We would like to fly out their and rent a car. Where would you fly to and when would you go

 

You should be able to fly into Kalispell... rent a car there... how long you gonna be in the area?

 

We were there mid July last year. Any earlier and the Going to the Sun Rd might not be open yet. Snow can start by Labor Day.

 

Was thinking The week after July 4 staying 6 or 7 days

 

As Rocky said, Kalispell, FCA. GNP keeps getting record numbers of visitors and you’re in prime time. Good to get going on reservations right away. Bring your passports and visit Waterton just across the border.

 

Here is a six day plan...

Day one...
you do NOT want to go up there on July 4th, it will be bumper to bumper, 25 mph the whole distance, and absolutely NO parking for a car... head up on the 5th, or sixth depending on when You fly in... drive up early and be at the top by 9 am, or there will be almost no where for you to park your car at the top parking lot... once up there, go for a short hike up to the lake... and then head down to St Mary... turn around and drive back up and over the pass, it is a very different view in both directions, and plan to stay the day on that route... As Griz says, the drive to Waterton and back is worthy, if you did that, it will be a whole day affair.

Day two...
Now you will need to fill in the next five days... map this out.. South to Missoula, via the East side of The Flathead lake, stop in St Ignatius to view the murals on the church, and then towards Lolo, and up and over the Lolo pass down to Lewiston and continue south on 129 and 3 to enterprise, that will take you over Rattlesnake pass and down and up over the Grand Ronde river, stopping at the bottom for Pie at Boggans... then onto Joseph. that would be a good day.. a good place to stay in Joseph is the Indian Lodge Motel, and a good place to eat is The Cheyenne Cafe.

Day three...
Now take a drive down through Hells Canyon.. take a lunch and eat at the look out... then out the bottom and East towards Copperfield and up towards the damn (this is one bit I have not been on, but have been told it is great). then back to the main road, and again continue east, and work your way to McCall... this is a nice town, but a summer resort, so you will need to book something.

Day four...
Head south to Banks and then through the Sawtooth Mountains East to Stanley, then south up and over The Galena Pass, south to Sun Valley (nothing to see here but your wallet on Full Discharge) and work your way to Craters of the Moon, and drive the route through the park circle drive. Onto Arco, eat at Pickles and then decide what is next.... stay in Arco, or head North on 93 to Salmon (that will depend on how the day is going time wise)

Day five...
Back North towards Missoula and Kalispel, this time take the West side of The Flathead lake.

Day six, if there is one...
Drive west on highway 2 to Libby, then take the road up the East side of the lake to Eureka, and then back south to Kalispel... that is a very nice loop.

Almost all of that is Motorcycle worth roads, and if you rent a convertible, you are only two wheels too many...

 

Thanks so much for your itinerary. Our plans are to get their a week after the 4th. After looking at the flight schedules and prices. Beginning to think of a car rental and taking a few more days. Anyone have anything to add , feel free to chime in. At my age,will probably the one and only trip their

 

Well, if you decide to rent a car in MN and drive check out the latest posts in Rocky’s ongoing thread, The Journeys of Darla. Good stuff there on running US2 and Montana 200....even in a car. Some folks I know have flown into Great Falls and rented a car. If MSP is your airport fares to GTF could be less expensive than Kalispell. Might work. You need to do this trip.

 

https://mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/docs/201...ighway-map.pdf

Flying into Missoula or Helena would be good options too. The artwork in the Capitol building in Helena is worth a trip in itself https://mhs.mt.gov/education/Capitol/Art .

What are your interests? Will you be doing any hiking or other activities? There are several hikes under 5 miles that will take you to spectacular sights.

http://www.hikinginglacier.com/glaci...fall-hikes.htm http://www.hikinginglacier.com/avalanche-lake.htm

Take your Passports and drive up to Waterton Park . Beautiful country North in Alberta and BC.

To the west a loop around Yakk and Libby would be pretty.

Good Luck
Bill

 

Arthritic knee not up to hiking. Mostly into sightseeing and historical things. Like eating at local bars with a Western theme.