2008 FRONTIER WEST FLY DRIVE
EXPLORE MONTANA/WYOMING PARKS
FRONTIER
WEST— This package visits two great National Parks, Yellowstone in
Wyoming and Glacier in Montana. There is 
also
the opportunity to visit the Wolf and Bear Centre or Virginia City – a
historical site and take a day’s white water rafting trip on the Clark Fork
River northwest of Missoula – a high water volume river that always gives a
great experience. In this part of the USA you will find mountains, valleys,
rivers, wildlife, museums, the Lewis & Clark Trail and more photo
opportunities than you can count. Montana and Wyoming are real Pioneer
States populated by some of the most friendly people around.
Day 1 Billings/Best Western Clock Tower Inn 5 miles airport to town
Originally a trading post back in the 1870s, Billings grew with the arrival of the railways. Nearby oil and gas helped this along. Nowadays, it’s a great gateway for the National Parks of Yellowstone and Glacier. After collecting your car upon arrival, enjoy a stroll round downtown or a fine Montana steak dinner.
Day 2 Cody/Holiday Inn 120 miles
Head south west from Billings towards the northern section of section of Yellowstone. Drive the inspiring Bear Tooth Pass, this will set you up for right hand driving ! As your stay in the Park will come later, you should head for Cody. Named after Buffalo Bill Cody, this town is the eastern gateway to Yellowstone and boast’s one of the finest Museums in the north west. From June to August there is a nightly rodeo to enjoy. This area is renowned for white water rafting and fishing.
Day 3 Yellowstone Park/Mammoth Hot Springs, Frontier Cabin Units 90 miles
On the way westward into the Park, stop at Bill Cody’s old hunting lodge for a bite to eat then travel on into the northern section of this magical Park. Geo-thermals occur throughout this area and wildlife is usually to be seen close to the road. Mammoth is in the north of the Park and has an interesting Military history and is close to the wolf reintroduction area.
Day 4 Jackson/Painted Buffalo 90 miles
Today you will drive down through the centre of the Park and enjoy the many hot pools, bubbling mud pots and, of course, the Old Faithful Geyser. Speed limits are low to allow you time to admire the unspoiled scenery. You are heading for the lively town of Jackson Hole and the Painted Buffalo Inn. Located just three short blocks from the Town Square, this hotel offers convenient, comfortable accommodation in the heart of downtown Jackson. Within walking distance of your front door, you will find streets lined with restaurants, shops, museums and galleries.
Day 5 Jackson/Painted Buffalo local mileage
Take time to do some shopping in Jackson, its full of western artifacts. Returning through the Grand Tetons into Yellowstone, you will have plenty of time to discover the Old Faithful Lodge and geyser site. The Snow Lodge is next door to the original Lodgepole pole building and has modern facilities.
Day 6 West Yellowstone/Gray Wolf Inn 120 miles
Day 7 Dillon/ Best Western Paradise Inn 141 miles
Day 8 Missoula/Holiday Inn Parkside 129 miles
North west of Missoula is Superior from where you may take a day’s white water rafting trip on the Clark Fork River. These daily departures leave around 9.00am but if this is not on your itinerary, you might prefer to head north from Butte spend the time in Whitefish and the Glacier National Park area.
Day 9 Whitefish/Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge 150 miles
Whitefish nestles on the northern edge of the Flathead Valley, which stretches for 60 square miles and features numerous lakes and scenic rivers plus the adjacent peaks of Glacier National Park. Whitefish's location on the west side of the continental divide protects it from the extreme weather changes encountered in other parts of Montana, making it ideal for year-round outdoor recreation opportunities. The town's low-key atmosphere tends to make life in this tight-knit community a happy and warm place to visit. There are many excellent restaurants to sample in town.
Day 10 Whitefish/Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge local mileage
Day11 Glacier East/Rising Sun Motor Inn or Swiftcurrent Motor Inn 100 miles
Take your time to visit this area of glacial lakes and towering peaks. The Going To The Sun Highway was constructed in the 1930’s and has not changed much since. If the road is open head over the top to Logan’s Pass, a breathtaking stop – you could be on top of the world with views to match.
Day 12 Great Falls/Holiday Inn 150 miles
Charlie Russell was famous for his paintings of life in the West as the pioneers moved across the prairies and met the Native people, the cowboys and ranchers. His home in Great Falls is now a museum. There is also an excellent Interpretive Centre dedicated to Lewis and Clark, early explores who traversed this area nearly 200 years ago not to be missed
Day 13 Bozeman – Best Western Gran Tree Inn 177 miles
If time allows, stop in Helena, the State Capital as it has a number of fine Administrative buildings. Running south east from Helena is the Canyon Ferry Lake valley. There was gold in them thar hills and some of the largest nuggets were mined in the valley’s eastern slopes. Deserted settlements may be found but time has eroded almost all the buildings. There is plenty of wildlife and with binoculars, you may spot the white mountain goats high up on the craggy rock outcrops. Visit Townsend which has kept many of it’s pioneer features. The last night is spent at the Grant Tree Inn in Bozeman which has a good restaurant and friendly bar
What’s Included ?
This
tour operates daily between 25th May &
1st
September 2008. The price is based on shared accommodation and includes the
hotel on a room only basis with local taxes. It also includes a 4 Door
Compact car with unlimited mileage, all insurances and taxes, extra driver
fee and first tank of fuel. There is a drop
off charge of $50 paid locally between Billings and Bozeman. You will also
receive maps and hotel vouchers plus a suggested itinerary at your first
hotel. Extras are meals, NP entrance fees, fuel, drop off charge, entry to
sites of interest, items of a personal nature and the optional rafting
trip. See below for flight information.
Prices: Double - £772 pp
£20 pp per week supplement in August
Child (11 and under) no charge in hotel rooms with full paying adult(s)
Flight Information:
Northwest Airlines have daily services from Gatwick via Minneapolis to both Billings and Bozeman. Provincial UK cities may use the Northwest/KLM hub of Amsterdam and then to Minneapolis and beyond. Delta also fly from both Gatwick and Manchester via Atlanta and Salt Lake City to numerous other US cities in the northwest. For 2008, both United and BA will have non-stop flights to Denver and UA will have connecting services into Montana and Wyoming. Please call us for details and fares as offers happen on a regular basis.
This itinerary can be combined with a ranch or raft holiday to suit your itinerary. Click on our email quote form below for a quotation with or without flights, hotels, ranch stay etc or call 01404 881777
American Round-Up Bonded UK Tour Operator