Missoula | Credit Jordan Lefler
STOPS:
- 1Earthquake Lake Visitor Center
- 2Ennis
- 3Butte
- 4Missoula
After adventuring in Yellowstone National Park, it’s time to head north. Leaving West Yellowstone, travel north on U.S. Highway 191 and then west on U.S. Highway 287 along the beautiful shores of Hebgen Lake and Quake Lake, both created in 1959 when an earthquake hit the Madison Canyon River Area. The landslide that included about 80 million tons of rock halted the flow of the Madison River. Stop in at the Earthquake Lake Visitor Center to see remembrances of the event.
Next up is the charming town of Ennis in the heart of heavenly trout fishing in Southwest Montana. Located on the banks of the Madison River, it’s easy to cast a line, grab a cup of coffee, shop The Mercantile or just chat with a local about life in Montana. After leaving Ennis, give yourself enough time (two hours) to stop and see the Lewis and Clark Caverns, Montana’s first and best-known state park.
Head north again and meet up with Interstate Highway 90. Follow the signs to Butte. One of the biggest cities in the Rocky Mountains in the late 1800s and early 1900s due to one of the largest copper booms in the West, Butte sits at nearly 6,000 feet in elevation. History, personality and charm are part of the walkable “uptown” district, and it’s the perfect place to stop and eat lunch. Local favorites include a Wop Chop or a pasty (pronounced pass-tee). Then jump on a trolley tour to learn about the characters, famous folks, miners and scoundrels that lived and worked in Butte.
Farther west on I-90 (1.5 hours) is Missoula—the cultural hub of Montana. Spend the afternoon exploring the city’s downtown, including boutique shops, a thriving culinary scene, breweries and live music venues. Be sure to stroll over to the Brennan’s Wave overlook, where you are likely to see a kayaker (or several) playing on the man-made whitewater wave on the Clark Fork River. No visit to Missoula is complete without a stop at the Smokejumper Visitor Center, located near the Missoula International Airport. As the nation's largest training base for smokejumpers, the visitor center showcases displays, dioramas and videos related to the lore of America’s legendary parachute wildfire fighters. Take a guided tour of the parachute loft and see the brave men and women that face these wildfires.
Overnight in Missoula.
CSKT Bison Range | Credit Chris Sawicki
STOPS:
- 5CSKT Bison Range
- 6Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana
- 7Miracle of America Museum
- 8Conrad Mansion Museum
Head north on U.S. Highway 93 out of Missoula and you'll soon be on the tribal lands of the Flathead Indian Reservation. The reservation encompasses 1.3 million acres and is home to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.
At Ravalli (30 minutes from Missoula), stay on US-93 for an optional detour just 6.5 miles up the road—travel west on State Route 200 and north on U.S. Highway 212 to the CSKT Bison Range—one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the nation. With more than 18,000 acres, the range is home to 350 – 500 head of bison, as well as black bear, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, elk and white-tailed deer. Be sure to bring along your binoculars for the best viewing opportunities.
After leaving the CSKT Bison Range, continue north on US-212 to the town of Charlo, named in tribute to Chief Charlo of the Flathead Indian Tribe. Stop at Allentown Restaurant (located in Ninepipes Lodge) for lunch and enjoy the breathtaking views of the Mission Mountains from the dining room. Following lunch, stroll over to the Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana to experience a treasure trove of information, including exhibits, artifacts and displays from early settlers. There is also a life-size American Indian village along with traditional American Indian beadwork, dress and weaponry. Take a quick peak in at Great Gray Gifts for the perfect made in Montana souvenir.
Continue north on US-93 and schedule a stop at Three Chiefs Cultural Center in Pablo. Here, you'll get an integral look at the Salish, Pend d'Oreille and Kootenai tribes. The center offers numerous educational courses and events throughout the year, including history presentations and beading classes (available to groups if you call ahead). Self-guided tours of the museum are available, but we suggest you schedule a tour with a guide for a truly memorable experience.
As you continue north on US-93 and drop into the town of Polson, you'll capture a breathtaking view of Flathead Lake—the largest natural freshwater lake in the West. Attractions in Polson include the Miracle of America Museum and its amazing collection of Americana curiosities.
Follow US-93 north around the west side of Flathead Lake to Kalispell, the commercial hub of the Flathead Valley. Stop in the Conrad Mansion Museum and visit the historic home of Kalispell's founding family built in 1895.
Lake McDonald
Kalispell is located just 45 minutes from the West entrance to Glacier National Park. A wilderness of lakes, towering peaks and remnants of glaciers is readily accessible. Stop in West Glacier and get your provisions for the day. Include snacks and water, as those are scarce once you head into the park. Apgar Village offers watercraft rentals and spectacular views of Lake McDonald. Stop into Eddie's for some delicious ice cream and a souvenir before heading over to the Apgar Visitor Center.
You'd be hard pressed to find a more scenic drive in the lower continental United States than the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. To help ease the congestion and enhance the visitor experience, Glacier National Park is continuing to institute an online vehicle reservation system.
At the west entrance, one reservation per vehicle will be required to travel the Going-to-the-Sun Road beyond the Apgar Village area from May 24 through September 8, 2024, between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Visitors can enter before 6 a.m. or after 3 p.m. without a vehicle reservation. Vehicle reservations will be valid for one day only, down from three days in 2023.
Visitors will be able to access Apgar Village amenities, including the Apgar Visitor Center, without a vehicle reservation. Lodging, camping, transportation, and commercial activity reservations originating in Apgar will no longer provide access beyond the Apgar filter checkpoint.
This does not affect motorcoaches that enter the park from the West entrance, because they cannot travel past Avalanche Lake and ascend the Going-to-the-Sun Road and must arrange the transfer of their clients to a park concessionaire (Red Bus Tours or Sun Tours) for transport.
The best way to experience the Going-to-the-Sun Road is to climb aboard a red bus for a tour of the 50-mile-long engineering marvel of a road built into the mountainside (various tour lengths available; reservations required). The historic canvas-top tour buses were introduced in the 1930s and have since been restored and outfitted with propane engines—a gift from the Ford Motor Company. Additionally, Sun Tours offers tours on the Going-to-the-Sun Road including narrative from the Blackfeet Indian perspective and what the land has meant to their culture throughout the years.
Narrated boat tours on historic wooden boats with Glacier Park Boat Company are offered several times a day on Lake McDonald, Two Medicine Lake, St. Mary Lake, Swiftcurrent Lake and Lake Josephine. The St. Mary Visitor Center is also definitely worth a stop while you're in Glacier National Park. Hike more than 700 miles of trails including short hikes to waterfalls, extended backcountry hikes to unnamed lakes, and everything in between. Glacier National Park has something for everyone.
