Montana is famous for its vast wilderness, iconic national parks, and diverse wildlife and is a perfect destination for hikers, travellers who love outdoor adventures, and photographers.
The route from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park is among Montana’s most popular and well-loved road trip routes. This 7-day road trip itinerary includes both national parks, along with scenic stops in Kalispell, Flathead Lake, Wild Horse Island, and the charming town of Bigfork.
This itinerary shows you the best things to do in Montana, from breathtaking views and mountain towns to fun cities and lesser-known gems.
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Where to Start Your Glacier to Yellowstone Road Trip
Kalispell FCA is the nearest airport to Glacier National Park and a great place to start your itinerary. Direct flights from many major US cities provide an easy arrival for both domestic and international travellers. You will also find rental cars available from all major companies.
If your flight to Kalispell is delayed or cancelled, AirHelp can help you claim compensation you may be entitled to.
Once you land at Kalispell (FCA) Airport, renting a car is the easiest way to get around. It gives you the freedom to explore Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park, and other places, comfortably at your own pace.
The Ultimate 7-Day Montana Road Trip Guide
Day 1: Arrive in Kalispell And Explore Flathead Lake
After arriving at your hotel from the Kalispell airport, take some time to freshen up and settle in. Once you are ready, start exploring Kalispell town before heading out to visit Flathead Lake.
Let’s begin your Montana trip in Kalispell. This small town is the gateway to Glacier National Park and the perfect first stop for new visitors.
One of the best things to do in Kalispell includes walking along Main Street, visiting the Conrad Mansion Museum, and picking up a coffee or snacks before you continue your trip.
Once you finish exploring Kalispell, start your adventure by heading to Flathead Lake.
Flathead Lake is often called Montana’s ultimate freshwater playground. With swimming, boating, and other warm-weather activities in summer and ice fishing in winter, the lake provides year-round beauty with easy access to modern amenities.
You can enjoy Flathead Lake by exploring it on a boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard. Many of the islands can only be reached from the water and are great for wildlife viewing and day trips. Flathead Lake is also a good spot for fishing, with trout, bass, and perch found throughout the lake.
The lake is also an excellent place to learn sailing, especially for beginners. To make the most of your Flathead Lake trip, you can take sailing lessons with Go Sail Montana, the only ASA sailing school in the state.
Night stay: Kalispell
Day 2: Explore Wild Horse Island and Bigfork
Today begins with a visit to Wild Horse Island. Since there is no direct road access from Kalispell, you will need to drive to nearby boat launch areas like Big Arm State Park or Dayton, Montana. From these points, you can take a boat to the island. Once you are done exploring, make your way to Bigfork.
Wild Horse Island is a quiet and protected destination that is ideal for hikers and nature lovers. The island offers fresh mountain air, views of old-growth Ponderosa pine forests, and clear blue water from Flathead Lake.
Wildlife watching is one of the best activities on Wild Horse Island. The island is famous for its wild horses, but it also supports an impressive range of animals, including bighorn sheep, mule deer, bald eagles, and several species of waterfowl.
After completing your time on Wild Horse Island, head back to the mainland boat dock and continue your journey with a drive to Bigfork.
Bigfork is one of the best small art towns in Northwest Montana. Located in Flathead County between Glacier National Park to the north and Yellowstone National Park to the south, it sits right on Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Montana.
One of the best things to do in Bigfork is to stroll around Bigfork Village, explore the local art galleries, and visit the Bigfork Summer Playhouse.
Night stay: Kalispell
Day 3: Discover Lake McDonald and the West Glacier Region
Today, your journey starts from Kalispell to West Glacier to explore Glacier National Park. Start by exploring Apgar Village and Lake McDonald, and then continue moving to the lower section of the Going to the Sun Road, one of the most beautiful scenic routes in the United States.
Apgar Village lies at the lower end of Lake McDonald, just minutes from the West Glacier entrance. It offers a visitor centre, shops, dining, lodging, boat rentals, and access to shuttles and Red Bus tours.
Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park, stretching close to ten miles. With its clear water, colourful pebbles, and stunning mountain views, this is the perfect place for hiking, boating, or relaxing by the shore.
After exploring Apgar Village and Lake McDonald, head toward the lower section of Going to the Sun Road. Here you can explore McDonald Falls and Sacred Dancing Cascade. These are the best places for photography and for enjoying the sound of the flowing river.
Night Stay: West Glacier region
Day 4: Explore Logan Pass and St. Mary in Glacier National Park
Today is one of the most unforgettable days of the trip. Start your day at Logan Pass on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, then hike to Hidden Lake Overlook, one of the most popular outings in Glacier National Park, before heading to St Mary Lake, which is known for its deep blue waters and towering mountains in every direction.
Logan Pass is easily one of the best places to stop in Glacier National Park. It gives you quick access to the Hidden Lake Trail, and the views here are incredible with sparkling lakes, rushing waterfalls, and wide open meadows filled with colourful wildflowers.
Logan Pass Visitor Centre is open only during the warmer months, usually from mid-June until late September. Inside, you’ll find helpful maps, planning tips, exhibits, a small bookstore, and even ranger-led programs that make it easier to explore the area.
It’s really easy to reach the Hidden Lake Overlook Trailhead from the Logan Pass parking lot, right next to the visitor centre. You’ll spot a wooden boardwalk on the other side, and that’s where the trail begins. As you make your way up, the views open up quickly. The overlook gives you a wide, beautiful look at Hidden Lake with mountains rising all around it. If you’re lucky, you might even see mountain goats wandering around in the area.
After exploring Logan Pass and the Hidden Lake Overlook, keep heading east on the Going-to-the-Sun Road toward St Mary Lake. This part of the drive is absolutely gorgeous, with wide open views and dramatic scenery that make it one of the most memorable stretches in the entire park.
Saint Mary Lake, located on the east side of Glacier National Park, is the park’s second-largest lake. A boat tour is one of the best ways to see the lake up close, and these tours usually run every hour. It’s also a beautiful place to take photos or just sit by the shore and enjoy the view.
Night Stay: St. Mary
Day 5: Scenic Drive from St Mary to Missoula
Good morning, grab a coffee, have a good breakfast, and get ready for another day on the road. Today’s drive takes you toward the artsy college town of Missoula, passing through East Glacier. It’s a beautiful route that slowly shifts from wide-open prairie to rolling mountains.
Missoula is known as one of Montana’s most lively and creative cities. It’s packed with great restaurants, cosy cafes, craft breweries, and plenty of bars to check out. You’ll also find a good mix of museums and art galleries, all surrounded by beautiful mountain views and rivers that flow right through town.
If you’re trying to figure out how to spend your time in Missoula, here are a few great things to start with.
A nice, easy way to get a feel for the town is by walking the Clark Fork Riverfront Trail. It’s peaceful and scenic, with shady trees, quiet stretches of river, and a couple of pretty bridges along the way. The trail is perfect if you just want to slow down and enjoy the surroundings.
If you’re up for something more active, head out for whitewater rafting on the Clark Fork River. It’s one of the most exciting things you can do in Missoula.
Caras Park is one of the best places to spend some time in the centre of Missoula. It’s perfect for a picnic, relaxing by the river, or just enjoying the lively atmosphere around you.
The park is also a major gathering spot for the community, hosting everything from food festivals and brewfests to live music and local events. No matter when you stop by, there’s a good chance something fun or interesting is happening here.
Night Stay: Missoula
Day 6: Missoula to West Yellowstone via Bozeman
Good morning. Today is one of the most beautiful travel days of your trip. You’ll be leaving Missoula and making your way to Bozeman, a charming city surrounded by mountains on all sides. Take a moment to enjoy the town and its scenery, then continue to West Yellowstone.
Bozeman is a charming little city tucked between mountains in every direction. Years ago, it was actually known as the Sweet Pea capital of the country because it supplied so much of the nation’s seed peas. These days, Bozeman has grown into a lively spot with a mix of art galleries, museums, and plenty of great restaurants to explore.
One of the best things to do in Bozeman is to visit the Museum of the Rockies. It’s not a large museum, but it has one of the most impressive dinosaur collections you’ll ever see. Inside, you’ll find real T. rex skeletons, beautifully preserved fossils, and several dinosaur skulls that show how these creatures changed as they grew.
Another nice way to enjoy Bozeman is to wander around downtown. You can pop into local restaurants, cafes, and small boutiques, and if you love good coffee, make sure to grab a cup at Treeline Coffee.
After you finish exploring Bozeman, start your drive toward West Yellowstone. Once you arrive, make time to stop at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Centre, where you can see rescued wildlife up close and learn more about the conservation work happening in the region.
After that, take a walk around town. Here you’ll find plenty of small shops, art galleries, and outdoor gear stores that are great to browse before you visit Yellowstone National Park.
Night Stay: West Yellowstone
Day 7: Explore Yellowstone National Park & Depart
Your last day takes you straight into Yellowstone National Park, where you’ll spend a few final hours soaking in the park’s biggest highlights before making your way back toward the Bozeman airport area in the evening.
Yellowstone is known for its incredible mix of wildlife, rugged canyons, powerful rivers, waterfalls, geysers, and bright, steaming hot springs. With so much to see, it’s easy to understand why it remains one of the most famous national parks in the world.
One of the places in the national park you simply can’t skip is Old Faithful. It may not be the tallest geyser out there, but seeing it erupt is something you won’t forget. The water shoots well over a hundred feet into the air, sometimes close to 180 feet.
What makes Old Faithful truly special is how reliable it is. Because it erupts so often, most visitors get the chance to watch at least one eruption during their visit.
Right nearby is another landmark that completely steals the show, the Grand Prismatic Spring. The moment you see it, you’ll understand why it’s one of the most photographed places in the park. It’s huge, one of the largest hot springs on the planet, and the colours are unbelievable.
Where to Stay
These hotel recommendations are based on my top picks for this itinerary. I chose them to help you cut down on travel time each day and stay comfortably, with options that work for every budget, from best-value stays to mid-range and luxury hotels.
Top Hotel Recommendations in Kalispell
- Mid-Range Favourite: Hilton Garden Inn Kalispell
- Luxury Choice: The Firebrand Hotel
Top Hotel Recommendations in West Glacier
- Mid-Range Favourite: West Glacier Cabin Village
- Luxury Choice: Belton Chalet
Top Hotel Recommendations in St. Mary (East Glacier Area)
- Mid-Range Favourite: St. Mary Village – Main Lodge Rooms
- Luxury Choice: Many Glacier Hotel
Top Hotel Recommendations in Missoula
- Mid-Range Favourite: Best Western Plus Grant Creek Inn
- Luxury Choice: Residence Inn by Marriott Missoula Downtown
Top Hotel Recommendations in West Yellowstone
- Mid-Range Favourite: Kelly Inn West Yellowstone
- Luxury Choice: Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone
Best Time to Visit
The best time to take a Montana road trip is from May through early September. If you want to avoid big summer crowds, it’s worth planning your trip either before school holidays begin or right after they end. June and July are usually the busiest months of the season.
Also, keep in mind that Montana can see snow as early as September, and parts of Glacier National Park start to close around that time, so planning ahead really helps.
WHAT TO PLAN AND BOOK FOR YOUR MONTANA ROAD TRIP
Flights – Trip.com helps you compare and book flights to Kalispell or Bozeman, the main gateways for starting or ending your Glacier to Yellowstone road trip.
Car rental – DiscoverCars makes it easy to rent a car from Kalispell Airport so you can explore Glacier National Park, Going to the Sun Road, Missoula, and Yellowstone at your own pace.
Hotels – Booking.com helps you find and book hotels across Kalispell, West Glacier, St Mary, Missoula, and West Yellowstone with options for every budget.
Tours – GetYourGuide is useful for booking experiences like Glacier Red Bus tours, St Mary Lake boat cruises, whitewater rafting in Missoula, and guided Yellowstone wildlife tours.
Connectivity – Saily helps you stay connected for maps and navigation in remote areas where mobile coverage can be weak.
Insurance – SafetyWing offers travel medical insurance for peace of mind during long drives, hiking, and outdoor adventure activities.
FAQS:
1. How many days do you need in Montana?
If you want to explore most of Montana, I’d suggest spending about five to seven days. That gives you enough time to enjoy a good mix of nature, adventure, relaxed driving, and classic Montana scenery.
2. What is the most scenic route through Montana?
Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park is easily one of the most beautiful drives you’ll ever take. The big open views, the sharp mountain peaks, and the dramatic scenery around every curve make this stretch of road truly unforgettable.
3. What is the number one attraction in Montana?
There isn’t just one “number one” place in Montana because the state is full of stunning spots, but if I had to pick a favourite, I would recommend Yellowstone National Park.
Conclusion:
This Glacier to Yellowstone The Ultimate 7 Day Montana Road Trip takes you from Kalispell and Flathead Lake through the best parts of Glacier National Park, then down to Missoula, Bozeman, and West Yellowstone. Along the way, you’ll see mountain lakes, quiet western towns, and plenty of classic Montana scenery.
By the time you finish on Day 7, you’ll have experienced the top highlights of Yellowstone and enjoyed a good mix of nature, adventure, and relaxed driving.
After wrapping up your Montana road trip, if you’re looking for more great routes and travel ideas across the USA and Canada, be sure to check out these other itineraries.
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Bucket-List Oregon Road Trip Itinerary
The Ultimate 5 Day Arizona Road Trip Itinerary
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