what to see between Glacier & Yellowstone
 

In late August we'll be driving from Glacier to Yellowstone. We'd like to break the trip up. Any suggestions on what to see/where to stay one night that's not far out of our way?

we stayed in both Helena and Great Falls. Also went to Butte (nice mining museum). I thought Helena was a nice city. Great Falls has a nice Lewis and Clark Museum as well as the Charles Russell museum.

MY advice is either missoula(short first day) or livingston (long first day). Livingston is close great scenery, etc. Missola is probably my favorite city in the world, great fishing, art, nightlife, scereny, hiking,etc. You can't go wrong staying in bozeman either.

Between Glacier and Yellowstone, I can think of TWO gigantic places to visit.

#1. The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana. The museum is part of Montana State U, and it is the base camp for many well known paleontologists including Dr. Jack Horner whose research into the dinausaurs of the Cretacious period is legendary. It was his team that excavated at least one highly intact T-Rex, but Horner is better known for his research with nesting dinosaurs.

At any rate, he is a wizard in the field.

The museum itself is first class after undergoing a major upgrade of enourmous proportions about 4 or 5 years ago.

The museum should be on your list for sure because it is worth the extra time it will take. I recommend it.

If you want an eye popping drive, continue to Yellowstone by going toward Billings and turning south to cross over the Beartooth Highway and enter Yellowstone by the northeast gate.

The Beartooth is very, very spectacular and I recommend not missing it if you can possibly squeeze it in. It is worth leaving early and driving late to get it in, although I would cross it in the the daylight!

I have been over it three times, and one more time would be fine with me!!

So crank those two into your plans.
Anything else in between as far as I am concerned is not worth the effort unless you have loads of time.

Both the Museum of the Rockies and the Beartooth are worth a trip in themselves. If you can fit them in with both Glacier and Yellowstone, it would be marvellous. I did that once and never regretted the extra time and distance!

I would take Helena as a stop.The next day you could drive up to Custers battlefield monument and then do the Beartooth highway on your way to Yellowstone.Paul

Missoula is also my favorite city in Montana, so I'd recommend a stop there. Although, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the above suggestions.

The Museum of the Rockies is fantastic. And Bozeman is a fun town with good restuarants and a nice downtown area.

I would choose Missoula or Bozeman.

Many thanks to all responders. Your suggestions were very helpful. We haven't decided for sure where to stay yet, but probably Bozeman. We're really, really looking forward to this trip.

Don't rule out Helena for an overnight stay. Although it isn't a college town it's about half way between Glacier and Yellowstone along a much shorter route than Missoula is. You also would not have to spend as much time on an Interstate highway.

Helena has a beautifally restored capital building, the state historical society museum with its Charlie Russell collection, and a picturesque downtown (don't miss the Parrot candy shop).

Between Glacier and Helena you could either come down MT 83 through the Seeley/Swan Valleys or down US 89 along the Rocky Mountain Front. Both are beautiful drives that are more off the beaten track than US 93 between Kalispell and Missoula and Interstate 90 between Missoula and Bozeman. Bozeman is only 2 hours from Helena so you could easily take in Bozeman and the Museum of the Rockies on the same day you travel from Helena to Yellowstone.

If it fits with your plans I highly recommend Chico Hot Springs in the Paradise Valley south of Livingston. Great restaurant, beautiful area, hot water, and historic hotel.

Enjoy your trip.

I second Bozeman - we stayed there last Sept. and just thought it was a fun place. We also visited the Museum of the Rockies - spectacular dino collection - well worth the price. My daughter was thrilled with it. (Boys went fly-fishing).
We drove both the Beartooth and the Highway 89 routes and both offered different things. Paradise Valley (Highway 89) is mountains, farms, and beautiful scenery that you probably got throughout your trip through Montana. Beartooth is spectacular scenery, mountains, glaciers, alpine lakes, et cetera. Just beautiful either way you choose. Beartooth would be a bit further 'out of the way' but it is quite interesting.