12 days in Montana Itinerary

Whitefish is a city in Flathead County, Montana, United States. Kick off your visit on the 11th (Sat): get interesting insight from State of Mind Fishing Charters LLC. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: explore the striking landscape of Glacier National Park.

To see ratings, other places to visit, reviews, and more tourist information, go to the Whitefish route planner.

Detroit to Whitefish is an approximately 9-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a train. The time zone difference when traveling from Detroit to Whitefish is minus 2 hours. In September, Whitefish is a bit cooler than Detroit - with highs of 70°F and lows of 40°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 12th (Sun) early enough to drive to Glacier National Park.

The glaciers from which Glacier National Park takes its name mostly dissipated eons ago, but they left behind a scoured landscape of high and steep mountain peaks, sparkling lakes, lush alpine meadows, and thick forests.

Glacier National Park is known for nature, scenic drive, and trails. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: cruise along Going-to-the-Sun Road, tour the pleasant surroundings at Iceberg Lake Trail, admire the verdant scenery at Logan Pass, and contemplate the waterfront views at Fishercap Lake.

For where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and other tourist information, use the Glacier National Park day trip planning site.

Traveling by car from Whitefish to Glacier National Park takes 1.5 hours. Expect a daytime high around 70°F in September, and nighttime lows around 40°F. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 17th (Fri) early enough to drive to Great Falls.

Great Falls is a city in and the county seat of Cascade County, Montana, United States. Start off your visit on the 18th (Sat): admire the masterpieces at C.M. Russell Museum, then appreciate the extensive heritage of Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, and then admire the majestic nature at Giant Springs State Park.

To see ratings, where to stay, maps, and other tourist information, you can read our Great Falls trip itinerary builder.

Drive from Glacier National Park to Great Falls in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and bus. In September, daily temperatures in Great Falls can reach 71°F, while at night they dip to 44°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 18th (Sat) to allow enough time to drive to Helena.

Helena is the capital city of the U.S. Kick off your visit on the 19th (Sun): take in the spiritual surroundings of Cathedral of St. Helena, ponder the world of politics at Montana State Capitol, and then explore the wealth of natural beauty at Gates of the Mountains.

For more things to do, reviews, other places to visit, and tourist information, refer to the Helena trip itinerary maker website.

Traveling by car from Great Falls to Helena takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In September in Helena, expect temperatures between 73°F during the day and 46°F at night. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 19th (Sun) to allow time to drive to West Yellowstone.

The town of West Yellowstone has served as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park since the early 1900s.

Kick off your visit on the 20th (Mon): cast your line with a fishing tour, then identify plant and animal life at Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, then get in on the family fun at Yellowstone Big Gun Fun, and finally stop by Send it Home.

To find maps, photos, and tourist information, refer to the West Yellowstone online trip itinerary maker.

Getting from Helena to West Yellowstone by car takes about 3.5 hours. Other options: take a bus. Traveling from Helena in September, expect West Yellowstone to be little chillier, temps between 64°F and 32°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Mon) to allow enough time to drive to Bozeman.

Bozeman is a city in and the county seat of Gallatin County, Montana, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. On the 21st (Tue), see the sky in a new way at Museum of the Rockies, see exotic creatures in open habitats at Yellowstone Safari Company, and then brush up on your knowledge of spirits at Bozeman Spirits Distillery.

To find more things to do, other places to visit, where to stay, and tourist information, use the Bozeman travel app.

Traveling by car from West Yellowstone to Bozeman takes 2 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of shuttle and bus. In September, Bozeman is somewhat warmer than West Yellowstone - with highs of 72°F and lows of 41°F. On the 22nd (Wed), wrap the sightseeing up by early afternoon so you can travel back home.