Scenic Journey: A 3-Day Adventure from Glacier National Park to Bozeman via Idaho

/ Itineraries, North America, Travel Planning / By

For me, its never about the destination as it is ALWAYS about the journey! As I continue to check off the states one by one over at 50at60, I embrace that philosophy whole heartedly 🙂

I couldn’t think of a better way to travel from Glacier National Park back to Bozeman that looping through Northern Idaho! It is sure to be a scenic loop (I hope) and a perfect time of year to do it too! I was inspired to explore this area a bit after watching the video that Alice Ford shared a little while ago. I’ll share it here video below at the end of the post 🙂

As was the case in the last post here (and many others!), I decided to reach out to AI and thought I would share it here. I know there is a ton of information out there and to be honest with you, the park visitors centers are always a great place to gather up to date information. I like using AI for this kind of research though as I can be a little more specific with my request instead of a vague google search. As is always the case, the result is never perfect, but it IS a great start.

All that being said, this is of course a beginners primer to get you going. I’ll come back at a later date for a full report of what I actually did and some images of course! Till then …

“Idaho’s Scenic Beauty”: An AI-created artistic impression showcasing the sparkling Lake Pend Oreille near Sandpoint and the vibrant downtown of Coeur d’Alene, capturing the natural tranquility and charm of this part of the journey.

Day 1: From Glacier National Park to Sandpoint, Idaho

Mid-Day: Departure from Glacier Park International Airport

  • Pick up your rental car and start your journey.
  • Drive from Glacier Park International Airport to Sandpoint, Idaho (approximately 3 hours, 160 miles).

Afternoon: Scenic Drive and Arrival in Sandpoint

  • Enjoy the scenic drive through the Cabinet Mountains and along the Kootenai River.
  • Check into your lodging in Sandpoint. Recommended options:
    • Lodge at Sandpoint: Offers beautiful lake views and comfortable accommodations.
    • Best Western Edgewater Resort: Located on the lake with great amenities.

Evening: Explore Sandpoint

  • Take a walk along Sandpoint City Beach and enjoy the stunning views of Lake Pend Oreille.
  • Have dinner at Trinity at City Beach or Ivano’s Ristorante for a delicious meal.

Day 2: Sandpoint to Coeur d’Alene

Morning: Scenic Drive to Coeur d’Alene

  • Depart Sandpoint in the morning and drive to Coeur d’Alene (approximately 1 hour, 47 miles).
  • Stop at Farragut State Park along the way for a short hike and beautiful views of Lake Pend Oreille.

Mid-Morning: Arrival in Coeur d’Alene

  • Check into your lodging in Coeur d’Alene. Recommended options:
    • The Coeur d’Alene Resort: Luxurious lakeside accommodations with excellent amenities.
    • Blackwell Hotel: A charming boutique hotel with a historic feel.

Afternoon: Explore Coeur d’Alene

  • Take a stroll along the Coeur d’Alene Boardwalk for stunning lake views and photo opportunities.
  • Visit Tubbs Hill Nature Trails for an easy hike with panoramic views of the lake and city.

Evening: Dinner and Relaxation

  • Have dinner at Beverly’s for a fine dining experience with lake views or Crafted Tap House + Kitchen for a more casual meal.
  • Enjoy an evening walk along the lakefront to capture the sunset.

Day 3: Coeur d’Alene to Bozeman

Morning: Scenic Drive to Bozeman

  • Depart Coeur d’Alene early and drive to Bozeman, Montana (approximately 6 hours, 350 miles).
    • Take the scenic I-90 East route for beautiful mountain and valley views.

Mid-Morning: Stop at Missoula

  • Take a break in Missoula, Montana to stretch your legs.
  • Visit the Missoula Art Museum or take a short walk along the Clark Fork River.

Afternoon: Continue to Bozeman

  • Continue your drive to Bozeman, enjoying the scenic landscapes along the way.

Late Afternoon: Arrival in Bozeman

  • Check into your lodging in Bozeman. Recommended options:
    • The LARK: A modern boutique hotel in downtown Bozeman.
    • Element Bozeman: Comfortable and centrally located with great amenities.

Evening: Explore Bozeman

  • If time allows, take a quick drive to the Museum of the Rockies for a dose of history and culture.
  • Have dinner at Montana Ale Works or Blackbird Kitchen for a delightful dining experience.

Night: Rest for Your Flight

  • Return to your hotel and rest up for your early morning flight.

This itinerary offers a perfect blend of scenic drives, photographic opportunities, and comfortable lodging, ensuring an enjoyable and memorable journey from Glacier National Park to Bozeman.

And here is that video from Alice! I met her at the TravelCon event I talked about here before. A fun fellow “Roamer” to follow!