Montana Backroads of America

• Itinerary
• Prices & Information

Day 1 – Home to Medora, ND
Our first days journey across the Great Plains of North Dakota will lead us to the historic western setting of Medora. Tonight, we’ll experience the famous Pitchfork Fondue followed by the spectacular Medora Musical in it’s outdoor amphitheater setting.
Lodging: AmericInn – Medora, ND
Meals: Dinner (Pitchfork Fondue)

Day 2 – Medora to Billings, MT
Today we get our first glimpse of “The Big Sky.”  We will travel along the scenic Yellowstone River enroute to the Little Bighorn Battlefield, the legendary site of Custer’s Last Stand. We conclude today’s journey in Billings, Montana’s largest city. Enjoy real western hospitality this evening at Montana’s Rib & Chop House. After dinner we will visit Yellowstone Boys & Girls Ranch, a beautiful facility and one of America’s premier child care homes.  Leaving the Ranch, we ascend the Rimrocks, high above Billings for a panoramic view of The Magic City and the mountains beyond.
Lodging: Hampton Inn of Billings
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 – Billings to Big Sky, MT
Hit the “real back roads” in earnest as we motor to the charming village of Red Lodge, across the rolling foothills of the snow capped Beartooth Mountains, thru sleepy hamlets nestled by clear mountain streams to Bozeman. Here we explore the Museum of the Rockies, the largest natural history museum in the region, with 94,000 sq. ft. under one roof, including 500 million years of history.  Leaving Bozeman travel along the Gallatin River, one of Montana’s signature trout streams to Big Sky and the 320 Ranch where we offer you a “ taste of life in the west’, in classic comfort. It is Montana’s premier guest ranch for over 100 years. Enjoy a hayride and a real outdoor western Bar B Q along the banks of the Gallatin River.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner 
Lodging: 320 Guest Ranch

Day 4 – Big Sky to West Yellowstone
Awaken to a mountain fresh air morning and enjoy a real ranch breakfast. West Yellowstone lies ahead as we depart our beautiful setting. Keep your eyes open for animals along the way. Journey into Yellowstone Park to famous Old Faithful, viewing buffalo, elk and other inspiring natural wonders on the way. In West Yellowstone, visit the Grizzly & Wolf Center, the Yellowstone IMAX Theatre or stroll the streets exploring the many unique shops. Enjoy dinner before an entertaining evening at the Playmill Theatre.
Lodging: SunSpree Resort
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5 – West Yellowstone to Dillion
Today’s back road experiences include:
 * Beautiful Hebgen Lake framed by 10,000 snow capped peaks
 * The 1959 earthquake site and Quake Lake * Antelope gliding across broad sweeping valleys. * Ennis, MT, the fly fishing capital of the world and the famous blue ribbon stream, the Madison River * Virginia City & Nevada City – Site of the 1860’s gold rush and Vigilante Days, boasting old west artifacts & America’s finest array of original boomtown buildings.
Hotel: Comfort Inn – Dillion, MT       
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6 – Dillion to Fairmont Hot Springs
Discover what the old west was really like in Bannack where the roads and boardwalks are deserted, doors sway in the wind and the Gold Rush is long over. This is our country’s best preserved ghost town. Montana’s original territorial capital and the site of the first big gold strike in 1862. Travel through some of the most unspoiled countryside you’ll ever witness. Wind through lush green valleys with snow laced mountains in every direction. Enjoy small western towns and general stores, like Connors Trading Post in Wisdom, MT. Skirt along Big Hole River and through Wise River Canyon – beauty words can’t describe. Relax  at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, a natural mineral hot spring boasting two olympic pools and 2 soaking pools. 
Hotel: Fairmont Hot Springs
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7 –  Fairmont Hot Springs to Helena
Our day begins in Anaconda where copper was once king. The Anaconda Smelter Stack, 585 ft. High, is the masonry stack in the world. (The Washington Monument could easily be tucked inside.) Anaconda is also the home of the Washoe Theatre, listed as the 5th most beautiful theatre, in original condition, in the nation. In Deer Lodge, we will tour the Old Montana Prison. Picture yourself behind those massive grey stone walls, in one of the tiny cells and view the hanging gallows. We visit the fabulous Montana Auto Museum featuring 150 vintage automobiles. Maybe you’ll see your very first car here.  Continue to Helena, Montana’s capital city and tour this historic city, famous for Last Chance Gulch and it’s beautiful capital building.
Lodging: Hampton Inn
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8 – Helena to Lewistown
Motor along beautiful mountain canyons, along rushing streams and out to the rolling foothills & prairies. Watch for antelope and scores of free running horses as we view the vistas of the open range. Only an occasional small western town interrupts our view.  Your inn is tucked below the Big Snowy Mountains tonight.  Lewistown is famous for the Yogo Sapphire so we’ll visit the nations premier supplier of this precious gem.
Lodging: Yogo Inn, Lewistown
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 – Lewistown to Bismarck
The sky will get “bigger” and you’ll think the country couldn’t be this vast as we head east. See more antelope than vehicles, buildings, trees, and cowtowns  few and far between. Stops at small country general stores are as exciting for them as it is for us.
Hotel: Country Inn & Suites   
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10 – Bismarck to Home
Travel across the Dakota prairie and maybe we’ll be singing; “O give me a home where the buffalo roam and the deer and the antelope play.”  We have truly experienced  The BackRoads of America.
Included Meals: Breakfast