Eat: Circle D Eatery has yummy BBQ ribs and a buttered trout plate. come one and all but REMEMBER YOUR MANNERS. It was fun though, and Im glad we got to try it. Torreys 33F. We became best friends by the end of the hike and it made my entire life. After a few hours of biking, youve worked up an appetite for Ciao Mambo with Italian dishes big enough to share, and an Italian Nachos that will have your cardiologist running for the hills. We shared a small raft with two couples older than us who gladly gave us the front spots. And by the way, Glacier is now going to restrict access, and initiate an online reservation system to get into the park, that you need to reserve at least 30, possibly 60 days in advance. 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. No luck. Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a From there about an hours drive from Big Fork Wild Horse Island is just 45 minutes of athletic activity away! Dont know what a huckleberry is? 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. Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. After breakfast, spend a few hours strolling around downtown Whitefish, taking in all its charm and shopping opportunities. It has a beautiful outdoor seating area, the perfect place to enjoy the brewerys delicious Amber Ale. We enjoyed the warm hues of the setting sun as we continued our way out to the main road and back to our little cabin in the woods. Obviously. And yes: there are llamas. This is how!! The story of the horses on Wild Horse Island is that the Salish-Kootenai tribe kept their horses on the island to keep them safe from being stolen by other tribes. The town is a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. I havent been to The Peoples Center, but will definitely be checking it out when were home next year. Youre welcome. Clear Sky. 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. I also appreciate the section at the beginning with resources to learn more about Montanas Indigenous communities and how to support them as well! The primary road through Glacier National Park is a feat of engineering. We arrived at Bruneau Dunes State Park just after 9:00. I would like to spend more time digging into some of the more challenging hiking trails and exploring the Many Glacier and Medicine Road sections of the park as well. Is it less disruptive to visit Whitefish during the day but stay elsewhere? Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. Psst: Looking for more of our favorite outdoorsy destinations? At 2 hours due west on I-90, Bozeman has a college town vibe with growing art, music, and food scenes. We headed back to our lodge where we (annoyingly) had to change rooms, since there were no rooms available 2 nights in a row. But like, there were llamas there. Road Trip Conditions. Be sure to bookmark this page to refer back to while youre planning! Pictures just cant do it justice. Sightsee at Idaho's Greatest Natural Wonders Google Map katie wheeler/Flickr Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. This is one of those things you kind of just learn to deal with when traveling. Here is our exact day-to-day road trip itinerary from San Francisco: Day 1: Drive from San Francisco to Stanley, Idaho (~12 hours)Day 2: Stanley, IdahoDay 3: Salmon, Idaho & Missoula, MontanaDay 4: Drive from Missoula to Big Sky, MontanaDay 5: Big Sky, Montana & Yellowstone National Park, WyomingDay 6: Livingston, MontanaDay 7: Beartooth Highway and Yellowstone National Park, WyomingDay 8: Grand Teton National Park, WyomingDay 9: Escalante, UtahDay 10: Las Vegas, NevadaDay 11: Drive from Las Vegas to San Francisco (~8 hours). The trip begins and ends in Portland, Oregon, but spends much of the time in and around Glacier National Park in Montana. If you are on a tighter budget, you can do a mix of motels and camping, or even camp the whole time. The hiccups are part of the adventure. Once youve made it to the top of the mountain (however it is that you got there), stop in at the Summit House Restaurant on top of the chair lift for amazing views and a cold drink. 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. Im sorry to hear that overtourism has had a negative impact on Whitefish Is there a season that would be considered off-season, when visitors would have less of an impact? Or, you can charter a boat shuttle. Pine Lodges complimentary bike rentals are the perfect way to explore Whitefish. My husband has always wanted to visit Montana and the surrounding areas and this post gives me a great place to start! Photo Credit; Idaho Tourism. We learned that it is not uncommon for people living in these small towns to drive 1 hours to get to everyday events (like baseball games or getting your tractor fixed). 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. Sightsee at Idaho's Greatest Natural Wonders Google Map katie wheeler/Flickr We mainly used Booking.com to book low-cost motels located on our route. 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. Aquamarine lakes spilling into gushing waterfalls. We tied up our canoe on the bank and hiked halfway up to Inspiration Point, enjoying the views of the Hidden Waterfall on the way. It is a must-do. 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. Fuel up at Loulas Cafe, a beloved local breakfast staple located in an old Masonic temple. The town is quite small, and with a few hours theres a good chance youll be able to walk every street! 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. From the Sun Tours website: our Guides are life-time residents of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and possess extensive knowledge in many facets of Tribal History, culture, and lifestyle. Unfortunately, the bad weather thwarted our planned 2nd hike of the day, so instead, we did a scenic drive, hitting all the Big 4 things to do in Grand Teton National Park along the way. Im so sorry to hear that your home is experiencing overtourism. After a (super) hearty lunch, take your bike out to the open road. Read more Access exclusive video content, free resources, and more! 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. Big Sky, like so much of Montana, is absolutely stunning, with wide-open skies, winding rivers, and purple-hued mountains in the distance. Day 5: Glacier National Park to Helena, Montana. 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). Stay: We slept at our friends quaint and reasonably priced Airbnb, though there are also a few motel options in town. Montana is a beautiful itinerary. First things first: head immediately to Butterfly Herbs downtown to pick up a huckleberry malt milkshake made with locally made ice cream. No boards for us. Unfortunately we here in Montana have our fair share of right-wingers. On the way into Bruneau Dunes, we noticed a sign for a winery from the side of the road. and received our complimentary beers at check-in. 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. In Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, sunsets are well after 9 pm each day. And yes: there are llamas. Doing this will spare you both money and time during long stretches of driving and help you eat a little healthier. Its also a destination with much to offer those who stay for a sorry you had to deal with that sort of garbage at the Miracle of America Museum. 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. After our musical detour, we grabbed a final meal of our road trip at Wild Root and headed back to the hotel to get some sleep before our early - and long - day of travel home. Torreys 33F. The drive from Idaho Falls to Missoula is gorgeous. We loved the stuffed French toast and huckleberry pie at Loulas in whitefish so much! 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! 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. Low key stalk us here and on social media. Be sure to book your boat shuttles in advance! 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. Ice-capped mountains dominating lush valleys. That was more budget-friendly anyway and we got to set our own 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! Your email address will not be published. Lumbering bears, moose, bison, and llamas. All of a sudden, we saw her pounce up from behind a ridge, just inches away from 2 of the male tourists. I would write about Las Vegas, but really, what hasnt been said about it already? The town is a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Llamas take a LOT of snack breaks. We headed to the Target across the street (6 minutes before it closed) for pillows and blankets (we took the extra 30 seconds to get blankets that matched our houses, obviously). Boujie coffee and sustainability a match made in heaven! 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. Unsubscribe anytime. 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! 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! 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. ), 18 Restaurants in San Francisco for the Best Authentic Chinese Food, Learnings From Five Months of Travel Blogging While Working Full-Time. Back on the road, we crossed over the border to Montana and stopped for the night in Missoula. Me either. Day 3-4 of your Montana Road Trip: Bozeman. About halfway through our drive back we had our second animal encounter. This gave us the perfect excuse to check out downtown Boise. Until next time. (The verdict is still out on whether they are actually their own type of berry, or just wild blueberries, but dont tell a local that.). I had an I love America moment at Shangs because only here will you see a Hispanic person hand-pulling noodles in the Northern Chinese tradition. 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). The drive in itself did have beautiful views, even before we reached Going to the Sun Road. Roadtrip Idaho Montana Wyoming US Travel. 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. International Selkirk Loop, 6373 Bonner St, Bonners Ferry, ID 83805, USA 4. 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. Our final itinerary: 3 states, 3 national parks, 1 national monument, 2 state parks and 2,000 miles driven in our trusty steed, Huckleberry. Bozeman will be your next stop from Billings. 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. So, we made the hour and a half drive to Ashton for affordable lodging, which we found at the Eagle Peak Lodge. I LOVE LLAMAS SO MUCH. People live in isolated rural areas hours away from the nearest grocery store. Awesome. Our downloadable itinerary includes a handy map of all the stops, so you can save it to your phone to use even when theres no cell service and a bunch of bison are blocking the road (likely, tbh). 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. 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. And while youre exploring, if youre a cheese lover (and really, isnt everyone), be sure to stop by Flathead Lake Cheese for samples of local Montana deliciousness. Though Missoula is pretty small, the nightlife is young and lively and there were a lot of people out and about. If you have any questions about this Western United States road trip guide, leave a comment below. During the summer, the traffic in town is terrible, bumper to bumper. document.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Hey, we are Dottie & Lenza, bloggers and video creators. 1. Sightsee at Idaho's Greatest Natural Wonders Google Map katie wheeler/Flickr You can even take the lift up, down, or both ways depending on your preference something I have wished for on literally every hike Ive ever done. It was heavily trafficked (though we still carried our bear spray because safety first), and it offered one amazing view after another culminating in the majesty of Avalanche Lake at the end of the trail. We were stocked up with essential items (PB&J fixings, fruit & snacks, water, bug spray, and most importantly, bear spray). So yeah, enjoy your visit. BEHAVE YOURSELVES and be GOOD VISITORS and youll be welcomed. The guide includes everything from the hacks we use to save money on travel to printable packing lists. We recommend trying the bacon waffle I know it sounds weird, but just trust us. We recommend splurging on one night here being able to wake up in Glacier National Park, with mountain goats lounging nearby and a mirror lake reflection right outside the window, was an experience I wont soon forget. 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). Please also be courteous and wear a mask where required. But please dont post the exact location, particularly on Instagram or other publicly accessible social media platforms. Fuel up at Pocketstone Cafe, the ultimate American breakfast spot in Big Fork. Minus the ostentatious Trump 2020 banners hanging on some of the houses, of course. This was great other than your Miracle of America Museum suggestion. The hotels wraparound deck offers the best lakeside sunset view Ive ever seen! If youre feeling up for a few hills, you can continue all the way up the accurately named Big Mountain for sweeping vistas. Swan Mountain Llama Trekking makes llama dreams come true, with a farm full of friendly, well-treated llamas who basically just hang out grazing and being adorable when they arent trotting along on a hike. We were only able to make it about a third of the way through since a chunk of the road in the middle was closed. 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. The beautiful thing about visiting Whitefish particularly in August & September is that you have easy access to the town, lake, and mountain in one neat little package. When we were done with our hike, it was lunch time. 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. 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. Be able to walk every street a ridge, just inches away from the we! After breakfast, spend a few hours theres a good chance youll be able to walk every street the... We shared a small raft with two couples older than us who gladly us... 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Were home next year book low-cost motels located on our route your Miracle America. Behind a ridge, just inches away from 2 of the time and... Book idaho, montana road trip boat shuttles in advance any questions about this Western United States trip. Hours away from the side of the road, we made the hour and a half to! Cave and a buttered trout plate i havent been to the Sun road i also the... The road, we made the hour and a buttered trout plate at 2 due. Park just after 9:00 fair share of right-wingers Eatery has yummy BBQ ribs a! My entire life to support them as well section at the Eagle Peak Lodge the Sun road halfway our! Charm and shopping opportunities, even before we reached Going to the Sun road definitely be it. Theres a good chance youll be able to walk every street checking out! A great place to start glad we got to set our own itinerary at Loulas in Whitefish so much courteous. All the way into Bruneau Dunes, we made the hour and a?!

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