Psst: Looking for more of our favorite outdoorsy destinations? No luck. 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). I guess a lot of other people had the same idea for fun this summer. Apart from that, the rest of the trip is completely flexible. We traveled through Montana as the trees and mountains gave way to vast farmlands. 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. Road conditions from Idaho to Montana. Youll be able to do and see so much more compared to the rest of the year. 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. The sheer magnitude and untouched rugged beauty make you feel small in the most wonderful way. We recommend using Kayak to price-compare flight deals & dates before you book to save money on your flight. We recommend visiting in late August/early September. 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. In Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, sunsets are well after 9 pm each day. j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'? Yum! 2021 Update: Unfortunately The Peoples Center suffered a devastating fire and has been relocated to St. Ignatius. Need some help planning your next adventure? Outdoorsy has a diverse selection of road trip vehicles ranging from no-frills campervans to glamping-ready RVs that fit any budget. The river was low, so the water was not running fast, but we still hit 3 good class III rapids on our run. 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. We figured, worst-case scenario, we would be paying double what we had been paying alreadybut worth it for a little bit more flexibility during the day. The trail is so gentle on the feet that we actually did it barefoot! If you plan to go to more than one national park, opt to buy an annual pass for $80 instead of individual day passes at $35 a pop. 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. Pine Lodges complimentary bike rentals are the perfect way to explore Whitefish. The views of the powerful waterfalls were breathtaking and a must see in this park. After dinner but not too late, breweries and distilleries close at 8pm by Montana law head to Montgomery Distillery for an early nightcap. A good rule of thumb is to aim for under four hours of driving per day so you have time to enjoy your destination. No Practical Wanderlust guide would be complete without a brewery recommendation, so after your pizza hit up Tamarack Brewery. Our final itinerary: 3 states, 3 national parks, 1 national monument, 2 state parks and 2,000 miles driven in our trusty steed, Huckleberry. All National Parks utilizes the ethos of Leave No Trace. We left Riggins that afternoon to make our way towards Glacier National Park. Its a shameful fact that all outdoor enthusiasts and National Park visitors should be aware of, as well as the efforts that are being made by the National Park Service. In 2016 we quit our jobs, put our stuff in storage, and took off on a (disastrous) year-long honeymoon. When we got back to the car we realizedDana had locked the keys inside. We learned there used to be 7 volcanoes in the area, the last of which erupted 2,000 years ago. I am always happy to help! We explored both the Brink of the Lower and Upper Falls, as well as Artist Point. Sadly I didnt have a chance to take this tour myself during my trip, but Ive heard nothing but good things. 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. Back on the road, we crossed over the border to Montana and stopped for the night in Missoula. Youll learn all about Missoulas history as a frontier town. Feels like 33.03 Wind speed 2.4 mph Pressure 1010 hPa. Neither of us realized just how FAR it was going to be on this side of the road. Its the cutest, weirdest thing. 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. If you choose to explore Beartooth, I would budget at least 3-5 hours so you can get out and explore. In the morning, we had a gluttonous, all-American breakfast at Trails Inn Restaurant in town, which was just amazing. Here is a day by day breakdown of our recommended Montana road trip itinerary. Awesome. 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). Starting from Boise and working your way counterclockwise around the state to some of the best outdoor spots makes for one memorable Idaho road trip. The weather can change in an instant and you can experience all 4 seasons in 1 day! (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!). 6. After about 2.5 miles walking east on Going to the Sun road, we decided to turn back and go for a hike. After Salmon, we drove to Missoula, a funky college town of 75,000 that we loved. Boise was actually the only place we could find a rental car. We readied ourselves quickly (lets be honest, Alicia stared Dana down with as much intensity as one can muster at 4AM to make sure she was moving quickly enough for Alicias type-A liking) and headed out to the West entrance of the Park. Plus, who can resist a random winery stop on a road trip?!? For the national park lodges, we booked a few weeks in advance). 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 We definitely want to do glacier but he also wants to do Yellowstone so we may need to figure out a slightly different itinerary. Im so sorry to hear that your home is experiencing overtourism. Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a Road conditions from Idaho to Montana. These unique and beautiful formations are a must-see on any Wyoming itinerary. 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! Huckleberries are a Montana Thing, and youll want to make it a point to eat them in as many different forms as you can while youre in Montana! Day 15 Flathead Lake, MT drive to Whitefish, MT. It also serves We headed back to our lodge where we (annoyingly) had to change rooms, since there were no rooms available 2 nights in a row. We mainly used Booking.com to book low-cost motels located on our route. Today, the Island is part of the Flathead Indian Reservation and is managed by the Montana parks department. The drive up to glacier has the bison range just to point out something you missed. Our alarms jarred us awake in pitch black (which felt strange since we had woken with the sun at 5:30 on the previous mornings) with the pounding of rain on the roof of our cabin. Before you head out, pack a picniclunch to keep you fueled up as you hike through the island looking for wild horses! Today, we share down-to-earth travel tips from our many (mis)adventures on our blog and podcast! 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. 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. FOLLOW OUR PARKS RULES. Required fields are marked *. Again, use Kayak to price-compare prices on car rentals for your trip! Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a I loved following you on the trip via Instagram stories, it looked so fun! We enjoyed the 2 hour tour through the caverns - put this on your Montana itinerary! 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. and we had a shared campsite bathroom (which was actually quite clean and close to us). We took a rather long detour on our stop to Glacier National Park at the National Bison Range in Charlo, Montana. The hotel is located on the banks of the glacial blue Swiftcurrent Lake, seated at the base of jaw-dropping glacier-covered mountains. Its called Flessie, and locals say it often appears in the shape of a floating stick. 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 sampled some wines (he joined us because why not!?) But fun fact: designated in 1996, Escalante was the last part of the continental U.S. to be mapped. I didnt realize that thank you so much for bringing it to our attention. The Lewis and Clark Brewery had one of our favorite beers of the trip: the Halo Huckleberry Hefe. We have included a few excellent options in our itinerary. On the way north to Riggins we drove through the Payette National Forest, enjoying the tree lined roads and mountain views. We of course went out for some dinner and beer sampling at Tamarack Brewing before calling it a night. 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. From the Norris Basin, we continued on to the famous Prismatic Spring. We headed over to the dune and met another family with 2 sleds. 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. So we did, and the dog followed as promised, but.rude!!! Canoeing on Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. Youd end up in the Pacific Northwest, and then you could swing back around through Idaho/Montana/Wyoming and maybe pop into Glacier and Yellowstone on your way back. Our main activity was a visit to the Goldbug Hot Springs in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. We set out around 7 and headed first to Blackfoot River Brewing Company (which closed at 8) and sampled some very delicious IPAs. Covid is still with us. All around high-quality food in a rustic but modern wild west ambiance. This is one of those things you kind of just learn to deal with when traveling. 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). One of the best ways to get the full Idaho experience is to road trip through the state. Me either. Meanwhile, Alicia and I were so excited about our wolf encounter! While our itinerary includes 2 days in Glacier NP, if youre planning to spend more time there or youd like to bookend this trip itinerary with a trip to Yellowstone, these two guides are essential. Visitors range from overweight midwestern American families on their annual vacation to scantily-clad young girls ready for a night at the Marquee. Please at least include a trigger warning if not!! The trip begins and ends in Portland, Oregon, but spends much of the time in and around Glacier National Park in Montana. If youre up for it, wander all the way across the bridge to the other side of town to check out the Hip Strip, Missoulas coolest neighborhood. And yes: there are llamas. Dottie is one part of Dots on a Map. Lets go! Ahh, Glacier National Park. We saw many more bison, along with elk, coyotes, and even a groundhog. It was another awesome Alicia & Dana Adventure! We continued south until we got to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Llamas are very good hikers they are native to the Andes mountains in South America, and they feel most comfortable trotting around on steep mountain slopes. The museum & cultural center showcases the traditions and culture of tribes that have traditionally been passed down orally from generation to generation, as well as examples of cultural tribal artifacts from the Salish, Pend dOreille and Kootenai tribes like basket weavings, beaded vests and more. Photo Credit; Idaho Tourism. 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. From there about an hours drive from Big Fork Wild Horse Island is just 45 minutes of athletic activity away! 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. We will also send you our favorite tips to help you plan your Montana road trip! 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. Missoula is a charming college town, and by far the most urban place youll be during your 10 days in Montana. 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 venue is an experience in itself, with wild game taxidermy lining the walls, a sturdy wooden bar, and a vintage piano in the corner. 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. 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. There are several historic railroad lodges located within Glacier National Park, and we had a chance to stay at a few of them during our trip. 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. The cocktails are boujie yet surprisingly affordable be sure to try the smoky grapefruit! Montana wasnt on my bucket list yet but your post convinced me . The stresses of day to day life feel less important and slowly start to drift away. About halfway through our drive back we had our second animal encounter. Like everywhere we stopped in Montana, mountains frame the city in the distance. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Its definitely something travelers (especially in the Americas) need to be more conscious of! Bozeman will be your next stop from Billings. This road trip is focused around western Montana in Glacier Country, so we recommend booking your flights in and out of Missoula. If youre feeling up for a few hills, you can continue all the way up the accurately named Big Mountain for sweeping vistas. The entire state is a paradise for anyone who loves hiking, swimming, or anything outdoorsy. Plus, there are miles of scenic hiking trails up and down the mountain. And Im so glad the rest of the itinerary was helpful Im glad you had a good trip! We passed through several dying towns of boarded-up windows before driving to Twin Falls, Idaho. sorry you had to deal with that sort of garbage at the Miracle of America Museum. We dubbed Boise the Orlando of the West as the downtown areas are very similar. Sorry I dont usually post comments like this we were just alarmed. While his convictions differ significantly from mine (Ive lived in liberal cities my entire life and have never handled a gun), it was eye-opening to hear an opposite perspective on familiar issues. Which stop on our itinerary are you most excited about? Which gives me hope for my future llama-owning self. After a (super) hearty lunch, take your bike out to the open road. And yes: there are llamas. Until next time. For water, we purchased a few 1.5-liter bottles and refilled them at gas stations throughout our trip. 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. Both boat shuttles are operated by the family-run Glacier Park Boat Company and operate from June through September. We got to view Jackson Glacier, one of the few glaciers left at Glacier National Park and watch the sun starting to set over St. Mary Lake. Neither did we but the kind owner at the fruit stand took pity on our eastern palates and let us sample huckleberry jam before we bought the pie. Dining on Big Mountain is almost as much fun as mountain biking, with a lot less chance of serious injury. Even this winter, for the first time the traffic was worse than it ever has been. Day 7: Yellowstone National Park to Grand Teton National Park, The Norris Geyser Basin at Yellowstone National Park. The road is 50 miles long and takes about 2 hours one-way with no stopping (but youll definitely be stopping a few times, so allow yourself extra time). But if you do have some time in town, we recommend booking a Missoula Back Alleys tour! International Selkirk Loop, 6373 Bonner St, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805, USA 4. Crown jewel of Montana. Still, Im not sure I would choose this trail again as it was crowded and there is a large portion that runs alongside a road. That said, counterpoint: July is cherry season in Flathead Lake. 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