Morning: Depart Rapid City early and head east toward the iconic Badlands National Park. Enjoy a short scenic drive through the park’s rugged limestone formations and snap photos at the Badlands Loop Road.
Afternoon: Continue north on I-90, stopping for lunch in the historic town of Wall, SD, famous for its giant dinosaur sculptures. Afterward, drive through the rolling prairies of the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument for a quick historic glimpse.
Evening: Arrive in Billings, MT where you can explore the vibrant downtown, enjoy dinner along the Riverfront Park, and rest at a comfortable hotel for the next day’s adventure.
Find HotelsMorning: Leave Billings early and drive west on I-90, making a brief stop at the stunning Yellowstone River Canyon viewpoint. Continue toward Livingston, MT for a coffee break and a walk along the historic Livingston Depot.
Afternoon: Follow US‑89 north through the scenic Lewis and Clark National Forest, stopping at Garnet Ghost Town for a quick exploration of Montana’s mining heritage. Arrive at the gateway town of East Glacier Park Village and head up the Going-to-the-Sun Road for breathtaking vistas.
Evening: Reach St. Mary at the east entrance of Glacier National Park. Check into a lodge, enjoy a sunset walk along St. Mary Lake, and dine under the stars before resting for more park adventures.
Find HotelsIf you have extra time, add an additional day to explore the interior of Glacier National Park, such as a hike to Hidden Lake or a boat tour on Lake McDonald. To shorten the trip, you can skip the detour to Garnet and head straight from Billings to St. Mary via US‑89, reducing travel time by about two hours.