Magical Montana Road Trip From Yellowstone to Glacier

Between Yellowstone and Glacier national parks lie some of the most wondrous parts of the West. Take this epic road trip through the west side of Montana, under its big blue skies, up mountain peaks and skirting sparkling Flathead Lake.

In Yellowstone, unhurried bison roam past shooting geysers. Wolves hunt in the dawn light and a massive lake stretches to the horizon. Five hundred miles north, on the Canadian border, lush forests give way to alpine lakes with colorful rocks making up their shores in Glacier National Park. Grizzly bears roam underneath ancient glaciers while towering peaks guard stunning valleys.

These two incredible parks might be what originally draws you to Montana, but the real magic lies in the small towns, fascinating history, amazing trails and famous big skies in between.

Start in Bozeman, a vibrant, outdoorsy town with a great local food and beverage scene. As you drive south to Yellowstone, you’ll get the chance to experience some of the West’s most incredible rivers whether you choose to float them, tackle their rapids or soak in hot springs on their banks. Enter the park through Gardiner and the North Entrance, before continuing your journey in West Yellowstone. Lone Peak stands watch over the town of Big Sky, which you might know as a ski destination. The secret is that it’s equally worth visiting in the summer.

You’ll discover a deep rooted history that laid the foundations for the thriving communities you see today in southwestern Montana towns like Virginia City, Anaconda and Philipsburg where you can watch vaudeville plays and unearth sapphires.

See herds of magnificent creatures roaming at the CSKT Bison Range, which saw management restored to the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes in 2022. Farther north lies Missoula, a fun university town with its own flavor. As you drive over Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier, mist hugs waterfalls cascading down mountain faces.

Make your way south through central Montana where you can walk in Lewis and Clark’s footprints in Great Falls, hit the trails in the state’s capital, and dind towns like White Sulphur Springs which showcase a suspiring side of rural America.

Along the way you’ll discover jaw-dropping views, friendly and inspiring locals and a landscape that seems brushed with magic at every seam. This is Montana.

Road Trip Map

Start: Bozeman

Take a Scenic Drive Through Yellowstone Country
Montana’s Yellowstone Country is home to three of five entrances into the park. These three scenic drives near Yellowstone will take you to see some of the highlights of this region—and likely leave you wanting more.

Bozeman Spirits, Award-Winning Montana Distillery
Located in historic downtown Bozeman, the distillery produces whiskey, vodka, gin and rum, distilled and bottled on site.

A Serene Soak at Yellowstone Hot Springs
Just eight miles from Yellowstone’s North Entrance, these naturally hot pools feel surprisingly remote and far from the park’s crowds.

Gardiner, Montana is Where the Wild Things Are
Stay at the park’s North Entrance, Gardiner, Montana, for incredible outdoor recreation and a great local scene.

Montana’s Rafting Rivers
The waters of the Yellowstone, Gallatin and Madison rivers provide for some of the best Montana whitewater rafting and floats. Rafting companies out of Gardiner and Bozeman include Montana Whitewater, Flying Pig Adventures, and Wild West Rafting. Want more adventure? Check with these outfitters about ziplining, river tubing, horseback riding and fly fishing.

Yellowstone National Park

Enter the North Entrance

2 Days in Yellowstone
Only have 48 hours? Make the most of your time by visiting some of our favorite spots in the park. Read more.

GuideAlong’s Yellowstone Audio Tour App
Download the Yellowstone audio tour app that’s like having a tour guide in your car. It automatically plays interesting and entertaining commentary as you go.

Why Your Next National Park Trip Should Be in an RV
Level up your national park adventures with an RV or camper van rental from Outdoorsy.

Watch Wildlife in Yellowstone’s Lamar and Hayden Valleys
Yellowstone’s huge, wide valleys make excellent habitat for wildlife. For your best chance of spotting them, point your compass toward the Lamar and Hayden.

Mammoth Hot Springs Looks Like an Inside-Out Cave
These springs are a must-see feature of Yellowstone National Park in part because they’re so different from other thermal areas in the area. This is largely because limestone is a relatively soft type of rock, allowing the travertine formations to grow much faster than other sinter formations.

4 Active Yellowstone Adventures to Test Your Stamina
Push yourself with these heart-pounding activities in Yellowstone National Park from backpacking to canoeing to cross-country skiing.

Exit the West Entrance

West Yellowstone

7 Sights in West Yellowstone
The town of West Yellowstone sits right at the West Gate to Yellowstone National Park. Here are the top seven ways to avoid the park’s crowds and see the best of the area.

True Yellowstone Vacations
Stay a couple blocks from the park in West Yellowstone and leave the park driving to a guide. Make yourself at home within walking distance to attractions and downtown at the Yellowstone Park Hotel and the pet-friendly Gray Wolf Inn & Suites and Explorer Cabins.

Big Sky

Best Basecamp
Born next to a ski area, the town of Big Sky offers music, food and tons of trails under its piece of the enormous Montana sky.

Vacation Rentals for Every Vacation Style
Looking to stay near Yellowstone in a luxury rental? Choose from Natural Retreats’ collection of vacations rentals handpicked to accommodate every preference.

Southwest Montana Gems

Relax at El Western Cabins & Lodges in Ennis, Montana
A five minute walk from Ennis, Montana, this beautiful property is made up of log-hewn cabins and lodges set amongst a gorgeous meadow, a pasture with horses grazing in it and expansive mountain views.

7 Surprising Stops in Southwest Montana
You’ll find everything from spirits and sapphires to ghost towns and river canyons. Here are our top picks for places to stop in southwest Montana.

Anaconda’s Unexpected History on the Continental Divide
This unique town has access to the outdoor recreation you’d expect from southwestern Montana with a surprising and delicious culinary history that lives on today.

9 Reasons to Visit Dillon
Dig for crystals, catch a glimpse of stunning trumpeter swans and more in smalltown Dillon, Montana.

Soak it In at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort
On your road trip between the two national parks, stop midway to stay in a luxury spa resort, golf, and swim in hot springs pools—one with a water slide.

Magical Philipsburg
You’ll find sapphires and a palace of sorts tucked into the gentle folding hillsides and valleys of this swath of southwestern Montana. With flowers and gorgeously restored historic buildings lining its main street, Philipsburg is one of Montana’s most charming towns.

Missoula & Glacier Country

Magnificent Missoula
Kayak, raft or tube through town or take a hike in 60,000 acres of wilderness minutes from your hotel. Missoula is known for its blue-ribbon trout fishing and spectacular natural beauty. Here are our seven favorite things to do in Missoula.

On the Road to Glacier National Park
Pull over at these great sights lining the road on the 140-mile trip from Missoula to Glacier National Park including the best food, where to jump in the water and places to watch wildlife.

Stay Close to Glacier National Park at The Pine Lodge on Whitefish River
Located in downtown Whitefish a little more than 30 minutes from the park’s West Entrance and 15 minutes from the slopes of Whitefish Mountain Resort, you’ll find family friendly lodging and have access to some of the best shopping and dining near the park.

Enjoy Your Cozy Home Away From Home at Natural Retreats Whitefish
Just 30 minutes from Glacier’s West Entrance in a charming ski town, Natural Retreats Whitefish offers a quintessential Montana stay filled with small town charm, outdoor recreation and gorgeous views

4 Best Things to Do in Kalispell, Montana
Basecamp 32 miles from the West Entrance for easy access to the park and Flathead Lake, plenty of culture and huckleberries galore.

The Quest for a More Adventurous Life
The journey that forever changed this author started with paprika and stalled in an obscure Montana Town.

Glacier National Park

Do I Need a Reservation?
The west entrance of Glacier National Park’s popular Going-to-the-Sun Road, the North Fork and Many Glacier areas of the park will require a reservation to enter during summer peak hours in 2025.

2 Days in Glacier National Park
Our favorite things to do in Glacier from a peaceful boat ride and breathtaking hike to eating one of the best huckleberry pastries ever.

Tour Glacier’s Going to the Sun Road with the GuideAlong App
Download the GuideAlong app that’s like having a tour guide in your car. GuideAlong automatically plays interesting and entertaining commentary as you go.

Where to See Wildlife in Glacier National Park
You’ll see more than incredible views when you visit Glacier. Keep an eye out for these fascinating animals.

5 Best Hikes in Glacier National Park
Explore this park’s forests, lakes, waterfalls and namesake glaciers with National Geographic’s day hike guide. Here’s a sampling of our favorite trails.

Best Glacier Photography Spots, No Reservation Required
Go here to capture the beauty of Glacier National Park at sunrise, sunset and late into the night, no timed-entry reservations needed. Plus, get the best shot with a few expert tips from Tamron.

Standout Stops in Central Montana

Explore the Heart of Montana
Explore small towns in central Montana like Fort Benton, Havre and White Sulphur Springs on your way to Glacier National Park.

Welcome to Helena
Explore Montana history, hit the trails or enjoy a beer in the state’s capital on your way from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park.

End: Bozeman

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