It would help to know how long you have for this trip. Three nights and two full days in Glacier would be enough to see the highlights. Three full days would be much better, especially if you like to hike.

Unless you've been to Yellowstone National Park, I'd suggest visiting this park in southern Montana, Northern Wyoming for 4 or 5 days and then Grand Tetons for one or 2 nights for the best bang for your driving miles.

If you really want to see Idaho, then I'd suggest the Sawtooth Mountains.

Utahtea

Thanks. I probably have around 10 to 14 days. I don't want to spend all in Parks though.

To get into Idaho from Glacier, get on US 2 west. In Sandpoint Idaho, decide if you want to stay on 2 and go into Spokane WA.
Take I-90 east to Bozman MT and get on US 191 south to West Yellowstone. Spend as much time as you can in Yellowstone.
Stick with US 89 through GTNP and Logan Utah to get to I-15 into SLC.

Can't miss Yellowstone, even if you've been there. Lots of hiking all around the area.

Yellowstone has everything you were looking for, ie: scenery, wilderness, local culture, and learning.

We spend most of our time in the parks but we also explore the areas of the historic Louis and Clark Trail.

Utahtea

If a person were starting out in/near Glacier, and exploring the mentioned states, he/she would do well to read up on "Glacial Lake Missoula":

http://www.glaciallakemissoula.org/virtualtour/index.html


This was a lake formed 12,000 years ago by a natural ice dam which eventually melted and resulted in a giant flood several times over.

If you go to the city of Missoula, Montana today, while there is no Lake Missoula, you can stand in the middle of town and look up on the surrounding hills (near to the "M" for the U. of Montana nearby) to see faint water lines from past giant flooding of the area.

I swear you should read up on Glacial Lake Missoula before choosing routes to explore the mentioned area.

Many of the paths from Missoula to Salt Lake City offer lots of scenery, and there is just something about SLC itself which seems unique to all other cities of its size... (probably the undertones of the Mormon religion).

Yellowstone National Park is obviously a prime interest as well, and you can research that fairly easily elsewhere.

None of the areas you'll see are overrun by humanity, and that is what keeps them interesting.

Thanks! I modified and will be staying for 8 days - 4 in Whitefish, 3 in West Glacier and 1 in Kalispell. My biggest concern is that I want to do some hiking, but I am solo. I'd like to sign up with groups. Any thoughts?

Check out the Ranger Led activities http://home.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/ranger-led-activities.htm

Unless you want to pay for a guide hiking trip http://home.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/guided-hiking-trips.htm

Because this is bear country, I'd highly recommend hiking with a buddy! http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/bears.htm

Utahtea