After learning about the Séliš, Ksanka, Ql̓ispe̓ (Confederated Salish and Kootenai) Tribes (CSKT) and how to respectfully visit the Flathead Indian Reservation, it’s time to hit the road! Below is a day trip itinerary highlighting some of the most beautiful, educational, and cared for areas in the state — and Missoula is the perfect launching point for this truly exceptional experience.
With breathtaking views of the Mission Mountain Range, an abundance of protected wildlife to see, and many historical points of interest, this day trip is packed with education, culture and adrenaline-packed recreational opportunities. This day-trip itinerary has a total driving time of just 3 hours round trip, giving you plenty of time to spend your day enjoying every stop along the way.
Start your day in Missoula with a morning bite and hot cup of coffee before hitting the road. Here are some of our favorite quick Missoula breakfast options:
Set out on Interstate 90 and cruise toward Kalispell to begin your day trip. After about 20 minutes of breathtaking mountain scenery along U.S. Route 93, you’ll find your first stop: the Ewam Garden of One Thousand Buddhas. The site was identified by Tibetan master Tulku Sang-Ngag Rinpoche, who met with the CSKT Tribal Council before beginning construction of this sacred arrangement of exactly 1,0000 small, white hand-cast Buddhas. Step out, stretch your legs and wander through the botanical gardens. Take your time strolling among these detailed sculptures, which are set against a backdrop of wide-open fields, rounded hills and far-off, dramatic mountain peaks. Be sure to read the unique messages etched into the base of each statue, too. As you walk, you’ll find much larger, colorful statues throughout the garden as well, each depicting a significant figure in Buddhist teachings. Check out the gift shop to take home your own prayer flags or a small souvenir before getting back on the road.
Continue on U.S. Route 93 going north for approximately 20 mins, then follow the signs for the Bison Range. The Bison Range was established in 1908 as a part of the National Wildlife Refuge Service. The stunning, rolling hills cover 18,500 acres in the heart of the Flathead Indian Reservation. The range is home to anywhere between 350-500 bison as well as black bear, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope and elk. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) have a long history with the Range and even provided the initial bison — ancestors of the herds that roam on the refuge today. In 2021, Congress formally restored the Bison Range under federal trust ownership to the CSKT. The tribes have implemented crucial stewardship plans and practices that align with various education programs offered to visitors and locals alike. We strongly recommend scheduling a tour of the recently updated visitor center during your visit to the Range to learn about its history and the CSKT’s involvement in restoration, maintenance, cultural heritage and more. Be sure to check out road condition updates, closures, and specific regulations regarding wildlife viewing on the website as well. Entrance fees can be paid at the Bison Range Visitor Center in Moiese.
Stop for lunch or a snack in St. Ignatius. Here are a few delicious eateries we recommend:
Less than 20 minutes from the Bison Range, you’ll find Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge was established in 1921 as a protected area and breeding ground for birds that are indigenous to the area. On a whopping 4,027 acres, this stunning land is home to a wide range of birds, plants, and wildlife. Enjoy a hike or bike ride through the refuge on one of the many established trails provided, some of which contain educational interpretive signs. Bring binoculars or a camera to observe the breathtaking bird population that inhabits the refuge at various times throughout the year. Visitors frequently spot Canada geese, great blue heron rookeries, bald eagles and osprey nests, Forster’s and Caspian tern colonies, and much more. The refuge is open daily, year-round, but be sure to check online for access points information, relevant dates for area usage, and any other time-sensitive updates.
Get back on U.S. Route 93 and head northeast for about 30 minutes. Along this final stretch going north, you’ll see some of the most beautiful scenery Montana has to offer. With the impressive Mission Mountain Range to your right, and the rolling hills speckled with wildlife and cattle to your left, you’ll understand why this area is both adored and revered. Once you reach Polson, you’ll know it. The town is perched along the southern shoreline of Flathead Lake—the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. The southern half of Flathead Lake is within the boundary of the Flathead Indian Reservation. Visitors can enjoy daytime activities on Flathead Lake like swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, and picnicking without purchasing a tribal permit. To fish, purchase a recreation permit first at one of these vendors.
After enjoying the beautiful lake, take some time to walk around the charming town of Polson. Here, you’ll find shops with handmade goods and souvenirs, sweet treats (Flathead Lake has famously delicious cherries), spa services, breweries, lounges and more!
After enjoying Flathead Lake and roaming around downtown Polson, get ready to drive back toward Missoula (hopefully with a few shopping bags in tow). But before you complete your memorable day trip, stop at Three Chiefs Cultural Center in Pablo to learn more about the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. Here you’ll find a variety of exquisite traditional artifacts within the Horse and Tribal History exhibits, along with many other significant cultural pieces the center has recovered. After spending time in this impressively curated museum, don’t forget to check out the center’s gift shop before hitting the road back to Missoula.
Click here for more resources about the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes and the Flathead Indian Reservation.
