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Montana trip of a lifetime! 3 week Journey: Glacier...   (2 posts)

  1. gerdop
    Member

    We were the high bidders at our kid's fund raising auction for a week's vacation to a Dude Ranch in Montana. The question is, how do I coordinate all of the other sites we want to see in addition to the week at the ranch. I am trying to fit a comfortable adventure into a 3 week long road trip. She wants to see Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons and I insist on seeing Glacier National Park. So, we are going to try and see all three. Oh yeah, I'll have two kids yelling, "how much longer" and "are we there yet all the way"!
    We plan to fly into Missoula from Washington D.C. on August 1st. Don't remind me we are visiting in August as there is nothing I can do about it. So here is the itinerary:
    Day 1: Grab a car and drive to Lake McDonald Lodge inside Glacier National Park (a very long day)
    Day 2: Lake McDonald Lodge
    Day 3: GTS Road and on to Many Glacier Lodge
    Day 4: Many Glacier Lodge
    Day 5: Journey up to the Canada side and stay at the Prince of Wales Hotel
    Day 6: Prince of Wales Hotel
    Day 7: A stop somewhere in between Glacier and Yellowstone.
    Any suggestions?
    Day 8: Roosevelt Lodge, Yellowstone
    Day 9: Roosevelt Lodge, Yellowstone
    Day 10: Roosevelt Lodge, Yellowstone
    Day 11: Grand Teton National Park: Any suggestions as to where we should stay. We have two kids (9 & 10)
    Day 12: GTNP
    Day 13: GTNP
    Day 14: GTNP
    Day 15: Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone
    Day 16: Old Faithful Inn, Yellowstone
    Then the last week of the trip we will be at a Dude Ranch in the Madison Range of Montana and we'll fly out of Bozeman.
    1. I am looking for Must See/Do suggestions in Glacier and Grand Teton.
    2. I also need a midway stop in between Glacier and Yellowstone.
    Am I doing too much in too little time? Is it worth visiting the Canadian side of Glacier?
    Thanks for the help!

    Posted 2 years ago #
  2. judd
    Member

    You're right... this will be the trip of a lifetime! My suggestion for breaking up your trip from Glacier to Yellowstone would be at either Great Falls or Helena. Both are good sized cities with decent motels. In Helena you can see the State Capitol, if that's of interest to you. I do think you'll have enough time to see all you want to see, particularly with a 9 and 10 year old along. In Glacier I would suggest taking the hike at Logan Pass on GTS Road up to the overview of Hidden Lakes. It begins on a boardwalk, is well-marked, and you will have a VERY good chance of seeing mountain goats which are almost tame and come within a few feet of you, as well as an abundance of wildflowers. At Many Glacier there is a flat walk around Swiftcurrent Lake (but don't do it at breakfast time... we came within 50 feet of a bear on the well-traveled path!) On one of your Many Glacier days, you might want to take the side trip down to the Two Medicine area. I haven't personally stayed at the Prince of Wales lodge but have driven past it, and there is some amazing scenery out the back door. In Grand Teton, take the boat across Jenny Lake and hike up to the falls and Inspiration Point. Also be sure to take a float trip down the Snake River. You'll probably see bald eages and the kids will have a great time. Take the kids to Jackson Hole to see the town square with all the antlers. You might want to consider staying somewhere like the Buckrail Lodge, which is only 6 blocks from town and has family cabin-like rooms. It is not as expensive as much of the accommodations in the area. Two other possibilities would be Jackson Lake Lodge (with incredible views) or Colter Bay, if you want to spend a little less. Have a great time!

    Posted 2 years ago #

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