Circling the northern reaches of the Rocky Mountains, this road trip through Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming is one of the most stunning exhibitions of nature to be found in this world, or the next. Out here, the landscape is dense with national forests and national monuments lauded for their stunning beauty and cultural histories, not to mention three separate national parks: Glacier, Yellowstone, and Grand Teton. Over 14 days, the itinerary careens over mountain passes, through emerald forests, and along the banks of sapphire lakes and rivers. While this route will knock the socks off of just about anyone, for those willing to get out in nature to hike, kayak, and horseback ride, the word “epic” doesn’t even begin to describe it.
Day 1: Bozeman
Fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) and spend the day exploring bustling Main Street filled with cool cafés and restaurants, or get out and enjoy hiking, mountain biking, fly-fishing, hot springs, and skiing in the area. Bed down at the stylish RSVP Hotel or the Lark, a sunny downtown hotel with an outdoor wood-burning fireplace and a patio overlooking Main Street.
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Days 2 and 3: Glacier National Park
Head northwest out of Bozeman towards the Montana state capital Helena, then north via Interstate 15. By the time you hit Highway 89, the views of Flathead National Forest and the Rocky Mountains are in full bloom. It takes about five hours to reach Glacier National Park, which has more than 700 miles of hiking trails to do solo or with a Glacier Guide. Fish at the park’s many lakes and rivers (no permit required) and take a drive down the famed Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the country’s most spectacular National Historic Landmarks. Camp out at one of the 13 campgrounds or book a few nights at the rustic Isaak Walton Inn.
Day 4: Missoula
Make a stop in beautiful Whitefish before heading south along the eastern shore of Flathead Lake (Highway 35) and into the city of Missoula. Explore the ghostly remains of Garnet, an early gold-mining town, or soak up some culture at the Missoula Art Museum. If you’re visiting in winter, hit the slopes at the Montana Snowbowl. During the summer, they run zipline tours over the chairlifts.
Day 5: Redfish Lake
Today’s route takes you through hundreds of miles of national forest and across the border into Idaho. Along the way, stop in Salmon, Idaho, take a rigorous hike to the Goldbug Hot Springs for a soak, or stop in at the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, and Education Center, which delves into the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Agaidika Shoshone-Bannock Nation from which their indigenous guide hailed. You’ll set up for the night in Stanley (stay in the suites and private cabins of Stanley High Country Inn with a rustic aesthetic adorned with modern touches) and then venture 20 minutes to Redfish Lake for an epic hiking adventure or a sunset cruise.
Day 6: Sun Valley
Take in the beauty of the Sawtooth National Forest on today’s short one-hour drive from Stanley to Sun Valley and the neighboring town of Ketchum. Sun Valley is a posh, all-season outdoor getaway. At the Resort, ski or snowboard in winter, and golf, go for a horseback ride, or hike the trails of Bald Mountain in summer. Have an elegant dinner at Sun Valley’s original dining room, the Ram, and stay in Hotel Ketchum. At this point you can opt for an extension to Shoshone Falls in southern Idaho or head straight to Jackson and the Tetons.
Day 7: Jackson Hole
Drive along the volcanic moonscape of Craters of the Moon National Monument and westward through southern Idaho until you hit Jackson, the southern gateway to Grand Teton National Park. If you need to stop and stretch your legs on the way, stop in Idaho Falls to stroll along the River Walk and see the eponymous waterfall. You’ll find plenty of lodging options in Jackson for your first night. The charming town is dense with art galleries and boutiques. The National Museum of Wildlife Art has an impressive collection of artistic renderings of animals from around the world. Get your own look at those that frequent this region of Wyoming at the National Elk Refuge on the edge of town. If you’re here in ski season, dedicate your day to Snow King Mountain Resort,Grand Targhee Resort, and Jackson Hole Mountain Resort—“the Big One.”
Days 8 and 9: Grand Teton National Park
In the morning, drive the 5 miles north to Grand Teton National Park, a land of rugged natural beauty. Popular sites and trails in the park include Jenny Lake, the Taggart Lake Trail, the Mormon Row Historic District and, of course, Grand Teton itself. On your first day, explore just north of Jenny Lake, pulling over to the Leigh Lake Trailhead for a hike. You can take the 3.8-mile loop around String Lake, or head north, then take the right-hand branch of the trail and follow the eastern shore of the lake (turn around at the campground on Trapper Lake) for a 9-mile hike. Spend your two nights at any of the excellent lodges or cabins in the park.
Your second day in the park, head back to Jenny Lake and catch a shuttle boat across to the western side, where you can take either a short hike along the Cascade Canyon Trail (2 miles round-trip) or hike the Forks of Cascade Canyon, a 9.6-mile trip that’s well worth the effort. If you’d rather explore Jenny Lake from the water, rent a canoe or kayak or take a guided tour.
Days 10, 11, 12: Yellowstone National Park
Get up bright and early to drive just 7 miles north to reach Yellowstone, festooned with hot springs and geysers. Spend your first day on the park’s 142-mile Grand Loop Road. This road forms a big figure eight as it passes nearly every major Yellowstone attraction, and offers interpretive displays, overlooks, and short trails along the way. For the most authentic Yellowstone experience, spend the night under the stars at the quiet Slough Creek Campground in Lamar Valley.
On your second day in the park, visit Old Faithful and take a short hike (about 2½ miles round-trip) around Mystic Falls, then head up to the Canyon Village section of the park for a look at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, with its two separate waterfalls. For a more strenuous option, hike from Dunraven Pass to the summit of Mt. Washburn for wildflowers, wildlife, and panoramic views (6.2 miles round-trip).
For your third day, explore the northern part of the park, starting with the Mammoth Hot Springs area, with its terraced limestone formations. From there, head past Tower-Roosevelt to the Lamar Valley in the far northeast corner of the park for gorgeous mountain views, enormous herds of bison, and your best chance to spot wolves. Then check out the Mud Volcano and Sulphur Caldron in the Hayden Valley area, just south of Canyon Village.
Day 13: Cody
Leave Yellowstone from the eastern entrance then drive an hour on towards Cody, a historic town with a Wild West pedigree. Named for showman Buffalo Bill Cody, the town of Cody takes great pride in its Old West history. Check out authentic cabins and artifacts from Wyoming’s pioneer days at Old Trail Town or stop in at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a complex of five museums that includes the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Plains Indians Museum, and the Cody Firearms Museum. Stay at a former working cattle ranch, K3 Guest Ranch Bed & Breakfast, which offers Western-themed accommodations and an all-inclusive breakfast cooked over a campfire.
Day 14: Bozeman
Head out early and drive three hours to end your tour where you began. There is much to do in the university town of Bozeman. See an impressive collection of dinosaur fossils at the Museum of the Rockies or browse the shops and galleries downtown. If you’re traveling in winter, hit the slopes at Bridger Bowl Ski Area. Grab dinner at the Blackbird Kitchen, a cute Italian spot with a wood-fired oven, or splurge on the last dinner of your road trip at Open Range, a classic Montana steak house. End your night on the town at the Bozeman institutions Rockin’ R Bar and the Haufbrau House.