We originally decided to go to Yellowstone this summer. Staying in West Yellowstone, the plan was to spend 3 days seeing the park, and then take a day trip into Montana. There will be 5 of us taking this trip, and the talk of Montana is what lit everyone's eyes up. Plus I didn't feel that only 3 days in Yellowstone would do it justice, and felt that it would be best to make that it's own destination another time. But the question now, is where in Montana? We we will be towing the travel trailer, and the women want to see the Little Bighorn Battlefield. From there we would hit I-90 and head west. For the past two weeks, I've been researching the internet, studying maps, searching posts on this forum, and I'm nowhere closer to figuring it out than when I started. So its either throw a dart at the map, or ask for help from people who have been there. Now for me, Glacier is the no brainer choice. But I'm unsure about it due to the extra distance plus pulling a 35ft travel trailer. I haven't completely ruled it out, but I wanted to explore some closer options. We will have 4 days in which to explore. Our main interests, in addition to the scenery, are ghost towns, waterfalls, rock hounding, wildlife viewing, and hiking. Although the hikes can't be too strenuous. We'd like to land in one spot and explore maybe a 50 mile radius, a quadrant each day. And will need full hookups, if possible. I do have a tote I can take if I have to. So far, I'm looking at the Helena area, which would allow a day trip to Great Falls, where my wife's family has some history there. They have a many times Great Uncle who was sherrif there in the 1800's and is buried there. I'm also looking at the Livingston/Red Lodge area which would allow a day trip into the northeast section of Yellowstone. Beyond that, I'm not sure...Butte area maybe? Or should we just "go big or go home" and set sail for Glacier and not look back?

Many, many more interesting places than Glacier in Montana. Given your limited time I would suggest a circle from Livingston, Helena, Butte, Virginia City, Ennis, Bozeman and back to Livingston. No way you could cover all of that but concentrate your research in that area.

Little Bighorn is in the eastern part of the state and just a few miles off the interstate. It was surprisingly interesting, I have avoided it even tho we passed by it a number of times but my son wanted to see it. I think the NPS did a poor job of organizing the park tho and made it more difficult to see the place.We spent a lot of time in Montana last summer and everywhere we stopped was interesting. Ghost towns are all over the place. My son is planning to attend Montana State in Bozeman. We went to the east side of Glacier but the Going to the Sun road was still closed. We spent 3 days looking at other places in the park. Then after a trip to Banff we came back down on the west side of Glacier and the GTSR was still closed. But we found enough to do for 3 more days. Then we took our time going south and stopped at a couple of small towns which all had lots to do. We have only been thru Helena and Butte and haven't stopped near there.I was surprised at the many lakes and rivers in the west part of the state.

3 days at Yellowstone will only scratch the surface, not to mention, completely missing the Grand Tetons. As far as "day tripping" from West Yellowstone, W. Yellowstone in IN Montana, but if it was me, I'd skip any day trips and just head up to Glacier NP. Little Big Horn is a half day stop off of I-90 at best.

Can you find more time? Montana is pretty big and you'll be spending a lot of time driving around the state with only four days. I'd say pick one place and stay closer. For example, if you stay in Ennis or Bozemn, you can hit up Virginia City/Nevada City, Lewis and Clark Caverns, Bozeman and other stuff around there. I don't think I'd pick Helena as the city to stay in -- not the best rv parks and pretty far away from places.

Cup fan wrote:We originally decided to go to Yellowstone this summer. Staying in West Yellowstone, the plan was to spend 3 days seeing the park, and then take a day trip into Montana. There will be 5 of us taking this trip, and the talk of Montana is what lit everyone's eyes up. Plus I didn't feel that only 3 days in Yellowstone would do it justice, and felt that it would be best to make that it's own destination another time. But the question now, is where in Montana? We we will be towing the travel trailer, and the women want to see the Little Bighorn Battlefield. From there we would hit I-90 and head west. For the past two weeks, I've been researching the internet, studying maps, searching posts on this forum, and I'm nowhere closer to figuring it out than when I started. So its either throw a dart at the map, or ask for help from people who have been there. Now for me, Glacier is the no brainer choice. But I'm unsure about it due to the extra distance plus pulling a 35ft travel trailer. I haven't completely ruled it out, but I wanted to explore some closer options. We will have 4 days in which to explore. Our main interests, in addition to the scenery, are ghost towns, waterfalls, rock hounding, wildlife viewing, and hiking. Although the hikes can't be too strenuous. We'd like to land in one spot and explore maybe a 50 mile radius, a quadrant each day. And will need full hookups, if possible. I do have a tote I can take if I have to. So far, I'm looking at the Helena area, which would allow a day trip to Great Falls, where my wife's family has some history there. They have a many times Great Uncle who was sherrif there in the 1800's and is buried there. I'm also looking at the Livingston/Red Lodge area which would allow a day trip into the northeast section of Yellowstone. Beyond that, I'm not sure...Butte area maybe? Or should we just "go big or go home" and set sail for Glacier and not look back? GO BIGMake it a loop - at least see it even if you only drive by - IMHO beats missing it - Denver to Rifle - to Yellowstone - to Glacier - then back to Red Lodge and Cody - Home - driving through all the locations possible with the only real stop in Glacier.When?How Long?Dreams?Limitations?Give us more real info and maybe we can help.BOL,

Montana it is! Oh yea...where? | Good Sam Community

ReneeG
Explorer
Feb 25, 2016
hermy wrote:
Cup fan, here is just a few ideas. Just a few miles north of West Yellowstone take 287 north, past Quake Lake, stop at the visitors center, then continue up 287 to Ennis, wander Main street, eat at the soda fountain. If you decide to stay there (you are only a few miles from Virginia City at that point) there is the Ennis RV Village. If you decide to move on you can choose a state park at Lewis & Clark caverns (real nice) or go to Three Forks (Camp Three Forks). From there you are well situated to go to the caverns, headwaters state park or a short jaunt into the Bozeman area for the museums etc. You are also well placed to jump on I90 for your return and the battlefield. There are many things to do within that little loop, so do some homework. If I can help PM me

We've traveled this loop, using Ennis RV Village as our base. It's a great trip and takes a couple of days, returning to home base in between.
hermy
Explorer
Feb 25, 2016
You could also hit Big Sky ski resort. In that area you can hike, zip line, kayak...
hermy
Explorer
Feb 25, 2016
Cup fan, here is just a few ideas. Just a few miles north of West Yellowstone take 287 north, past Quake Lake, stop at the visitors center, then continue up 287 to Ennis, wander Main street, eat at the soda fountain. If you decide to stay there (you are only a few miles from Virginia City at that point) there is the Ennis RV Village. If you decide to move on you can choose a state park at Lewis & Clark caverns (real nice) or go to Three Forks (Camp Three Forks). From there you are well situated to go to the caverns, headwaters state park or a short jaunt into the Bozeman area for the museums etc. You are also well placed to jump on I90 for your return and the battlefield. There are many things to do within that little loop, so do some homework. If I can help PM me
Cup_fan
Explorer
Feb 25, 2016
Thanks hermy, as bad as I want to see both Yellowstone and Glacier, I have to agree that they should be exclusive destinations, especially since we only have 4 days to explore. A couple of other posters have suggested the Bozeman area as well, so I plan on on doing some extensive research on that area. I also agree that we want to spend more time doing and less time driving. So tell me, other than the ghost towns, which we definitely want to see, what else is there in say a 50 mile radius? As I mentioned previously, we like hiking, waterfalls, wildlife, and gem/rock hunting. Also any RV park recommendations would be helpful. I would prefer full hook-ups since there will be 5 of us in the camper.
As far as having to go back for a second trip, that's a good problem to have, we've already discussed spending at least a month there when we retire. But for now we'll just have to settle for 4 days.
hermy
Explorer
Feb 24, 2016
I live in Montana so maybe my opinion is skewed as some things I take for granted might really turn someone else's crank. But my opinion is you won't want to leave Yellowstone after only 3 days. And Glacier should maybe be a whole other trip because that end of the state deserves a lot of time too. I like what others have said about Bozeman, Virginia City, Ennis, Lewis & Clark caverns, Helena. You will spend a whole lot more time "doing" and less time driving. Montana is a big state- you just might have to come back a second time- and that's a good thing.
jmckelvy
Explorer
Feb 24, 2016
Matt_Colie wrote:
If you get in striking range of Boseman, you have to stop at the Museum of the Rockies. The dinosaur display is largely the work of Jack Horner and is just amazing.

Matt

X2. I was just gonna post the same thing.
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Feb 24, 2016
If you get in striking range of Boseman, you have to stop at the Museum of the Rockies. The dinosaur display is largely the work of Jack Horner and is just amazing.

Matt
Cup_fan
Explorer
Feb 23, 2016
Alabamajim, pack a bag and come on! The more the merrier we always say. You can be our tour guide. I grew up an only child, but my wife is one of 13, so we often have a sizeable group camping with us. In fact I think that the only reason there's only 5 of us going is because that's all I can fit in my truck. I'm pretty sure there has been whispers about some others following us in a second vehicle if they can figure out lodging arrangements.
Anyway back to the topic, I will check out the Lewis and Clark State park and see what else is in the area to explore. The Missouri Headwaters area might be cool to see too. Thanks.
Alabama_Jim
Explorer
Feb 23, 2016
I agree that the ghost towns of Garnet, Virginia City, and Bannack are great. The very best ghost town I have found is Bannack. You walk the plank sidewalk and feel like Wyatt Earp will step out on the street at any minute. It is the site of the convention to form the Montana Territory and the old governor's mansion is there (nothing but an old log cabin. The hotel where all the delegates met are still there. Shucks, I am all worked up and ready to go back now. Have fun on your trip.
Corky12
Explorer
Feb 23, 2016
Cup fan wrote:
Corky, that's kind of the general area I've been doing most of my research. The Battlefield will be a stop off on the way to our destination and isn't part of the 4 days that we have to explore. We will be there July 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th. Unfortunately that's all we're going to get since my mother is the only one in the group that is retired. The rest of us are taking vacation time from our jobs. That's why we'd like to find one spot to park the RV and spend the 4 days exploring that area without having to move the RV each day. I know that Montana is huge and there's so much to see. We're just trying to get the biggest bang for our buck with the limited time we have.

Try reserving at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park. Some electric sites, showers, flush toilets, dump station. Very central to most of the places I mentioned