Lolo Pass offers a scenic mountain escape just a short drive from Missoula, making it an easy and rewarding addition to any Montana getaway. Framed by rugged peaks and thick forests, this stretch of highway climbs into landscapes that feel vast and untouched. From the first glimpse of the Bitterroots to the final curves approaching Lolo Pass, you are treated to some of the most striking scenery in the region. A day trip here means winding roads, alpine air, and, in the warmer months, hillsides brushed with vibrant Montana wildflowers.
There are so many things to do in Missoula that it is easy to fill a long weekend. You can stroll the Clark Fork River trail system, browse independent bookstores downtown, or catch live music at a local brewery. In spring and early summer, Missoula wildflowers begin to bloom along nearby trails and scenic overlooks, adding color to your hikes and scenic drives in Missoula. Food lovers will appreciate the city’s farm-focused restaurants and cozy coffee shops, while outdoor enthusiasts can head out for rafting, fly fishing, or a scenic drive in Montana that leads straight into the mountains.
When it comes to where to stay, Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast in Montana offers an elevated experience that goes far beyond a standard hotel room. This Bed and Breakfast in Montana pairs cozy accommodations with thoughtful touches like heated floors in select rooms, electric fireplaces, jetted tubs in every guest room, and streaming-ready TVs with DVD options. Each morning begins with sweeping views of the Bitterroot Valley and a homemade breakfast served with genuine, personalized hospitality. After a day exploring Lolo Pass or wandering through Missoula, you will return to a welcoming retreat that feels both refined and comfortably homey.
SECTION TWO:
Lolo Pass Wildflowers
From Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast in Montana, Lolo Pass is about 40 miles south, an easy drive of roughly one hour depending on how often you stop for photos. The route follows Highway 93 through the town of Lolo before connecting with Highway 12, the historic Lolo Trail. This scenic drive in Montana gradually climbs alongside Lolo Creek, with forested slopes rising on both sides and periodic openings that reveal layered mountain views. The road is paved and well-maintained, with gentle curves that keep the drive interesting without feeling demanding, making it a relaxed and rewarding day trip from Missoula.
As you make your way toward Lolo Pass, one of the most worthwhile stops is Packer Meadow, located along Highway 12 before you reach the summit. This open meadow sits along the creek and becomes a highlight during wildflower season. In late spring and early summer, Packer Meadow is known for vibrant displays of camas, their purple-blue blooms spreading across the grass like a watercolor painting. You may also spot lupine, Indian paintbrush, arrowleaf balsamroot, and delicate white yarrow. The contrast between the colorful Montana wildflowers and the dark evergreen forest behind them creates a striking scene. There is easy roadside access and space to park, making it a convenient place to step out, stretch your legs, and take photos. If you visit in the morning, the light across the meadow is especially beautiful.
Continuing up the pass, the elevation increases and the air cools. Hillsides along the Lolo Trail often feature beargrass with tall white plumes, along with patches of fireweed later in the season. Earlier in spring, glacier lilies can appear at higher elevations as the snow recedes. The variety of Missoula wildflowers and mountain blooms along this route makes it one of the most scenic drives in Missoula and the surrounding region. Pullouts along the river and at scenic overlooks give you safe places to pause and take it all in.
The Lolo Pass Visitor Center is located right at the summit on the Montana and Idaho border, directly off Highway 12. Clearly marked and easy to access, it offers parking, picnic tables, and interpretive displays that explain the history of the area, including the Lewis and Clark Expedition and the Nez Perce Tribe’s use of the Lolo Trail. Staff members are often available during the main season to answer questions about what to do at Lolo Pass, from short hikes near the summit to current wildflower conditions. There is also a brief interpretive trail near the visitor center where you can enjoy the forest up close before making the scenic drive in Montana back toward Missoula and the comfort of your Bed and Breakfast in Montana.
SECTION THREE
After a day exploring Lolo Pass and admiring the colorful sweep of Montana wildflowers along the Lolo Trail, Glenlaurel offers the kind of setting that makes your time in Missoula even richer. Mornings begin with a hearty breakfast served in the dining room or out on one of the patios, where mountain and forest views stretch in every direction. You might sit down to Swedish pancakes topped with fresh fruit, a savory asparagus gratin, or another thoughtfully prepared dish that sets the tone for the day ahead. With coffee in hand and crisp air drifting through the trees, it is an ideal way to ease into another scenic drive in Montana.
Beyond the breakfast table, the property invites you to slow down and savor your surroundings. A water garden on site provides a quiet corner to read, reflect, or simply listen to the gentle movement of water before heading out to discover more things to do in Missoula. After hours spent exploring scenic drives in Missoula or stopping at the Lolo Pass Visitor Center, returning here brings comfort and calm in equal measure. Between the mountain views, the welcoming atmosphere, and the thoughtful details throughout your stay, Glenlaurel stands out as the ultimate destination for your western Montana escape.