Montana
3
Day Itinerary •
USA
Three days in Montana gives you the essential Big Sky Country experience, from the extraordinary Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, one of the most dramatic mountain drives in the world, to the extraordinary turquoise lakes and ancient glaciers of the Lewis Range and the finest wildlife viewing in the contiguous United States. This route covers the heart of Montana. The extraordinary Logan Pass at the summit of Going-to-the-Sun Road where mountain goats and grizzly bears roam freely, the extraordinary Many Glacier valley with its five glacial lakes, the charming gateway town of Whitefish and the finest fly-fishing rivers in America on the Flathead and Clark Fork.
Best Time To Visit
July to mid-September when Going-to-the-Sun Road is fully open
Getting There
Fly into Glacier Park International (FCA) near Kalispell
Getting Around
Rental car essential. Shuttles available inside the park
Budget Per Day
Approx $120 to $190 per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, some high-altitude hiking
DAY 1
WHITEFISH AND FLATHEAD LAKE
MORNING
WHITEFISH, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY GATEWAY TOWN IN MONTANA
Whitefish is the most extraordinary small town in Montana, its extraordinary Central Avenue of independent restaurants, galleries and outfitters set against the backdrop of the Whitefish Mountain Resort and the Swan Range. The town is the finest base for Glacier National Park, its extraordinary Amtrak Empire Builder train station connecting it to Seattle and Chicago. The extraordinary City Beach on Whitefish Lake is the finest swimming spot in northwestern Montana. Free. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
FLATHEAD LAKE, THE LARGEST NATURAL FRESHWATER LAKE WEST OF THE MISSISSIPPI
Flathead Lake is the most extraordinary lake in Montana, its extraordinary 28-mile length of crystal-clear glacial water surrounded by the Mission Mountains and the Salish-Kootenai tribal lands. The extraordinary cherry orchards on the east shore near Bigfork produce the finest Flathead cherries in America, sold from roadside stands in July. The lake town of Bigfork with its extraordinary summer theatre program is the finest community on the lake. Free. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
WEST GLACIER AND THE APGAR VISITOR CENTER
West Glacier is the finest gateway into Glacier National Park from the west, its extraordinary access to the Apgar Village on Lake McDonald giving the first extraordinary views of the park's interior peaks reflected in the largest lake in Glacier. The Apgar Visitor Center with its extraordinary introduction to the park's geology and wildlife is the finest starting point. The extraordinary McDonald Creek trail through old-growth cedar and hemlock is unmissable. Entry $35 per vehicle.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Jewel Basin Hiking Area above Bigfork is the finest hidden hiking destination in the Flathead Valley, its extraordinary network of 35 miles of trail through an alpine basin of 27 mountain lakes entirely closed to motorized vehicles and horses. The basin is almost entirely unknown to visitors focused on Glacier. Entry free. The finest hidden gem near Flathead Lake.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Loula's Cafe, Whitefish The finest breakfast in Whitefish. Extraordinary huckleberry pancakes, local eggs and strong Montana coffee. | Lunch: Flathead Lake Brewing, Bigfork Outstanding craft beer and local burgers on the shores of Flathead Lake. Extraordinary views. | Dinner: Tupelo Grille, Whitefish The finest restaurant in Whitefish. Extraordinary local bison, trout and huckleberry desserts.
DAY 2
GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD
MORNING
GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY MOUNTAIN DRIVE IN AMERICA
Going-to-the-Sun Road is the most extraordinary mountain drive in America, its extraordinary 50-mile route through Glacier National Park crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass at 6,646 feet with sheer cliffs dropping thousands of feet on one side and extraordinary hanging valleys and waterfalls on the other. The road took 11 years to build and was completed in 1932. Vehicle permits required July to September. Book at recreation.gov. Drive: 20 min drive
MIDDAY
LOGAN PASS AND THE HIGHLINE TRAIL
Logan Pass at the summit of Going-to-the-Sun Road is the most extraordinary high point accessible by road in Glacier National Park. Mountain goats graze directly beside the visitor center, grizzly bears are regularly seen on the slopes above, and the wildflower meadows of the Hidden Lake Trail give the most extraordinary subalpine scenery in the park. The Highline Trail along the Garden Wall above is the finest day hike in Montana. Free with park entry. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
ST MARY LAKE AND THE EAST SIDE
St Mary Lake on the east side of Glacier is the most extraordinary lake in the park, its extraordinary turquoise water reflecting the extraordinary peaks of the Lewis Range in conditions of extraordinary clarity and color. The Wild Goose Island viewpoint is the most photographed sight in Glacier National Park. The St Mary Falls trail is the finest short waterfall hike on the east side. Bison graze the prairies immediately outside the park boundary. Free with entry.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Avalanche Lake trail from Avalanche Creek on Going-to-the-Sun Road is the finest short hike in Glacier National Park, its extraordinary 4.5-mile round trip through ancient red cedar and hemlock forest to a cirque lake fed by extraordinary waterfalls pouring off the cliffs above. Almost entirely undone by 10am in summer. Start at 7am for the most extraordinary experience. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Eddie's Cafe, Apgar Coffee and breakfast at the finest diner inside Glacier National Park before the road opens. | Lunch: Logan Pass Visitor Center picnic Pack lunch from Whitefish. The extraordinary picnic tables at 6,646 feet above sea level. | Dinner: Park Cafe, St Mary The most celebrated pie restaurant near Glacier. Extraordinary huckleberry pie and local bison burgers.
DAY 3
MANY GLACIER
MORNING
MANY GLACIER VALLEY, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY GLACIAL VALLEY IN AMERICA
Many Glacier is the most extraordinary valley in Glacier National Park, its extraordinary complex of five glacial lakes set beneath the Grinnell Point and the Continental Divide peaks in a landscape of extraordinary alpine beauty. The Many Glacier Hotel on the shore of Swiftcurrent Lake, built by the Great Northern Railway in 1915, is the most extraordinary wilderness lodge in Montana. Grizzly bears, moose and bighorn sheep are extraordinary here. Entry with park pass. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
GRINNELL GLACIER TRAIL, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY DAY HIKE IN GLACIER
The Grinnell Glacier trail is the most extraordinary day hike in Glacier National Park, its extraordinary 11-mile round trip past three glacial lakes to the face of the Grinnell Glacier giving views of crevassed blue ice, waterfalls and the extraordinary Upper Grinnell Lake of extraordinary turquoise color fed by the glacier meltwater. Grizzly bears are regularly seen on the slopes. Bear spray essential. Free with park entry. Drive: 20 min boat
AFTERNOON
SWIFTCURRENT LAKE AND THE WILDLIFE LOOP
The Swiftcurrent Lake area at Many Glacier is the finest wildlife viewing location in Glacier National Park, its extraordinary combination of open meadows, willow thickets and lake edge giving extraordinary close-range encounters with moose, grizzly bears, bighorn sheep and mountain goats at dawn and dusk. The boat tour on Swiftcurrent Lake is the finest way to experience the extraordinary reflections of Grinnell Point. Boat tour approx $20.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Iceberg Lake trail from Many Glacier is the finest hidden hike in the park, its extraordinary 9.5-mile round trip to a cirque lake that retains floating icebergs well into August giving a completely different experience from the Grinnell Glacier trail with far fewer hikers. Grizzly bears are extraordinary on the approach slopes. Bear spray essential. Free with park entry.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Many Glacier Hotel dining room The most extraordinary breakfast setting in Montana. Local eggs and huckleberry jam with mountain views. | Lunch: Picnic at Grinnell Lake Pack lunch from Many Glacier. The extraordinary picnic beside the glacial lake is the finest in the park. | Dinner: Many Glacier Hotel dining room Outstanding Montana cuisine. Local bison, trout and huckleberry dessert with extraordinary mountain views.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Whitefish, Night 1 The Lodge at Whitefish Lake or Pine Lodge. Approx $130 to $250 per night. West Glacier or Apgar, Night 2 Apgar Village Lodge inside the park or Glacier Guides Lodge. Approx $120 to $200. Many Glacier Hotel, Night 3 The most extraordinary lodge in Glacier National Park. Book a year ahead. Approx $200 to $350.
Top Tips
1. Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle permits sell out in minutes at recreation.gov. Book months ahead for July and August.
2. Logan Pass at dawn before the day visitors arrive gives the most extraordinary mountain goat and grizzly encounters.
3. Many Glacier Hotel is the finest place to stay in Glacier. Book a year ahead for July and August dates.
4. Always carry bear spray on every trail in Glacier. Grizzly encounters are extraordinary and require preparation.
5. The Highline Trail from Logan Pass is the finest day hike in Glacier. Start at sunrise for the most extraordinary experience.
6. Swiftcurrent Lake at Many Glacier at sunset with the Grinnell Point reflection is the finest view in Montana.
Total Budget
$120 to $190/day