Montana & Yellowstone Adventure – August 27 – September 4, 2025

Day 1: Arrival – Whitefish & Glacier NP (August 27)

Morning: Arrive at Missoula Airport and pick up a compact SUV rental. Drive to the Firebrand Hotel in Whitefish, drop off luggage and grab a quick snack.

Afternoon: Head to the West Glacier entrance of Glacier National Park and hike the Avalanche Lake Trail (5.9 mi round‑trip). The early evening timing reduces crowds, and you may spot moose or bears from a safe distance.

Evening: Return to Whitefish for dinner at Tupelo Grille (or Abruzzo Italian Kitchen) and settle in for the night at the Firebrand Hotel.

Day 2: Highline Trail & Hidden Lake (August 28)

Morning: Breakfast, then drive to Apgar Village and catch the early shuttle to Logan Pass. Begin the iconic Highline Trail toward Granite Park Chalet (or the shorter Haystack Butte option).

Afternoon: After a rewarding summit, return via shuttle and enjoy a packed lunch at Logan Pass. Then hike the Hidden Lake Overlook Trail for spectacular valley views.

Evening: Drive back to Whitefish for dinner at Last Chair Kitchen & Bar and another comfortable night at the Firebrand Hotel.

Day 3: Many Glacier & Grinnell Glacier (August 29)

Morning: Check out of Whitefish and drive along Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road to the Many Glacier Hotel, stopping briefly at Jackson Glacier Overlook.

Afternoon: Embark on the challenging Grinnell Glacier Trail, enjoying alpine scenery and possible wildlife sightings. Return to the hotel to relax by Swiftcurrent Lake.

Evening: Dine in the historic Ptarmigan Dining Room and spend the night at Many Glacier Hotel.

Day 4: Swiftcurrent Loop & Return to Missoula (August 30)

Morning: A gentle hike around the Swiftcurrent Lake Loop offers early‑morning wildlife viewing before checking out.

Afternoon: Begin the 4‑hour drive back to Missoula, stopping for lunch in Kalispell at Moose’s Saloon. Arrive at the Holiday Inn Express and unwind.

Evening: Enjoy dinner at The Notorious P.I.G. (or Plonk) and rest for the next day’s adventure.

Day 5: Paws Up Resort & Garnet Ghost Town (August 31)

Morning: Short drive to The Resort at Paws Up for a guided hike on the Blackfoot River Trail, spotting elk and osprey.

Afternoon: Lunch at Pomp Restaurant before heading back to Missoula. Visit the historic Garnet Ghost Town for a glimpse of Montana mining history.

Evening: Dinner at Tamarack Brewing (or Big Dipper Ice Cream) and another night at the Holiday Inn Express.

Day 6: Drive to West Yellowstone & Fairy Falls (September 1)

Morning: Check out and drive to West Yellowstone, checking into the Kelly Inn after a quick coffee stop.

Afternoon: Enter Yellowstone via the West Entrance and hike the Fairy Falls Trail to the Grand Prismatic Spring Overlook, enjoying geothermal colors and possible bison sightings.

Evening: Return to West Yellowstone for dinner at Madison Crossing Lounge and settle in at the Kelly Inn.

Day 7: Old Faithful, Hayden & Lamar Valleys (September 2)

Morning: Early drive to Old Faithful for an eruption, then hike the Observation Point & Mystic Falls Trail for dramatic geyser basin views.

Afternoon: Lunch at the Old Faithful Inn followed by wildlife spotting in Hayden Valley and a hike to Artist Point overlooking the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Evening: Drive to Lamar Valley for prime wolf and bear viewing before heading back to the Kelly Inn for dinner at The Branch Restaurant.

Day 8: Norris, Mammoth & Bozeman (September 3)

Morning: Visit Norris Geyser Basin and walk the easy Porcelain & Back Basin Trails.

Afternoon: Explore the terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs, then drive to Bozeman, checking into the EVEN Hotel. A short hike to Grotto Falls in Hyalite Canyon provides a refreshing waterfall view.

Evening: Dinner at Montana Ale Works (or Blackbird Kitchen) and a comfortable night at the EVEN Hotel.

Day 9: Museum of the Rockies & Departure (September 4)

Morning: Early visit to the Museum of the Rockies for a quiet dinosaur exhibit before checking out.

Afternoon: Return the SUV at Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport and catch the flight home, arriving back at GSP in the evening.

Evening: Reflect on the adventure and start planning the next trip!

Time and Cost Estimates

• Missoula Airport arrival & car rental – 1 hr – $50/day × 8 days = $400
• Firebrand Hotel (2 nights) – 2 nights – $180/night = $360
• Avalanche Lake Trail – 3 hr – free (park pass covers)
• Highline Trail to Granite Park Chalet – 5 hr – free
• Hidden Lake Overlook – 2 hr – free
• Many Glacier Hotel (2 nights) – 2 nights – $250/night = $500
• Grinnell Glacier Trail – 5 hr – free
• Ptarmigan Dining Room dinner – 1 hr – $35
• Holiday Inn Express (2 nights) – 2 nights – $130/night = $260
• Paws Up Resort Blackfoot River Trail – 3 hr – free (guide included in resort fee)
• Garnet Ghost Town visit – 1 hr – free
• Kelly Inn (3 nights) – 3 nights – $140/night = $420
• Fairy Falls & Grand Prismatic Overlook – 3 hr – free
• Old Faithful & Mystic Falls hike – 3 hr – free
• Hayden Valley wildlife viewing – 1 hr – free
• Artist Point & Canyon hike – 2 hr – free
• Lamar Valley wildlife viewing – 1 hr – free
• EVEN Hotel (1 night) – 1 night – $150
• Grotto Falls Trail – 1.5 hr – free
• Museum of the Rockies – 1 hr – $12 admission
• America the Beautiful Pass (covering Glacier & Yellowstone) – 1 yr – $80
• Bear spray (purchase in Whitefish) – 1 unit – $45
• Fuel for road trips – approx. 800 mi – $200
• Meals (average $30/day) – 9 days – $270
• Souvenirs & misc. – $100
• Total Estimated Cost – $2,785

Tips

To extend the trip, add an extra night at Many Glacier Hotel for a sunrise hike to Iceberg Lake, or spend a full day exploring the Two Medicine area of Glacier. If you need to shorten the itinerary, skip the Garnet Ghost Town visit and combine the Blackfoot River Trail hike with the afternoon drive back to Missoula, allowing an earlier departure for Yellowstone.