Trip Highlights
The Legends & Landscapes tour blends Montana’s most iconic scenery with the rich, often overlooked stories that shaped the region. Instead of choosing between outdoor adventure and cultural discovery, guests experience both—waterfalls and wildlife, ghost towns and ranchlands, historic forts and quiet alpine lakes. Every day offers a new landscape and a new layer of history, guided by naturalists and storytellers who connect the places you explore with the legends that bring them to life. This journey isn’t just a collection of activities—it’s a deep dive into Western Montana’s character, past and present.
-
Small, intimate group size
-
Interpretation, natural history, and storytelling from expert guides
-
Wildlife viewing opportunities for bison, elk, bighorn sheep, bears, and more
-
Charming small town stops and local Montana dining
-
Iconic Montana features - from glacially carved peaks and wildflower filled meadows, to meandering rivers and breathtaking alpine lakes
Trip Details
Trip Starts
Missoula, Montana
Trip Ends
Missoula, Montana
Trip Length
5 days, 4 nights
Trip Type
Hotel based hiking tour
Group Size
4-12 Guests
Activity Level
Most of the the trails on this tour are well maintained. Our Day 5 hike in the Bitterroot Mountains is the only hike with considerable elevation gain (1300-2300 feet depending on permit). Expect easy to moderate walking distances each day.
Difficulty
Overall difficulty is easy. This is an active tour, but there is only one day with moderate physical exertion.
Transportation
Our daily travel is by van. We will have frequent van entries and exits depending on wildlife and scenery.
Terrain
Hikes and walks range from 2-8 miles with up to 700 ft of elevation gain daily (except Day 5).
Weather
Montana's weather is highly variable. Day temps can range from 30-90° F. Overnight temps can drop below freezing, depending on season and elevation.
Trip Pace
We will visit 1-3 locations per day. Two of the days will have either an early morning, late evening, or both. Ample time will be given on two of the evenings for downtime activities in Missoula.
Accessibility
This itinerary is not suitable for individuals requiring the use of canes, walkers, and wheelchairs.
Itinerary
Day 1: Missoula to Swan Valley
Elevation Gain/Loss: +200 feet
Hiking Distance: 2 miles, optional afternoon hiking
Kick off the journey with a scenic hike around Clearwater Lake nestled in the Swan Mountains just south of Glacier National Park. Following a relaxing lakeside lunch, spend the afternoon swimming, hammocking, or wildlife-watching on the shores of this stunning alpine lake before an early dinner in Seeley Lake and a restful evening back in Missoula.
Day 4: Garnet Ghost Town
Elevation Gain/Loss: +500 feet
Hiking Distance: 4-5 miles
Wander the remarkably intact streets of Garnet Ghost Town, Montana's best preserved Ghost Town. Learn the stories and characters that shaped this once vibrant and prosperous gold-rush community. After lunch, return to Missoula for a guided walk through historic Fort Missoula, exploring the epicenter of America's forestry and wildland firefighting industries.
Day 2: Old Montana Prison and Grant-Kohrs Historic Ranch
Elevation Gain/Loss: +100 feet
Hiking Distance: 4-5 miles
Travel to Deer Lodge for an immersive tour of the Old Montana Prison and the Frontier Museum to contextualize the history of the American cowboy and the outlaws facing long sentences in the rapidly civilizing West. After lunch, explore the historic ranchlands of the Grant-Kohrs Ranch—one of the last open-range cattle operations preserved in the West. Return to Missoula for a free evening.
Day 5: Bitterroot Valley Hike and Bike Ride
Elevation Gain/Loss:+1300 to +2300 feet
Hiking Distance: 5-9 miles, depending on permit
Begin the day with a beautiful bike ride down the Bitterroot Trail, a protected bike trail spanning lengthwise through the iconic Bitterroot Valley. Enjoy lunch in Hamilton with time to stroll downtown. In the afternoon, hike up a glacially carved canyon to an alpine lake, taking in waterfalls, jagged granite peaks, and sparkling lake views. End the tour with dinner in Darby and a final evening drive back to Missoula.
Day 3: National Bison Range and Flathead Lake
Elevation Gain/Loss: +400 feet
Hiking Distance: 3-4 miles
Start early for a sunrise arrival at the National Bison Range. Drive the spectacular Red Sleep Loop in search of bison, elk, deer, and sweeping valley views. Learn about the integral relationship between grassland ecosystems, grazing megafauna like the American Bison, the Indigenous people of the area, and their struggle for sovereignty. After lunch in Polson on the shores of Flathead Lake, head back to Missoula with the afternoon free to explore, relax, or enjoy local dining.
Accomodations
LOGE Missoula
Located in the heart of Downtown Missoula, LOGE is the ideal basecamp for those adventuring into the scenic beauty of Montana.
Delicious Meals
We serve locally sourced fare—think Montana bison, seasonal produce, wild-berry desserts—and also highlight Missoula’s culinary diversity, from Mexican dishes to Thai curries and Indian, Italian, and Japanese specialties.
What's Included
-
Five nights of lodging in Missoula
-
Roundtrip transportation from your hotel
-
Drinking water, snacks, and non-alcoholic beverages
-
Entrance fees and permits
-
Emergency equipment (first aid kit and Garmin InReach)
-
Bikes, paddleboards, and hammocks
-
Expert guides with years of wilderness, hiking, and interpretation experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading outdoor adventures
-
A small, locally sourced gift (each one is different!)
-
All meals except Dinner on Days 2, 3, and 4 (12/15 meals provided)
-
Binoculars and spotting scopes
-
Bear spray canisters
-
Trekking Poles
What's Not Included
-
Water bottles, headlamp, and flashlight
-
Clothing, footwear, and raingear
-
Toiletries and personal items
-
Guide Gratuity (industry standard is 10-20% of trip cost)
-
Alcoholic Beverages
-
Airport transportation
Trip Dates
Start | End | Availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
May 18, 2026 | May 22, 2026 | Available | $3200 |
June 1, 2026 | June 5, 2026 | Available | $3200 |
June 15,2026 | June 19, 2026 | Available | $3200 |
June 29, 2026 | July 3, 2026 | Available | $3200 |
July 13, 2026 | July 17, 2026 | Available | $3200 |
July 27, 2026 | July 31, 2026 | Available | $3200 |
August 10, 2026 | August 14, 2026 | Available | $3200 |
August 24, 2026 | August 28, 2026 | Available | $3200 |
September 7, 2026 | September 11, 2026 | Available | $3200 |
September 21, 2026 | September 25, 2026 | Available | $3200 |
Logistics & FAQS
Where do we meet?
We will meet at the LOGE Hotel at 8am in the lobby on Day 1 of your tour.
When do we Start/End?
This trip begins at 8am on Day 1 and ends around 7pm on Day 5. We recommend you do not plan any travel accommodations for the last night of the tour.
Travel Details
This tour begins and ends in Missoula, Montana. Missoula has a regional airport with several carriers providing direct flights to major US cities.
Safety
Safety is our utmost priority. All of our tours are led by professional guides who are all Wilderness First Responders or EMT's. Our guides have extensive guiding and wilderness experience and comply with standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident. Each tour will have both an extensive first aid kit and a satellite communication device. Please feel free to email info@northskyadventures.com if you have any questions.
Group Size
By design, we keep our tours to a size of 4-12. This allows for a more intimate experience and ensures everyone is getting the most out of their trip.
Are there Age Restrictions?
We have a minimum age of 12 for our scheduled tours. For private tours the minimum age is 5.
