! Clear Sky. Ahem: Remember all that stuff from earlier in the post about how you can support Montanas Indigenous communities? They had the dairy cows right on site, along with a small petting zoo! The hiccups are part of the adventure. 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). We explored both the Brink of the Lower and Upper Falls, as well as Artist Point. 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. Our main activity was a visit to the Goldbug Hot Springs in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. While Boxcar was certainly sassy and took a while to warm up to me enough for us to share a hug and a selfie, the llamas that come along on hikes are perfectly well behaved. You see, Cafe Kandahar, the fine dining restaurant located in the lodge, is the best food in Whitefish and possibly all of Montana with a price point to match. The land that is currently Glacier National Park was actually given to the Blackfeet Nation as part of their original reservation. Wellwe were wrong. Since this itinerary is a loop, you can rent a car directly at the airport once you arrive in Missoula. It may not have happened exactly how we planned, butit all came up Dana & Alicia in the end! Our brainstorming and researching along the way paid off, as we learned we WOULD be able to access Going to the Sun Road IF we arrived before 6 AM or after 5 PM. I am always happy to help! Its full of racist and sexist messaging and far right propaganda. The trip begins and ends in Portland, Oregon, but spends much of the time in and around Glacier National Park in Montana. Note that shuttles have limited seating and you may find yourself waiting for a seat during high season. This was a really amazing and helpful post. Not an ideal situation, but you have to be flexible on a road trip! Crystal (historical) 29F. Follow along for an epic Idaho road trip through Ketchum, Stanley, Salmon, Missoula (a little side trip to Montana), Coeur dAlene, and McCall. I LOVE LLAMAS SO MUCH. Getting little glimpses into the real lives of the local people is one of our favorite parts of traveling the world! 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. But theres a hidden loophole! Like everywhere we stopped in Montana, mountains frame the city in the distance. Remember, as a traveler you are a guest in someone elses home. The guide includes everything from the hacks we use to save money on travel to printable packing lists. I almost gave up and turned around halfway through but persisted with the encouragement of Lenza and a one-pound bag of Tillamook beef jerky. We stopped to see what the fuss was about, and as soon as we got out of the car, we heard the murmur of wolf throughout the crowd of people. 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. Dining on Big Mountain is almost as much fun as mountain biking, with a lot less chance of serious injury. 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! Minus the ostentatious Trump 2020 banners hanging on some of the houses, of course. Once youve made it to the top of the mountain (however it is that you got there), stop in at the Summit House Restaurant on top of the chair lift for amazing views and a cold drink. 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. The town is a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. At 2 hours due west on I-90, Bozeman has a college town vibe with growing art, music, and food scenes. Day 3-4 of your Montana Road Trip: Bozeman. Youre welcome. Sightsee at Idaho's Greatest Natural Wonders Google Map katie wheeler/Flickr Trump 2020 banners hang proudly in front of houses and wave in windy fields and farmland. 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. This is why we love small, local places. In the morning, we had a gluttonous, all-American breakfast at Trails Inn Restaurant in town, which was just amazing. This was great other than your Miracle of America Museum suggestion. 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. 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); We ate dinner at Applebees, where we also changed and got ready for bed in the bathroom (its about 11 PM at this point and we are brushing our teeth at an Applebees in Idahoprobably the high point of the trip). 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 weather can change in an instant and you can experience all 4 seasons in 1 day! Do NOT dump your trash on the roadways. Its important to be aware of your impact in Glacier, like any National Park. Thank you so much for including info about Native American lands and supporting indigenous communities. Again, a quick search on AllTrails will present you with a list of trails within the park that you can choose from based on scenery, difficulty level, and user reviews. We were very excited to have a bear sightingfrom the safety of our car, and not on a hiking trail. 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