First up on your clockwise drive around the lake is the town of Polson, the largest town on Flathead Lake. We continued on with no further interruption and made it to the park entrance. If you plan on hiking a must on any Western US road trip AllTrails is a great resource for locating the best trails in your area. Are there ways for visitors to enjoy Whitefish responsibly, such as by visiting during a specific season or during a lull in tourists? An excellent reminder, and we couldnt agree more! If you only have a short time in Wyoming, add this drive to your itinerary to really see the park. On the way north to Riggins we drove through the Payette National Forest, enjoying the tree lined roads and mountain views. Dont know what a huckleberry is? It was fun though, and Im glad we got to try it. After about 2.5 miles walking east on Going to the Sun road, we decided to turn back and go for a hike. A bear ready for a dip in Hells Canyon. Feels like 33.03 Wind speed 2.4 mph Pressure 1010 hPa. It has a beautiful outdoor seating area, the perfect place to enjoy the brewerys delicious Amber Ale. Your trip begins once your plane touches down in Missoula, Montana! 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. 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. Check out some of our other posts! Of course we had to stop and try to help said dog (whose name we learned was Hank). The next two stops, Snake River Overlook and Oxbow Bend, had gorgeous views of the Tetons and Snake River. 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. WebCheck the road conditions from Idaho to Montana and plan a trip based on the weather along the way. I also loved your post on the Galapagosused it for my own trip and it was super helpful! Crystal (historical) 29F. 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. 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. The guide includes everything from the hacks we use to save money on travel to printable packing lists. Missoula is a charming college town, and by far the most urban place youll be during your 10 days in Montana. If youre feeling athletic, you can drive around the lake and pick up a canoe, kayak or paddleboard, or SUP. 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). 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! The views of the powerful waterfalls were breathtaking and a must see in this park. Psst: Looking for more of our favorite outdoorsy destinations? We recommend staying somewhere walkable, so youll want to base yourself close to downtown on either side of the river. 1. Learn how your comment data is processed. Today, the Island is part of the Flathead Indian Reservation and is managed by the Montana parks department. Road conditions from Idaho to Montana. We mainly used Booking.com to book low-cost motels located on our route. Sightsee at Idaho's Greatest Natural Wonders Google Map katie wheeler/Flickr The majority of the drive from Yellowstone to Grand Teton was actually going to be through the remainder of Yellowstone. Yellowstone travel tip: Old Faithful is, well, faithful and you can check the times it is set to go off and plan your itinerary around it. A farm is where crops are grown and a ranch is where livestock are raised. 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). Meanwhile, Alicia and I were so excited about our wolf encounter! Bummer. One of the best ways to get the full Idaho experience is to road trip through the state. 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. 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. 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. Pine Lodges complimentary bike rentals are the perfect way to explore Whitefish. Guess we should have had wolf vs. coyote in our whats the difference between? series! Drop us a comment below! These unique and beautiful formations are a must-see on any Wyoming itinerary. We definitely want to do glacier but he also wants to do Yellowstone so we may need to figure out a slightly different itinerary. Since this itinerary is a loop, you can rent a car directly at the airport once you arrive in Missoula. WebCheck the road conditions from Idaho to Montana and plan a trip based on the weather along the way. And while youre exploring, if youre a cheese lover (and really, isnt everyone), be sure to stop by Flathead Lake Cheese for samples of local Montana deliciousness. They also decided to rename the center to honor three of the chiefs that represent the native tribes of CSKT, the Salish, Pend dOreille, and Kootenai. 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. 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). Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a 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. 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). 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. Since my trip, Ive been reflecting and researching ways that I can better educate myself as well as supporting existing Indigenous activism. For dinner, dont miss out on the best food deal in Montana: the small plate menu at the Kandahar Lodges Snug Bar. :) Purchase a step-by-step guide to this itinerary. But before too long, the Blackfeet were forced out of their re-assigned home in order to make way for luxury hotels and trains and wealthy tourists. 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). I grew up right around Glacier National Park and I think everything you mentioned was perfect for enjoying the area! As the day went on, the skies began to clear and we were able to experience the sheer beauty of the park. We recommend staying at Pine Lodge, located right on the Whitefish River and a 3-minute drive to downtown. This luxury condo in downtown Bigfork has spectacular views of Swan River, you can hear the sounds of rushing white water from the deck, and the loft bedroom has cathedral windows looking across spectacular views. If youre flying in, just pick up and return your RV in Missoula: browse RV rentals in Missoula. Yes! Like everywhere we stopped in Montana, mountains frame the city in the distance. Bozeman will be your next stop from Billings. We sampled some wines (he joined us because why not!?) One of the best ways to get the full Idaho experience is to road trip through the state. We loved the stuffed French toast and huckleberry pie at Loulas in whitefish so much! 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. :) Purchase a step-by-step guide to this itinerary. The hotels wraparound deck offers the best lakeside sunset view Ive ever seen! Were hoping to visit late June as thats when our daughter is done with school. Do NOT be rude to staff in our establishments or our National parks. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. At 2 hours due west on I-90, Bozeman has a college town vibe with growing art, music, and food scenes. Unsubscribe anytime. It was windy and the water was choppy, which made it a much more difficult journey! Canoeing on Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. Day 15 Flathead Lake, MT drive to Whitefish, MT. We knew we had to be there early because they stopped renting boards when the temperature outside reaches 80 degrees. Subscribe and well send you our FREE 22-page Travel Planning Guide. And in the second installation of whats the difference between we learned: Whats the difference between a farm and a ranch?. And yes: there are llamas. Not only did you hit a small fraction of Montana you gave a very limit view of who and what we are. Do you have suggestions for Yellowstone or an itinerary that would be best to see both? Before you head out, pack a picniclunch to keep you fueled up as you hike through the island looking for wild horses! Rest time was over at about 5 PM, and we were back out on the road heading to the East park entrance. BEHAVE YOURSELVES and be GOOD VISITORS and youll be welcomed. We spent some time here watching the chipmunks and ground squirrels play. Visiting Glacier National Park was top of the list on our Montana itinerary so we knew wed find a way to make it happen! 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. They let us borrow their sled and Alicia and I took turns sliding down a few times. We stopped off first at the Holiday Inn. We traveled through Montana as the trees and mountains gave way to vast farmlands. Stay: We slept at our friends quaint and reasonably priced Airbnb, though there are also a few motel options in town. Day 16 Whitefish, MT drive to Calgary, AB. The variation in topography that we have seen on this short trip has just been amazing! Rule of thumb: Always keep 25 yards (about 2 school buses) away from a non-aggressive animal, or 100 yards (one football field) away from large/potentially aggressive ones. 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. Weve got an itinerary for the California bit of it to help you plan: https://practicalwanderlust.com/pacific-coast-highway-road-trip-itinerary/. 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. 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