Northern Montana and Idaho Vacation Ideas Northern Montana and Idaho - Road Trip Planner
 

Glacier National Park, Missoula, Northern Montana & Idaho Road Trip Getaway Planner

Things to do / Travel Guide

Idaho & Northern Montana Getaways

This is THE place to visit to enjoy the quiet beauty of nature. You won't see many people here, especially if you head into the backcountry wilderness. Glacier National Park has some of the best scenery in the U.S., with sparkling blue lakes, and glacial valleys being appreciated by hikers, mountain bikers, and paddlers. Some come to Montana and never want to leave.

Northern Montana Tourist Attractions

Three words for you: Glacier National Park. Start off by getting an all-around view of the park by driving along the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road. This road will take you between St.
Mary and West Glacier and along points of interest like Lake McDonald, the Sacred Dancing Cascade, Johns Lake, Trail of the Cedars, and the Bird Woman Falls Overlook. Don't miss the stunning Jackson Glacier. The road is well marked, you won't get lost even if the AAA ran out of maps of Montana.

Want to experience the park in ways other than by car? Go hiking, biking, rafting, or horseback riding to get more up-close-and-personal views of this spectacular park. Camp out for a few nights under the clear starry sky for a truly unforgettable experience.

Still not ready to leave the great outdoors behind you? Visit one of the most beautiful areas in the state by heading out to nearby Flathead Lake. You'll enter a magical world of lush, green forests, large granite mountains, blue sparkling lakes, and fields filled with cattle and alfalfa sprouts. The area provides the perfect atmosphere for all types of visitors: Nature lovers will have endless trails to explore; water-sports enthusiasts will have plenty of rivers or lakes to choose from; families will find kid-friendly water activities, among many other fun outdoors fun; and even history buffs will get their fill by exploring the tribal lands of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes.

One more area you won't want to miss is Whitefish, Northern Montana's premier resort town. Whitefish is known as a fun resort area on its own and as a launch point for Big Mountain Ski Area and Glacier National Park.

Missoula Tourist Attractions

Missoula is one of Montana's fastest growing cities. You can attribute this growth to two winning features of the area: the University of Montana and the gorgeous Clark Fork River. The thriving college has transformed this small town into a bustling college town bursting with life. In downtown Missoula you'll find a wonderful mix of businesspeople in suits carrying briefcases and college kids in flip flops with backpacks. Nightlife also ranges from chilled and laid-back to elegant.

Take part in the nature-leaning culture of the city by going organic food shopping, buying handmade jewelry, or selecting fresh herbs from the Butterfly Herbs shop. There are also a number of great bookstores in Missoula. Although it's pretty close to the border, Missoula belongs to Montana, so you won't find Missoula, Idaho on any map.

While you're in Missoula, take advantage of some of the surrounding areas by using Missoula as a base for further exploration. Learn about the early Jesuit settlers at the St. Ignatius Mission where you'll see 58 beautiful murals that date back to 1854. While you're in the area you should also check out the Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge and the National Bison Range. Nature lovers and kids of all ages will love seeing the various animals in their natural habitats.

Idaho Tourist Attractions

The claim to fame to this region of northern Idaho is the resort town Coeur d'Alene. This is where families as well as the rich and famous spend their vacation time year round. You'll have no trouble finding a resort to suit your style (even if you're looking for a world class resort) or exclusive golf courses. Activities, other than golfing on the green or skiing in the mountains, revolve around the great Lake Coeur d'Alene, perfect for boating, water skiing, jet-skiing, fishing, and swimming.

At Coeur d'Alene you also won't be too far from the Museum of North Idaho, the Cataldo Mission, the Silverwood Theme Park, and the Wild Waters waterpark.

Idaho and Northern Montana Road Trip Getaway Planner

Take a week to explore the Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park area. If you have a second week, go ahead and explore the wilderness or see the vacation homes of Oscar winners at the area's resort towns.