How bout the kettle house amphitheater and seeing show how bout rafting a river. Definitely add whitewater rafting on the Salmon River to your Idaho road trip itinerary! We recommend trying the bacon waffle I know it sounds weird, but just trust us. There are lots of great things to do in Whitefish for every season if you know where to look! I loved following you on the trip via Instagram stories, it looked so fun! I think we ALL should be able to visit one anothers areas, respectfully of course. We recommend using Kayak to price-compare flight deals & dates before you book to save money on your flight. Day 2: Riggins, Idaho to Missoula, Montana, Post white water rafting on the Salmon River in Riggins, Idaho. Super stoked to finally see it in a few weeks! The trip begins and ends in Portland, Oregon, but spends much of the time in and around Glacier National Park in Montana. Autumn Travel Itineraries Montana Road Trip Sponsored Post The West USA National Parks USA Wildlife Wildlife. At 2 hours due west on I-90, Bozeman has a college town vibe with growing art, music, and food scenes. 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. Eat: We ate at Last Chance Pizza & Pasta in town. The town is a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. I am always happy to help! Since this itinerary is a loop, you can rent a car directly at the airport once you arrive in Missoula. Montana is a beautiful itinerary. All of a sudden, we saw her pounce up from behind a ridge, just inches away from 2 of the male tourists. The drive up to glacier has the bison range just to point out something you missed. We were very happy to see our new cabin was much larger (3 beds with 2 separate rooms!) If we could redo our trip, I would have gone this route. Drop us a comment below! Today, youll be spending the day hiking with a very special friend: a llama! 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! 18 Restaurants in San Francisco for the Best https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V3TvpcgJfU&t=802s, Tulum Street Art Photo Tour (And Exactly Where to Find Each Piece! Start your day with a pour-over at the Wild Coffee Company, a third wave coffee shop that donates 1% of its profits to local non-profits working on nature and outdoor conservation. But nothing was going to keep up from experiencing the wonders of Glacier National Park! Our main activity was a visit to the Goldbug Hot Springs in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Plus, there are miles of scenic hiking trails up and down the mountain. After Salmon, we drove to Missoula, a funky college town of 75,000 that we loved. and we had a shared campsite bathroom (which was actually quite clean and close to us). Downtown Missoula is quite walkable, so pick a place to eat from this curated list and explore the town on foot! The trail is so gentle on the feet that we actually did it barefoot! It was already 7:00good thing it stays light until 10 that far north! About an hour and $50 later, we were on our way to the last stop on our Idaho itinerary before Boise. We rode horses and ate beef, as one must, and went on some of the most scenic hikes anywhere. If youve never tried to change from a wet bathing suit into comfy driving clothes on the side of a road, well, youre missing out. (note from Alicia: Who in 2021 locks a car from the door and not from the keys!?). There are shuttles running throughout Glacier National Park, and you can take them from the entrance of West Glacier up Going to the Sun Road all the way to Logan Pass and East Glacier (and back again) for free! Were hoping to visit late June as thats when our daughter is done with school. One of the best ways to get the full Idaho experience is to road trip through the state. You might recognize the town as the setting of A River Runs Through It (if not, be sure to watch it or read the book before your trip)! Here are our picks: Your first stop after Missoula is the stunning, outdoorsy town of Whitefish, Montana, located just outside of Glacier National Park. 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. The simplest answer I can give you is to seek out Native-owned businesses. Its important to be aware of your impact in Glacier, like any National Park. If you happen to be besties with a friendly Park Ranger, youre covered! Another fantastic option we found is this cute condo, located directly in town. While Glacier is gorgous and amazing there are places in motana that are just as stunning. That was more budget-friendly anyway and we got to set our own itinerary. Whatever you bring in, you should bring back out againpack it in pack it out. They can only handle a few visitors at a time before the landscape and the animals start to feel the impact. Whoops! Its an area of incredible natural beauty, isnt it? Day 7: Yellowstone National Park to Grand Teton National Park, The Norris Geyser Basin at Yellowstone National Park. Additionally, my trip was hosted by Glacier Country, Montana. 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). 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. Is it less disruptive to visit Whitefish during the day but stay elsewhere? There are a few options for exploring Going to the Sun Road. 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! Eat: Circle D Eatery has yummy BBQ ribs and a buttered trout plate. Whats the difference between a national park and a national monument? The primary difference is the reason for preserving the land. Welcome to Montana, where there are two times as many cows as people and miles and miles of gorgeous, rolling wilderness to explore! 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. Dont own an RV? 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. 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. Fuel up at Pocketstone Cafe, the ultimate American breakfast spot in Big Fork. Your email address will not be published. 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey, we are Dottie & Lenza, bloggers and video creators. It also serves Alternatively, you can rent an RV or campervan and have your shelter conveniently on wheels. 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! 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. 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. Im so sorry to hear that your home is experiencing overtourism. We had a few moments of panic, but quickly realized we were going to be sleeping in our car and had to figure out the details. We had a rough plan in place prior to our trip but gave ourselves the leeway to make unexpected stops the way hence why we hit Yellowstone twice! Site by, 30 Things Nobody Tells You About Quitting Your Job to Travel, 32 Things Nobody Tells You About Long Term Travel as a Couple, 30 Things No One Tells You About Backpacking in South America, The Ultimate Montana Road Trip: Detailed 10-Day Itinerary. No boards for us. It may not have happened exactly how we planned, butit all came up Dana & Alicia in the end! And yes: there are llamas. We arrived at the Big Iron Motel just before 9 (and it was still light outside!) It was more comfortable than tent camping anyway! The town is a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Did you pocket some of those cheese samples for later? Try the Huckleberry Creme Brulee, because there is no such thing as too much huckleberry in Montana. Obviously, there are many other options at all price ranges. 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 This gave us the perfect excuse to check out downtown Boise. 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. We were averaging about $250 a night. 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. The oatmeal pancake is a must-try! 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. Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a Whichever you decide, they are both great stops for your Western United States road trip! If you do opt for the Red Bus Tour, youll want to bring a ton of sunscreen (open top means LOTS of sun), plenty of layers as the morning is quite cold and the afternoon is quite hot, sunglasses, loads of water, chapstick, and snacks (just be sure to pack all the snack waste out with you). This part of the country is famously beautiful, characterized by lush green alpine landscapes and snow-capped peaks, winding rivers, and countless small towns dripping with old western charm. 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. We had all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ at Ginseng BBQ on the strip and authentic, mouthwatering Shanxi beef noodle soup at Shang Artisan Noodle. If you have any questions about this Western United States road trip guide, leave a comment below. We stopped at the village near the park entrance for soups and sandwiches, and a little bit of shopping. We each had our own twin bed (the most comfy beds of the whole trip!) About halfway through our drive back we had our second animal encounter. The ladies at the front desk informed us that they had no rooms available, and as far as they knew there were no rooms anywhere between Idaho Falls and Boise (3 hours away and our final destination for the trip). Day 5: Glacier National Park to Helena, Montana. Again, use Kayak to price-compare prices on car rentals for your trip! Clear Sky. If youre thirsty, The Great Northern Brewing Company, Bonsai Brewing, or Spotted Bear Spirits have you covered. Covid is still with us. Theyre very popular. 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 The Lewis and Clark Brewery had one of our favorite beers of the trip: the Halo Huckleberry Hefe. Which gives me hope for my future llama-owning self. Do NOT dump your trash on the roadways. We started our Idaho road trip from Boise to Glacier National Park in Montana with a stop in Riggins, Idaho. We headed back to our lodge where we (annoyingly) had to change rooms, since there were no rooms available 2 nights in a row. I guess a lot of other people had the same idea for fun this summer. 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. Combining Grand Teton and Yellowstone is perfect for a Wyoming road trip. Today, we share down-to-earth travel tips from our many (mis)adventures on our blog and podcast! Driving time to West Glacier: About 30 minutes. 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. Here are a few essentials to pack and bring with you on your trip: Montana has one of the highest American Indian populations in the US, with about 66,000 people of Tribal heritage. Today was another driving day from Wyoming to Idaho and our first stop was the Snake River Brewing Company in Jackson Hole. 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. Day 6: Helena, Montana to Yellowstone National Park, Alicia ready to slide down the Beaver slide at the Lewis and Clark Caverns. The ladies were very nice and gave us some numbers of local mom and pop places we could try. From the summer season all the way through September, Whitefish Mountain Resort (formerly known as Big Mountain) offers weather permitting outdoor adventure! The Best Street Art in San Francisco: Mission Where to Find the Best New Orleans Street 10 Restaurants in New Orleans for Treating Yourself. Then it was time to set out on our whitewater rafting trip down the Salmon River. Lets go! Just another good story to tell, right? Fuel up at Loulas Cafe, a beloved local breakfast staple located in an old Masonic temple. When we got to Boise, we ate a delicious lunch at Forks and then checked into our hotel to get ready for the evening. 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. Never heard of it? 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. The older llamas are very friendly and sociable. 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). WebThe ultimate road trip planner to help you discover extraordinary places, book hotels, and share itineraries all from the map. :) Purchase a step-by-step guide to this itinerary. However, because we road-tripped in the summer and stayed near well-known US national parks, these cost about $100 an average each night not the cheapest option for accommodation. Heres what we did in Stanley: Stay: The Sawtooth Hotel is a charming and relatively budget-friendly option. Youll be walking distance from everything in Whitefish! This looks absolutely beautiful! Bummer. Across the street we went to lunch at Buckhorn Bar, where we sampled local beers, fried food, and most interestingly, the musings of the local people. Stay: We slept at our friends quaint and reasonably priced Airbnb, though there are also a few motel options in town. 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. Their pizza is cooked in a wood fire oven installed directly in the truck. 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 stopped off first at the Holiday Inn. When we were done with our hike, it was lunch time. We continued our way down Going to the Sun Road, enjoying the many scenic turnouts along the way. I would write about Las Vegas, but really, what hasnt been said about it already? Today was one of our main driving days, which can be some of the best days of a road trip! So thanks again!! Then we went back to the Holiday Inn where the front desk ladies were nice enough to sneak us a key card so we could use the bathroom in the middle of the night if needed. And in the second installation of whats the difference between we learned: Whats the difference between a farm and a ranch?. 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