Recommend a Montana getaway please.

[bkreigsr]

I've been reading several authors that live in Montana and think I've fallen in love.(James Lee Burke, James Crumley).
Looking to hop on a plane out of Newark and fly out to Montana, for anywhere between 3- 7 days with the wife.
Seeing as much as possible in that time is not our typical MO.- rather get to a destination, then set out on one day excursions that return us to our original lodging that day.....or spend our time just chillin' on the Big Sky and mountains.
Thanks in advance.
Bill K

[Dantilla]

Kalispell area. Glacier National Park. Absolutely gorgeous.

Eastern Montana is a different story. Miles and miles of nothingness.

[Dantilla]

Yellowstone isn't far away, either.

[Puma]

If you drive east from Gardner, across Yellowstone you'll end up in Cooke City, Montana. Tiny little town filled with colorful locals who are largely cutoff from the world and like it that way. Find the ski rental guy and ask about Henry Horn Miller's cabin, he'll take you up there and rent you some skis to get back down the mountain. Henry was the first white settler of the area and his cabin still stands. You can stay in the cabin for free overnight. It will be you, alone in a vast wilderness. Look around for the notebooks where scores of travelers have written about their travels to the cabin, mine included. It's a genuine Montana experience.

Western Montana is a remarkable place.

[LWJ]

I was just catching trout out of Big Sky last month. Lovely. I could move.

[FMyers]

If you go to Cook City you want to go from Red Lodge over the Beartooth Highway to Cook City.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by Dantilla

Kalispell area. Glacier National Park. Absolutely gorgeous.

Yep.

[Puma]

Originally Posted by FMyers

If you go to Cook City you want to go from Red Lodge over the Beartooth Highway to Cook City.

Not when there's snow.

[Noah930]

Some friends spent a week at the Paws Up Resort last winter. Sounds like a glamping type experience, but they loved it.

[Charles Freeborn]

Bozeman is a totally cool town. North gate of Yellowstone and in you go. Once the weather get's funky (NOW) the tourists have all left. Simply gorgeous wind swept landscape with canyons, hot springs, you name it. Magical part of the country.

[ledhedsymbols]

I grew up in eastern Montana, and I love Custer Country. Worth seeing the battlefield, Mount Rushmore is a day trip. Just a thought, I love south eastern Montana. Miles and miles of nothing is amazing in its own way... then check out glacier, Kalispell, and the mountains. I love western MT too, it's just different.

[MT930]

Big Sky, Whitefish, Kalispell, Bozeman, Red Lodge, Missoula and Livingston. All good starting places.

Do some research and see what trips your trigger as far as what you what to do and see.

I've had a 25 year romance with the place. I've been just about everywhere in the state and want to go again.

Glacier Last Month+ Some from SW MT

[ckissick]

I agree with Kalispell and Glacier, of course. Also, Flathead Lake and Bigfork. They have great live theater in Bigfork.

[look 171]

We were there a couple of summers ago. We came upon Flathead Lake. We stop there for half a day while it was suppose to be a lunch stop. I can spend a week there. Love Kalispell and Glacier. Gotta drive the Going To The Sun Road if its open

[Jim Richards]

My wife and I were impressed by Flathead Lake, too. We wish we could've spent more time there. At least we bought a lot of locally grown cherries there. Best we've ever had.

[Tobra]

If you do go to Glacier, consider a Boat Ride on St Mary Lake. Friend of mine drove one of the boats as his summer job in college. Got married on the Little Chief, which ostensibly was an old rum runner they carted up in the Rocky Mountains, actually I think they built it more locally. Flathead Lake is something to see too. I had the opportunity to paddle around Swan Lake. My ex girlfriend's uncle is Greg Morley, who is, or maybe by now was, a canoe maker of some repute. Really beautiful little boats made of wood. He made a rowing shell that was truly amazing, pretty fast too.

[Heel n Toe]

Wherever you go, make sure you get away from city/town lights on a clear night.

I've been told it's breathtaking. Maybe take some binocs, too.

[Seahawk]

Originally Posted by ledhedsymbols

I grew up in eastern Montana, and I love Custer Country. Worth seeing the battlefield, Mount Rushmore is a day trip. Just a thought, I love south eastern Montana. Miles and miles of nothing is amazing in its own way... then check out glacier, Kalispell, and the mountains. I love western MT too, it's just different.

I would concur...depending on the time of year.

I spent two months in Montana three summers ago flying drones for one of the largest construction companies in the world. I went everywhere in the State imaging aggregate pits, open pit coal mines, road construction, etc.

I thought Custer County, as long as you get off the interstates, very unique and worthwhile.

At the other end of the spectrum I stayed at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake for three days at the end of summer. While touristy, great views and accommodations.

[recycled sixtie]

One of the nicest drives in summer was the Highway to the Sun(I think that was what it was called). Lots of traffic in summer but very scenic.

As an aside nobody talks much about Wyoming in this forum presumably because of the lack of population and too much flatland?!

[bkreigsr]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

....As an aside nobody talks much about Wyoming in this forum presumably because of the lack of population and too much flatland?!

Not to worry - Jackson Hole is also on our bucket list....

Thanks to all - sort of leaning towards Bozeman area - still lots more research to do.
Bill K