Road Trip: Northwest Montana

A road trip is one of the most American travel concepts there is. Leaving home to explore a new world, while zigzagging through dusty roads and urban centers is only one of the thrills. The beauty of a road trip is that while you normally have a destination in mind, the journey is usually the best part. How you get there is all up to you and what stops you make can be decided on the seat of your pants. No need to make a plan if you don’t want to. You can’t make detours or put your hands out the window in rushing wind on an airplane. Take a moment and enjoy the messy part, the journey. Road trips don’t always have to take place near your home. Fly out to a destination you’ve never seen before and then begin driving right from the airport.

As a true Northeastern girl, the American West is my favorite landscape to explore. Montana was next on my list. Northwest Montana is a true gem in what seems like the middle of nowhere. It has all the dreams of cowboys and horses, while surprising you with an entirely new culture and food revolution. Take a ride on the wild side and find time to make it to Montana.

Before Our Road Trip Begins A Few Tips:

1. The best time of year to visit Northwest Montana is late summer or early fall unless, of course, if you’re going to ski or snowboard. Though summer is when most tourists arrive, the changing colors of autumn are anything but boring. Less tourists, lower prices and incredible beauty make fall the optimal time of year to visit.
2. Find ways to stay connected. For some getting in touch with nature can mean leaving your phone behind. For others, today’s modern technologies can be useful, and having the right Spotify playlist as you drive can be essential. The best way to do this is to get a car with Wi-Fi included. No matter where you are, you can share your experience with friends, get that last minute work done and listen to your favorite jams. I looked for an all-terrain option. GMC vehicles with IntelliLink have 4G LTE Wi-Fi built in, which creates a Wi-Fi hotspot and a mobile hub. Go off the grid if you want, but at least you have the option. You will never feel more American than driving an Acadia through the Rocky Mountains.
3. Layer your clothing. Montana, especially in the fall, has very volatile weather. In Logan Pass at Glacier National Park it can be below 30 degrees Fahrenheit, while Missoula can be a solid 60 degrees Fahrenheit at that same exact moment. Be prepared for anything.

Now, let’s get on the road already.

MISSOULA, MT

A perfect place to start is Missoula, a thriving city to begin your trip. Students from the University of Montana make this place a forward thinking and creative hub. Students come here for the learning environment, but stay for the outdoor adventure. Mountain climbing, kayaking, horseback riding and fly-fishing are just a few of the activities you can participate in right in or just outside Missoula. Now, let’s talk about the coffee. I can honestly say that Black Coffee Roasting Co., found in the center of Missoula, is the best coffee I’ve had to date. Try the Vinyl or the Hunt for a delicious way to start your morning. Forget that Italian roast you’ve been hoarding in your kitchen cabinet. Montana knows coffee. Who knew?

PHILIPSBURG, MT

Travel an hour or so South and enter Philipsburg. This small metropolis has a few great tricks up its sleeve that will surprise and delight any world traveler. Montana happens to be an incredible state for craft beer and Philipsburg is at the center. Big Sky Brewing Co. in Missoula, MT is the famous Montana option, but Philipsburg is home to the Philipsburg Brewing Company, the silent hero of this craft beer movement. Try favorites like the Otter Water Pale Ale and the Razzu! Raspberry Wheat. Philipsburg is also home to another impressive landmark, The Ranch at Rock Creek. Not only is this America’s only Forbes five-star rated ranch, but it’s a member of the National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World network. Properties in this program are hand-picked by National Geographic experts and explorers and offer rare experiences for their guests. The Ranch at Rock Creek in Philipsburg is one of the few places in America with this distinction.

FLATHEAD, MT

Get back on track and make your way North about two and a half hours to Flathead Lake. Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, but it’s so much more than that. It’s a shining example of what nature should feel and look like. Spend time doing your favorite outside activities and watch the sunset go down on the glistening water. Bird watching is also a famous past time here. With 75 species available to view, it’s easy to see why nature lovers from all over the world come and stay here. The lake feels enormous and you can do anything from rafting and sailing to fishing. Though the lake’s beauty can put you in a trance, don’t forget to hike through Flathead National Forest. When considering where to stay while in the area, Flathead Lake Lodge is a great place to rest your head after a long day of sightseeing and outdoor activity, but many people like to rent houses with sweeping views or stay closer to the Earth through camping. Either way you can’t go wrong.

WHITEFISH, MT

Less than an hour from the Northern part of Flathead Lake is Whitefish, MT. This is the mountain town you’ve been waiting for. Locals here thrive on the tourism industry as it’s just 30 minutes from Glacier National Park. Whitefish is a booming, cultural hotspot in the middle of Montana. It has some of the best sushi I’ve ever had and is filled to the brim with craft beer breweries, distilleries and niche restaurants. Stay in a lodge, rent a home or relax at the new, posh hotels like the Firebrand that are popping up on the main strip. It’s a refuge in the middle of nature’s finest work. Whitefish draws visitors at all times of the year. Whitefish Mountain Resort is an incredible ski resort that comes with all the bells and whistles. It’s a unique combination of Montana’s born and raised citizens and visitors from all over the world that already feel at home. Take in the views in your new oasis.

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MT

As a travel journalist, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring our National Parks. America’s natural landscapes are incredible sights, but nothing compares to Glacier. Seeing Turquoise waters in between snowcapped mountains is breathtaking. The park contains 1,583 square miles of mountains, camp grounds, lakes and hiking trails. You can spend months getting lost in the intricacies of this park. Glacier National Park is a must see and you need to go soon. There are only a few glaciers left to see here and the National Park Service believes all the glaciers will disappear by 2030.