Three-Day Tour Between the Parks-Western Route
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(city) on the map for a detaliled
daily itinerary.
- Big Sky
- Bozeman
- Butte
- Anaconda
- DeerLodge
- Missoula
- National Bison Range at Moiese
- Kalispell/Whitefish
- Glacier National Park
Day One
Start the tour in Big Sky, just outside Yellowstone National Park. Ride the gondola to the heights of Lone Mountain while the morning air is crisp and clear, then don bathing suits or shorts for a float trip on the Gallatin River. After lunch, head north to Bozeman, the home of Montana State University. Located on the MSU campus is the Museum of the Rockies, which contains a unique collection of Montana relics, from dinosaur eggs unearthed in the state, to Indian artifacts and a two-story homesteader cabin. Then it's on to Butte to view the open-pit copper mine and visit the World Museum of Mining, the Copper King Mansion or the Mineral Museum.
Overnight in Butte or Anaconda.
Day Two
This morning, drive the Pintler Scenic Route along the shores of Georgetown Lake. Consider stopping in Philipsburg, of of the nation's "Prettiest Painted Places," before crossing a mountain pass to Deer Lodge, the home of three unique and historic attractions. Choose either the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, the Old Montana Prison or the Towe Ford Museum. After a lunch stop in Missoula and a tour of the Aerial Fire Depot and Smokejumper Center, head for the National Bison Range at Moiese. This preserve is the home of bison, elk, deer, antelope, bighorn sheep and mountain goats. The day ends with a drive along the incomparable Flathead Lake.
Overnight in Kalispell or Whitefish.
Day Three
Spend the entire day in Glacier National Park. Choose from short walks where clients can slowly savor the natural world, take a comfortable scenic cruise on one of the pristine lakes or watch for wildlife while floating a river. Transfer to smaller, rollback-top touring coaches for a drive over the breathtaking Going-to-the-Sun Road. Mountain goats call this park home, and the rugged splendor is impressed in memories with perfect clarity.
Overnight in Glacier National Park.
Three-Day Tour Between the Parks-Eastern
Route
Click the (city) on the map for a detaliled
daily itinerary.
Day One
Begin at Gardiner, the north gate of Yellowstone National Park. Drive north along the Yellowstone River, through the beautiful Paradise Valley. The Yellowstone River is the longest free-flowing (undammed) river in the United States, and motorists see both frothy whitewater stretches and placid meanders. In Livingston, visit either the Depot Center or the Park County Museum. Then drive north on US 191 through Montana's rolling farmland rich in wheat, hay and grazing cattle, backdropped by tall mountain ranges. Even the county names bespeak the settlers' vision: Wheatland, Sweet Grass and Golden Valley. In Lewistown, browse through the art center or museum, admire the finely-crafted stone buildings or enjoy an evening dinner train ride aboard the Charlie Russell Chew-Choo.
Overnight in Lewistown.
Day Two
Drive to Great Falls and visit the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center. Located midway along the Lewis and Clark Trail, the center focuses on relations between the Corps of Discovery and the many Indian tribes they encountered. Eat a picnic lunch at Giant Springs Heritage State Park and wander through the adjacent fish hatchery. Giant Springs is the largest freshwater springs in the world. In the afternoon, float the peaceful Missouri River through steep-walled limestone canyons and pastoral farmland. This was the route of the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition, which was stalled in the Great Falls area for 32 days in 1805 by a formidable series of waterfalls. Lewis and Clark history abounds here. Also take time to visit the original home and studio of our famous cowboy artist Charlie Russell. The nearby museum and gallery contain many of his original works and humorous letters to cherished friends. Consider taking a tour on the Great Falls Historic Trolley.
Overnight in Great Falls.
Day Three
Today's route travels under the awesome peaks and buttresses of the Rocky Mountain Front. Stretch your legs at Freezeout Lake Wildlife Management Area, which teems with waterfowl in the spring and fall. Stop in Choteau to view dinosaur bones and Old West memorabilia at the Old Trail Museum. Then continue north to the heart of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Browning is home to the acclaimed Museum of the Plains Indian, which displays the arts and artifacts of 11 Plains Indian tribes. Finish the day with a short drive west, to Glacier National Park.
Overnight in Glacier National Park.
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