Boise to Fargo

Idaho, Montana, North Dakota

Millions of acres of pristine wilderness, vibrant cities and a rich heritage - Idaho, Montana and North Dakota are a road trippers’ paradise. See major monuments, unique wildlife and spectacular National Parks unlike anywhere on earth as you're immersed in a region steeped in history and culture. Make memories to last a lifetime in the Great American West.

Start: Idaho

Finish: Fargo - North Dakota

Duration: 1765 miles - 16 Days

Day 1: Idaho

Boise

Idaho’s capital Boise is considered to be the cultural centre with its lively downtown scene. One of the world’s largest and most involved Basque communities lies within this city where the Basque Museum and Cultural Centre offers a chance to learn about the ancient and unique culture. Step back in time at the Warhawk Air Museum to learn about US Military history while also seeing first-hand historic Warbirds, war planes & personal memorabilia from WWI, WWII, Vietnam and Korea. Come face to face with eagles, owls, vultures, hawks, and falcons from around the world at the World Center for Birds of Prey. Head over to the Snake River Valley American Viticultural Area for some of the best wine in the country.

Day 2

Boise to McCall

The Payette River Scenic Byway starts west of Boise and extends north passing the Payette River and the Boise and Payette National Forests. Enjoy scenic mountain views, forests, lakes, valleys, and famous whitewater rapids. Follow this by driving to McCall - a vibrant resort town nestled between forested mountains and the shores of Payette Lake.

Day 3

McCall to Lewiston

Stop over at the Dog Bark Park Inn in Cottonwood, a bed and breakfast guesthouse inside the world’s biggest beagle. While you're there, take in the fresh, country air and scenic beauty on a trail ride at the M-Y (McFarland Yearout) Sweetwater Appaloosa Ranch before spending the night in Lewiston.

Day 4

Lewiston

One of Idaho’s most important Native American attractions is The Nez Perce National Historical Park which was established in 1965 which tells the story of the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) people. The Park is near Spalding and is the only park that celebrates people rather than place through its 38 sites. The Nez Perce Tribe welcomed strangers and the Lewis and Clark Expedition considered them the most hospitable tribe they met. To learn about the history of the Nez Perce, follow the general path of the Lewis and Clark trail along Idaho State Highway 12 and stop at the Visitor Centre in Spalding and “Heart of the Monster” in Kamiah. For an amazing outdoor adventure take a trail ride with Lochsa River Outfitters then look forward to resting in rustic luxury at the Riverdance Lodge.

Day 5: Idaho - Montana

Lewiston to Kalispell

Stop at the DeVoto Cedar Grove - a memorial for conservationist and historian of the west, Bernard DeVoto, set in a lush haven of towering Western Red Cedar. The Lewis and Clark expedition camped alongside trees and wrote of extensively of their unparalleled beauty. After this journey to the Lolo Pass Visitors Centre right on the Idaho-Montana border which displays information about the Lewis and Clark journey across the Bitterroot Mountains.

Day 6

Kalispell

Kalispell is an artistic community with a historic downtown and easy access to outdoor adventure. Explore the Hockaday Museum of Art or some of the downtown galleries, followed by visiting the Conrad Mansion, the opulent manor home of Kalispell’s founder, Charles Conrad. Take the day to explore nearby Flathead Lake which offers a full array of water activities including canoeing, sailing, paddle boarding and swimming. Along the lake the tiny town of Bigfork is a great place for recreation and soaking up the rustic charm of its historic waterfront village. Just north of Kalispell is Whitefish, nestled at the edge of Glacier National Park, and offering its own small town charm and unique shops and restaurants. Whitefish Mountain Resort is the main hub for both summer and winter fun, offering a range of summer activities from mountain biking and hiking to zip lines.

Day 7

Explore Glacier National Park, travel to Great Falls

Glacier National Park’s beauty is jaw-dropping from every angle. Drive the Going to the Sun Road, an engineering marvel, through the heart of the park and view towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, glacier-carved valleys and wildlife. Glacier National Park has one of the largest intact ecosystems in the temperate zone and consists of hundreds of miles of trails and numerous lakes to explore. Just east of Glacier is the Blackfeet Indian Reservation where the town of Browning hosts a large Powwow celebration every July. Stop at the Museum of the Plains Indians to learn more about the tribe’s heritage and culture before a scenic drive south along the Rocky Mountain Front leading you to your overnight stay in Great Falls.

Day 8

Great Falls to Bozeman, including Helena and Butte

You'll be travelling in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark when visiting Great Falls. The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center, perched above the Missouri River is the perfect place where you can learn about the Expedition’s month long portage around several waterfalls in this area. Just south of Great Falls is one of the largest buffalo jumps in North America, First People’s Buffalo Jump State Park.

Just north of Helena, take a scenic boat tour on the Missouri River through the Gates of the Mountains, named by the Lewis and Clark Expedition and home to wildlife and spectacular scenery. At the state capitol, Helena, tour the Capitol Building and see its many colourful western murals or take an open-air tour through historic Helena on the Last Chance Tour Train to learn about the town’s gold mining history. In Butte visit the World Museum of Mining which offers a chance to learn about the pioneering spirit of the west through an underground mine and mine yard tour and a faithful recreation of an 1890s mining town. The drive to Bozeman through one of Montana’s richest wheat-growing areas is absolutely spectacular!

Day 9

Bozeman to Billings

Bozeman is one of the most eclectic towns in Montana, uniting local ranchers, college students and entrepreneurs. With a historic western Main Street, hiking and biking trails in the surrounding mountains, two nearby ski resorts, a varied cultural scene including music and arts festivals, theatre and ballet, and a thriving brewery and restaurant scene, Bozeman is truly a travellers dream.

Check out the Museum of the Rockies, a must visit for Dinosaur lovers with an extensive collection of dinosaur fossils, including a full-scale T-Rex skeleton. On your way to Billings you'll travel alongside the Yellowstone River and past several small farming and ranch communities. Stop for lunch in Livingston, a small railroad town with a charming historic downtown including many art galleries and unique eateries. Spend the night in Billings and enjoy its walkable brewery district and many well-regarded restaurants. If you're lucky, there might even be a fun evening music event here when you visit!

Day 10: Montana - North Dakota

Billings to Medora

Take a morning hike or bike ride on the sandstone rimrocks that overlook Billings. Nearby is Pompeys Pillar, where you can see the initials carved by William Clark of the Lewis & Clark Expedition during their journey, and enjoy expansive views of the Yellowstone River valley. Visit Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument which memorialises Custer’s Last Stand at the Battle of Little Bighorn between the U.S. Army and the Sioux and Cheyenne and was one of the Indian's last armed efforts to preserve their way of life. Stop at Makoshika State Park and drive or hike through Montana’s unique badlands formations, where fossil remains of dinosaurs are still being found. Then spend the night in Medora.

Day 11

Medora

Medora is in the Badlands and is the gateway to the south unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The park offers outstanding opportunities for biking, hiking, camping, relaxation and wildlife watching (spot the bison, deer, eagles and prairie dogs!). For brilliant views of the Badlands head over to the Painted Canyon Overlook. While in Medora don’t forget to stop by at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame which preserves the history and culture of North Dakota’s Native American, ranching and rodeo communities.

The nationally acclaimed Pitchfork Steak Fondue along with the Medora Musical is a must try. Known far and wide as one of the greatest shows in the west, the musical is performed outdoors with the picturesque Badlands as its backdrop. The fast-moving show includes dancing, singing, comedy, a variety of national acts along with a star-spangled patriotic finale and is dedicated to the legacy of America's 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt. This is held yearly from June through to September.

Day 12

Medora to Bismarck

Take a trip to Abraham Lincoln State Park which is rich in both military and early Native American history. Visit Fort Abraham Lincoln which was once a significant infantry and cavalry post and On-A-Slant Indian village which contains reconstructed earth lodges which depict the lifestyle of the Mandan Indians. Nearby is the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site which preserves the historic and archeological remnants of the Hidatsa, Northern Plains Indians. Journey through time at the North Dakota Heritage Centre and State Museum in Bismarck. From a life-size Tyrannosaurs Rex and Triceratops cast to a Mars spacesuit as well as exhibits of exceptional pottery and bead-work, there are thousands of artefacts and specimens, high-tech displays and interactive exhibits in its four museum galleries.

Day 13

Black Leg Ranch

Experience the wild west at Black Leg Ranch. Older than North Dakota itself the working cattle ranch has cowboys with bloodlines dating back to the early 1600s who were pioneers of the country. The ranch is home to over 10,000 acres of buffalo wallows, the ghost town of Brittin, three abandoned farmsteads, quicksand, 1,800 wagon trails, an old rail-road built in the 1800s, Native American artifacts and so much more. There is a grand lodge, pheasant haven lodge and deer dwelling lodge to stay in. With horse riding, guided hikes, fishing, mountain biking, massages, evening entertainment and golf nearby, authentic western dining and a real “Ranch Saloon” there is plenty to fill up the day at Back Leg Ranch.

Day 14

Bismarck to Fargo

The world’s largest buffalo monument Dakota Thunder has been standing his ground since 1959 in Jamestown. The oldest standing structure in the state, which began operation in the 1840s, can be found at Gingras Trading Post State Historic Site which preserves the 1840s home and trading post of Métis legislator and businessman Antoine Blanc Gingras. Following this, spend the night in Fargo.

Day 15

Fargo

Fargo is the largest city in North Dakota and cultural centerpiece of the state with a lively night-life, a diverse arts scene, and distinctive theatre offering. The annual Fargo Film Festival is held in March and is set in the beautifully restored, state of the art, art deco Fargo Theatre with movies and awards across a variety of categories. Music lovers can head to the Fargo Blues Festival and art aficionados can go to the Plains Arts Museum which boasts a range of Native American, folk and contemporary art. Children will love Yunker Farm or the Red River Valley Zoo where they can spot a Grey Wolf or some cheeky North American River Otters. Football fanatics can watch NDSU Bison Football at the Fargodome and for a slice of the outdoors head to Lindenwood Park. There is also plenty of shopping in Fargo and over 350 restaurants.

Day 16

Depart Fargo for home

Today marks the end of this wild west adventure as you head home.

“Content and images in this road trip were provided by the Great American West States of Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota."

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