Fly into Kalispell, Northern Montana, to collect your rental car and spend the remainder of the day exploring this Montana town. Perhaps visit the Conrad Mansion Museum, a Gilded Age mansion in town, or if you want to get out in the fresh air for a lower-key half-day, go to Lone Pine State Park, with easy trails and big views over the Flathead Valley.

Hampton Inn Kalispell, or similar

Head out early onto the ‘Going-to-the-Sun Road’ (only passable in the summer months), the main scenic road through Glacier National Park, often cited as one of the most spectacular road trips in the America. The 50-mile road winds along cliff edges, past waterfalls, alpine meadows, and glacially carved valleys, offering spectacular views at every turn. Park at Logan Pass and head out on a hike through the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail, a manageable hike with a strong chance of spotting mountain goats and marmots. Don’t forget your bear spray!

If you have time or would like to try something more adventurous, why not try white water rafting or a scenic float trip along the Flathead River.

Hampton Inn Kalispell, or similar

Your route today heads south along the eastern shore of Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Bigfork is a good place to stop for coffee, and Yellow Bay and Wayfarers State Park both offer easy lake access if time allows. Local roadside stands also sell Flathead cherries in July and August, which are a great addition to any picnic. At Polson, the Flathead Lake Overlook turnout gives good views back across the lake, and the town has a small marina for lunch.

Further south, a short detour leads to the National Bison Range at Moiese, where a self-drive loop road passes through habitat for bison, deer and pronghorn (a charge is payable locally as this range is on lands belonging to various indigenous tribes). The Ninepipes area near Ronan is also worth a stop for birdwatching, including the chance to view birds of prey in the wild.

A final suggested stop is St. Ignatius, home to St. Ignatius Mission, a 19th-century church with original interior murals set against the Mission Mountains. From here, the road continues to Missoula.

Missoula is an easy town to explore on foot, with a nice mix of outdoor activites for a relaxed evening. For the best views in town, hike the “M” Trail on Mount Sentinel. It’s short and steep, but rewards you with sweeping views over the whole town and the river valley. Alternatively, take a gentler stroll along the Clark Fork Riverfront Trail through Caras Park, where you’ll catch a glimpse of the antique fairground carousel by the river.

Kalispell > Missoula | 195 kms

Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown, or similar

Leaving Missoula, today’s route follows the MT-200 east. About 30 miles along the Garnet Range Road turns off to the south. This road climbs 11 miles to Garnet Ghost Town, one of Montana’s best-preserved historic mining towns. Several original buildings can be walked through, including Kelley’s Saloon and the J.K. Wells Hotel.

Continuing east , the route reaches Clearwater Junction, where MT-141 heads south through Avon towards Helena. Spend the remainder of the day exploring Helena. Wander through the pedestrian strip downtown, browse the independent shops, and grab a coffee before visiting the Montana State Capitol for a free guided, or self guided tour.

Missoula > Helena | 185 kms

Comfort Suites Helena, or similar

This morning take the short drive north of Helena to the ‘Gates of the Mountains’ for a boat tour through one of Montana’s most striking river canyons (reservations recommended). As you cruise up the Missouri River, limestone cliffs rise as much as 1,200 feet straight up on either side of the water. The canyon walls seem to close together ahead, blocking any visible way through. Then the river bends, and the passage opens like a door swinging wide. That optical illusion of the cliffs seeming to part is what gave the place its name.

Returning to Helena, your route continues south on I-15 towards Butte. This stretch crosses the Continental Divide before dropping down into Butte, one of Montana’s great mining towns. The World Museum of Mining, on the site of the old Orphan Girl Mine, is worth a stop for anyone interested in the town’s industrial history

From Butte, the route joins the I-90 east towards Bozeman. Around Whitehall, a short detour south leads to Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, Montana’s oldest state park, where guided tours take visitors through limestone caves formed over millions of years.

At Three Forks, the Missouri River begins at the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers. The Missouri Headwaters State Park marks the spot, with walking trails and historic information on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Continue on to Bozeman and check into your hotel. You can spend the evening exploring Main Street, Bozeman’s walkable historic downtown lined with restaurants, micro-breweries, and shops.

Helena > Bozeman | 170 kms

The Lark, Bozeman, or similar

There is a choice of routes for today’s drive to West Yellowstone. One takes you to Virginia City, once the capital of Montana Territory, and now a well-preserved Gold Rush town. The alternative route is a shorter drive through the scenic Gallatin Canyon.

To visit Virginia City, the route heads west before turning south. Virginia City retains its wooden boardwalks and original storefronts along the main street. Nearby, Nevada City is a companion open-air museum, with buildings gathered from around the region to recreate a mining-era townscape. Panning for gold and garnets is available at both for anyone who wants a hands-on try. This route then contiunes south via Earthquake Lake to West Yellowstone.

Alternatively you can head south along the Gallatin River through Gallatin Canyon, one of Montana’s most scenic drives, with the road running close to the river for much of the way, hemmed in by steep canyon walls. Around halfway, the road passes Big Sky, a purpose-built resort town best known for its skiing, but with restaurants and shops worth a stop year-round. South of Big Sky, the canyon opens out and the road continues to West Yellowstone.

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Bozeman > West Yellowstone | 150kms

Explorer Cabins, West Yellowstone, or similar

Entering Yellowstone National Park via the West Entrance, the road runs to Madison Junction, then north towards Norris. Norris Geyser Basin is the first major stop, the hottest and most acidic thermal area in the park, with boardwalks looping through hissing fumaroles and colourful pools. Steamboat Geyser, the tallest active geyser in the world, is also here, though eruptions are unpredictable and infrequent.

Continuing north, the road reaches Mammoth Hot Springs, where travertine terraces have built up over thousands of years into striking white and orange formations. Boardwalks wind through both the lower and upper terraces, and elk are often seen grazing around the historic Fort Yellowstone buildings nearby.

From Mammoth, the road turns east towards Tower-Roosevelt. Tower Fall, a 132-foot waterfall framed by volcanic rock spires, is a short, easy walk from the car park, with a general store nearby for refreshments.

From Tower-Roosevelt, you can choose to drive along the Northeast Entrance Road into Lamar Valley, often called Yellowstone’s Serengeti for its wildlife. Bison herds are a common sight along the valley floor, and it’s one of the best places in the park for a chance of seeing wolves, particularly early morning or evening. You will neet to u-turn and return along this road to continue exploring the National Park.

Back at Tower-Roosevelt, the main route climbs over Dunraven Pass, with wide views across the surrounding mountains, before dropping down to Canyon Village. Here, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is the highlight of the day, a dramatic gorge carved by the Yellowstone River, with the river’s yellow and orange rock walls giving the park its name. Several overlooks along the North and South Rim Drives give different views of the Upper and Lower Falls, and the Canyon Visitor Education Center covers the geology of the area in more depth.

From Canyon, the road heads back west via Norris to Madison Junction, then returns to West Yellowstone via the West Entrance.

West Yellowstone > West Yellowstone | 150 kms

Explorer Cabins, West Yellowstone, or similar

Entering the park once again, head south at Madison Junction to discover the highlights of Yellowstone’s Southern Loop. The first stop is Midway Geyser Basin, home to Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States. Its deep blue centre ringed with bands of orange, yellow and green are created by heat-loving bacteria. The boardwalk gives a good close-up view, though the overlook trail a little further south, is worth the extra effort for the full effect of the colours from above.

Continuing south, Old Faithful is the next stop, in the Upper Geyser Basin. The geyser erupts roughly every 90 minutes, and predicted times are posted at the visitor centre, so it’s worth checking times on arrival. The wider Upper Geyser Basin has the largest concentration of geysers in the world, and the boardwalks here reward a bit of extra time beyond the main event.

From Old Faithful, the road heads east and then south towards West Thumb, where West Thumb Geyser Basin sits directly on the shore of Yellowstone Lake. The boardwalk loop is short and easy, passing hot springs and pools that sit right at the water’s edge, including Fishing Cone, once used by early visitors to cook fish caught straight from the lake.

The route then turns north along the lake shore towards Fishing Bridge, before continuing on to Hayden Valley, one of the best wildlife-watching areas in the park. Bison herds are a common sight across the open valley floor, and it’s also a reasonable spot for elk, bears and wolves.

From Hayden Valley, the road continues to Canyon Junction, where you can stop for some retail therapy, or to see more o the canyon itself. Then head west via Norris and Madison to return to West Yellowstone via the West Entrance.

West Yellowstone > West Yellowstone | 185km

Explorer Cabins, West Yellowstone, or similar

This morning you will pass through Yellowstone’s West Entrance one final time and make your way to towards the Southern Entrance, keeping an eye out for wildlife along the way. From the South Entrance, join the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway, a short stretch of road connecting Yellowstone to Grand Teton National Park.

Once inside Grand Teton National Park, the Teton Mountain Range comes into view, appearing as a jagged wall of peaks rising sharply from the valley floor. Jackson Lake is one of the first sights, with Colter Bay a good spot to stop by the water’s edge.

Continuing south, Jenny Lake sits directly beneath the mountains and is one of the park’s best-known viewpoints. In the summer a short boat crossing is available to reach the trails on the far side without walking the full lakeside path.

Snake River Overlook, a little further south, is worth the stop for the view alone, made famous by an Ansel Adams photograph and still one of the most recognisable outlooks in the park. Mormon Row, just off the main road, is a cluster of early homestead barns set against the mountains, a popular photo stop and a reminder of the valley’s ranching history before it became parkland.

From here, the road continues south out of the park and into Jackson, arriving with the evening free to explore this stylish town.

West Yellowstone > Jackson | 180 kms

The Lodge at Jackson Hole, or similar

Your day could start at Teton Village, a short drive north of Jackson, with the Aerial Tram at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Known locally as “Big Red”, it climbs to the summit of Rendezvous Mountain at over 10,000 feet, with views over the Teton Range and the valley floor below. There are various trails and viewpoints at the top and Corbet’s Cabin serves waffles, a well-known stop for anyone wanting a snack with the view.

Returning to Jackson, the afternoon is available to explore the town itself. The Town Square is the natural starting point, marked by four elk antler arches at each corner, made entirely from antlers shed naturally by the local elk herd. The square is surrounded by galleries, shops, cafés, and restaurants, and makes for a pleasant, walkable afternoon.

The Lodge at Jackson Hole, or similar

Sadly today is time to say farewell to this beautiful part of the world. After breakfast, head to the Jackson Hole airport, to return your car and check-in for your flight home, taking with you memories of Montana and Wyoming.

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