Traveling Huntleys

Inspiring travel stories, tips, and guides from a couple exploring the world one destination at a time.

Montana

Grand Loop Road, Yellowstone: A Stagecoach Road, a Basin That Blew Up and the Head of the Missouri

by

Last Updated: October 11, 2026

The Grand Loop Road was not built for cars. Army engineers laid it out for stagecoaches, and for its first decade nobody was allowed to drive an automobile on it at all.

Sandy Huntley at the overlook above Grand Prismatic Spring, Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park

It is the figure eight of roughly 140 miles that ties together every major feature in Yellowstone, and driving all of it in one day can take four to seven hours depending on wildlife and traffic. We spent the first part of June 2022 working through it from West Yellowstone, Montana, about an hour and a half from Fishing Bridge. We were last here in the fall of 2020.

[Read more…] about Grand Loop Road, Yellowstone: A Stagecoach Road, a Basin That Blew Up and the Head of the Missouri

West Yellowstone, Montana in the Fall

by

Last Updated: July 17, 2026

West Yellowstone in the fall is typically less crowded than summer and a wonderful time to see fall foliage and Yellowstone’s many attractions. The risk is cold weather and snow — and we had both on this trip. Because of COVID, international travel was largely off the table in 2020, so many people were exploring domestically instead, and there were more visitors than usual for the season. The animals were getting ready for winter, putting on their coats and building up reserves, and the elk rut was in full and dramatic swing along the Madison River.

Old Faithful erupting with a massive steam plume against a clear blue sky, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
[Read more…] about West Yellowstone, Montana in the Fall

Montana & Idaho Road Trip: Coeur d’Alene, Missoula, Garnet Ghost Town, Lewis and Clark Caverns & Billings

by

Last Updated: June 22, 2026

Montana is one of the largest and least populated states in America — and one of our absolute favorites. On this leg of our Pacific Northwest loop, we pushed east from Walla Walla, Washington through northern Idaho before crossing into Big Sky Country. We would have loved to revisit Glacier and Yellowstone, but with New England fall foliage and a Florida winter on the horizon, we had to keep moving. What we did find along the way — a hidden ghost town, a cave carved by ancient seas, and a sandstone pillar signed by Lewis and Clark — more than made up for it.

Historic cabin with American flag at Garnet Ghost Town, Montana — a well-preserved gold rush ghost town managed by the BLM near Missoula
[Read more…] about Montana & Idaho Road Trip: Coeur d’Alene, Missoula, Garnet Ghost Town, Lewis and Clark Caverns & Billings

West Glacier & Trout Creek, Montana

by

Last Updated: May 2026

We thoroughly enjoyed exploring British Columbia and Alberta over the past two months. Back in the USA at West Glacier, Montana — the border crossing was quick, easy, and uneventful. The storage locker we rented in the US worked out well despite the stories other RVers had warned us about regarding theft; we chose one that was gated, fenced, and under 24-hour surveillance. After watching a couple of seasons of NatGeo border crossing documentaries, we left our firearms, ammunition, exceptional bottles of single malt whisky, and medications beyond the six-week supply limit in the USA rather than chance any complications at the crossing.

A small cascade tumbling over mossy rocks along a hiking trail in Glacier National Park, West Glacier, Montana
[Read more…] about West Glacier & Trout Creek, Montana

Glacier National Park, Northern Montana

by

Last Updated: May 2026

From Missoula, Montana we headed north to Glacier National Park. The rugged, snow-capped mountains straddling the Continental Divide were breathtaking. The drive from Missoula was scenic throughout, especially along the western shore of Flathead Lake. We stocked up in Kalispell — it has a Costco — though we had to be strategic, as fresh vegetables, fruits, meat, dairy, poultry, and alcohol are restricted when crossing into Canada.

A glacially fed river flowing through a mountain valley with snow-capped peaks in the background, Glacier National Park, Montana
[Read more…] about Glacier National Park, Northern Montana