Whitefish + Glacier National Park + Bigfork + Pray + Yellowstone National Park + Cooke City
Western Montana’s Glacier Country
After flying into Glacier Park International Airport and overnighting at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, begin your trip with a custom ice-climbing adventure. Glacier Tourbase can arrange an outing, and your friendly, experienced guide will rent you all the gear you need. Beginners are welcome. After a day on the ice, explore downtown Whitefish where you'll find boutiques and shops, local craft brews and extensive dining options. Make your way to the Tupelo Grille in the heart of downtown Whitefish, where artisan Southern cuisine pairs well with innovative cocktails and an award-winning wine list. Then head back to the lodge for a good night's rest.
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Western Montana’s Glacier Country
Glacier National Park is just 30 minutes from Whitefish, and winter is the perfect time to take to the park's trails. Trek by yourself, opt for a guide or take a two-hour ranger-led tour of the park's Apgar area. You'll discover the flora and fauna of the park and search for signs of wildlife—keep your eyes peeled for mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk and deer. These tours are usually offered mid-January to mid-March, so keep that in mind when planning. After a quiet day in the park, shop for locally crafted souvenirs at Montana House in West Glacier and then track down a slice of huckleberry pie at The Huckleberry Patch in Hungry Horse. Warm up with a drink at Glacier Distilling Company, then grab dinner at Stonefly Lounge. Overnight at Meadow Lake Resort in Columbia Falls.
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Western Montana’s Glacier Country
Forty minutes from Columbia Falls, glide across the groomed Nordic trails just northeast of Bigfork on the shores of Flathead Lake. The Bigfork Trail System offers 10 km of flat and gently rolling trails maintained by the Bigfork Community Nordic Center. You can rent equipment and get trail information at Base Camp Bigfork. Après ski, explore downtown Bigfork. Sip locally crafted spirits at Whistling Andy Distillery and grab dinner at Flathead Lake Brewing Company, where you'll find craft beer and delicious food. Overnight at Mountain Lake Lodge.
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It's about a 5.25-hour drive from Bigfork to Pray, Montana, situated in the breathtaking Paradise Valley. Fuel up in Bigfork before you take off—there are multiple cafés and coffee shops to get you set for your road trip. Stop in Bozeman for lunch at Jam!, Ted's Montana Grill or Co-Op Downtown. If there's time, explore the local shops and boutiques in downtown Bozeman.
Yellowstone Country
An hour south of Bozeman in Pray, make your way to Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa, nestled in the heart of the Paradise Valley at the base of the Absaroka Mountains. Book an authentically western carriage ride or a horseback trail ride from the Chico Horse Barn with Rockin' HK Outfitters. Rides range anywhere from one hour to a full day in Yellowstone National Park. After a day in the snow, soak in the healing mineral waters of Chico's hot spring pools. Post-soak, you'll find good food on-site at The Dining Room or the Saloon, and, if it's a weekend, you'll also be treated to some boot-stomping live music. If you're feeling fancy, reserve The Tasting Room in the Chico wine cellar for an intimate multicourse meal crafted by Chico's executive chef. Overnight in one of Chico's private cabins or in the historic main Lodge.
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Yellowstone Country
Wake up at Chico and head to their Espresso Bar and then grab a hearty breakfast at The Dining Room. From Pray, you'll head to Gardiner—the northeast entrance to Yellowstone. Take a selfie at the famous Roosevelt Arch before embarking on this magical wintertime tour of America's first national park. The road from Gardiner to Cooke City travels through Yellowstone's famous wildlife-laden Lamar Valley. Keep your eyes peeled for elk, deer, bison, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope, and, of course, wolves. Once you hit the sister outposts of Cooke City-Silver Gate, you're ready to rest up for tomorrow's sled day. Grab dinner at The Bistro and overnight at a lodge, cabin or hotel in Cooke City.
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Yellowstone Country
Wake up to a sweet treat at the Bearclaw Bakery before exploring miles of world-class snowmobiling terrain in Cooke City. Climb to Daisy Pass at 10,000 feet. Free ride Henderson Mountain. Explore old mining country, play in deep powder meadows and boondock through the trees. Then, tell your sled story at the Miners Saloon. Cooke City might be small (population 140) but it packs a big punch. Note: This time of year, Cooke City is the “end of the line.” The only way in and out is through the park's northeast entrance in Gardiner.
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Always check road reports and weather conditions when traveling through Montana in the wintertime.
If you’re flying in:
Glacier Country Airports
Yellowstone Country Airports
If you’re renting a car:
Glacier Country Car Rentals
Yellowstone Country Car Rentals
Plan ahead and be prepared, ensuring safer, more enjoyable travels and less impact.
Pack the right gear, take precautions, know your limits, and engage in activities that match your skill level.
Take care of our trails and waterways by riding responsibly specific to your motorized activity.
Help prevent aquatic invasive species by following Clean.Drain.Dry. principles and watercraft inspections requirements.
Recognize and acknowledge when you enter tribal lands, know tribal guidelines, and secure a tribal conservation permits for recreation.
Help prevent wildland fires. Attend to and extinguish campfires properly, and know current fire restrictions.
View wildlife from a safe distance. Never approach, touch or feed wildlife. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Respect all public lands, waters, tribal lands and local communities. Pack it in, pack it out.
Be thoughtful about and aware of your impact, embrace inclusivity, and respect communities and fellow adventurers.
