Itinerary
- Day 1
Bozeman
You'll arrive in Bozeman, Montana, which serves as the main gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Since arrival times differ for each person, there's no organized sightseeing scheduled today. Use the afternoon and evening to settle in, grab dinner somewhere local, and get oriented to the town. Rest up because you'll be exploring some incredible terrain starting tomorrow.
- Day 2
Yellowstone Lower Loop
This morning you'll enter Yellowstone through the northern gate and head straight to the Lower Loop. Start at Grand Prismatic Spring, where you can take the overlook hike if you're up for it and see those brilliant blue waters up close. After that, drive to Old Faithful and grab lunch on your own near the geyser. Spend the afternoon walking the boardwalk trails while watching for bison, elk, bears, eagles, wolves, and antelope. It's the best chance to see wildlife in the park.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Grand Prismatic Spring
- Optional 20-minute hike to Grand Prismatic Spring overlook
- Visit Old Faithful geyser
- Walk boardwalk trails around Old Faithful
Optional Activities
- 20-minute hike to Grand Prismatic Spring overlook
Landmarks/POIs Grand Prismatic Spring Old Faithful - Day 3
Yellowstone Northern Loop
Today covers Yellowstone's northern loop, so you'll start at Mammoth Hot Springs where geothermal waters cascade down colorful terraces in layers. From there, head to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone overlook to see the 20-mile-long canyon with its dramatic mineral-streaked walls and three waterfalls. The colors and scale are really something. You'll head back to your hotel in Gardiner by late afternoon.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Explore Mammoth Hot Springs
- Walk boardwalks at Mammoth Hot Springs
- Visit Grand Canyon of Yellowstone overlook
Landmarks/POIs Mammoth Hot Springs Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone - Day 4
Gardiner to Helena
You'll drive south through Montana's Paradise Valley, which offers views of the Absaroka Beartooth Mountains to your right and the Gallatin Range to your left. The drive takes several hours but the scenery makes it worthwhile. By afternoon you'll arrive in Helena, Montana's capital. The town has gold rush heritage, Victorian architecture scattered throughout, and plenty of local restaurants and microbreweries to explore later.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Absaroka Beartooth Mountains Gallatin Range - Day 5
Helena and Butte
Start the morning with a local guide walking you through Helena's historic streets, including stops at the Pioneer Cabin, Reeder's Alley, the walking mall, and Guardian of the Gulch. After lunch, you'll travel to Butte to meet a local historian for a tour of the town, then visit the World Museum of Mining where you'll go underground with experienced guides to see the original shaft station. Back in Helena by evening, you'll have time to relax or explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided walk through historic Helena
- Visit Pioneer Cabin
- Visit Reeder's Alley
- Visit Guardian of the Gulch
- Guided tour of Butte with local historian
- Visit World Museum of Mining
- Underground shaft station tour at World Museum of Mining
Landmarks/POIs Pioneer Cabin Reeder's Alley Guardian of the Gulch World Museum of Mining - Day 6
Helena to St. Mary via Great Falls
Head to Great Falls to see the Missouri River's five waterfalls flowing toward the plains. You'll pick one activity for the day: visit the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center to learn about the 1805 expedition, or take a guided tour of the C.M. Russell Art Museum to see cowboy-artist Charles Russell's works, his home, and log studio. Later you'll continue driving to St. Mary, the eastern gateway to Glacier National Park.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Visit Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center
- Guided tour of C.M. Russell Art Museum
- Tour of C.M. Russell's original home
- Tour of C.M. Russell's log studio
Landmarks/POIs Great Falls Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center C.M. Russell Art Museum - Day 7
Glacier National Park to Whitefish
You'll board one of the vintage red buses from the 1930s and travel down Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of North America's most notable roads. Your guide (called a 'jammer') will drive while you sit back and take in the natural landscape and mountain views. The whole experience is relaxing and informative. Afterward, you'll head to the town of Whitefish for the evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ride in vintage red bus on Going-to-the-Sun Road
- Guided tour of Going-to-the-Sun Road
Landmarks/POIs Going-to-the-Sun Road Glacier National Park - Day 8
Whitefish
Spend the morning and early afternoon in Whitefish with free time to stroll around, shop, and grab lunch at one of the restaurants on Central Avenue. You can pick up local Huckleberry jam or just explore the town at your own pace. In the afternoon, choose between white-water rafting or a scenic float down the Flathead River with views of Glacier National Park. Your day ends with a barbeque dinner with the group.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Mouth-watering barbeque dinner)
Included Activities
- Barbeque dinner
Optional Activities
- White-water rafting adventure on Flathead River
- Scenic float down Flathead River
- Shopping and dining in Whitefish
Landmarks/POIs Flathead River - Day 9
Flathead Lake and Farewell
You'll depart Whitefish and drive south along the western edge of Flathead Lake, which was carved by ancient glaciers and stretches almost 200 square miles. The route passes through small towns and Flathead Reservation lands of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. You'll meet a descendant of the last Kootenai chief who'll share information about tribal traditions and the importance of land in native life. After visiting the Smokejumper Visitor Center to learn about wildland firefighters, everyone gathers for a farewell dinner together.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Memorable farewell dinner)
Included Activities
- Meet descendant of last Kootenai chief and learn about tribal traditions
- Visit Smokejumper Visitor Center
- Farewell dinner
Landmarks/POIs Flathead Lake Flathead Reservation Smokejumper Visitor Center - Day 10
Departure
Today you'll say goodbye to Montana and head home after experiencing Big Sky Country's mountains, hot springs, waterfalls, and wildlife. Depending on your flight time, you'll have the morning to grab breakfast or pack up before heading to the airport.
