Thinking about next year's vacation (proobably late May/early June). How does this sound?

Fly from D.C. to Idaho Falls via SLC. 2 nights Grand Teton, on to Yellowstone for 3 nights, then north to Glacier NP via overnight stop at Helena MT, 2 or 3 nights at Glacier, then down to Flathead Lake (2 nights) and back to Idaho Falls stopping overnight at Butte.

2 adults - we like scenery, walking (shortish walks rather than strenuous hikes), and the odd game of golf (Flathead Valley good?) We want to take our time and not feel rushed, but we don't mind the odd 5 or 6 hour drive (for example Helena to Glacier N.P.)

Considering either hotels/lodges or renting an RV.

How does this itinerary sound? Are we missing anything essential along the way? Any advice at this early stage would be welcome.

While at Flathead Lake, check out Bigfork or Whitefish. They can be pricey though. For a less expensive alternative try Kalispell or Polson. In Polson, you can rent boats, take a lake cruise, or float the Flathead River (which I highly recommend). I can't remember the name of the rafting company but I believe they are the only ones in Polson.

I know you don't want to hear this, but I'd be tempted to make what you plan TWO separate vacations. I think you're going to be doing a lot of driving. I'd concentrate on Jackson/Grand Tetons/Yellowstone/maybe Big Sky as one trip, and Bitterroot/Missoula/Glacier as the other trip. These areas are IMMENSE, and each requires a fair amount of time to truly savor what they have to offer.
I suggest this only because you said you didn't want to feel rushed. have fun.

Hi Rosemary, Lucky you!! Sounds like a wonderful trip!! Montana and Wyoming are awesome...some of my favorite places in the world.
I just wanted to chime in and second the advice that the Captain gave you. Your itinerary is very, very ambitious. Take a look at Montana on a map-it's a big, big state-lots of long, open highway.
IMHO, I'd either go north or stay south. Touring and really enjoying the Tetons and Yellowstone can be a whole week's worth of vacation. I think that the trip from Yellowstone to Glacier is a very, very long drive.
I'm partial to the sw of Montana-lots of wilderness to explore, ghost towns, our family loved digging for quartz crystals...just can't remember the name of the town...
The area is just too spectacular to be on the run-and I think that you will find your plans to bit too much.
Good luck with whatever you decide and enjoy your trip!!!

Thanks for the advice so far. I should mention, we hope to have a full 2 weeks, maybe a day or two more. Will this alter your opinions at all?

Make reservation ASAP for in-park Yellowstone. Call 307-344-7311 info for all NPS sites at nps.gov.

Rosemary,
I figured from your first post that you had about 2 weeks to spend, but I think it's still too much land to cover. I like to drive when I'm on vacation, and I have covered lots of ground on my trips via car. Looking back on all my trips, I've come to realize that those vacations where I spend A LOT of time driving are my least enjoyed. I think that the drive from Jackson to Grand Tetons to Yellowstone to Big Sky is a LOT of driving. But the thought of having to drive up to Glacier makes my driving butt sore. Yes, there is some glorious scenery out there (I got married in Jackson, WY, so I know it well), but it gets old when you're driving and driving and driving. Plus, I think the areas you want to see really cry out for more time spent on each site. An alternative is to fly into, say, Jackson, then drive to the various places and fly out of, say, Missoula. That way you won't be doubling back.

Thanks for that idea, we will look into flights to Jackson and back from Missoula. Will doubtless cost more but as you say it will cut down on the driving.

Rosemary, I think two weeks sounds fine for the trip you have planned. IMHO as long as you are planning 2-3 night stops (as opposed to one night and then back on the highway), you're allowing enough time to relax and enjoy yourselves. I've travelled over most of your route, and it's just gorgeous. One problem may occur--Glacier may not be open in early June. Check out their usual end-of-snow schedule. We were there three years ago about mid-June, and we were relieved that they had recently opened and we could drive the Going-to-the-Sun Highway. However, when we got to the top and wanted to hike up behind the visitor's center, the trail was still covered with snow. We walked up a little ways, but the snow was 5-6" and getting deeper as we walked. We had taken another hike (to some waterfall) on the way up (coming from the east), and there was no sign of snow there.