This trip generates 30 kg of CO2-e per person per day.
Explore Montana with Glacier National Park





Adventure through the peaks and pines of Montana’s Rocky Mountains
Travel through Montana from Bozeman to Missoula with the dramatic landscapes of Glacier National Park along the way. This six-day trip highlights the customs and history of Indigenous culture while exploring Montana’s rugged natural beauty. With a knowledgeable leader guiding the way, you’ll experience landscapes shaped by millennia of wind, water and ice, learn about the local history, whitewater raft down Flathead River, catch your breath over picnic lunches, and take in the backdrop of mountains, glaciers, rivers and lakes – all in one park. Enjoy a scenic river cruise, hike through mountain trails and get your heart pumping on an exhilarating rafting experience. Plus, there’ll be some downtime built in for those moments when you just need a quiet moment to soak it all in.
Start: Bozeman, USA
End: Missoula, USA
- Duration
- 6 days
- Group size
- 4 to 12
- Minimum age
- 18 years old
- Style
- Comfort
- Theme
Our themes categorize trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Explorer, Short breaks
- Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it.
From
Non-members
Why you'll love this trip
- Hike through Glacier National Park on a full day locally guided adventure, walking under the canopy of ancient forests, through alpine terrain and taking a break with a homemade lunch in the wilderness.
- Raft down the Flathead River in Glacier National Park – a wilderness area in Montana’s Rocky Mountains – and soak up views from a different perspective.
- Explore the Gates of the Mountains on a scenic river cruise along the Missouri River.
- Spend a full day learning about Indigenous history in First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park from a member of the Blackfeet tribe, as you hike in Giant Springs State Park and explore the surrounding land and culture.
- End your trip in Missoula with an included lunch and beer tasting at a local brewery, featuring both craft beers and non-alcoholic choices, and toast your efforts on an adventure well spent!
Itinerary
Welcome to Montana! Your adventure begins in Bozeman at 10 am with a welcome meeting to get to know your group of fellow explorers. After, your leader will take you on an orientation walk through this Rocky Mountains town, which serves as the perfect starting point for exploring Montana’s history and natural beauty. You’ll visit the Museum of Rockies – a Smithsonian affiliate museum – to check out one of the world’s largest collections of dinosaur fossils and learn about the unique natural and cultural history of the Northern Rocky Mountain region. Take some time for lunch then head to Helena, where you’ll spend the night. Hear how this town transformed its beginnings as a mining camp to the capital of Montana over an included dinner with your group as you get excited for the adventure ahead.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Dinner
- Bozeman - Leader-led walking tour
- Bozeman – Museum of the Rockies
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance and emergency contact details at this time. If you’re going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
After breakfast, you’ll venture to the Gates of the Mountains on a scenic river cruise. You’ll sail alongside limestone cliffs to a set of towering stone walls, which appear to open like a gate as your boat approaches. The cliffs rise dramatically 1200 ft above the Missouri River, making an epic intro into this region’s untouched landscape. Once you’ve got your first dose of scenery, your night is free in Helena to rest, recharge or find a good spot for dinner – your tour leader is always on hand with suggestions.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Helena - Lewis and Clark River Cruise
Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.
Wake up, fuel up, then hit the road to First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park – home to the largest buffalo jump in America, used as a hunting tool by Native tribes for at least 1000 years. This is a special experience to learn about the history of the land firsthand. Get to know the landscape with a member of the Blackfeet tribe, who will take you on a full day of hikes, walks, talks and a cultural exchange on their homelands. Then, sit down and soak in the scenery over an included lunch where you can enjoy a meal with a Native guide, asking any lingering questions. You’ll spend the night in Great Falls, where you’re free for dinner. Maybe grab a bite with the group or recharge with some alone time – it's up to you!
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Great Falls - Hikes with Blackfeet Nation guide
Your travel time today will be approximately 1.5 hours.
Your hiking distance today will be approximately 3 miles with a 50 ft elevation gain.
Start the day with breakfast then head to Glacier National Park – known as the ‘Crown of the Continent’, Glacier offers an impressive array of activities for lovers of nature and the great outdoors. Today, you’ll hop on a raft and take on an exhilarating (and splashy) rafting experience down the Flathead River with an expert local guide. With more than 1500 miles of streams and rivers and more than 700 lakes, this park has way more to explore than just by foot, so you’ll hit the river today and the trails tomorrow. After an action-packed day, you’ll head to the town of West Glacier, where you’ll spend the night. Feel free to take it easy or chat with your leader for the best dinner recommendations in town.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Glacier National Park – Scenic Whitewater Rafting
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.
The rafting experience covers 8 miles of the Flathead River with nine class 2 and 3 rapids. This excursion is classified as moderate rafting and no experience is necessary. Rafters can expect to get wet, but wetsuits and/or splash gear are available at no additional charge. Helmets are mandatory and provided.
Your total rafting time will be approximately 2 hours on the water.
Fuel up on some breakfast this morning and get ready to take on a full day nature hike in Glacier National Park – a wilderness area in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, with glacier-carved peaks and valleys running to the Canadian border. Explore through sun dappled forests, alpine terrain and possible wildlife encounters with a certified local guide who knows the park intimately. Hike along one of the park’s trails as you hear from your guide about the history of the people who have called Glacier National Park home, then stop for a homemade picnic lunch with your group before making your way back to the trail. Tonight, you may like to swing by one of the local craft breweries for a well-deserved pint or refuel at a nearby restaurant.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Glacier National Park - Full Day Guided Hike with Lunch
Today’s guided hike is considered moderately strenuous and taken at a leisurely pace with time for breaks and a 1 hour stop for an included lunch. Expect to be on your feet for several hours on varied terrain.
Glacier National Park requires that only guides specially licensed to lead groups within the park can accompany visitors. As a result, your leader won’t be joining you on today’s hike, but you will be guided by a certified park hiking expert instead.
June Departures:
Glacier National Park roads do not fully open to vehicles until all snow is cleared from the high alpine passes. This usually happens in early to mid-June but can extend later into the month. On departures that travel before the park roads fully open to care, we will include guided e-biking on Going to the Sun Road. The e-biking typically lasts 4 to 5 hours and we ride 16 to 42 miles depending on road conditions. The minimum age to ride an e-bike is 18 years old.
After a few days of exploring Montana, embrace a morning at leisure before heading to Missoula. When you arrive, share one last meal with your group at a local brewery to celebrate all you’ve accomplished on this jam-packed adventure. ‘Cheers’ to a few days spent in Montana’s nature before your adventure ends around 3 pm. If you’d like to spend more time exploring this area, we’ll be happy to organize additional accommodation (subject to availability) - just talk to your booking agent before the trip!
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Missoula - Local Brewery Tasting & Lunch
Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.
Inclusions and activities
Destinations
USAMeals
5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Transport
Private vehicle
Accommodation
Hotels (5 nights)
Included activities
- Bozeman - Leader-led walking tour
- Bozeman – Museum of the Rockies
- Helena - Lewis and Clark River Cruise
- Great Falls - Hikes with Blackfeet Nation guide
- Glacier National Park – Scenic Whitewater Rafting
- Glacier National Park - Full Day Guided Hike with Lunch
- Missoula - Local Brewery Tasting & Lunch
Why choose us
We’re adventure travel experts with decades of experience and proud to run trips in over 100 countries.
We keep our group sizes small and our experiences big, so you can get more out of your travels.
Leaders don’t just show off a destination, they’re the heart and soul of our trips.
The Intrepid Foundation gives back globally and our B Corp status is proof that we're dedicated to creating a positive impact.
Before you book you should know
- This trip includes a whitewater rafting experience in which you will be required to maneuver in and out of a raft, and a guided hike with a moderately strenuous difficulty on varied terrain. While the included activities do not require any special physical preparation for most travelers, at least a moderate level of fitness is recommended to make the most out of the trip. Please review the Itinerary for details.
- June departures may include a guided e-biking experience on Glacier National Parks’ Going to the Sun Road instead of the full day hike if the high passes are not yet fully cleared of snow.
1. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 10 am on Day 1 in Bozeman. Please make your way to the Joining Point listed in the Essential Trip Information.
2. This trip finishes at approximately 3 pm in Missoula. No accommodation is booked for this evening. If departing this day, please do not book any flights before 6 pm. If you would like to spend more time in Missoula, please speak to your booking agent about additional accommodation.
3. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement applies to all nights on your trip and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
4. Glacier National Park roads don’t fully open to vehicles until all snow is cleared from the high alpine passes. This usually happens in early to mid-June but can extend later into the month during especially snowy years. On departures that travel before the park roads fully open to cars, we will include guided e-biking on Going to the Sun Road instead of the full day guided hike. The e-biking typically lasts 4-5 hours and we ride 16-42 miles depending on road conditions. The minimum age to ride an e-bike is 18 years old.
5. This trip requires a minimum of four booked customers to guarantee the departure. Your booking agent will advise at time of booking if the departure has met minimum numbers. If minimum numbers are not met, you will be advised no later than 60 days out from departure. We recommend arranging flights and related travel services once your departure is guaranteed. If your departure is cancelled due to minimum numbers not being met, a full refund will be provided.
6. Entrance fees for the National Park visited on this trip are included for US residents. Travelers who are not US residents and are aged 16 years or older will need to pay the applicable Nonresident fees. These fees are USD 100 per person, per park. Alternatively, non-US resident travelers may choose to purchase an America the Beautiful Annual Pass for USD 250, which provides access to all US National Parks for the pass holder and up to three additional travelers in the same vehicle. These fees are payable locally and are in addition to the trip price.
7. Your trip is operated by Intrepid Travel.
Hilton Garden Inn Bozeman
2023 Commerce Way
Bozeman
59715
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Description
The Hilton Garden Inn Bozeman is under three miles from downtown Bozeman, and walking distance from a choice of restaurants. It's 15 minutes to the Museum of the Rockies, and Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is 9 miles away via our free shuttle (6am - 11pm). Enjoy our restaurant, indoor pool, and 24-hour convenience shop.
Instructions
A free hotel shuttle is available from 6am to 11pm. Please call the front desk after collecting your luggage to arrange pickup at +1 406-582-9900.
Dates and prices
Learn more about pricing