Mountain West — Montana, Wyoming & Colorado
Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Going-to-the-Sun Road, and the Rocky Mountains. America's most dramatic mountain scenery.
The Mountain West
The Mountain West is America scaled up to maximum drama — grizzly bears, erupting geysers, mountain passes above 3,500 metres, and national parks so vast they swallow entire British counties. This is big-sky country where the Rockies dominate the horizon in every direction.
Route Overview
Denver → Glacier National Park (via Rocky Mountain NP, Yellowstone & Grand Teton)
- Total Distance: ~1,600 miles (2,570 km)
- Minimum Time: 10 days (14 recommended)
- Best Season: June–September (many roads close in winter)
- Key Roads: Trail Ridge Road, US-89, US-191, Going-to-the-Sun Road
Suggested Itinerary
Days 1–2: Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | LoDo breweries, Union Station, Red Rocks Amphitheatre | Start |
| Boulder | Flatirons, Pearl Street Mall, university town | 30 min |
| Estes Park | RMNP gateway town, elk on the streets | 40 min from Boulder |
| Rocky Mountain NP | Trail Ridge Road (highest continuous paved road in the US, 12,183 ft) | Adjacent |
Stay: Estes Park. Budget: YMCA of the Rockies (~$100). Mid-range: The Stanley Hotel (~$220 — the inspiration for The Shining).
Days 3–4: Wyoming — Thermopolis to Grand Teton
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Thermopolis | Hot Springs State Park, world's largest mineral hot springs (free) | 4 hrs from Estes Park |
| Wind River Canyon | Stunning gorge alongside the road | En route |
| Dubois | Small Western town, National Bighorn Sheep Centre | 90 min |
| Togwotee Pass | Views of the entire Teton Range appearing ahead | 60 min |
| Grand Teton NP | The Tetons rising 2,000m above the Jackson Hole valley | Adjacent |
Stay: Jackson, WY — a proper mountain town with great restaurants and the famous antler arches on the town square. Budget: The Hostel (~$50/bed). Mid-range: Snow King Resort (~$180). Book well in advance for summer.
Grand Teton: 1–2 Days
| Experience | Detail |
|---|---|
| Teton Park Road | 20-mile road beneath the peaks. Stop at every turnout |
| Jenny Lake | Boat shuttle + hike to Inspiration Point and Hidden Falls |
| Schwabacher Landing | Dawn reflections of the Tetons — iconic photography spot |
| Moose-Wilson Road | Narrow, unpaved in parts. Frequent moose sightings |
| Snake River float | Gentle scenic float with Teton views. Book through a Jackson outfitter |
Days 5–7: Yellowstone National Park
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| South Entrance | Enter from Grand Teton via John D. Rockefeller Jr. Memorial Parkway | 60 min from Jackson |
| Old Faithful | The world's most famous geyser. Erupts every ~90 minutes | First stop |
| Grand Prismatic Spring | Largest hot spring in the US — extraordinary colours | 10 min from OF |
| Norris Geyser Basin | Most dynamic thermal area in the park | 30 min |
| Mammoth Hot Springs | Travertine terraces, elk wandering the village | 30 min |
| Lamar Valley | "The Serengeti of North America" — bison, wolves, bears | Northeast corner |
| Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone | 300-metre-deep canyon, two waterfalls | Central |
Stay: Inside the park is difficult — Old Faithful Inn (book 6+ months ahead). Outside: West Yellowstone (south) or Gardiner (north). Budget: motels in West Yellowstone (~$100). Mid-range: Yellowstone lodges (~$200+).
Days 8–9: Beartooth Highway to Billings
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Entrance | Exit Yellowstone via Lamar Valley | — |
| Beartooth Highway | "The most beautiful drive in America" (Charles Kuralt). Switchbacks to 10,947 ft | 68 miles |
| Red Lodge, MT | Charming Western town at the highway's base | Eastern end |
| Billings (optional) | Montana's largest city, Rimrocks overlook | 60 min from Red Lodge |
Days 10–12: Glacier National Park
| Stop | Highlight | Drive Time |
|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT | Giant Springs State Park, Lewis and Clark history | 3.5 hrs from Red Lodge |
| Glacier NP — West Glacier | Western entrance, Lake McDonald | 3 hrs from Great Falls |
| Going-to-the-Sun Road | 50-mile engineering marvel crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass | Park day |
| Logan Pass | Alpine meadows, mountain goats, Hidden Lake Trail | Midpoint |
| Many Glacier | The "Switzerland of North America." Grinnell Glacier trail | Eastern side |
Stay: West Glacier or St. Mary (east side). Reserve 6+ months ahead — Glacier is increasingly popular. Budget: Fish Creek Campground (~$25). Mid-range: Glacier Park Lodge (~$250).
Going-to-the-Sun Road
This road alone justifies the entire trip. Key facts:
- 50 miles end to end (West Glacier to St. Mary)
- Logan Pass at 6,646 feet — the Continental Divide crossing
- Open typically late June to mid-October (dates vary by snow)
- Vehicle reservations required in peak season (reserve at recreation.gov)
- Max vehicle size: 21 feet long, 8 feet wide. No large RVs past Avalanche Creek
- The road was carved from sheer mountainsides in the 1930s. Guardrails are ... optional in places
Practical Notes
Altitude
The Mountain West is high:
- Denver: 1,600m (5,280 ft — the "Mile High City")
- Trail Ridge Road: 3,713m (12,183 ft)
- Beartooth Pass: 3,337m (10,947 ft)
- Logan Pass: 2,026m (6,646 ft)
Altitude sickness is possible above 2,500m. Symptoms include headache, nausea, and breathlessness. Acclimate gradually, stay hydrated, and avoid strenuous activity on your first day at altitude.
Wildlife
This region has serious wildlife — grizzly bears, black bears, mountain lions, moose, and bison. Essential precautions:
- Carry bear spray in Yellowstone and Glacier ($30–50 at park shops)
- Make noise on trails to avoid surprising bears
- Store all food in bear-proof containers at campsites
- Never run from a bear — back away slowly
- Give bison wide berth — they're faster than you
National Park Reservations
Both Yellowstone and Glacier now require advance reservations or timed entry during peak season. Check recreation.gov well before your trip. Going-to-the-Sun Road vehicle reservations release in batches.
Weather
Mountain weather changes rapidly. Pack layers regardless of the forecast:
- Valley floors: 25–32°C in summer
- Passes: 5–15°C, potential snow any month
- Afternoon thunderstorms: common above treeline. Get off exposed ridges by 1 PM
Accommodation Budget (per night, approximate)
| Type | Denver | Jackson | Yellowstone Area | Glacier Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Campground | N/A | $35–55 | $25–40 | $20–35 |
| Budget | $90–130 | $120–180 | $90–140 | $80–130 |
| Mid-Range | $180–280 | $200–350 | $150–250 | $150–280 |
Don't Miss
- Grand Prismatic Spring from the overlook trail — the colours are almost impossible to believe
- Lamar Valley at dawn — bring binoculars. Wolves, bison herds, and grizzlies — all before breakfast
- Going-to-the-Sun Road — drive it, stop constantly, absorb the scale. Nothing in Europe prepares you for this
- Schwabacher Landing sunrise — the Tetons reflected in a still beaver pond. Arrive 45 minutes before dawn
- Beartooth Highway — alpine tundra at 11,000 feet in July, wildflowers and snow simultaneously
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