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.

This 50-mile scenic highway is one of the most spectacular drives in North America, winding through alpine meadows, past waterfalls, and along cliff edges with panoramic mountain views. Be sure to stop at the Logan Pass Visitor Center, where a short boardwalk offers incredible views of the Garden Wall and a chance to spot mountain goats and bighorn sheep.

If you get an early start, you could squeeze in a short hike along the way. Some popular options include:

• Avalanche Lake: This moderate, roughly 6-mile round-trip hike (about 750 feet of elevation gain) is one of the most popular trails in Glacier for good reason. The path begins on the Trail of the Cedars boardwalk through ancient old-growth hemlock and cedar forest before climbing gently along Avalanche Creek to a jaw-dropping glacial cirque lake. At the shore, you'll be surrounded by sheer cliffs with waterfalls cascading hundreds of feet from Sperry Glacier above. Allow about 2.5 to 3 hours.

• Hidden Lake Overlook: Starting right behind the Logan Pass Visitor Center, this 2.7-mile round-trip hike (about 550 feet of elevation gain) is one of the most rewarding short hikes in the park. A boardwalk climbs through the alpine wildflower meadows of the Hanging Gardens, with 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks, including Clements Mountain and the Garden Wall. At the overlook, you'll look down on Hidden Lake with Bearhat Mountain towering behind it. Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, and marmots are frequently spotted along this trail. Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours.

• Hidden Lake: If you want more than the overlook, continue down the trail to the lakeshore for a 5.1-mile round trip (about 1,300 feet of total elevation change). The descent from the overlook to the lake drops nearly 800 feet over about 1.4 miles on a steep, rocky trail with switchbacks — beautiful, but keep in mind you'll need to climb back up. The reward is a quieter, more intimate setting at the water's edge, with far fewer people than at the overlook. Allow 2.5 to 3.5 hours for the full hike.

• St Mary and Virginia Falls: This roughly 3-mile round-trip trail (about 450 feet of elevation gain) on the east side of the park is one of the best waterfall hikes in Glacier. The trail descends through a fire-recovering forest with sweeping mountain views before reaching St. Mary Falls, a striking 35-foot, three-tiered cascade of vivid blue-green water. Continue another half-mile upstream along Virginia Creek to reach Virginia Falls, an impressive 50-foot waterfall where you can feel the mist at the base. It's a great option for families and an ideal trail to pair with your drive on Going-to-the-Sun Road. Allow about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Pro tip: In summer 2026, there are no vehicle reservations required to enter Glacier National Park. However, parking at Logan Pass is limited to three hours starting July 1, so plan your visit accordingly. If you'd rather skip the driving and parking logistics altogether, you can reserve a seat on the Going-to-the-Sun Road shuttle to Logan Pass.

For more details on getting to the park, see our guide on how to get to Glacier National Park.

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:

• The Berkeley Pit: A massive former open-pit copper mine, now a Superfund site with a viewing platform

• The World Museum of Mining: Explore a replica mining town and go underground

• Underground City Tour: See the tunnels and passageways below Butte's historic streets

• The Copper King Mansion: Tour this stunning 34-room Victorian mansion built in 1884, which also operates as a bed and breakfast. Guided tours run daily from May through September.

• Pekin Noodle Parlor: The oldest continuously operating family-owned Chinese restaurant in America, open since 1911, and a James Beard Foundation American Classic. Don't miss the curtained booths and classic chop suey.

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. In fact, the divide passes just east of town, and most trailheads are less than a 10-minute drive from Uptown Butte — making this one of the easiest days on your itinerary for logistics. There's no better place to explore the divide, whether with pedal power or on foot. On Day 5 of your 7-day Montana itinerary, hit the trails.

If you're hiking, check out these popular spots:

• Thompson Park: This 3,500-acre park about 9 miles south of town offers a network of trails for all levels. The popular Beaver Ponds trail is a 6.6-mile out-and-back with just over 1,000 feet of elevation gain through lodgepole pine forest, popping out at a ridgeline with sweeping mountain views. For a shorter option, the Milwaukee Trail follows the old Milwaukee Railroad bed for 1.8 miles to the first tunnel, with only about 200 feet of elevation gain. Allow 1 to 3.5 hours, depending on your route.

• Our Lady of the Rockies: This strenuous pilgrimage hike from the Maud S. Canyon trailhead climbs roughly 3,500 feet over about 6.5 miles one way (13 miles round trip) to reach the 90-foot statue atop the Continental Divide at 8,510 feet. The trail follows steep singletrack before joining the CDT along a rolling ridgeline. Expect to spend 5 to 7 hours round trip, and bring plenty of water. You can also reach the statue via a guided bus tour if you'd rather save your legs.

• The Continental Divide Trail: You don't have to thru-hike to enjoy the CDT. From the Maud S. Canyon trailhead, a moderate 4-mile loop gains over 2,000 feet as it climbs from the Butte valley floor to the divide, with panoramic views at the top. Or take it easy on the paved Silver Bow Creek Trail, which follows the creek for 17+ miles from Butte to Stuart on flat, gentle terrain — ideal for a leisurely walk or bike ride.

For mountain bike enthusiasts, don't miss:

• Copper City Trails: A flowy singletrack built on reclaimed mining land

• Thompson Park railroad trestle: A ride across a historic trestle bridge

• Pipestone Trails: Cross-country trails with views of the Highland Mountains

Where to Stay

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.

For a unique lodging experience, consider a stay at the Sacajawea Hotel in Three Forks. This beautifully restored 1910 hotel sits at the crossroads between Butte and Bozeman, and its in-house Pompey's Grill is a destination-worthy dinner spot. Three Forks is also home to Missouri Headwaters State Park, where the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers converge to form the Missouri River (a site explored by Lewis and Clark).

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:

• Chico Hot Springs: A beloved Montana institution in Paradise Valley with an outdoor pool, fine dining, and mountain views

• Yellowstone Hot Springs: A newer, family-friendly facility in Corwin Springs with both hot and cold pools

If you stayed in Bozeman or Ennis, check out:

• Bozeman Hot Springs: Conveniently located just west of downtown with multiple pools and live music

• Norris Hot Springs: A rustic, spring-fed pool between Bozeman and Ennis, with a seasonal food menu and live acoustic music on weekends

If you have extra time and energy on your hot springs day, the town of Livingston is worth an extended stop. Browse its gallery-lined Main Street, grab a bite at one of the town's excellent restaurants, and enjoy views of the Absaroka Range from almost every angle.

Visitors staying in or passing through Bozeman can also swing by the Museum of the Rockies on the Montana State University campus, home to one of the country's largest collections of dinosaur fossils and a planetarium.

Where to Stay

Day 7: Finish 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.

No timed-entry reservation is needed to enter Yellowstone in 2026. Just have your park pass ready and plan for an early start to beat the midday crowds.

Choose your own adventure:

• Geothermal wonders: Head south to Old Faithful, with stops at Grand Prismatic Spring, Artists Paintpots, and other geothermal features along the way.

• Wildlife watching: Drive into the Lamar Valley, where wildlife spotting from roadside pullouts is an art and an adventure. Bring binoculars and keep your eyes peeled for bison herds, pronghorn, elk, and even wolves.

• Canyon views: Check out the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Yellowstone Lake. The Upper and Lower Falls are some of the most photographed waterfalls in the country.

• Backcountry trails: Choose a day hike from Yellowstone's 1,000+ 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.

For wildlife viewing beyond the park boundaries, see our guide to the best places for wildlife viewing near Gardiner, MT.