Creative Miles with Jolene and sometimes Fred.

**Bonus: A packing list for early June in Montana is at the bottom of the page. Hint: it snowed a couple of times on us. I also suggest an art travel kit.**

Connecting two of America’s crown jewel national parks in a single scenic push is the ultimate Big Sky adventure. Stretching from the geothermal borders of Yellowstone north to the glacial-carved peaks of Glacier National Park, this route trades monotonous highway miles for towering river canyons, historic boat cruises, and pristine alpine waters.

Route at a Glance

Leg	Route / Highlights	Key Experience
Stop 1	Wake up in Gardiner, MT	Sunrise at Roosevelt Arch
Stop 2	Missouri River / Helena, MT	Gates of the Mountains Boat Tour
Stop 3	Lewis and Clark National Forest	Meriwether Picnic Camp
Stop 4	West Glacier Entrance	Lake McDonald Lodge & Scenic Boat Cruise
Stop 5	Going-to-the-Sun Road	Trail of the Cedars Boardwalk Hike
Stop 6	Lake McDonald (South Shore)	Sunset over the stones at Apgar Beach

Stop 1: Sunrise at Roosevelt Arch (Yellowstone North Entrance)

Begin the journey early in Gardiner, Montana, beneath the towering basalt masonry of the historic Roosevelt Arch. Dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903 with the inscription “For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People,” watching the morning light hit the stone arch offers an unforgettable farewell to Yellowstone before heading north.

Stop 2 & 3: Gates of the Mountains & Meriwether Picnic Camp

Driving north toward Helena brings you to the Gates of the Mountains on the Missouri River. Named by Meriwether Lewis in 1805, the sheer 1,200-foot limestone cliffs rise dramatically out of the water.

• The Boat Tour: A two-hour guided boat tour cruises through the canyon narrows, where you can spot bighorn sheep, osprey, and bald eagles nesting along the crags.
• Meriwether Picnic Camp: A designated stop along the canyon in the Lewis and Clark National Forest, providing a quiet, shaded woodland break with direct historical ties to the Corps of Discovery.

Stop 4: West Glacier & Lake McDonald Lodge Boat Cruise

Entering Glacier National Park through the West Entrance leads straight to the historic Lake McDonald Lodge. Built in 1913 in the classic Swiss-chalet style, the lodge sits right on the edge of Glacier’s largest lake.

Board a historic wooden boat for a narrated cruise across the glacial waters. Gliding across the glass-smooth surface offers sweeping, unobstructed views of the surrounding Continental Divide peaks reflecting on the water.

Stop 5: Trail of the Cedars

A short drive up the lower section of the Going-to-the-Sun Road brings you to the Trail of the Cedars trailhead.

• The Hike: A flat, fully accessible 0.9-mile boardwalk loop winding through an ancient canopy of 500-year-old western red cedars and giant hemlocks.
• The Atmosphere: The lush, mossy microclimate feels worlds away from the high alpine passes and provides a cool, shaded stroll alongside glacial streams.

Stop 6: Sunset Finale at Apgar Beach

End the road trip at Apgar Beach on the southern tip of Lake McDonald. Famous for its multi-colored, glacier-polished rainbow pebbles beneath crystal-clear water, it is the premier spot in the park to watch the evening light illuminate the mountain silhouettes. Tommorow we will explore the East side of Glacier.

Essential Travel Tips

• Book Water Tours Ahead: Both the Gates of the Mountains canyon cruise and the Lake McDonald boat tour sell out quickly during peak summer months. Reserve your departure times well in advance.
• Navigating Going-to-the-Sun Road: High-elevation segments like Logan Pass are typically snowed in until late June or early July. However, the lower western section—including Lake McDonald and the Trail of the Cedars—is accessible earlier in the season.
• Vehicle Reservations: Review current National Park Service guidelines regarding vehicle reservation systems for Glacier’s West Entrance and Going-to-the-Sun Road corridor before your arrival date.

Bonus Tips for packing….Yes, it gets very cold. Like snow from the sky, kind of cold. It was a surprise for these Texans, but I was prepared. So it all was well. One hike was canceled due to snow, but I only missed that one. Everything else was so Amazing.