Montana: Wild Grandeur and Big Skies
We recently traveled to Montana, and I’m excited to share it with you all and some design inspiration from the trip! We have been hearing about the raw beauty of Montana for a while now, and the scenery there was breathtaking, with stunning mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and vast open spaces. Our itinerary included two nights at a ranch in Superior, Montana, and then we drove up towards Glacier National Park.
While at the ranch, we took the time to do both activities but take some well-deserved R&R. We explored the compound with beautiful animals, including horses, llamas, and two shetland ponies. While there, we cooked our food, enjoying local bread, meat, and cheese. On our last day, we went rafting with Montana River Guides to try and spot some wildlife and successfully spotted two otters, three bald eagles, and many other birds. It was the most relaxing and beautiful experience floating down the river, and I highly recommend this to anyone and everyone.
After some much-needed relaxation, we headed to Glacier, stopping in Kalispell. While in Kalispell, we enjoyed ice cream from Sweat Peaks and went shopping at the Western Outdoor Store. A fun fact about us is that we are Pendelton enthusiasts and collect their National Park merchandise, so when we saw the Glacier National Park towels and blankets, we just had to have them.
We arrived at Glacier National Park on our third day and immediately went on the Red Bus Tour to the Going-to-the-Sun Road, which was breathtaking! We had views of two of the few remaining glaciers and many of the valleys and waterfalls, which were also stunning. After a long day, we decided to cool off by kayaking on McDonald Lake. The water was crystal clear, and the scenery was breathtaking. As the sun set, we returned to shore and went to Lake McDonald’s Lodge for dinner. The food was delicious, and the atmosphere was cozy and inviting. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.
We then headed to the park’s eastern side by Many Glacier and stayed at the Swift Current Lode. The best part of the park’s eastern side was the lack of Wi-Fi or cellular service. Being able to disconnect and enjoy nature was amazing. Being “Off Grid” allowed us to be fully present and enjoy our walks, dinner, books, and board games. Despite not being huge hikers, there were still tons of smaller hikes, including Swiftcurrent Pass Trail to RedRock Falls, Swiftcurrent Lake, and Apikuni Falls. On our last day, we headed over to St. Mary Lake, where we drove to the eastern end of the Going-to-the-Sun Road. We then took a boat tour of St. Mary Lake, where we saw a female moose, also called a cow. As we headed back to Swiftcurrent, we saw two teen cubs from the safety of our car on the way to enjoy a dinner at the Cattle Baron Supper Club, where you get a steak the size of your face, and many starters included giving you the real Montana experience.
Female Moose (aka a cow)
Wild Goose Island in Saint Mary Lake
Glacier Park Pro Tips:
- Bring bear spray. Many bears are in the park and spotted very frequently on trails. This was something we hadn’t realized before, so if you plan on doing any hikes, have spray!
- You will need a pass for the park and to drive on the road (they are different). We made the mistake of buying a reservation pass but not a 2$ Going-to-the-Sun Road Permit, so we could not enter till three on one of the days. (If you are staying at a hotel in the park or have an excursion reservation, you can enter without the road pass.)
- Many excursions book out fast, so reserve any services you want before arrival.