Columbia Falls, MT Road Trip from Loomis, CA (Sept 4 – Sept 16)

Day 1: Departure & Drive to Missoula

Morning: Leave Loomis early and head east on I‑80, enjoying the Sierra foothills. Stop for breakfast in Reno and refuel before tackling the Great Basin.

Afternoon: Cross into Nevada, then Utah, with a scenic lunch stop near Salt Lake City. Continue north on I‑15 and I‑90, reaching Missoula, MT by evening.

Evening: Check into a downtown Missoula hotel, unwind with a stroll along the Clark Fork River, and dine at a local brewery.

Day 2: Missoula to Columbia Falls

Morning: Explore Missoula’s Downtown and the Ravalli County Museum before departing for Columbia Falls (≈2 hrs).

Afternoon: Arrive in Columbia Falls, settle into your lodging, and visit the charming Columbia Falls Farmers Market for fresh snacks.

Evening: Enjoy a relaxed dinner at a riverside restaurant and a sunset walk along the Columbia River.

Day 3: Glacier National Park – West Side

Morning: Drive to the West Glacier entrance of Glacier National Park and hike the Logan Pass trail, spotting wildlife.

Afternoon: Continue to Lake McDonald for a paddle‑boat ride and a picnic on the lakeshore.

Evening: Return to Columbia Falls for a hearty meal; optional stargazing near the Flathead River.

Day 4: Glacier National Park – Going-to-the-Sun Road

Morning: Embark on the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road, stopping at the spectacular St. Mary Glacier viewpoint.

Afternoon: Descend to Lake McDonald again for a short hike to Avalanche Lake, enjoying alpine scenery.

Evening: Dinner back in Columbia Falls, with a relaxed evening at the hotel lounge.

Day 5: Flathead Lake & Whitefish

Morning: Take a short drive to Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, and explore the waterfront at Bigfork.

Afternoon: Head north to Whitefish, ride the gondola at Whitefish Mountain Resort, and wander the vibrant downtown shops.

Evening: Return to Columbia Falls, stopping for dinner at a lakeside eatery in Bigfork.

Day 6: Outdoor Adventure – Hiking & Biking

Morning: Hit the trail at Bob Marshall Wilderness for a guided hike to Lake Josephine, spotting eagles and elk.

Afternoon: Enjoy a mountain‑bike ride along the Great Northern Railway Trail, offering scenic views of the Flathead Valley.

Evening: Relax with a soak in a local hot spring resort near Kalispell, then return for dinner.

Day 7: Cultural Day – Museums & History

Morning: Visit the Glacier Park Lodge for its historic architecture and the Flathead County Museum.

Afternoon: Take a short drive to the Huckleberry Hall for a tasting tour of local jams and honey.

Evening: Attend a live music performance at the Columbia Falls Community Center or a nearby venue.

Day 8: Day Trip to Missoula

Morning: Return to Missoula; explore the scenic University of Montana campus and the Montana Natural History Center.

Afternoon: Lunch at a farm‑to‑table café, then stroll through the Caras Park gardens.

Evening: Drive back to Columbia Falls, enjoying the night‑time mountain views along I‑90.

Day 9: Leisure Day – Local Exploration

Morning: Leisurely breakfast at a downtown café, followed by a walk along the Columbia Riverwalk.

Afternoon: Optional kayak rental on Flathead River or a visit to the nearby Bear Paw Mountains for a short hike.

Evening: Farewell dinner featuring Montana trout and local craft beer.

Day 10: Start Return Drive – Westward

Morning: Pack up and depart Columbia Falls, heading west toward Missoula.

Afternoon: Stop for lunch in Missoula and refuel; continue on I‑90 towards the Idaho border.

Evening: Overnight in Coeur d’Alene, ID, with a lakeside stroll.

Day 11: Through Idaho & Nevada

Morning: Depart Coeur d’Alene, cross into Idaho’s scenic Sawtooth region, and grab breakfast in Boise.

Afternoon: Continue south on I‑84, passing the high desert of Nevada; stop at the historic town of Ely for a quick bite.

Evening: Overnight in Reno, NV, enjoying the riverwalk and casino lights.

Day 12: Nevada to California

Morning: Early departure from Reno, heading back east on I‑80 toward Sacramento.

Afternoon: Lunch in Sacramento and a brief visit to the California State Capitol Museum.

Evening: Arrive back in Loomis, CA; unpack and relax after the adventure.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Glacier National Park – 2 days (≈ 6 hrs/day) – $30 park entry + $50 guided hike = $130
• Lake McDonald – 1 half‑day – $15 boat rental = $15
• Going-to-the-Sun Road – 1 day – $0 (included with park entry) = $0
• Flathead Lake & Bigfork – 1 day – $20 lunch + $10 parking = $30
• Whitefish Mountain Resort – 1 half‑day – $45 gondola = $45
• Bob Marshall Wilderness hike – 1 day – $0 (self‑guided) = $0
• Great Northern Railway Trail (bike) – 1 half‑day – $25 bike rental = $25
• Hot Springs near Kalispell – 1 evening – $20 entry = $20
• Missoula day trip – 1 day – $15 museum entry + $30 meals = $45
• Local dining & meals – 13 days – average $40/day = $520
• Accommodation – 12 nights – average $120/night = $1,440
• Fuel (round‑trip ~2,300 mi) – $4.00/gal, 30 mpg ≈ 77 gal = $308
• Miscellaneous (souvenirs, tips) – $200 = $200
• Total Estimated Cost – $2,963

Tips

To extend the adventure, add an extra day in Glacier National Park for deeper backcountry hikes or a boat tour on Lake McDonald. If you need to shorten the trip, skip the Missoula day‑trip and combine Day 6’s hiking and biking into a single half‑day, allowing an earlier start on the return drive. Adjust accommodations to budget motels for further savings, or choose boutique lodges for a more luxurious experience.