Witness the Blackfeet Powwow, Hike the Rockies
Glacier National Park & Blackfeet Nation
Overview
This active cultural adventure weaves together the story of a people and a place as we witness the annual powwow of the Blackfeet Nation and hike in the grand landscapes they have called home for 10,000 years. With drumming, singing, and spectacular dances, the Blackfeet Powwow blends both the old and new traditions of a proud culture. Trip Leader Melissa Scott has spent significant time on the Blackfeet reservation and gives us an insider’s access as we feel the intensity of the celebrations. Afterwards, we hike Rocky Mountain trails in Glacier National Park and savor stunning Montana sunsets. Overnights are in historic national park lodges.
Arrive: Missoula, Montana
Depart: Missoula, Montana
Highlights
- Enjoy Trip Leader Melissa Scott’s insider’s knowledge, with logistics that help avoid crowds
- Get unique glimpses into Blackfeet culture, both modern and traditional
- Witness the power and athleticism of the men’s fancy dance or women’s shawl dance and feel the energy of the Blackfeet drumbeat coupled with singing
- Hike in Two Medicine Valley and Many Glacier Valley
- Visit the Museum of the Plains Indian, a hidden gem
- Stay at historic lodges in Glacier National Park
Itinerary
We’ll be immersed into Blackfeet culture at the North American Indian Days Powwow, one of the largest gatherings of US and Canadian tribal members. It’s an unforgettable experience to be there, feeling the power of the drumming, hearing the singing, and watching spectacular dancing and horseback relay races. We’ll also visit the Museum of the Plains Indians and hike in serene Two Medicine Valley, less visited than other parts of Glacier National Park. Overnights are in the grand Glacier Park Lodge, built in 1913.
The Many Glacier Valley on the eastern side of the park is a hiker’s paradise, known for epic trails, aquamarine lakes, and abundant wildlife. We spend the early mornings looking for wildlife and taking in the mountain sunrises, with refreshing afternoon hikes. One afternoon, we cross Swiftcurrent and Josephine, two of the valley’s stunning glacial lakes, by historic wooden boat, then head to Glacier’s upper reaches for a hike to a stunning teal-blue lake.
In St. Mary, Montana, near the eastern entrance of Going to the Sun Road, we hike below the ring of angular granite peaks that encircle 10-mile-long St. Mary Lake. Indian paintbrush and lupine should be in bloom on the hills, and long summer evenings give us a chance to savor sunsets in one of the most beautiful places in the world. On our last day, we set out for the must-do drive over Going to-the-Sun Road to reach the Continental Divide at Logan Pass, with our final overnight at forest-ringed Lake McDonald Lodge on the shores of the park’s largest lake. Depart on Day 9.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
What the Trip is Like
The trip is Level 3, Moderate, according to our trip grading system. There are hikes on 4 out of 7 of the days and you will need to be comfortable hiking 7 miles in a day and up to 1,200 feet of elevation gain in a day. Please note that your guide may make adjustments to the itinerary and hiking routes, depending on local weather, trail conditions, and availability.
Review Trip Level Details
Hikes cover a variety of terrain and are usually on well-marked trails. Terrain will vary from dry, rocky slopes to alpine meadows to marshy paths through dense forest. There may be hikes on uneven surfaces, occasionally over loose scree, and sections of steep ascent or descent.
We strongly urge you to train for your trip, as your enjoyment will be highly dependent on your level of fitness. The best training for a hike is to hike, especially over hills or rough terrain. Next best are running, swimming, bicycling, or other cardiovascular exercises. Stair-climbing machines are excellent preparation for hiking uphill. Your feet should also be well prepared—make sure your hiking boots are sturdy, comfortable, and thoroughly broken-in.
In May and June, daytime temperatures average in the 60Fs, dropping to the 30Fs at night. In early June, the annual snow removal project on Going-to-the-Sun Road begins. July and August is the peak season for visitors, with daytime temperatures averaging in the 70Fs and 80Fs and nights that can drop into the 40Fs. Glacier's weather is highly variable and can be extreme. Hikers setting out on a warm summer day should still bring along raingear and lots of extra clothing. Dressing in layers is key. September and October are beautiful months to visit if you enjoy fall foliage displays and temperatures are moderate, with days in the 60Fs and cool nights into the 40Fs, but some businesses and stores close after Labor Day and rain is more likely at this time of year.
All our hotels are chosen for their local history and central location. Because some of them are in historic buildings, the rooms may not conform to uniform standards, but we hope you will enjoy them for their charm and local color. Single rooms can be requested, but are not always available, due to the limited space in some of our hotels. If you require a single room, please make the request as early as possible.
Client Testimonials
"The inclusion of the Blackfoot Powwow, the museum visit, the rodeo, and the Blackfoot ranger program presentation made this so much more than a hiking trip!"
Candace S.
Palo Alto, CA
"This was a fabulous itinerary, with a great blend of cultural history, natural history, and active hiking. The small group size was necessary to ensure a positive and respectful experience at the Powwow. I really appreciated the variety of experiences throughout the week!"
Cathy H.
Mountain View, CA
"This was a fabulous itinerary, with a great blend of cultural history, natural history, and active hiking. And it was great to experience the historic lodges."
Cathy H.
Mountain View, CA
"The itinerary for this trip provided a nice blend of active with cultural and natural history, a blend that is often difficult to achieve. Melissa's extensive knowledge was a big part of bringing that off."
Gary B.
Cary, NC
"The itinerary for this trip provided a nice blend of active with cultural and natural history. A blend that is often difficult to achieve. Melissa's extensive knowledge was a big part of bringing that off."
Gary B.
Cary, NC
"We came away with such a wonderful feeling about all that Glacier offers and Melissa helped bring all of our experiences to life. We learned so much and she gave us the time to enjoy it all."
Patti M.
Rolling Hills Estates, CA, Glacier National Park: Blackfeet Powwow
"It was fun staying in the lodges! Most did not have the amenities we expect at more modern hotels, but that didn't matter as it was great to experience the historic lodges."
Robert M.
Fairfax, VA
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult.