Ready to hit the road and chase waterfalls, dig for sapphires, hike to secret lakes, and maybe even spot a moose or two?
This Spokane to Bozeman road trip is packed with weird history, wild views and plenty of small-town surprises.
We’re talking old mining towns, mountain trails, hidden caves, and fun stops you’ll definitely want to tell your friends about (or keep all to yourself).
So get ready for an adventure that’s anything but boring.
1. Spokane, Washington
We’re starting our road trip in the city of Spokane.
Spokane sits near the Washington-Idaho border and offers fun attractions like waterfalls, massive parks, and a skyride that glides over Spokane Falls.
It’s known for Riverfront Park, a 100-acre downtown gem with a 1909 carousel, a giant red wagon slide, and a clock tower that once belonged to a train station.
Fun fact: Spokane hosts Hoopfest, the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament!
2. Wallace, Idaho
Next up is Wallace, Idaho—a tiny town with a big personality, located about 1 hour 20 minutes east of Spokane.
This place calls itself “The Center of the Universe” (there’s even a manhole cover that says so) and is full of wild mining history, interesting museums, and a bordello tour.
You can explore the cute brick downtown, hop on an underground mine tour, or bike the 15-mile Route of the Hiawatha with dark tunnels and sky-high trestles.
3. Revett Lake Trail, Coeur d’Alene National Forest, Idaho
If you’re itching to stretch your legs, the Revett Lake Trail in Coeur d’Alene National Forest is the place to be.
This 3.3-mile out-and-back hike climbs over 600 feet and leads you through wildflower-filled meadows and over creeks.
It ends at a crystal-clear alpine lake that’s perfect for a snack break or a chilly toe dip.
Keep your eyes peeled for huckleberries along the way and bring bug spray as the mosquitoes here mean business in the summer.
4. Rattlesnake National Recreation Area, Montana
Right outside Missoula, Montana, the Rattlesnake National Recreation Area brings a whole new level of wild.
There are over 70 miles of trails here, ranging from flat riverside walks to rugged climbs with sweeping views of the Rattlesnake Mountains and Bitterroot Range.
One favorite is the 21.7-mile out-and-back Rattlesnake Trail, where you might spot deer, moose, or even a black bear if you’re lucky.
If you’re looking for something a bit more easygoing then try the 5.4-mile Sawmill Curry Gulch Loop Trail instead.
5. Garnet Ghost Town, Montana
Just when you think this road trip can’t get any cooler, you roll up to Garnet Ghost Town, one of Montana’s best-preserved ghost towns with ~30 intact buildings.
Back in the 1890s, this place was buzzing with gold miners, saloons, and general stores.
Today, you can wander through wooden cabins and peek inside an old hotel that looks stuck in time.
This place tends to be pretty quiet so get ready for a crowd-free taste of the Wild West.
6. Philipsburg, Montana
From ghost towns to gemstone towns, the road leads to Philipsburg, Montana—a small but sparkly stop known for sapphires and old-time charm.
One of the highlights here is digging for your own gems at local spots like Sapphire Gallery or Montana Gems.
Cap it off by strolling down Main Street, where you’ll find homemade candy at The Sweet Palace and old-fashioned sodas at Doe Brothers Restaurant.
7. Butte, Montana
Next comes Butte, Montana—a town where copper mining once created more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in the United States.
Tour the 3,200-foot-deep Orphan Girl Mine at the World Museum of Mining, see the eerie Berkeley Pit, or hop on a trolley to hear wild stories about Butte’s past.
With its gritty history, old brick buildings, and hearty Cornish pasties, this place gives an insight into Montana’s mining roots you wouldn’t want to miss.
8. Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, Montana
After all that mining history, it’s time for a different kind of underground adventure at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park.
It’s Montana’s first state park and home to epic cave tours with twisting tunnels, massive limestone rooms, and unusual formations like “Beaver Slide.”
The two-mile guided tour includes 600+ stairs, so wear good shoes and get ready to duck, squeeze, and gasp through one of this trip’s most unforgettable stops.
(Cave tours at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park typically run from May through September.)
9. Bozeman, Montana
And at last, you arrive in Bozeman, Montana—a college town that has pretty much everything you could ask for.
Start with the Museum of the Rockies to check out a real T. rex skull and grab some coffee downtown.
Afterward, unwind in the steamy Bozeman Hot Springs or head to the nearby Bridger Range for a hike.
With stunning scenery and science that sparks curiosity, it’s a place that makes you want to stick around way longer.
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