Montana Road Trip: 7-Day Itinerary

With one week, you can get a sweeping look at some of Montana’s most iconic landscapes, from Glacier’s alpine peaks and glacial lakes to Yellowstone’s wildlife-rich valleys, geysers, and canyons. This seven-day itinerary is designed for travelers who want to experience the grandeur and variety of the American West in one unforgettable road trip, pairing two legendary national parks with scenic drives and nights under Montana’s star-filled skies. Here’s your guide to planning a seven-day Montana road trip to Glacier and Yellowstone.

7-Day Montana Road Trip: Getting Around & Where To Stay

This Montana road trip works best as an open-jaw itinerary: fly into Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) near Kalispell or Missoula International Airport (MSO) for the Glacier portion, then return home from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) after Yellowstone. Along the way, you can sleep under the stars in comfort and style while staying close to the landscapes that make Montana so unforgettable. Under Canvas Glacier is about seven miles from Glacier’s west entrance, Under Canvas North Yellowstone – Paradise Valley is about 45 minutes from Bozeman and well positioned for the park’s north side, and Under Canvas West Yellowstone is about 10 minutes from Yellowstone’s West Entrance, putting the park’s famous geothermal sights within easy reach.

7-Day Montana Yellowstone Road Trip Snapshot

Total distance: 970 miles

Start/end point: Kalispell (or Missoula)/Bozeman, Montana

Best time to go: Late spring through early fall (May through October)

Day 1: Travel to Glacier and Settle in at Under Canvas Glacier

Drive time: 40 minutes | Distance: 20 miles

Fly into Glacier Park International Airport, pick up a rental car, and make your way toward West Glacier. This is the kind of arrival day that still feels scenic from the start, with the Flathead River, forested slopes, and mountain peaks building anticipation before you even enter the park.

Enjoy the scenic drive along U.S. Highway 2 and consider a stop at Huckleberry Patch for a delicious introduction to Montana’s flavors.

After a travel day, keep the rest of the schedule easy. Check in at Under Canvas Glacier, settle into camp, enjoy al fresco dining, and let the landscape set the tone for the trip.

If you arrive early in the day, take a short drive to Apgar Village and Lake McDonald (8 miles), or simply soak in your first evening beneath the trees and stars.

Day 2: Going-to-the-Sun Road, Logan Pass, and Lake McDonald

Drive time: 4–6 hours | Distance: 80 miles

Today is all about Glacier’s west side and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. This transmountain road stretches 50 miles from West Glacier to St. Mary and climbs to Logan Pass at 6,466 feet, with one beautiful pullout after another along the way. This is a full and rewarding day in the Crown of the Continent, best enjoyed with an early start and a flexible approach to your stops. Plan to stop at Lake McDonald for those glassy, mountain-ringed views, then continue upward toward Logan Pass for alpine scenery and one of the park’s most iconic settings. Because the full opening date over Logan Pass varies year to year, it is always smart to check the NPS road status before you go.

On the way back down the west side, stop for the Trail of the Cedars, a peaceful 0.9-mile loop along Avalanche Creek, then continue onto the 5-mile round-trip Avalanche Lake Trail if you want a classic Glacier hike.

If you would rather leave the driving to someone else, you can also book a guided tour of Going-to-the-Sun Road with an expert guide for a more relaxed, insight-filled experience, with stops at Lake McDonald, Trail of the Cedars, Logan Pass, Jackson Glacier Overlook, and more.

At the end of a rewarding day, gather around the campfire for live music, share stories from the day’s adventures, and make s’mores beneath the evening sky.

Day 3: Many Glacier and Grinnell Glacier

Drive time: 5–6 hours | Distance: 140 miles

Spend today exploring Many Glacier, one of the most spectacular corners of the park. Known for its dramatic peaks, abundant wildlife, and access to popular hiking trails like Grinnell Glacier, Iceberg Lake, and Swiftcurrent Pass.

The drive from West Glacier to Many Glacier is about 70 miles and takes 2.5 to 3 hours each way, so this is best approached as an early-start day. The payoff is worth it: towering peaks, glaciers, turquoise lakes, and a landscape that feels wild and awe-inspiring.

If your goal is Grinnell Glacier, treat it as the main event. The Grinnell Glacier Viewpoint is about a 5-mile one-way hike from the trailhead, though a boat option can shorten the approach. Be sure to book the boat tour in advance and arrive early, as parking areas fill quickly.

If you would prefer a different kind of experience, consider swapping Many Glacier for a guided adventure, such as a guided group hike to Hidden Lake, kayaking on Whitefish Lake, or whitewater rafting on the Middle Fork of the Flathead River for an adrenaline rush and stunning mountain views.

After a fulfilling day exploring Glacier Country, return to Under Canvas Glacier for a restful evening beneath Montana’s big, star-filled sky.

Day 4: Drive from Glacier to North Yellowstone

Drive time: 6 hours | Distance: 370 miles

Today is your big transfer day from Glacier to Yellowstone Country. Under Canvas Glacier is about six hours from Under Canvas North Yellowstone – Paradise Valley without stops, which makes this a long but very doable drive.

Head south through western Montana via a section of the Montana Scenic Loop, through the Flathead National Forest, and passing by Seeley Lake. Savor the journey and stretch your legs at pullouts to admire the views. Make a quick detour near Butte for a Continental Divide photo op before continuing toward Paradise Valley.

By evening, arrive at Under Canvas North Yellowstone – Paradise Valley for two nights of safari-inspired glamping surrounded by picturesque ranchland along the Yellowstone River. After a long day on the road, this is the right place to slow down, enjoy dinner, and ease into the Yellowstone portion of the trip.

Day 5: North Yellowstone Highlights: Mammoth Hot Springs, Lamar Valley, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Drive time: 6–8 hours | Distance: 70 miles

Start early and devote the day to Yellowstone’s Upper Loop. While the route itself is only 70 miles and takes about two hours to drive without stops, Yellowstone is best enjoyed at a slower pace. With 45 mph speed limits, scenic pullouts, wildlife sightings, and bison jams, this loop can easily fill an entire day. You can begin wherever it makes the most sense for your plans, whether that means heading straight to Lamar Valley at sunrise or looping from the North Entrance.

If you begin at the North Entrance, your first major stop will be Mammoth Hot Springs, where boardwalks wind through steaming travertine terraces. While you’re there, stop by the historic Albright Visitor Center and take the short Upper Terrace Drive for even more views.

From there, continue east, stopping at 60-foot Undine Falls and 132-foot Tower Fall to break up the drive to Lamar Valley. Tower Fall has a large parking area and restrooms, making it a convenient place for a pause.

Next, head to Lamar Valley, often called “America’s Serengeti” for its wide-open scenery and exceptional wildlife viewing. It’s one of Yellowstone’s best places to spot bison, elk, wolves, pronghorn, and other wildlife. Bring binoculars and treat this stretch like a safari adventure. Remember to keep a safe distance from wildlife.

After Lamar Valley, get back on the Upper Loop and drive over Dunraven Pass toward Mount Washburn. Continue to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, one of the park’s most iconic landscapes. Make your way to Artist Point, where you can see the Lower Falls plunging into the colorful canyon below. (If you’re short on time, you can save the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone for Day 4 since it intersects with the Lower Loop.)

Head west to Norris Geyser Basin, one of Yellowstone’s most active and dramatic thermal areas. Walk the Porcelain Basin boardwalk to see bubbling pools and steaming vents, then, if time allows, continue into the Back Basin to see features like Steamboat Geyser, the tallest active geyser in the world.

Complete the loop and return to Under Canvas North Yellowstone – Paradise Valley. After a full day in the park, refresh with a hot shower, unwind with dinner, live acoustic music, and s’mores under the stars.

Day 6: Park Crossing from North to West Yellowstone

Drive time: 2–4 hours | Distance: 50 miles

Today, you will head south and west through Yellowstone toward West Yellowstone, turning your transfer day into a relaxed scenic drive. The most direct route from the Mammoth area follows the west side of Yellowstone’s Grand Loop Road via Norris and Madison before exiting through the West Entrance.

A worthwhile stop is Gibbon Falls, an 84-foot waterfall near the Madison Junction area that’s easy to access and worth a short pause.

As you continue toward Madison Junction, enjoy the river corridor and pull over if a scenic view catches your eye. This is a good day to leave space for spontaneity, whether that means one more quick stop, a picnic break, or lingering a little longer in an area of the park.

By late afternoon, exit near West Yellowstone and check in at Under Canvas West Yellowstone for two nights of upscale glamping.

Day 7: West Yellowstone Highlights: Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Hayden Valley, Yellowstone Lake

Drive time: 6–8 hours | Distance: 96 miles

Exploring from Yellowstone’s West Entrance, you’ll find some of the park’s most famous sights, including Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring. The west side offers a very different experience from the northern range, with steaming pools, bursting geysers, and colorful thermal features. Similar to the Upper Loop, the route itself isn’t long but will easily fill an entire day.

Start early and focus on the key sights you want to see. Old Faithful and the surrounding Upper Geyser Basin make an excellent start to the morning, followed by nearby Grand Prismatic Spring and Fountain Paint Pot.

Continue along the loop and, if you missed them on the Upper Loop day, make optional stops at Norris Geyser Basin and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, since this route passes both. Otherwise, head straight to Hayden Valley for wildlife spotting, which is often best in the early morning or late afternoon.

From Hayden Valley, make your way to West Thumb Geyser Basin for colorful hot springs and bubbling pools located near Yellowstone Lake.

Complete the loop and return to Under Canvas West Yellowstone for one more night of sleeping under the Montana stars.

Day 8: Drive from West Yellowstone to Bozeman

Drive time: 2 hours | Distance: 90 miles

Enjoy a slow morning with breakfast al fresco, guided yoga, or a gentle nature walk. Then begin the scenic drive to Bozeman. If you return via US-191, the route follows the Gallatin River through Gallatin Canyon for a beautiful final stretch.

After seven nights split between Glacier and Yellowstone’s north and west sides, you’ll have witnessed what makes both of these parks so unforgettable: alpine peaks, glacial lakes, wildlife-rich valleys, famous geysers, colorful geothermal basins, and sweeping mountain scenery, for a truly rewarding Montana road trip.

Tips for a Yellowstone Road Trip

• America the Beautiful Pass: An annual pass covers entrance to national parks and pays for itself on this itinerary.
• Timed Entry Requirements: Check the NPS website for reservation, timed-entry, and permit requirements.
• Park Day Essentials: Pack snacks, plenty of water, sturdy shoes, and sun protection to stay comfortable.
• Fuel & Cell Service: Fill up when you can and download offline maps since cell service is limited. Gas is not available inside Glacier National Park. There are several gas stations in Yellowstone National Park.
• Stay & Save: Staying at two or more Under Canvas camps gets you 20% off your multi-camp stay. Contact the reservations team at 888-496-1148 or reservations@undercanvas.com.

Where to Stay on a Montana Yellowstone Trip

Immerse yourself in the great outdoors with upscale, safari-inspired glamping at Under Canvas camps in Montana. Each camp blends comfort and adventure through thoughtfully designed canvas tents, upscale amenities, optional en suite bathrooms, cozy king-size beds, dining, and campfire traditions. Enjoy daily camp programming for all ages, nightly s’mores, and adventures for an unparalleled experience in nature while staying close to the parks.

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