Montana Trip Planning
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,686
Likes: 4,294
From: Northeast, NJ
My mom moved out to Bigfork (Kalispell area / Flathead Lake) and my aunt and grandmother to Columbia Falls (Kalispell area / 30 min from Glacier Park) in 2017 or so. My wife and I have been out a few times to visit and once rented an Ultra in 2019 or so from Missoula HD. Very nice folks and drama free experience. Missoula HD is about 2.5-3 hours from Glacier Park
Up to Glacier and westward towards ID is some really beautiful riding
Up to Glacier and westward towards ID is some really beautiful riding
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 80
Likes: 17
From: Clearwater Florida
It looks like we are going with the North West area of Montana this trip staying in Missoula. Will save Yellow Stone for a Wyoming trip.
Now that we know some of the best places to ride to, through and around where are some of the places we should look for to eat at while on these rides?
Now that we know some of the best places to ride to, through and around where are some of the places we should look for to eat at while on these rides?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,601
Likes: 9,915
From: Florida's gorgeous East coast
I see you are from Clearwater, FL. One of the most important things to know about riding "Out West" is that gas stations can be a WHOLE LOT FARTHER APART than you might be used to. In the small towns, you might find a gas station, but you might also find that it's not open on Sunday, or not open until later in the afternoon, or CLOSES early in the evening.
Also...as previously pointed out...take riding gear for pretty much EVERY possibility.... HOT, COLD and VERY Wet.
ENJOY...!!! The scenery is awesome.
Also...as previously pointed out...take riding gear for pretty much EVERY possibility.... HOT, COLD and VERY Wet.
ENJOY...!!! The scenery is awesome.
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Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 80
Likes: 17
From: Clearwater Florida
Thanks, I just saw that a reservation is required and the only dates left are the first week in September. This looks like it would have been interesting.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,064
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From: Fix'n 2 N, TX
Weather was great, but Lolo Pass was 40.. in August..
Take layers!
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,314
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From: Mississippi
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Club Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 5,890
From: Syracuse NY
This thread is good intel for me an my boys. We are loosely planning to cross Montana first week of June on our cross country tour.
I hope my riding companions listen to me re: warm gear.
I guess if they croak due to exposure, I can eat them.........
I hope my riding companions listen to me re: warm gear.
I guess if they croak due to exposure, I can eat them.........
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 9,982
Likes: 5,220
From: Michigan
A word of caution about the weather in Montana and especially so for the higher elevation areas:
We (the wife and I) have been through Glacier National Park on three separate occasions.
On the first ride I trailered my UC (and cargo trailer) to Cut Bank, MT (east of the park) and we did the loop through the park to Kalispell and back to Cut Bank on a multi-days ride.
On the morning that we left Cut Bank it was 46 degrees and pouring down rain, Leathers and rain suits were a "must"!
On our second ride, I trailered our bikes (UC and Heritage) to Cut Bank again and rode up into Canada to Banff and Jasper also on a multi-days and on our return we got caught in a rain storm just west of Cut Bank and the temperature was near 50 degrees!
We managed to get into town and pull into a spray car wash bay until the rain eased off, allowing us to do the last leg of our trip to ge to our motel. Again, leathers and rain gear were much appreciated!
A very nice local cop felt sorry for us invited us to the police station for coffee and donuts and you know it's serious when a cop offers to share his donuts
On our third (and last trip) we trailered our 3 bikes (2 UC's and a Heritage) with another couple to Billings, MT.
Headed west from Great Falls, MT towards Cut Bank we got caught in a hail storm.
It was a cool, cloudy day and we already had out leathers on but thankfully we chose to put our rain suits on in Great Falls and they (along with our helmets) were definitely appreciated!
The weather can rapidly change in the mountains and I know that overpacking can be a real PIA especially on a cruiser but rain gear and a good warn, heavy shirt would be a right down wise decision
My riding partner says he wants us to do a "guy trip" this summer, back to the Black Hills and then up through Bear Tooth Pass and you can be sure that my leathers and rain gear will be the first items I pack for the trip!
We (the wife and I) have been through Glacier National Park on three separate occasions.
On the first ride I trailered my UC (and cargo trailer) to Cut Bank, MT (east of the park) and we did the loop through the park to Kalispell and back to Cut Bank on a multi-days ride.
On the morning that we left Cut Bank it was 46 degrees and pouring down rain, Leathers and rain suits were a "must"!
On our second ride, I trailered our bikes (UC and Heritage) to Cut Bank again and rode up into Canada to Banff and Jasper also on a multi-days and on our return we got caught in a rain storm just west of Cut Bank and the temperature was near 50 degrees!
We managed to get into town and pull into a spray car wash bay until the rain eased off, allowing us to do the last leg of our trip to ge to our motel. Again, leathers and rain gear were much appreciated!
A very nice local cop felt sorry for us invited us to the police station for coffee and donuts and you know it's serious when a cop offers to share his donuts
On our third (and last trip) we trailered our 3 bikes (2 UC's and a Heritage) with another couple to Billings, MT.
Headed west from Great Falls, MT towards Cut Bank we got caught in a hail storm.
It was a cool, cloudy day and we already had out leathers on but thankfully we chose to put our rain suits on in Great Falls and they (along with our helmets) were definitely appreciated!
The weather can rapidly change in the mountains and I know that overpacking can be a real PIA especially on a cruiser but rain gear and a good warn, heavy shirt would be a right down wise decision
My riding partner says he wants us to do a "guy trip" this summer, back to the Black Hills and then up through Bear Tooth Pass and you can be sure that my leathers and rain gear will be the first items I pack for the trip!
Last edited by 2AMGuy; May 4, 2023 at 01:18 PM.