Montana road trip: Yellowstone to Glacier National Park
Explore Montana's vast wilderness across a 4,768 km route connecting iconic destinations including Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, Bozeman, Big Sky, and the scenic Beartooth Highway. This journey showcases pristine alpine lakes, mountain passes, and valleys shaped by geothermal activity and glacial erosion.
- Distance
- 4767.8 km
- Mode
- route
- Start
- Welcome to Montana
- End
- Paradise Valley
- Stops
- 24
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Welcome to Montana
- Yellowstone National Park — Largest supervolcano in North America; home to more than half the world's geysers and the Yellowstone Caldera
- Hebgen Lake — Lake near Yellowstone in the Rocky Mountains
- Quake Lake — Lake in southwestern Montana formed by seismic activity
- Glacier National Park — Northwestern Montana park on the US–Canada border; features Going to the Sun Road completed in 1932
- Alta Mine — Historic mining site near Corbin in Jefferson County, Montana
- Bozeman — City in Gallatin Valley; common stop on the way to Yellowstone; center of historic Bozeman Trail
- Grinnell Glacier — Alpine glacier nestled in Glacier National Park, accessible via turquoise Grinnell Lake, showcasing dramatic glacial geology and high-altitude ecosystems.
- Lake McDonald — Largest lake in Glacier National Park
- Logan Pass — Highest point reachable by car in Glacier National Park at 6,600+ ft; sits on the continental divide
- Bitterroot Valley — Valley in southwestern Montana following the Bitterroot River; center of modern cowboy culture; extends toward Idaho border and Missoula
- Lolo National Forest — Nearly 2 million acres of mountains, lakes, and valleys on the western edge of Montana
- Blankenship Bridge — Quiet riverside stop for outdoor enthusiasts near Columbia Falls
- Whitefish Lake — Lake in northwestern Montana near Whitefish
- Big Sky — Ski resort and mountain community in south-central Montana
- Gallatin River — Renowned fly-fishing destination flowing through southwestern Montana, offering clear waters and scenic canyon passages through pristine wilderness.
- Holland Lake
- Lone Peak — Distinctive 11,166-foot pyramid-shaped mountain dominating the Bob Marshall Wilderness, iconic for mountaineers and a landmark visible across remote valleys.
- Yellowstone River
- Beartooth Highway — Scenic mountain highway in south-central Montana connecting to Yellowstone region
- Madison River — River flowing through Yellowstone ecosystem; joins two other rivers at Three Forks to form the Missouri River after ~140 miles
- Flathead River — River in northwestern Montana flowing from Glacier National Park region
- Flathead Lake — Large freshwater lake in northwestern Montana
- Paradise Valley — Valley in south-central Montana running north to south; bordered by Absaroka Range on east and Gallatin Range on west; leads to Yellowstone's north entrance at Gardiner
Useful for your trip
- Avoid
- Keep your distance from wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and moose to protect both yourself and the animals.
- Tip
- Grizzly bears can sprint at 35 mph, faster than an Olympic runner, so be aware of wildlife safety precautions.
- Timing
- Hebgen Lake and Quake Lake are best visited during summer months for fishing, boating, and camping activities.
- Tip
- The Madison River is a blue ribbon trout river with brown trout, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout in large numbers.
- Transport
- Glacier National Park has limited road access to protect the land, with only a few roads passing through the 1 million+ acres.
- Tip
- Glacier National Park's famous Going to the Sun Road was completed in 1932 and opens the heart of the park to visitors.
- Timing
- Yellowstone National Park covers nearly 9,000 km and contains more than half of the world's geysers.
- Tip
- At night in Montana, stars feel close enough to touch due to the vast landscape and minimal light pollution.
Video on this route
Wonders of Montana | The Last Best Place on Earth | Travel Video 4K