Takeaways From My Trip to Montana & Wyoming

Right after school ended in late May, I went to Montana and Wyoming for a family vacation in the national parks. This trip ended up being such a fun experience, and I can’t wait to share it with you!

Bozeman, MT

The trip came to its official start when I landed in the Bozeman-Yellowstone International airport. Here, I got to set foot in Montana and the Northern Rockies for the very first time! The view of the green prairies and distant mountains made me even more excited to hit the road.

Right after landing, I had lunch plans with the teacher of one of my online classes. After a year of conversations through a computer screen, it was an amazing experience to finally talk to her face-to-face, and I am so thankful that she agreed to meet up.

The rest of my time in Bozeman involved getting a cup of coffee (You’ll quickly find out that I love coffee) before heading to Big Sky.

Big Sky, MT

My first leg of the trip took place in the charming ski town of Big Sky. Because I came during the transition between ski season and mountain biking season, there were hardly any tourists, and the whole town felt eerily empty (especially to someone from a big city).

Right after the first night, I woke up early for a morning adventure: whitewater rafting down the Gallatin river. Some of you may remember that I went whitewater rafting in Colorado last summer, and this time brought back many of those memories. Surprisingly, the water in Montana felt less cold than in Colorado, but the perfectly sunny weather might’ve helped. The rapids were also very calm, but that didn’t prevent my younger sister from falling out of the raft! She can now flex that she got to swim the Gallatin, so you could say that she got the most of the experience.

My other highlight from my time in Big Sky was doing the Ousel Falls hike. The trail was short, but it included some gorgeous mountain views, and a waterfall with a rainbow was waiting for us at the end.

The rest of my time included exploring the town, taking photos at a historic ranch, going to the movies, and taking sunset walks. The sky really does feel bigger up in Montana.

Yellowstone National Park

My time in Yellowstone came with the full outdoor experience because I got to spend a couple nights camping (well, more like “glamping”) at Under Canvas West Yellowstone. The tent included cozy beds and a warm shower. In the evening, we could roast s’mores and drink hot cocoa. Late in the night, we could step outside to stargaze, and the absence of electricity made the stars shine that much brighter.

During the day, we would head into Yellowstone National Park to see the attractions, including Grand Prismatic Spring, Old Faithful, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (my personal favorite). Because we came at the end of springtime, we saw many baby animals.

On our way out of Yellowstone, we saw an adorable fox that must have been fed by previous tourists because it walked right up to the car window (which made for easy pictures).

Then we headed into Cooke City, a tiny mountain town that has no Internet. Exploring random towns (especially ones in the desert or the mountains) is a random hobby of mine, and the mountain ones always have the best chocolate fudge. This town was no exception.

Driving through Idaho

As the trip continued, the road ran through Idaho, so I got to add another state to my list of visited ones. Idaho means open green prairies, rolling hills, distant mountains, and… huckleberry milkshakes. Since reading about them for a random freshman-year school project, I’ve wanted to taste one of Idaho’s famous roadside huckleberry milkshakes. Pulling up to the Emporium in Victor, ID, made that little dream all possible. And I’m telling you–It tasted better than I dreamed (maybe because of the Oreos).

Jackson, WY

Jackson is essentially a cross between a ski town and a Western town, and it’s definitely worth a visit. The town features inviting streets, great shopping, and delicious food. It also offers entertainment, including the Western show at the Playhouse and the wagon ride and cookout, which completed the Wyoming experience.

At one of the nearby resorts, I went on a rollercoaster through the mountains. Another resort offered a tram to the top of one of the mountains. The mountaintop not only meant getting to see gorgeous views of the Tetons–It also meant getting to see snow up close! The last time I saw snow was during my Colorado vacation, and my little sisters and I were so excited to see it again here (We even had a couple mini snowball fights). In perfect timing, a light snowfall started on the mountaintop.

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park is one of the prettiest places I’ve ever visited. Mountains always make me feel closer to God, but this park’s view of the Tetons felt like stepping into God’s perfect postcard. Purple and yellow wildflowers sprawled across fields of grass that turned golden at sunset. Colter Bay and Jenny Lake reflected those mountains across clear blue waters.

To get the best view of the waters, I hiked to Inspiration Point. The reward for reaching this 7,200-foot point was an unobstructed view of Jenny Lake. On the way up, the trail also went past Hidden Falls.

I also enjoyed visiting the Chapel of the Transfiguration. Against the backdrop of the Tetons, this historic little chapel is beautiful to see, but something even sweeter waits on the walls inside. Stepping inside, you’ll find not only a stained-glass window, but poems on all the walls. These poems offer a glimpse of how the chapel (or “little log church,” as one poem calls it) has been a sanctuary for centuries. It’s a testimony of God’s faithfulness, and one that touched me as a poet.

Livingston, MT

I spent the last couple nights in a tent under the stars again, this time at Under Canvas North Yellowstone. The campground is located near Livingston, so I explored the town, where I got to visit an adorable cafe (called Tru North) that’s known for having the best coffee in the state of Montana. The cafe also sells two tea drinks, called Blue Velvet and Purple Rain, and they play the corresponding songs for you if you order them (Of course, my brother and I had to order them on the first day). During my first time visiting the town, there was also a car show (It even had a vintage red Corvette).

Back at the campground, I went on a trail run and trekked by the Yellowstone River. My little sisters and I made friendship bracelets and hot cocoa, and we played cornhole and frisbee, all under a setting Montana sun.

The next day, I returned to the airport with a bag full of new souvenirs and a heart full of new memories. When the city lights reflecting over the Pacific Ocean came back into view, I knew I had reached home again.

Thanks for reading! Before you go, I’d love to know: Which destination from my trip do you most want to visit? Do you have any trips this summer? Let’s chat in the comments!