Looking for an unforgettable road trip with family or friends? Or maybe you’re craving some solo time in one of the most scenic parts of the U.S.? Either way, this Montana and Wyoming national park road trip is a great option.
You can tailor the trip to fit your style, but I highly recommend including these three standouts: Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Grand Teton National Park. They are some of the most popular national parks in the country, and for good reason.
Now, you could easily spend a week exploring each of them, but that’s the beauty of planning your own trip- you get to decide what works best for your schedule. How long you stay depends on how you like to travel, what kind of activities you’re into, and what time of year you go.
Unless you already live in the region, I suggest flying in and renting a car. This itinerary involves a lot of driving. If you’re a hiker who loves long trails and spending full days in the parks, give yourself more time at each stop to really explore. And if you’re going in summer (peak season), expect more crowds and traffic, which can stretch out your driving time.
My personal pick? Go in September. It’s shoulder season, so the weather’s still great, the crowds thin out a bit, and you’ll have a more relaxed experience all around.
Points of Interest to add to your
Montana and Wyoming National Park Road Trip
Glacier National Park
Montana– beautiful, rugged, and even more breathtaking than I imagined. Glacier National Park captures all of that in one place. With crystal-clear Lake McDonald and the stunning Going-to-the-Sun Road, it’s easy to see why this park is such a favorite. These two spots alone are worth the trip.
Check out my post on Glacier and see my recommendations for the park!
Downtown Big Fork, MT
If you are looking for a cute little Montana downtown, check out Big Fork, located at the end of Flathead Lake. It happens to be smack dab in the middle of Wayfarers/Flathead Lake State Park. This park is known for the picnic areas, a campground, and a waterfront walk considered one of the best places to see the sunset over the Lake!
National Bison Range
In the middle of nowhere, Montana (actually located in Charlo ?), there is a National Bison Range which was established by Teddy Roosevelt in 1908 in an effort “to maintain a representative herd of bison, under reasonably natural conditions, to ensure the preservation of the species.”
This was one of the prettiest spots to me because of how isolated it was. Hopefully, you will have better luck than I did and see a lot of bison. We only saw a handful!
Missoula, MT
If you are looking for caffeine or a happy hour stop, Missoula is the perfect stop! This college town is home to the University of Montana, so it has a young & fresh vibe. That also means there are lots of cool restaurants too!
Chief Joseph Ranch in Darby, MT
If you are a big fan of the television show Yellowstone, then a stop in Darby, Montana, which happens to be along the route, is a must. If you are able (meaning if filming is not ongoing at the time), consider staying a night at the Chief Joseph Ranch, the home background for the infamous Dutton family. It also happens to be insanely gorgeous!
Bannack Ghost Town
When planning our trip, I was looking for things to do in between park visits, and one of the things that I kept seeing in my research was ghost towns. Apparently, everyone thought I really needed to visit one, and Montana had a good handful of them. I was skeptical at first, but after finding photos of Bannack, I knew I had to go.
This was perhaps one of my favorite stops, and I cannot recommend it enough! Seriously, check it out if you can!
Grand Teton National Park
Listen, I have been to a lot of pretty places, but I think Grand Teton National Park just about tops the list. I’m not sure what makes it feel so magical—the snow-capped peaks, the stunning mountain lakes, or the old homesteader barns that somehow make the whole place feel timeless. Be sure to visit Jenny Lake & String Lake. They are two completely different lakes, but oh so gorgeous!
Check out my post for more recommendations on Grand Teton National Park!
National Elk Refuge
Located in Jackson Hole, the National Elk Refuge is open to the public and free! It’s an easy drive and I think the best place to get those panoramic views of the Grand Tetons! During the winter, the first 3.5 miles are only open for driving. According to the website, the refuge was created as a winter habitat for 6,000-8,000 elk as they travel down to lower elevations, so you may not see any elk in the summertime. But alas, I still think this is a great place to get those must-see Grand Teton photos!
Jackson, Wyoming
Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is considered the “hub of outdoor recreation opportunity.” Both in summer and winter- no matter the weather, the city is bound to be full of tourists to the brim. There are tons of restaurants and souvenir shops to find the perfect gift to bring home or to find a respite from the weather outdoors!
Check out my detailed Jackson Hole Winter trip!
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone, America’s first National Park, is seriously one of the most diverse places in the country and definitely worth all of the hype! Seeing the colorful thermal pools, the gushing geysers, the rushing waterfalls, and the animals will make you realize that everything you have seen didn’t do the park justice. This expansive park has it all. Prepare for bison, elk, and possibly a bear sighting too!
Click to read my detailed guide on Yellowstone and my top park recommendations!
No matter how you decide to plan it- whether you’re looping through all the parks or starting at Glacier and making your way down to Jackson Hole– this road trip is packed with unforgettable stops. And the best part? You can shape it to fit your own pace and interests. I’ve put together maps for both routes, so all you have to do is pick the one that feels right and hit the road. Trust me, this adventure through Montana and Wyoming is one you won’t forget.
Route Options for your
Montana and Wyoming National Park Road Trip
Full Circular route starting/ending in Helena, MT
Distance: approximately 1100 miles
Driving Time: 23 hours
Although not the most practical route, we chose the circular route option for our trip for two big reasons: to save $$ on airfare and rental car pricing. We were using a free Delta companion ticket that required a round-trip fare (as opposed to a multi-city). It was also cheaper to pick up and return our car to the same airport. If you need to do a complete circle route like I did, I highly suggest flying to Helena, Montana. Not only was it the cheapest round-trip fare, but the airport is also delightful, small, and has the most convenient car rental location right next to the luggage pick-up.
Circular NP Road Trip by At Home On Hudson on RoadtrippersGlacier National Park to Jackson Hole, WY Route
Distance: approximately 730 miles
Driving Time: 17 hours
Although not the most cost-efficient route typically, this is the shortest in miles and drive time. This was our original plan before we learned we had to do a round-trip airfare for my companion ticket. If you have a little extra $$ and perhaps not as much time, this is the route for you!
Glacier National Park to Jackson, Wyoming Road Trip on RoadtrippersTips for your Montana and Wyoming National Park Road Trip
- Travel during the shoulder season in September to get nicer weather and fewer people/traffic.
- Purchase an America the Beautiful National Park Pass to save $$ on National Park entrance fees. They are only $80.00 for a year. Each park entrance fee is $35.00, so you are saving $25.00 already if you are visiting all three of these national parks on this trip or any other national parks or federal sites throughout the year.
- Consider staying outside of the parks when possible to save extra $$ on nightly stays and gas.
- Hit a grocery store before hitting the parks for sandwich supplies and snacks for picnic lunches in the park. You will be in the middle of the park with no food options, and it was very convenient to eat at the many picnic areas!
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The cool aunt. Plant novice who loves to travel to cool places, eat unadventurous food, and take pretty photos.
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