The Ultimate 7-Day Montana Itinerary: From Glacier to Yellowstone
05/01/2025
With a one-week visit to Montana on the horizon, get ready for adventure. Start in the northwest corner of the state at Glacier National Park and work your way south to Yellowstone following this 7-day Montana itinerary.
Day 1: Start Your 7-Day Montana Itinerary in Glacier Country
You could easily spend your whole week in Glacier National Park alone. But in order to get the most out of a 7-day Montana itinerary, keep it short and sweet with a drive on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, up and over Logan Pass.
If you get an early start, you could squeeze in a short hike along the way. Some popular options include:
If you’re visiting between June 13 and September 28, be sure to make your vehicle reservation in advance. Reservations are required in addition to your park entry fee or national parks pass if you’re driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road from West Glacier or entering at the North Fork.
Where to Stay
For a stay at the gateway to Glacier, the River Bend House by Starry Night Lodging sits just minutes from the entrance to the park in West Glacier. This four-bed, three-bath vacation home hosts up to eight guests for a relaxing home base during your national park adventures.
Day 2: Stick to the Northwest for Flathead Valley Fun
There’s even more to love in northwest Montana outside of Glacier National Park’s boundaries. Enjoy some lake time at some of the state parks in the region:
Flathead Lake State Park has five park units to explore around the shores of Flathead Lake. The park also includes Wild Horse Island, if you’re up for a paddling adventure.
Somers Beach State Park gives a unique view of the north end of Flathead Lake.
Lone Pine State Park’s Foys Lake access is a great place to splash around and cool off in summer.
Whitefish Lake State Park gives you a scenic spot to hang out close to town, with easy access from the paved bike path.
Where to Stay
Extend your stay for another night at the River Bend House by Starry Night Lodging to enjoy easy access to the Middle Fork Flathead River and Glacier National Park (just a one-mile bike ride away).
Day 3: Spend the Day in Missoula on Your Way to Butte, America
Start your day driving south around Flathead Lake, through Polson and the Mission Valley. Be sure to stop at the CSKT Bison Range along the way, where you might spot bison, deer, elk, pronghorn, bears, and other wildlife. Enjoy scenic views and a break in Missoula on your way to Butte.
As a college town with one of Montana’s largest universities, Missoula is a great place to get your fill of “big city” amenities like shopping, art galleries, breweries, and trendy restaurants. It’s also an ideal place to restock on road-trip groceries, with big box stores like Costco and Walmart that you won’t find in smaller towns.
If you visit on a weekend, be sure to make it to the markets. The Missoula Farmers’ Market offers up fresh local produce and tasty bites, and the Missoula People’s Market gives you an open-air shopping opportunity to pick up a souvenir handcrafted by local vendors.
Where to Stay
After your day exploring Missoula, head on down the road to the Butte KOA Journey, the perfect starting point for the next day’s adventures. You’ll find spacious sites for tent campers or RVers, with cabins available to reserve as well.
Day 4: Explore Historic Butte
Butte has a long and fraught history of mining, frontier living at the turn of the last century, and early Montana political intrigue. On Day 4 of your trip, spend some time getting deep into the past. Check out these top spots for history buffs:
If the weather’s favorable, Butte also offers plenty of opportunities for mountain biking and hiking.
Where to Stay
During your rapid-fire week of Montana adventure, give yourself a break from driving, and spend a second night at the Butte KOA Journey.
Day 5: Hit the Continental Divide
The Continental Divide Trail runs over 3,000 miles from Mexico to Canada, slicing through the Rockies just outside of Butte. There’s no better place to explore the divide, whether with pedal power or under foot. On Day 5 of your 7-day Montana itinerary, hit the trails.
If you’re hiking, check out these popular spots:
For mountain bike enthusiasts, don’t miss:
Where to Stay
It’s time to move down the road, but just make a short drive. Whether you’re camping or looking for a cozy rustic cabin to give you the full Montana experience, Bozeman Trail RV Park, Osen’s RV Park, and Ennis RV Park by Starry Night Lodging all offer a cozy place to stay that will set you up perfectly to start out a relaxing Day 6.
Day 6: Soak it Up and Enjoy a Natural Hot Spring
Southwest Montana is known for its thermal waters produced by the plentiful volcanic activity. There are a lot of jam-packed days in this itinerary, so take some time on Day 6 to kick back and relax.
If you spent the night in Livingston, soak at:
If you stayed in Bozeman or Ennis, check out:
Where to Stay
Set yourself up for an early morning start for the last day of your 7-day Montana itinerary and book a stay in the gateway community of Gardiner at the Super 8 by Wyndham Gardiner / Yellowstone Park Area or the Travelodge by Wyndham - Gardiner Yellowstone Park North Entrance.
Alternatively, if you stayed in Ennis the night before and want to explore Yellowstone from the West Entrance, extend your stay at the Ennis RV Park by Starry Night Lodging.
Day 7: Cap off your Visit with a Trip to Yellowstone
Cap off the last day with a visit to Yellowstone National Park. There are countless ways to spend a day – or a lifetime – in Yellowstone. But even with one short day in the first national park in the United States, you can see a lot.
Choose your own adventure:
Head south to Old Faithful, with stops at Grand Prismatic, Artists Paintpots, and other geothermal features along the way.
Drive into the Lamar Valley, where wildlife spotting from roadside pullouts is an art and an adventure.
Check out the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Yellowstone Lake.
Choose a day hike from Yellowstone’s 1000+ miles of hiking trails, and see what the park has to offer off the main boardwalks.
Check out our guide on how to do Yellowstone in a day for more tips.
Where to Stay
At the end of the day, head to Gardiner and spend a last night in the Travelodge by Wyndham - Gardiner Yellowstone Park North Entrance or the Super 8 by Wyndham Gardiner / Yellowstone Park Area, and kick back while you reflect on your week of wild Montana memories.