Montana
5
Day Itinerary •
USA
Five days in Montana lets you explore the full extraordinary breadth of Big Sky Country, from the magnificent Going-to-the-Sun Road and ancient glaciers of Glacier National Park to the extraordinary geysers and wildlife of Yellowstone's northern reaches, the finest fly-fishing rivers in America and the most dramatic landscapes in the American West. This route covers the complete Montana experience. The extraordinary Many Glacier valley with its grizzly bears and mountain goats, the most scenic mountain drive in America, the extraordinary Beartooth Highway above 11,000 feet, the bison herds of the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone and the finest cowboy culture of Bozeman and Livingston.
Best Time To Visit
July to mid-September for all roads and trails open
Getting There
Fly into Glacier Park International (FCA) or Bozeman Yellowstone (BZN)
Getting Around
Rental car essential throughout
Budget Per Day
Approx $120 to $190 per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, some high-altitude hiking and wildlife precautions
DAY 1
GLACIER WEST SIDE
MORNING
WHITEFISH AND FLATHEAD LAKE
Whitefish is the most extraordinary small town in Montana, its exceptional downtown of huckleberry-scented shops and outfitters the finest gateway to Glacier National Park. Flathead Lake 20 miles south is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, its extraordinary crystal-clear water surrounded by cherry orchards and the Mission Mountains. The Bigfork cherry stands in July are extraordinary. Free to explore. Drive: 45 min drive
MIDDAY
LAKE MCDONALD AND APGAR VILLAGE
Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park, its extraordinary 10-mile length of glass-clear glacial water reflecting the extraordinary peaks of the Livingston Range. The colorful rounded stones on the lake bed are the most photographed geological feature in Glacier. The historic Apgar Village at the foot of the lake and the McDonald Creek trail through old-growth cedar are extraordinary. Entry $35 per vehicle. Drive: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
TRAIL OF THE CEDARS AND AVALANCHE LAKE
The Trail of the Cedars is the most extraordinary accessible trail in Glacier National Park, its extraordinary boardwalk loop through ancient western red cedar and hemlock trees beside the turquoise Avalanche Creek giving a rainforest experience in the Rocky Mountains. The Avalanche Lake trail extension adds 4.5 miles to a cirque lake fed by extraordinary waterfalls from the cliffs above. Combined trail entirely extraordinary. Free with entry.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Jewel Basin Hiking Area above Bigfork is the finest hidden hiking in the Flathead Valley, its extraordinary 35-mile trail network through an alpine basin of 27 mountain lakes entirely closed to motorized vehicles. Almost entirely unknown to visitors focused on Glacier National Park. Entry free. The most extraordinary hidden gem near Flathead Lake.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Loula's Cafe, Whitefish The finest breakfast in Whitefish. Extraordinary huckleberry pancakes and strong Montana coffee. | Lunch: Eddie's Cafe, Apgar Outstanding lakeside lunch inside Glacier. Local trout, Montana beef burger and huckleberry milkshake. | Dinner: Tupelo Grille, Whitefish The finest restaurant in Whitefish. Extraordinary local bison, trout and huckleberry desserts.
DAY 2
GOING-TO-THE-SUN AND MANY GLACIER
MORNING
GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD AND LOGAN PASS
Going-to-the-Sun Road is the most extraordinary mountain drive in America, its 50-mile route through Glacier crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass at 6,646 feet with sheer drops thousands of feet below and extraordinary hanging valleys above. Mountain goats graze beside the visitor center, grizzly bears are regularly spotted on the slopes and the wildflower meadows are extraordinary in July and August. Book vehicle permit at recreation.gov. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
HIGHLINE TRAIL, THE FINEST DAY HIKE IN GLACIER
The Highline Trail from Logan Pass is the finest day hike in Glacier National Park, its extraordinary 11.8-mile traverse along the Garden Wall above Going-to-the-Sun Road giving extraordinary views over the park's most dramatic peaks. The trail is carved into the cliff face with a cable assist at the start and gives entirely extraordinary perspectives on the Lewis Range. Grizzly bears are regularly seen. Bear spray essential. Free with park entry. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
MANY GLACIER AND SWIFTCURRENT LAKE
Many Glacier is the most extraordinary valley in Glacier National Park, its extraordinary complex of five glacial lakes beneath the Grinnell Point giving the finest concentration of wildlife and scenery in the park. The boat tour on Swiftcurrent Lake gives the most extraordinary reflection of the Continental Divide peaks. Grizzly bears, moose, bighorn sheep and mountain goats are all extraordinary at Many Glacier. Entry with park pass.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Iceberg Lake trail from Many Glacier is the finest hidden hike in the park, its 9.5-mile round trip to a cirque lake retaining floating icebergs into August giving an entirely different experience from Grinnell Glacier with far fewer hikers. Grizzly bears common on the approach. Bear spray essential. Free with park entry.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Eddie's Cafe, Apgar Coffee and breakfast before the Going-to-the-Sun Road opens for vehicles. | Lunch: Logan Pass picnic Pack lunch from Whitefish. The extraordinary picnic tables at 6,646 feet at the Continental Divide. | Dinner: Many Glacier Hotel dining room Outstanding Montana cuisine in the most extraordinary lodge in the national park.
DAY 3
BOZEMAN AND LIVINGSTON
MORNING
BOZEMAN, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY COLLEGE TOWN IN MONTANA
Bozeman is the most extraordinary and fastest-growing city in Montana, its extraordinary Main Street of independent restaurants, craft breweries and outdoor gear shops set against the backdrop of the Bridger Mountains. The extraordinary Museum of the Rockies contains the finest dinosaur collection in the world, including the largest T. rex skeleton ever found. Montana State University gives the town an extraordinary energy and culinary diversity. Museum entry approx $15. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
GALLATIN CANYON AND THE RIVER
The Gallatin Canyon south of Bozeman is the most extraordinary river canyon in southwestern Montana, its extraordinary whitewater river rushing through a deep limestone gorge that served as a filming location for A River Runs Through It. The fly fishing on the Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone rivers in this area is the finest in America. The canyon drive on US-191 through the Gallatin National Forest is extraordinary. Free. Drive: 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
LIVINGSTON AND THE YELLOWSTONE RIVER
Livingston is the most extraordinary small city in Montana, its extraordinary Victorian downtown bookshops, art galleries and saloons attracting writers, artists and fly fishermen for over a century. Richard Brautigan, Peter Fonda and Tom McGuane all lived here. The view from downtown over the Absaroka Range is extraordinary. The Yellowstone River flowing through the valley is the finest unimpounded river in the contiguous United States. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hyalite Canyon south of Bozeman is the finest hidden outdoor recreation area in southwestern Montana, its extraordinary ice climbing, hiking and fishing entirely unknown to visitors who go straight to Yellowstone. The Hyalite Lake trail gives extraordinary views of the Gallatin Range. Free. The finest hidden gem near Bozeman.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Nova Cafe, Bozeman The finest breakfast in Bozeman. Extraordinary local eggs, Montana hash and strong coffee. | Lunch: Blackbird Kitchen, Bozeman Outstanding farm-to-table lunch in the finest restaurant on Main Street. Local lamb and Montana craft beer. | Dinner: Chico Hot Springs, Pray The most legendary dining room in the Yellowstone region. Outstanding local cuisine and extraordinary hot springs.
DAY 4
BEARTOOTH HIGHWAY AND LAMAR VALLEY
MORNING
BEARTOOTH HIGHWAY, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY DRIVE IN AMERICA
The Beartooth Highway from Red Lodge to Cooke City is the most extraordinary mountain drive in America, its extraordinary 68-mile route climbing to 10,947 feet at the Beartooth Pass through a landscape of extraordinary granite plateaus, glacial lakes and alpine tundra that feels like the surface of another planet. Called the most beautiful drive in America by CBS's Charles Kuralt. Open Memorial Day to mid-October. Free. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
COOKE CITY AND THE ABSAROKA-BEARTOOTH WILDERNESS
Cooke City is the most extraordinary frontier town in Montana, its extraordinary location at the junction of the Beartooth Highway and the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone making it the finest base for exploring both the Beartooth and the Lamar Valley. The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness surrounding the town contains some of the most extraordinary backcountry hiking in America. The small saloons and outfitters give the most extraordinary authentic Western experience. Drive: 1 hr drive
AFTERNOON
LAMAR VALLEY, THE AMERICAN SERENGETI
Lamar Valley in the northeast corner of Yellowstone is the most extraordinary wildlife viewing location in America, its extraordinary open grasslands home to the largest free-roaming bison herd in the world, reintroduced wolf packs, grizzly bears, pronghorn and coyotes in a landscape that rivals the African savanna. The valley is most extraordinary at dawn and dusk when the animals are most active. Entry $35 per vehicle.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Chief Joseph Scenic Highway from Cody to Cooke City is the finest alternative to the Beartooth Highway, its extraordinary 47-mile route through the Sunlight Basin giving views of Dead Indian Pass and the Absaroka Range that are almost entirely unknown to visitors using the Beartooth. Free. The finest hidden scenic drive in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Red Lodge Cafe, Red Lodge Coffee and huckleberry pancakes in the finest cowboy breakfast town before the Beartooth drive. | Lunch: Beartooth Cafe, Cooke City Outstanding mountain lunch at the gateway to Yellowstone. Local bison burger and Montana craft beer. | Dinner: Chico Hot Springs dining room The most legendary dinner in the Yellowstone corridor. Extraordinary local cuisine and hot spring soak.
DAY 5
YELLOWSTONE NORTH
MORNING
LAMAR VALLEY AT DAWN, THE GREATEST WILDLIFE SHOW IN AMERICA
Lamar Valley at dawn is the most extraordinary wildlife experience in the United States, the extraordinary open grasslands alive at first light with the largest free-roaming bison herd on earth, reintroduced wolf packs, grizzly bears and pronghorn. The Lamar Valley wolf packs, reintroduced in 1995, are the finest wolf watching opportunity in the world outside of Canada and Alaska. Pull any roadside pullout and watch. Free with Yellowstone entry. Drive: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS AND THE TRAVERTINE TERRACES
Mammoth Hot Springs is the most extraordinary geothermal feature in Yellowstone, its extraordinary terraced travertine formations built by hot spring water depositing calcium carbonate in extraordinary layered cascades of color. The Liberty Cap plug and the extraordinary Minerva Terrace with its vivid yellows and oranges are unmissable. The elk herd that lives year-round in the Mammoth village is extraordinary and entirely accustomed to people. Free with park entry. Drive: 45 min drive
AFTERNOON
GARDINER AND THE ROOSEVELT ARCH
Gardiner is the most extraordinary gateway town to Yellowstone, the only entrance open year-round and the site of the extraordinary Roosevelt Arch, dedicated by Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 with the inscription 'For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People.' The extraordinary Yellowstone River running through the Black Canyon below Gardiner is the finest river scenery at the park entrance. The town's rafting and fly fishing outfitters are extraordinary. Entry included with park pass.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Lamar Buffalo Ranch in the Lamar Valley is the finest historic site in Yellowstone, the original headquarters of the Buffalo Soldiers who saved the American bison from extinction in the late 19th century. The Yellowstone Institute runs extraordinary courses from the ranch. The view from the ranch over the Lamar Valley at dawn is the most extraordinary in the park. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room, Yellowstone The finest frontier breakfast in Yellowstone. Local bison sausage and strong coffee at Roosevelt's favorite lodge. | Lunch: Mammoth Hotel Dining Room Outstanding park lunch at the headquarters hotel. Local elk, bison and Yellowstone craft beer. | Dinner: Yellowstone Mine, Gardiner The finest steakhouse at the Yellowstone gateway. Extraordinary local Montana beef and huckleberry dessert.
Where To Stay
Whitefish or West Glacier, Nights 1 to 2 Lodge at Whitefish Lake or Apgar Village Lodge. Approx $120 to $250 per night. Bozeman, Night 3 Kimpton Armory Hotel or Lark Hotel. Approx $130 to $220 per night. Gardiner or Cooke City, Nights 4 to 5 Absaroka Lodge Gardiner or Antler's Lodge Cooke City. Approx $100 to $180.
Top Tips
1. Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle permits sell out in minutes. Book at recreation.gov months ahead for summer.
2. Lamar Valley in Yellowstone at dawn for bison, wolves and bears is the finest wildlife experience in America.
3. The Beartooth Highway is the most extraordinary drive in America according to Charles Kuralt. Drive it slowly.
4. Many Glacier Hotel must be booked a year ahead. It is the most extraordinary lodge in any US national park.
5. Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman has the finest dinosaur collection in the world. Extraordinary for all ages.
6. Fly fishing the Gallatin or Madison River with a local guide is the finest experience in Montana. Book ahead.
Total Budget
$120 to $190/day