Please at least include a trigger warning if not!! That all sounds amazing, I would love to get back to Montana and experience more! If you have any questions about this Western United States road trip guide, leave a comment below. Youll have easy access to the boutique specialty shops and galleries in town, and still within reach of all the outdoor activities. Take your camera! I love small towns and their charm and appreciate you highlighting restaurants and lodging, super helpful! The artichoke spinach dip and conversation with local patrons were to die for.Ponderosa Pies is a food truck in Salmon that I wish we tried (they were sold out when we went). The drive up to glacier has the bison range just to point out something you missed. To our disappointment the Boiling River (which normally you can swim in like a hot spring) was currently closed to swimmers because of dangerously fast running water. You can continue on from there to Lakeside, where youll find lots of food options. Bryce Canyon is obviously more famous weve all seen photos of the parks breathtaking Sunrise Point but Capitol Reef received raving reviews from our friends and is far less crowded. International Selkirk Loop, 6373 Bonner St, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805, USA 4. })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-P6R8DKB'); 3 years ago we quit our jobs, put our stuff in storage, and took off on a (disastrous) year-long honeymoon. Weve got an itinerary for the California bit of it to help you plan: https://practicalwanderlust.com/pacific-coast-highway-road-trip-itinerary/. 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 decided to backtrack a little to check it out since it was still fairly early and we were only an hour away from our final destination. Additionally, this itinerary includes routes that pass through American Indian reservations. Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a Detour to The Old Saloon in Emigrant, Montana20 minutes away from Livingston is The Old Saloon, an old western restaurant and bar established in 1902. 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. Feels like 33.03 Wind speed 2.4 mph Pressure 1010 hPa. Boise was actually the only place we could find a rental car. Be warnedthis trail is not for the faint of heart, but you will be rewarded with some of the best views Montana has to offer. We moved along quickly because we wanted to make sure we made it out to the main road before it was completely dark. Day 1: Travel to Riggins, Idaho by way of Boise. Day 2: Riggins, Idaho to Missoula, Montana, Post white water rafting on the Salmon River in Riggins, Idaho. When planning your itinerary, keep in mind that the estimated driving time on Google Maps is often longer when you factor in bathroom and restaurant stops. Driving time: 45 Minutes from Whitefish, or 3 hours from Many Glacier. So if you want to post some cool pics of the nature you seego for it! We recommend trying the bacon waffle I know it sounds weird, but just trust us. In all seriousness, I had no idea Idaho was this beautiful. WebThe ultimate road trip planner to help you discover extraordinary places, book hotels, and share itineraries all from the map. 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. It also serves We passed through several dying towns of boarded-up windows before driving to Twin Falls, Idaho. There are only 100 wolves in all of Yellowstone, and some people we talked to had been working at Yellowstone for years and never saw a wolf! Book your trip no later than the 3rd week of September just to be safe, and double-check the seasonal closing dates before you book anything. Its similar to a blueberry but a bit sweeter and the fruit is smaller. I love this post! This is how!! It was a nice way to kick things off with cold Idaho beers and world-famous Idaho potatoes in the form of french fries at Bittercreek Ale House. Georgies Outdoor Mexican Cafe has a quesadilla bursting with melted cheese and generously portioned fish tacos. If you choose to explore Beartooth, I would budget at least 3-5 hours so you can get out and explore. As a western montanan I dont agree with this road trip. Downtown Missoula is quite walkable, so pick a place to eat from this curated list and explore the town on foot! '&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= Back on the road, we crossed over the border to Montana and stopped for the night in Missoula. 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. The highlight of our Livingston visit was Pine Creek Lake, a 12-mile out-and-back trail to not one, not two, but three alpine lakes (AllTrails says this trail is nine miles, but dont believe it). When we arrived at Small Dune (where the sledding was done), there was a couple heading back to their car. Day 3-4 of your Montana Road Trip: Bozeman. Missoula has a plethora of hotels so we booked a Comfort Inn near downtown on our way into town. But if you wait until after school starts, youll be able to enjoy a much less crowded park and absolutely perfect weather! 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. So thanks again!! You know Dana touched ALL the animals and then Alicia doused her in hand sanitizer before letting her back in the car. At 2 hours due west on I-90, Bozeman has a college town vibe with growing art, music, and food scenes. We spent our afternoon hiking to the Escalante Natural Bridge, which we had all to ourselves. From the Norris Basin, we continued on to the famous Prismatic Spring. We spent the morning exploring the different geyser basins throughout Yellowstone. and received our complimentary beers at check-in. If we had booked months in advance, Im sure we would have saved money but we would have lost out on the flexibility that makes road trips such fun adventures. We really enjoyed experiencing the beauty of the different thermal pools, as neither of us had really seen anything like them before. We recommend adding it to your Montana itinerary. Whichever you decide, they are both great stops for your Western United States road trip! From the summer season all the way through September, Whitefish Mountain Resort (formerly known as Big Mountain) offers weather permitting outdoor adventure! sorry you had to deal with that sort of garbage at the Miracle of America Museum. Disclaimer: This post includes sponsored content from Moon Travel Guides and RVShare, both of which we have personally tried and vetted (theyre great). 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. 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. Roadtrip Idaho Montana Wyoming US Travel. 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. No boards for us. It has a beautiful outdoor seating area, the perfect place to enjoy the brewerys delicious Amber Ale. 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. come one and all but REMEMBER YOUR MANNERS. Sightsee at Idaho's Greatest Natural Wonders Google Map katie wheeler/Flickr Fuel up at Loulas Cafe, a beloved local breakfast staple located in an old Masonic temple. We dubbed Boise the Orlando of the West as the downtown areas are very similar. Not only did you hit a small fraction of Montana you gave a very limit view of who and what we are. This was our first adventure since the world shut down for the Coronavirus pandemic and we knew it had to be epic so we create an itinerary to visit Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, and Grand Teton National Park - and we hit the road for a 10-day road trip to Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. We shared a small raft with two couples older than us who gladly gave us the front spots. My trip to Montana, which was hosted by a State tourism bureau, was eye-opening; I realized how little I know about our American Indian neighbors and the ways in which my country (and by extension, myself) are still, today, complicit in oppressing Indigenous culture and communities. Our 5-mile hike to Bond Falls was gorgeous and offered me several hours to attempt to befriend my llama, Boxcar: a beautiful, sassy 1-year-old whose respected I needed to earn. It also serves Fuel up at Pocketstone Cafe, the ultimate American breakfast spot in Big Fork. The goal of the cultural center is to dispel myths and stereotypes about Native Americans, and its well worth a stop! We became best friends by the end of the hike and it made my entire life. Bozeman will be your next stop from Billings. 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. Road conditions from Idaho to Montana. Did we spend too much time looking at all of the amazing pieces and come home with a few prize possessions? I hope you find it useful when planning your own road trip through the Western United States! (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!). Always be respectful and mindful of your responsibility and leave it the way you found it! 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. 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. The food is amazing literally everything on the menu is incredible and the drinks are fantastic. It was also our first adventure since Danas fun hospital visit in Ecuador so we decided a US road trip was the way to go. Thinking Pacific Northwest. The land that is currently Glacier National Park was actually given to the Blackfeet Nation as part of their original reservation. It was the perfect way to end the first day of the Wyoming portion of our road trip. 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. 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. 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. There is a Department of Indian Affairs as well as a program dedicated to growing Indian tourism (including through grants and other funding) at the state level, and efforts are being made. Adding it to my bucketlist. We were drawn in by a shop called Latigo and Lace, which featured authentic and local artwork. 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. Im planning a roadtrip through Montana and Wyoming (yanno, as soon as its safe and whatnot), so I loved how in-depth your details were! But if not, the next best thing is a guidebook. Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a Its full of racist and sexist messaging and far right propaganda. 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. 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 told all the random people we encountered back at the lodge about our experience. And yes: there are llamas. The shuttles are ADA accessible and make several stops, but take about the same amount of time as driving your personal vehicle. The hotels wraparound deck offers the best lakeside sunset view Ive ever seen! As we passed through Hayden Valley (known for its wildlife sightings), we noticed a lot of people pulled over at a turn out, pointing and taking pictures. Feels like 33.03 Wind speed 2.4 mph Pressure 1010 hPa. We didnt even play any car games with so much to see! Obviously, there are many other options at all price ranges. These three were runners so Alicia got to chatting with them and it turns out, the older women actually ran the Boston Marathon! We will also send you our favorite tips to help you plan your Montana road trip! Whats the difference between a cave and a cavern? A cave is any cavity in the ground that does not receive sunlight, while a cavern is a type of cave that includes stalagmites and stalactites. In Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, sunsets are well after 9 pm each day. It was flat and easy, with gorgeous views of the lake and the Tetons. Another fantastic option we found is this cute condo, located directly in town. 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. Dan and I get lost crossing the street so I feel we are like-minded adventurers, Hahah it does sound like we are similar travelers Depending on how much time you have, driving the PCH north starting in southern CA (only a few hours from Las Vegas) would be a fantastic road trip! This was great other than your Miracle of America Museum suggestion. 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. Before you head out, pack a picniclunch to keep you fueled up as you hike through the island looking for wild horses! The guide includes everything from the hacks we use to save money on travel to printable packing lists. Coming from the West Coast, there are plenty of quick, direct flights to Missoula on the budget airline Allegiant. Thanks to stuff like this, we have been found out, and our quiet lives have been forever disrupted. Psst:Weve also created a free, printable version of this Montana Road Trip Itinerary! Clear Sky. You dont want to trust the weather report beyond a couple of days out, and even then, you pack an umbrella and a jacket. The app provides route maps, difficulty levels, trail photos, user reviews, and more. If you choose to take on the task, make sure to bring sunblock, plenty of water, and snacks to fuel you along the way. Here are our picks: Your first stop after Missoula is the stunning, outdoorsy town of Whitefish, Montana, located just outside of Glacier National Park. 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. 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