Planning an unforgettable girls’ trip can be a challenge – trying to find a destination that combines outdoor adventures, cozy accommodations, and unique experiences that everyone will enjoy. Look no further than Western Montana’s Glacier Country, a place that offers something for everyone. Whether it’s hiking through scenic landscapes, browsing charming local boutiques, or relaxing in rejuvenating hot springs, Glacier Country has it all. Here’s what we did on our Montana girls’ trip.
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**We were guests of Western Montana’s Glacier Country for the purpose of this review. As always, opinions are 100% our own.
Table of Contents
What Not to Miss on a Montana Girls’ Trip
Arriving in Missoula
In early October, my friend Meagan and I traveled to Glacier Country for a Montana girls’ trip. It was super easy to fly to Missoula as they have direct flights from Dallas. As soon as we landed, we knew this trip was going to be special. The airport is small and efficient, and super easy to navigate. In less than 15 minutes, we were picking up our rental car and heading out to start our adventure. Missoula’s airport is just 10 minutes from downtown, which meant we could dive into our vacation almost immediately.
Our Time in Missoula
Missoula’s downtown was a perfect home base for us, offering just the right balance of lively city life and peaceful nature. Since we had less than 24 hours to explore, we hit the ground running.
Our first stop was lunch, and we grabbed a quick bite at Tamarack Brewing Co. They have a great selection of pizza, burgers, and salads. From there we decided to check out some of the local shops. Missoula is a gold mine of local boutiques. We would recommend stores like Cloth & Crown, One Eleven, and Olive + Iron. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of them.
The Clark Fork River runs through the heart of downtown, so we took a walk to get the lay of the land. There’s a wonderful hiking trail that runs alongside the river. It goes past local gardens, parks, and even the University of Montana. There were private fishing boats and people fly fishing (as you would expect). It was a very idyllic stroll.
Side note: If you are looking for more hiking routes, you are sure to find plenty in Missoula. Check out the Mount Sentinel “M” Hike, The Kim Williams Trail, and the “L” Hike.
Where to Eat and Drink in Missoula
Missoula has a vibrant food scene. At night we headed to PLONK Wine, a stylish spot with delicious charcuterie boards, perfect for sharing. Their drink menu had something for everyone (with several non-alcoholic options), and we enjoyed being a part of the local scene.
For dinner we headed to 1889 Steakhouse, were I enjoyed a delicious French onion soup and perfectly cooked salmon. The menu includes a variety of meat options, as well as the sides you would expect to find at a steakhouse.
We stayed at the Residence Inn Missoula Downtown, which has spacious suites with living rooms and kitchenettes. This was a comfortable spot to hang out and discuss the plans for our trip. One of the more unique things about this property is its lobby bar and lounge. I’ve never seen that at a Residence Inn, but it was a nice touch. This property is just steps away from the riverfront, shops, and restaurants. I would highly recommend.
Next Up: The Ranch Experience
After soaking in all the city had to offer, we were ready to escape to a ranch for the next leg of our adventure. We loaded up the car and drove out to explore Western Montana’s more rugged side. The area is known for beautiful ranches, and two of the best options are Alpine Falls Ranch and The Hightail Ranch.
Quick Stop: Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort
This was a last minute addition to our itinerary, and we are so glad we made time for a stop. Quinn’s Hot Springs is about an hour from Missoula. It offers the perfect place for a soak in natural mineral hot springs with temperatures ranging from 55°F to 106°F.
The complex is extremely clean and well cared for. There are locker rooms for storing your clothes and plenty of lounge chairs around the pools. They also have a bar with an extensive coffee and drink menu. So grab a cup or glass before heading into the water if you want to add to your experience.
Rates for day access to the pools range around $20-$35 per person and you will need to bring your own towel.
Alpine Falls Ranch
Alpine Falls Ranch, just over an hour’s drive from Missoula, offers several accommodation options for a Montana girls’ trip. Bordering the beautiful Lolo National Forest, this ranch has accommodations ranging from cozy glamping tents to the sprawling Mountain View Villa. They offer a flexible range of packages that allowed us to personalize our stay.
Our first stop was a quick visit with the resident animals, including miniature donkeys and Highland cattle. They were so cute, it was hard to leave them!
After a rather eventful horseback ride, we borrowed one of the ranches UTVs and drove an hour up to Diamond Lake, one of the alpine lakes in this part of the country. It was a beautiful drive. There is hiking around the lake, but it was close to sunset, so we decided to head back to the ranch after a quick stop.
Since we had less than 24 hours at the ranch, we were limited to just a couple of activities. The ranch can arrange fly fishing, white water rafting (seasonal), or time at the shooting range. In the winter they offer ice skating and snow mobile tours. They will ensure you have everything you need for the perfect getaway.
Meals at the ranch are made-to-order, and you can take them in the Six8Saloon or have them delivered to your accommodation. We had lunch and dinner at the saloon, but breakfast was waiting for us in our kitchen when we woke up the next day. I loved having the ability to choose!
Lodging at Alpine Falls Ranch
We stayed at the Black Bear Lodge which has plenty of room for 2 of us. The house can sleep 10 with 5 bedrooms, 4.5 bathrooms, a decent sized kitchen, and porches for enjoying the mountain and valley views. Two bedrooms are on the ground floor, while three are in the lower level. There are multiple washer/dryer units, and even a sauna in the lower level master suite (which we took full advantage of).
If your group is looking for more space and luxury, there’s also the Mountain View Villa, which sleeps up to 14. It comes complete with a theater room, private dining space, chef’s kitchen, a pond, and even a fitness center.
The Hightail Ranch
The next day we headed to The Hightail Ranch, a working bison ranch in Hot Springs, which provided another unforgettable experience. Covering over 3,000 acres of wide-open land, this ranch has several accommodation options, from charming Canvas Cabins for glamping to the Governor’s Mansion, which was the original homestead on the property.
We stayed in the former barn of the homestead which is known as a “Historic Homestead Cabin”. It had a nice setup that would be perfect for a family. There is a king size bed and full bath downstairs, and a loft with two twins upstairs. However, the loft is only accessible by ladder, so if you are traveling with a group, be sure someone is good with going up and down the ladder if they need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night! Each of these smaller cabins has a kitchenette, living room, and porch. It was a very comfortable spot to rest our heads for the night.
Activities at The Hightail Ranch
The absolute highlight of our stay at Hightail Ranch was the opportunity to witness the seasonal bison roundup – a truly unique and thrilling experience. A group of motorcycle riders zoom around the bison and lead them into a circular formation before they are herded to the corral. Once they are in the corral, they are put into a chute. From here, the ranch hands have to ensure the bison is facing in the right direction as it goes through the working area, so it’s ready to have its ear tagged at the end of the chute. It is a massive process that was fascinating to watch and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a one-of-a-kind vacation.
After watching and participating in the roundup, we headed off in a UTV with Brittany (one of the owners) to tour the property. She drove us to the top of the mountain on one side of the property where we had stunning views of Flathead Lake in the distance. We also drove along a trail that was used to smuggle alcohol from Canada to the US during prohibition. It was truly a memorable day!
The ranch will create bespoke itineraries for travelers. They offer hikes, horseback rides, archery, fly fishing, and off ranch activities. At night we gathered at the ranch’s main dining hall for a family-style meal with the hard working wranglers (both staff and guests), and savored bison tomahawk steaks while the sun set over the mountains. This is one of those places Meagan and I will be talking about for years to come.
Why Glacier Country Was The Perfect Montana Girls’ Trip
As we wrapped up our trip, we agreed that Western Montana’s Glacier Country had given us an experience unlike any other. From the adventures in Missoula to the ranch life and breathtaking landscapes, each moment felt straight out of a dream. This was the perfect introduction to Glacier Country and we can’t wait to return!