Day 5: July 1, 2025, Malta, MT – Two Medicine Campground, Glacier National Park
Today was mellow, with smooth roads, scenic overlooks, and a surprisingly chill family vibe. Nothing dramatic, nothing broken, and only one passive-aggressive comment about parking the camper. From scenic Montana buttes and prairie towns to the first glimpses of the Rockies, the journey was filled with contrast and anticipation. Each family member brings a unique vibe to the trip—some thrive on the road, others in the woods—but we’ve found our groove.Travel flow: achieved.
The morning began with views of the Little Rocky Mountains, a modest but distinctive range rising 2,500 feet above the surrounding plains. Despite their relatively low elevation (Antoine Butte tops out at 5,720 feet), they’re striking in contrast to the flat prairie. These rugged buttes, part of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation, mark one of the last geological features before the true Rockies rise. Road construction made this part of the trip slow and dusty!!
We stopped for provisions at Walmart in Havre, the largest town we’ve seen on US-2 so far. Granola bars, drinking water, and more bread – good grief, we go through a LOT of bread!. A little farther west, we gave Kevin (our RV) a much-needed spa day at Chester’s Car Wash. It took three of us—one on power wash duty, one with the long-handled brush, and one manning the quarters—but by the end, Kevin was bug-free and gleaming. Honestly, this may have been Rob’s favorite stop yet.
As we cruised westward, the Bear Paw Mountains came into view—another unexpected rise on the plains. They stood solitary and stoic, breaking up the vast Montana landscape.
I’ve had people ask whether the kids really enjoy RV travel, and the answer, as with most things parenting, is: it depends.
- Amaya, our oldest, is not with us this summer—off on an adventure with her boyfriend, Matt. I’m thrilled for her. She’s earned this time and space.
- Kai also opted out this year. He’s saving up for his car and spending time with his close-knit crew. I respect his decision and suspect we’ll lure him back next year with talk of ATVs and target shooting.
- Marlie is our road-tripper. She hops out at random stops, entertains herself with art, snacks, and music, and turns the over-cab bunk into her creative nest. While she’s less keen on the “camping” part—bugs, dirt, general wildness—she’s present and positive.
- Alyssa is the opposite. She goes into hibernation during drives, nestled in her bunk with headphones and a sleep mask, emerging only when nudged. But once camp is set up, she comes alive: frog-chasing, mud-stomping, fishing for hours. Hiking? She’ll go—sometimes reluctantly—but can surprise us all with spurts of bold, adventurous energy.
It’s wild to think how far we’ve come since our first RV trip. Back then, we were flying blind, crashing at truck stops and missing half the journey in our rush to the destination. Now, we’ve refined our style. We’re more flexible, more prepared, and definitely more relaxed. With upgraded cookware, better route planning, and a few seasons under our belts, the journey—yes, cliché incoming—really has become the best part.
Around Shelby, the Rocky Mountains finally appeared on the western horizon. Even from more than 100 miles away, they were breathtaking. Rob was glowing.
As we drove, I researched trail closures in Glacier National Park. I had hoped to hike the Grinnell Glacier Trail, but snow and bear activity closed major portions of it. Fortunately, Two Medicine offers beautiful alternatives right from our campground. We’re still planning to drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road and stop at Logan Pass, but it’s Glacier—is there really any shortage of sights to see?.
After Cut Bank, we glimpsed even more snow-capped peaks before detouring around Route 49 (too tight for our rig) and heading through Browning and East Glacier Village to approach Two Medicine from the east. The drive in was beautiful—rustic, serene, and flanked by wild scenery. We rolled into the Two Medicine Campground, flashed our America the Beautiful Pass, and found our assigned site in Loop C, where we balanced Kevin on a leveling jacks and made peace with a slightly tilted camper.
Two Medicine is remote and rugged. Three campground loops ring the lake, mixing tents, vans, and RVs. Even backpackers hiking in on foot have reserved sites. Towering peaks surround Two Medicine Lake, mirrored perfectly in its still waters. As we set up, a gang of scruffy mountain goats wandered through, bold and goofy. It was the welcome we needed after some long travel days.
After grilling dinner, a trip down to dunk our feet in Two Medicine Lake and a quick hike to stretch our legs, we doubled back through East Glacier Village to gas up the Jeep for tomorrow’s exploration—and spotted our first bear! A cinnamon-colored black bear casually crossed the road and vanished into the trees. A thrilling moment and a good reminder to stay bear-aware.
The evening was wrapped in nature’s soundtrack: frogs croaking, bugs humming, wind rustling the leaves. It feels like we’re in the right place. Sleep comes easy when the world around you is this still, this alive.
Tomorrow, we are going to the sun!
End of Day Stats:
Mileage: 270 miles
States Today: MT → MT
Rubber Ducks Deployed: 0
Hippos: Ready to rest!
Cue: Even Flow by Pearl Jam as we lean into that natural flow of travel and adventure.
Wandering, But Not Lost 