Travel Itinerary

Day at leisure to explore Badlands National Park

We suggest experiencing the beauty of the Badlands with these highlights: Drive the Loop Road (Highway 240) for stunning park views, including the famous Yellow Mounds Overlook. Visit Roberts Prairie Dog Town to see these adorable animals and maybe catch a glimpse of bison and antelope. Take a leisurely hike on the Notch Trail for incredible viewpoints accessible to all fitness levels. Witness the breathtaking sunset over the desert for an unforgettable experience.

Visit Mount Rushmore early in the day on own

Start your day with a visit to Mount Rushmore to catch the morning light, then head to Crazy Horse Mountain for a glimpse into Native American history. Explore Custer State Park, including the Wildlife Loop Road and historic sites, before ending your day at Sylvan Lake.

Enjoy your car ride to visit the surroundings

Belle Fourche (about 1.5 hrs) – Broadus in Montana (about 2 hrs)

Day at leisure to explore Yellowstone National Park

Explore the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, a serene journey through forests, meadows, and lakes, with a stop at Artist Point for breathtaking waterfall views. Watch for wildlife like osprey, elk, bears, and buffalo roaming freely in the park. Hike through Yellowstone’s Fossil Forest to witness specimens standing upright with roots intact from 50 million years ago. Visit Mammoth Hot Springs to marvel at its terraces of colorful pools formed by travertine deposits, resembling cave formations. Finally, unwind at Boiling River, where you can soak in natural hot springs along the 45th Parallel.

Enjoy family-friendly activities

We suggest visiting the Museum of the Rockies to delve into dinosaur fossils and exhibits, perfect for kids fascinated by dinosaurs. Explore the American Computer and Robotics Museum for free, discovering the history of computers and even delving into information about the Apollo 11 mission. Experience Sentinel Ranch Alpacas, where you can meet and pet alpacas on a free tour between 10am-5pm.

Madison River Tubing

Cool off during summer with our shuttle-serviced river tubing trips and rentals near Yellowstone National Park in Bozeman, Montana. Enjoy family-friendly tube trips on the Madison River daily. Relax and unwind under Montana’s big sky while floating in the warm river water. If you prefer lakes, try paddle boards at Hyalite Reservoir for breathtaking mountain views and refreshing water.

Stop on the way to visit surroundings

Head north along the road, tracing the Missouri River as it transforms into a vast nature reserve. Pause in Helena, once the home to the most millionaires in the US during the Gold Rush. Explore the historic Victorian mansions near the Cathedral and the captivating frescoes at the Montana State Capitol. Continue through Helena National Forest, following the Missouri River to Great Falls, enjoying stunning scenery along the way.

Enjoy your car ride

Head northwest for about three hours, passing through farmland and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation until you reach East Glacier Park. Bordering Glacier National Park, this area boasts diverse ecosystems and stunning landscapes. From there, it’s about an hour-and-a-half drive to Whitefish, offering scenic views of Glacier National Park and charming villages along the way.

Western Alpine tour

Begin your tour amidst the lush cedar and hemlock forests of Lake McDonald Valley. Journey along the renowned Going-to-the-Sun Road to reach the park’s high alpine region, offering stunning views atop the Continental Divide. Marvel at majestic mountain ranges, glaciers, waterfalls, and vibrant wildflowers as your Red Bus travels along the Garden Wall.

Lake McDonald boat tour

The majesty of the Continental Divide and the tranquility of the emerald-hued lake are a must-see as you cruise along Lake McDonald, the largest lake in the park. Climb aboard the historic vessel, Desmet, the flagship vessel in our wooden boat fleet from the shore below Lake McDonald Lodge.