In the next section, Ill dive deeper into what we did in each destination. We recommend trying the bacon waffle I know it sounds weird, but just trust us. Its full of racist and sexist messaging and far right propaganda. The cabin we stayed in was adorable. But if not, the next best thing is a guidebook. Slightly disappointed, we continued on to see Old Faithful, which we were anticipating having the same tourist quality. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey, we are Dottie & Lenza, bloggers and video creators. Alternatively, if youll be heading back to Boise or into Wyoming from Sun Valley on your Idaho road trip itinerary, make it a point to stop by Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve for some dramatically different landscape to everything youve seen on the trip so far. What is the best time of year to visit Montana? We took our road trip at the height of summer, and I highly recommend anyone considering a visit to this region to travel during this time. Its NSFW bathrooms are just part of the quintessential dive bar charm! Youll be walking distance from everything in Whitefish! This craft distillery, set in a stunning 1880s era saloon, creates spirits from grain grown on the owners fathers farm in central Montana. WebThe ultimate road trip planner to help you discover extraordinary places, book hotels, and share itineraries all from the map. There were several people who had walked out into the brush (not on a trail or path-stupid people) looking to get a better glimpse of the animal. Im planning a roadtrip through Montana and Wyoming (yanno, as soon as its safe and whatnot), so I loved how in-depth your details were! (Which is like still super cute.). Our brainstorming and researching along the way paid off, as we learned we WOULD be able to access Going to the Sun Road IF we arrived before 6 AM or after 5 PM. After Teton, we embarked on the 8-hour drive towards Escalante, Utah, stopping at Salt Lake City to sleep overnight. Our main activity was a visit to the Goldbug Hot Springs in the Salmon-Challis National Forest. Getting little glimpses into the real lives of the local people is one of our favorite parts of traveling the world! The weather in Montana is fickle, and its not uncommon to experience all 4 seasons in the course of a day during the summer and fall. We havent been to Montana in 20 years and unfortunately didnt make it to Glacier then. Apart from that, the rest of the trip is completely flexible. Just another good story to tell, right? Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a You can loop back from Lakeside to Big Fork. The United States is an enormous country, and there are large swaths of sparsely populated land without cell service. We recommend Stageline Pizza, which is a local legend for great pie. The town is a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Flathead Lake is also home to its very own resident monster. We of course went out for some dinner and beer sampling at Tamarack Brewing before calling it a night. 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! Another fun place to stop on the drive between Wyoming and Idaho! And be sure to get something comfy: this is a road trip, after all! We tried to book a Foodie Tour, but they were sold out, so we decided to make our own! Take in the views from the balcony off the spacious living room. Every few feet, Boxcar would find an exciting looking leaf to munch on, which gave me a chance to catch my breath and earn brownie points for letting him snack. I almost gave up and turned around halfway through but persisted with the encouragement of Lenza and a one-pound bag of Tillamook beef jerky. First up on your clockwise drive around the lake is the town of Polson, the largest town on Flathead Lake. 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. j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'? Were sick about it. Fuel up at Loulas Cafe, a beloved local breakfast staple located in an old Masonic temple. The adjacent Snug Bar offers a small plate/tapas menu starting at 5:00 pm, so you can savor the finest of flavors without breaking the bank. Until next time. When it comes to navigating unfamiliar territory especially unfamiliar wilderness territory, full of legally protected critters and forests and such it really helps to have a guide. The early morning rainy start actually ended up working out in our favor, since we got to enjoy the park without the large crowds of people. Ahh, Glacier National Park. During the summer, the traffic in town is terrible, bumper to bumper. We also found another great place to see on the drive back to Boise in Arco, Idaho, the first city in the world to be lit by atomic power. Oh, and youll also need to book your tour about a year in advance. 6. Articles like this are whats ruining our small town of Whitefish. 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. They need plenty of room so they dont get nervous, just like humans. Note that shuttles have limited seating and you may find yourself waiting for a seat during high season. Here you go! And when thousands of people converge on a small number of specific wilderness locations, those locations are negatively impacted and at risk of being harmed, destroyed, and blocked off to visitors entirely. Its important to be aware of your impact in Glacier, like any National Park. 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. A 12-Day Road Trip Itinerary for Montana, Wyoming, and the Dakotas Before we dive in here, it's important to note that this itinerary does include traversing through or near some Indigenous lands, mostly belonging to When we arrived at the Cold Springs Winery, the owner was out fixing the pond and opened for us even though we arrived before opening. It bared its teeth and pulled back on its paws like she was going to strike. And yes: there are llamas. After closing that place down, we went next door to a little Italian place for dinner (which closed at 9), and then ended the evening down the street at Lewis and Clark Brewering (which closed at the very late hour of 10 PM). As we headed on towards our cabin at Lake Lodge, we got to experience some of the awesome wildlife that Yellowstone has to offer. There are only 100 wolves in all of Yellowstone, and some people we talked to had been working at Yellowstone for years and never saw a wolf! :) Purchase a step-by-step guide to this itinerary. 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. At 2 hours due west on I-90, Bozeman has a college town vibe with growing art, music, and food scenes. The Best Street Art in San Francisco: Mission Where to Find the Best New Orleans Street 10 Restaurants in New Orleans for Treating Yourself. 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! This is literally like the best Montana itinerary post Ive ever seen!! 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. No Practical Wanderlust guide would be complete without a brewery recommendation, so after your pizza hit up Tamarack Brewery. This gave us the perfect excuse to check out downtown Boise. Here you'll find everything travel, food, and culture. Stay: Country Motor Inn is a budget motel in town. We shared a small raft with two couples older than us who gladly gave us the front spots. Youre welcome. Here are the top things to do in the area: Livingston is a historical railroad and ranching town in Southwestern Montana, a short distance north from Yellowstone 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. I also loved your post on the Galapagosused it for my own trip and it was super helpful! Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a WebDay 14 Day at Flathead Lake, MT. And in the second installation of whats the difference between we learned: Whats the difference between a farm and a ranch?. and we had a shared campsite bathroom (which was actually quite clean and close to us). Then we crossed back over the border and found a perfect place to stop on the drive between Wyoming and Idaho: Idaho Falls for some yummy Huckleberry Ice Cream at Reeds Dairy. For water, we purchased a few 1.5-liter bottles and refilled them at gas stations throughout our trip. Dont own an RV? 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. It also serves We sampled some wines (he joined us because why not!?) In the morning, we had a gluttonous, all-American breakfast at Trails Inn Restaurant in town, which was just amazing. The next morning we explored the town of Riggins (population 401) and ate lunch at Kates Cattlemens Homestyle Cooking, where we were served by Kate herself (get the biscuits and gravy, youll thank us later)! If I return to Teton in the future, I would try the more difficult Delta Lake vis Amphitheater Lake Trail. The food is amazing literally everything on the menu is incredible and the drinks are fantastic. Never heard of it? Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, on the other hand, is just as impressive and a true hidden gem. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. ), and then set out on the road. If you have any questions about this Western United States road trip guide, leave a comment below. To get you started, we mapped out an Idaho road trip for you and the family with more diversity than most cross-country trips can provide. Heres what we did in Stanley: Stay: The Sawtooth Hotel is a charming and relatively budget-friendly option. It was cute, and we picked up some locally grown cherries and bison pepperoni for the road. Just a short drive outside of Whitefish, the Resort has myriad ways to get your thrill on, like the mountain bike park, alpine slides, zip-lines, and rope courses. But one of them stood out above all the rest: Many Glacier Hotel. WebDay 14 Day at Flathead Lake, MT. We were averaging about $250 a night. When we were done with our hike, it was lunch time. There are a few options for exploring Going to the Sun Road. On the way into Bruneau Dunes, we noticed a sign for a winery from the side of the road. About an hour and $50 later, we were on our way to the last stop on our Idaho itinerary before Boise. 1. Wellwe learned from a ranger the next day that what we saw was actually a coyote. Lunch is included and carried on the llamas, who are excellent pack animals (if youre a differently-abled hiker, this is a HUGE help, particularly for overnight or multi-day treks which would be far more difficult without the assistance of a pack animal). If you happen to be besties with a friendly Park Ranger, youre covered! It is a beautiful, scenic spot. When visiting Reservations or stopping at places that appear to be Indigenous-owned (such as a trading post), look for Native-owned signage. Depending on when your flight arrives, you may or may not be spending the night in Missoula. Road conditions from Idaho to Montana. Feels like 33.03 Wind speed 2.4 mph Pressure 1010 hPa. From the Norris Basin, we continued on to the famous Prismatic Spring. Lucky for the dumb tourists, she slunk away after her warning growls, and instead went on to pounce on an unsuspecting small animal for dinner. Super stoked to finally see it in a few weeks! Roadtrip Idaho Montana Wyoming US Travel. Definitely add whitewater rafting on the Salmon River to your Idaho road trip itinerary! Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a Would love any/all suggestions for ways to be a responsible tourist while respecting, enjoying, and supporting the local community in Whitefish! Their eggs benedict is LEGENDARY, or if youre feeling sandwhichy, the Reuben is insanely good. This was great other than your Miracle of America Museum suggestion. We even included a map to make things extra helpful. People have a lot to say about Vegas, but in my opinion, you just gotta enjoy it for what it is: a tacky fabulous adult Disneyland. So, we made the hour and a half drive to Ashton for affordable lodging, which we found at the Eagle Peak Lodge. Theyre now fully emboldened since the governor and other right wing extremists got elected. Were hoping to visit late June as thats when our daughter is done with school. Clear Sky. There are lots of great things to do in Whitefish for every season if you know where to look! Clear Sky. Be careful, though: if you time your trip too late in September, everything in Glacier National Park will begin shutting down because of snow (yes, that early)! I just love, love, love your writing style and the way you travel. ), 18 Restaurants in San Francisco for the Best Authentic Chinese Food, Learnings From Five Months of Travel Blogging While Working Full-Time. There are only two tour operators driving this route. This is the first night of the itinerary when we went true road trip fashion and basically drove as far as we could for the day and then started looking for a place to sleep (we hadnt booked all of our other hotels well in advance, but had a general idea of where wed end up so we booked them earlier in the day. Stanley, population ~60, is located in Central Idaho, about 130 miles from Boise. Your email address will not be published. Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a 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. The menu is creative and modern, with local twists like elk meatballs and a bison burger. One crucial part of the equation is relationship building understandably, many Tribal Nations arent exactly thrilled to work with the same Government who has spent the past several centuries destroying them. It was a nice way to kick things off with cold Idaho beers and world-famous Idaho potatoes in the form of french fries at Bittercreek Ale House. Did we spend too much time looking at all of the amazing pieces and come home with a few prize possessions? 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. 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. To our disappointment the Boiling River (which normally you can swim in like a hot spring) was currently closed to swimmers because of dangerously fast running water. Day 3-4 of your Montana Road Trip: Bozeman. We laughed as she made fun of tourists she would encounter who called her way of living primitive. Big Sky, like so much of Montana, is absolutely stunning, with wide-open skies, winding rivers, and purple-hued mountains in the distance. Alternatively, if youll be heading back to Boise or into Wyoming from Sun Valley on your Idaho road trip itinerary, make it a point to stop by Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve for some dramatically different landscape to everything youve seen on the trip so far. If you choose to take on the task, make sure to bring sunblock, plenty of water, and snacks to fuel you along the way. The hike consists of six unforgiving miles straight uphill, covering 3653 feet of elevation. In retrospect, I wonder if some of the people we told were thinking to themselves that we were the dumb tourists who thought a coyote was a wolf (which, lets be honest, we were). No luck. 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 knew we had to be there early because they stopped renting boards when the temperature outside reaches 80 degrees. Here is a day by day breakdown of our recommended Montana road trip itinerary. Combining Grand Teton and Yellowstone is perfect for a Wyoming road trip. Not an ideal situation, but you have to be flexible on a road trip! Psst:Weve also created a free, printable version of this Montana Road Trip Itinerary! Today was another driving day from Wyoming to Idaho and our first stop was the Snake River Brewing Company in Jackson Hole. Insider tip: the wild forest mushroom and puff pastry tapas will literally change your world! And it actually feels homey! 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. As a western montanan I dont agree with this road trip. Now we were quite behind on our excursion (farther behind than we realized at the point). It was an easy and relaxing ride. 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