Missoula | Andy Austin

STOPS:

• 1Smokejumper Visitor Center
• 2Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Visitor Center
• 3Downtown Missoula
• 4Caras Park and A Carousel for Missoula

Begin in Missoula, a lively university town rich in culture and outdoor adventure. Start with a visit to the nearby Smokejumper Visitor Center, the largest active smokejumper base in the nation, providing a unique opportunity to learn about this unusual, demanding and dramatic occupation. As you walk through the center, you’ll see how smokejumpers pack their parachutes and what they take with them for gear and food as they are dropped into wildland fires. (one hour guided tour)

A bit farther down the road toward Missoula, stop in at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Visitor Center, which celebrates the conservation of public wildlands, working ranches and forests where elk herds can thrive. (one-hour self-guided tour)

Grab a bite at one of downtown Missoula’s many eateries, then spend some time exploring downtown and Caras Park along the Clark Fork River. Ride one of 38 hand-carved wooden ponies at A Carousel for Missoula while a 400-pipe organ plays nostalgic tunes, or stroll the scenic waterfront trail. At Caras Park, take in the river views and watch kayakers and surfers navigate Brennan’s Wave—an engineered whitewater feature on the Clark Fork in the heart of the city. For the more adventurous, hike the M Trail above the University of Montana, with sweeping views of the Missoula Valley below.

The options for dinner in downtown Missoula are virtually endless. In the mood to eat like a local? Grab a burger from The Montana Club. If fine dining is more your speed, make a reservation at 1889 or The Stables for dinner.

Overnight in Missoula.

Hamilton | Christian Sawicki

STOPS:

• 5Travelers’ Rest State Park
• 6Downtown Hamilton
• 7Daly Mansion
• 8Ravalli County Museum & Historical Society

South of Missoula is the Bitterroot Valley, offering a blend of Indigenous, Lewis and Clark-era, and early Montana settlement history. Begin by traveling south on U.S. Highway 93 to Travelers' Rest State Park in Lolo. This National Historic Landmark preserves the location of a centuries-old Indigenous campsite and the only archaeologically verified campsite of the Lewis and Clark Expedition—used in 1805 and again on their return in 1806. In 2009, Montana State Parks opened a museum and visitor center at Travelers' Rest.

Continue south on US-93 and take in views of the Bitterroot Mountains before arriving in the vibrant community of Hamilton, the hub of the Bitterroot Valley. Downtown Hamilton offers restaurants, art galleries and boutique shopping.

Tour the elegantly appointed Daly Mansion, the summer home of Copper King Marcus Daly. This 24,000 square foot summer mansion is a 42-room turn-of-the-century home with seven Italian marble fireplaces. (one hour guided tour)

Next, stop into the Ravalli County Museum, the original county courthouse built in 1900, which now showcases Bitterroot Valley history, art and rotating exhibits.

Optional: Visit St. Mary’s Mission in Stevensville to learn about the history of the first Catholic mission settlement in Montana.

Pro Tip: Saturdays from late spring to early fall, Downtown Hamilton hosts one of the best farmers markets in Montana, with local breads, pies and produce plus freshly squeezed lemonade.

Overnight in Hamilton or return to Missoula.

CSKT Bison Range | Andy Austin

STOPS:

• 9St. Ignatius Mission
• 10CSKT Bison Range
• 11Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana
• 12Three Chiefs Cultural Center
• 13Downtown Polson

Today’s focus will be on the Flathead Indian Reservation and the stunning landscapes surrounding Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the west.

As you travel north, leaving Missoula on US-93, you will notice a sign welcoming you to the Flathead Indian Reservation. The reservation is approximately 1.3 million acres and is home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Stop in St. Ignatius at the St. Ignatius Mission, founded in 1854 by Jesuit missionaries. The mission—and especially Brother Joseph Carignano's remarkable frescoes—is a must-see for anyone who appreciates historical landmarks. (30-minute self-guided tour)

After visiting the mission, head toward Silíp on State Highway 200 and then north to Moiese to visit the CSKT Bison Range, established in 1908 and home to 350 head of bison, as well as elk, white-tailed and mule deer, pronghorns, bighorn sheep and black bear. The visitor center provides interpretive displays and orientation videos, as well as a gift shop and restrooms. Staff are on hand to answer questions and provide maps and brochures. A 6-mile lower loop is accessible to smaller coaches and sprinter vans; unfortunately, it is not accessible for larger motorcoaches. (one-hour self-guided tour)

Visit the Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana, located just 6 miles south of Ronan beside the scenic Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge. Explore more than 2,000 acres of bird habitat at the refuge, then step into the museum to discover a rich collection of early photographs, artifacts and antiques that tell the story of over a century of life in the Flathead Valley.

The Three Chiefs Cultural Center in Pablo is the place to experience the rich cultural heritage of the Salish, Pend d'Oreille and Kootenai tribes. The center features an exhibit gallery and educational programs focusing on American Indian heritage, natural history and cultural interpretation.

Enjoy exploring downtown Polson's local boutiques, souvenir shops and art galleries, and take in scenic views of Flathead Lake.

Overnight in Polson or return to Missoula.

Bigfork | Andy Austin

STOPS:

• 14Flathead Lake
• 15Downtown Bigfork
• 16Downtown Seeley Lake
• 17Historical Museum of Fort Missoula

If you choose to stay in Polson, continue north on US-93 along the shores of Flathead Lake or take State Highway 35 on the east side of Flathead Lake. Both will take you to the town of Bigfork. If you return to Missoula, then access the Seeley-Swan Valley from MT-200 and State Highway 83 to Bigfork.

Bigfork is the perfect stop to stretch your legs and do some shopping. This quaint, western village was chosen as One of the 50 Great Towns of the West and designated as One of the 100 Best Small Art Towns of the Nation, and it was listed in National Geographic's Guide to Small Town Escapes—which is no surprise given its lakeside locale, great restaurants, fun shops, local character and natural surroundings.

From Bigfork, travel east on State Highway 82, then south on MT-83 through the Seeley Swan Valley—a corridor of glacial-carved lakes framed by the forested peaks of the Mission Mountains and the west slope of the Swan Range. This valley is especially vibrant in autumn with the changing colors of the Western Larch.

Seeley Lake is a great choice for lunch. Make a reservation with Seasons Restaurant at Double Arrow Lodge.

Returning to Missoula, explore the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula. The museum is located on 32 acres with 20 preserved historic buildings and structures. Learn about the 25th Infantry Regiment Bicycle Corps, which embarked on a 1,900-mile journey from Montana to Missouri, and the internment of Italian, Japanese and German nationals during World War II.

Overnight in Missoula, or extend your trip and head to Glacier National Park or Yellowstone National Park.