Missoula, home to the University of Montana, is known for its free-spirited vibe and artsy, outdoorsy culture. Before heading north, make a stop at Rockin’ Rudy’s, the iconic gift and record shop that perfectly captures the city’s offbeat energy. Then grab a coffee and handmade
pastry at Florabella (fun fact: it’s owned by the same creative mind behind Bigfork’s Saketome Sushi). But don’t linger too long; this 100-mile adventure is jam packed.
Leaving Missoula, head north on US-93 into the Flathead Indian Reservation, homeland of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Just past Evaro, look for Montana’s first wildlife overpass, a land bridge that gives deer, elk, and bears safe passage.
Your first pause is the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas, a serene public space in the Jocko Valley. Open to visitors of all backgrounds, this circle of white statues set against the dramatic Mission Mountains completes a vision of peace and compassion.
Continue north through Ravalli, you can stop at the boat inspection station to learn the Clean, Drain, Dry principles that keep Montana’s waters free of invasive mussels. Pro tip: grab a huckleberry shake at the Bison Café before getting back on the road.
Farther on, you’ll reach the 1890s St. Ignatius Mission, where 58 murals by Brother Joseph Carignano, a self-taught Jesuit cook, fill the church with imagery that blends Catholic themes with echoes of Salish tradition.
Rolling into the Mission Valley, pass the Ninepipes Wildlife Refuge, a wetland complex of glacial potholes that attracts more than 200 bird species. A roadside pullout and short trail make it an easy leg-stretcher and a chance to spot herons, cormorants, and waterfowl. Just up the road in Ronan, sip a pint at the Co-op Brewery, Montana’s first community-owned brewery and grab lunch at Lynn’s Drive-In (Pro tip: order the Hazel Burger). A few miles farther Pablo’s Three Chief Cultural Center shares the traditions of the Salish, Pend d ’Oreille, and Kootenai people.
Cresting the hill in Polson, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Flathead Lake stretching 27 miles north. Don’t miss the Miracle of America Museum, aka Smithsonian of the West, and it’s sprawling collection of vintage cars, military memorabilia, and Americana oddities. It’s the kind of place where you can wander for hours and still stumble across something unexpected.
From here, follow MT-35 along the east shore, where orchards bloom in May and cherry stands burst with fresh fruit in July. Consider dinner at Many Springs Resort, a chef-led restaurant overlooking the lake before reaching the community of Woods Bay, just 4 short miles from Bigfork.
