If you might be in search of a memorable US getaway, visiting the state of Montana is the proper plan. Montana is filled with attention-grabbing locations and has a number of the nation’s greatest artwork galleries and nationwide parks. Montana uniquely balances cultural sights for historical past buffs and tradition lovers and out of doors actions for thrill-seekers. Immerse your self in outdated conventional western aptitude or head out for a day of mountaineering trails and mountaineering.
But what are the very best locations to go to in Montana? Do you head to Eastern Montana or Western Montana? To Glacier National Park or to the city of Great Falls? This information will break down the easiest locations to go to in Montana. Let’s get straight into it.
Best cities and cities to go to in Montana
Some of the very best locations to go to in Montana are its cities and cities. You’ll discover many vacationer sights, cultures, and communities in these locations – excellent for getting a actual really feel of Montana dwelling. These are our prime eleven greatest cities and cities in Montana.
1. Helena
Helena is Montana’s capital metropolis. If you need motion, tradition, and a full of life however pleasant ambiance, Helena is the place to go to in Montana. The metropolis is full of artwork galleries, museums, and historic structure. You’ll spend a number of time in your toes, be it strolling Reeder’s Alley or via the reveals on the Montana Historical Society.
Helena was initially a gold camp in the Montana gold rush. Its glitzy historical past is recognizable thanks to the town’s wealth at the moment, and guests can take pleasure in wandering the elegant historic buildings – particularly in the downtown district.
Of course, you’ll be able to’t go to a state capital with out visiting the State Capitol Building both. Montana State Capitol is effectively value visiting for its architectural and political historical past.
2. Big Sky
Have you heard of Big Sky Country? If not, Big Sky is a small ski city in the Rocky Mountain area of Southwest Montana. The city is most well-known for Big Sky Resort and is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go to in Montana for a winter getaway.
According to Forbes, the city is surrounded by ‘5,850 skiable acres. Whether you want to learn to ski or are already a pro, you’ll love the fierce winter sports activities tradition. Visiting Big Sky in winter means a number of snow, snowboarding, and après ski. For a winter wonderland expertise, you actually can’t do higher. Plus, Big Sky is simply an hour’s drive from the western entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
If you might be visiting Big Sky in winter, make certain to seize your ski leases right here earlier than you go. It makes issues far more handy.
3. Philipsburg
Philipsburg is small however mighty. First and foremost, it’s a mining city. Philipsburg has stored an industrial, outdated west ambiance that makes it a implausible place to go to. The tiny city isn’t any shy wallflower on Montana’s vacationer scene both and has scored the title of probably the most stunning small city in Montana. If you want immersive historical past and small cities, look no additional.
Granite County Museum is a superb place to uncover Philipsburg’s outdated mining trade, whereas Granite Ghost Town State Park is one other gem to go to. The deserted city is the remnants of the area’s golden years in the course of the mining increase of the late Nineteenth century. Immerse your self in Philipsburg and its surrounding space’s distinct characters.
4. Garryowen
Garryowen will get its identify from an outdated Irish marching tune. The city itself has sturdy navy hyperlinks, and it was fashioned as a cavalry station. One of the city’s greatest sights, Custer National Cemetery, is a navy graveyard marked by the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. Visitors can stroll to mass burial websites marked by white memorials and go to the customer middle and museum on-site.
Nowadays, Garryowen is positioned on Crow Indian Reservation. If you have an interest in Nineteenth-century American historical past or navy historical past in common, Garryowen is a superb place to go to. You can be taught concerning the city’s historical past, pay respects to native Native American tradition, or go to the Little Bighorn National Monument.
5. Great Falls
Great Falls is a surprising riverside metropolis positioned in central Montana. Great Falls is called considerably of a cultural hub, and also you’ll discover museum after museum in the town. You can spend your days visiting the C.M. Russell Museum, Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art, or the Children’s Museum of Montana. There’s even the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, which follows the story of the Lewis & Clark western expedition with distinctive reveals, movies, and shows.
Great Falls is a wonderful selection if you would like an attention-grabbing cultural base in central Montana. It has a full of life metropolis ambiance and is simply a two-hour drive from Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest and Giant Springs State Park – house to one of many largest pure sizzling springs in the US.
6. Bozeman
Want a nice keep in Montana? Bozeman is taken into account probably the most habitable place in the state, making it probably the greatest locations to go to in Montana for a laidback getaway.
In the town middle, there are extra sights than you’ll be able to rely. Bozeman itself is positioned simply exterior of the mountainous area round Big Sky, with loads of small cities and areas of pure magnificence to discover on a day journey. If you don’t thoughts a two-hour drive, there’s Yellowstone to your south and Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest to your north.
Bozeman can also be house to Montana State University, giving the town a sociable, pleasant ambiance. You can head to the trendiest eateries, soak in Bozeman Hot Springs, or profit from the town’s implausible location for day journeys in nature. Bozeman is the proper compromise between metropolis dwelling and entry to pure wonders.
7. Whitefish
Like Big Sky, Whitefish is a bit of resort city that floods with skiers each winter. The city is without doubt one of the greatest locations to go to for out of doors enjoyable and adrenaline sports activities. Whitefish is scenically located on the outskirts of Glacier National Park and has gorgeous alpine views – excellent for stunning surroundings whereas cross-country snowboarding. There’s additionally an unlimited freshwater lake, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in a dip or spend a while fly fishing in summer time.
Whitefish’s well-known ski resort is Whitefish Mountain Resort. If you desire a vacation full of outside actions and winter sports activities, Whitefish Mountain Resort is a implausible place to stick with a ton of services, gear leases, and shuttles.
This is a superb place to base your self for a go to to Glacier National Park. This personal full-day tour has one thing for everybody!
8. Missoula
9. Choteau
Choteau might sound off the crushed monitor and unassuming. However, the city is without doubt one of the greatest paleontology websites in the world. Exciting, proper? If you like the whole lot fossils and geology, then a go to to Choteau needs to be on the playing cards. In reality, its close by Egg Mountain was used as a breeding floor for dinosaurs tens of millions of years in the past. In close by Bynum, you’ll be able to take part in fossil digs on the Montana Dinosaur Center.
Old Trail Museum is the foremost attraction in Choteau itself. The museum covers the whole lot from dinosaurs to teepees. Old Trail Museum is an ideal stop-off and place to spend an hour or two, particularly if you happen to like your museums eclectic.
Missoula has develop into referred to as a pure retreat, regardless of its metropolis standing. The metropolis is split into two by the Clark Fork River, famed for its Blue Trout (take notice if you happen to love fishing). Situated in Western Montana, Missoula is correct subsequent to the Idaho border and is inside driving distance from Lolo and Flathead National Forests. Missoula is a fantastic place to go to if you would like to base your self in Western Montana.
Of course, the town additionally has a number of its personal sights, together with the Missoula Art Museum. While historical past lovers can be taught extra at Missoula Natural History Museum and the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula.
10. Butte
Butte was as soon as a gold and silver mining camp. A few centuries later, Butte is now probably the greatest locations to go to in Montana and one of many state’s most booming cities. Butte is someplace to admire Montana’s previous whereas having fun with the current second. The metropolis has nice historic sights and a implausible leisure scene.
You can uncover the town’s humble beginnings on the World Museum of Mining. You may also peer into Berkeley Pit (an outdated copper mine) from a viewing stand inside straightforward strolling distance from the town middle. Alternatively, have a flutter by visiting Richest Hill. Richest Hill is Butte’s on line casino and the middle of its nightlife and partying scene – nice if you would like to let your hair down.
11. Virginia City
Virginia City is one in every of our absolute favourite locations in Montana. The city is an entire time capsule, from log cabins to outdated western avenue indicators. Get prepared to be transported again to Nineteenth-century Montana.
The city has a small museum known as the Thomas-Hickman Museum. You may also catch a efficiency on the Virginia City Opera House. However, the principle draw of Virginia City is to simply stroll the normal city essential avenue and take in the outdated western structure and ambiance. Virginia City is well probably the most genuine place to go to in Montana. You’ll like it, particularly if you happen to love immersive historical past.
Best pure locations to go to in Montana
Now that we’ve coated the very best cities and cities, let’s take a look at the very best pure locations to go to in Montana. From nationwide parks to state parks, these are our prime ten suggestions.
12. Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone is a star amongst US nationwide parks. You’ll discover the world’s largest assortment of geysers, together with Old Faithful. There are additionally extra sizzling springs, mountains, and animals than you’ll have the opportunity to rely. If you desire a nationwide park that can present lifelong reminiscences, Yellowstone National Park is the one.
Yellowstone truly straddles Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. While the most important part of the park is in Wyoming, you’ll be able to expertise some elements in Montana – or simply permit time to cross the borders and see as a lot as potential. Some sights, just like the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center (close to the West Yellowstone entrance) and the Museum of Yellowstone, are in Montana. Others, like Old Faithful, are positioned in Wyoming, so that you’ll want to permit further journey time.
If you have an interest in mountaineering don’t miss our suggestions for the Best Hikes in Yellowstone, full with problem scores and elevation.
In West Yellowstone, you’ll discover the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. The animal refuge middle has resident grizzly bears, gray wolves, and birds of prey. It is a wonderful place to go to if you would like to assist an area not-for-profit and don’t handle to spot animals in the wild.
Fancy an adrenaline rush? Go whitewater rafting down Yellowstone River. Yellowstone River snakes via the nationwide park’s middle with many thrilling sections of rapids – excellent for an adventurous time out.
13. Flathead National Forest
How does 2.4 million acres of mountain forests sound? In winter, you’ll be able to zip via Flathead National Forest on snowmobiles and skis. In spring and summer time, you’ll have mountaineering trails galore and no scarcity of house for tenting and multi-day treks. Flathead National Forest is a wonderful pure place to go to in Montana, whatever the season.
The forest is house to many animals, together with black bears and grizzlies. You’ll see bighorn sheep, elk, moose, and mules. And, if you happen to hold your eyes on the skies, you might get fortunate and catch sight of an eagle or owl. Flathead National Forest is without doubt one of the most rewarding pure locations to go to in the state of Montana.
14. Gates of the Mountains Wilderness
Just exterior of Helena, the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness is without doubt one of the most accessible locations of pure magnificence to go to in Montana. It can also be one of the thrilling to discover since one of the best ways entails hopping on a ship.
The nature protect is located alongside a piece of the Missouri River that winds via a jaw-dropping mountain park. Sailing up the river, you’ll be able to admire and be humbled by the dimensions of the mountain vary surrounding you – undoubtedly deliver a digicam.
You can take a guided tour or hire water sports activities gear to admire the Gates independently. The Gates of the Mountains Wilderness is greatest visited in heat, dry climate, as crusing can get extraordinarily chilly with the sturdy breeze and publicity to the weather. We suggest visiting in late spring or summer time for the very best expertise. Plus, the mountains will likely be coated in stunning greenery throughout these months.
15. Giant Springs State Park
The identify Giant Springs State Park speaks for itself. The park is house to one of many US’s largest freshwater springs, and the Giant Springs produces an unbelievable 156 million gallons of water each day. It is alleged that water takes roughly 26 years to attain the springs from its origin in the Little Belt mountains – an enchanting idea.
Aside from viewing this pure phenomenon although, guests can profit from river actions like fishing, swimming, and boating. There are additionally trails for mountain biking and horseback using if you would like to discover a bit of otherwise than on foot. The park was first found on the Lewis & Clark Expedition in 1805 and is a crucial location in the early mapping of Montana.
Giant Springs is the very best place for you if you happen to like pure sights with a big community of trails and a historic backstory.
16. Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park
Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is a wonderful pure place to go to in Montana. The 3,000-acre park is greatest identified for its limestone caverns, named the Clark Caverns. Visitors can take guided excursions into the Clark Caverns for an final caving expertise. Allow just below two hours for a tour of the caverns, however an entire day to expertise the very best of the park.
The park is an thrilling place to witness underground magnificence and discover stunning hikes in the sunshine above floor. It is undoubtedly one of the distinctive locations to go to in Montana if you would like to expertise pure magnificence.
17. Flathead Lake State Park
Flathead Lake is cut up into six completely different park sections, so select which space you need to go to correctly (our favourite is West Shore). The park is located round Flathead Lake, making it superb for fishing, swimming, and water sports activities actions. The park is the very best place to spend a lake-side vacation and is dreamy in late spring and summer time.
Flathead Lake is an effective possibility if you’re in search of nice tenting spots in Montana. The park has many well-established campgrounds with loads of services, which is superb if you would like a calming, entry-level tenting expertise.
18. Spring Meadow Lake State Park
Spring Meadow Lake State Park is a cheeky addition to our record of pure magnificence spots. The 61-acre park has a man-made lake – so technically, it’s a artifical space of magnificence. However, it’s so gorgeous we simply had to add it to the record.
The park is greatest for many who need clear trails and purpose-made strolling paths. You can comply with the paths, cease for a chew to eat on one of many picnic benches, or take pleasure in some water actions. Spring Meadow Lake State Park is a well-liked spot for kayaking and paddle boarding, and you’ll rent gear on-site if you happen to don’t have your personal to deliver alongside.
The better part about Spring Meadow Lake State Park is that it’s positioned simply exterior of Helena. The park is lower than a ten-minute drive from Helena’s middle and an effective way to get a while in the outside throughout a metropolis break.
19. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Have you ever seen a wild horse? If not, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is the place you simply may. With a little bit of luck, you’ll spot herds of untamed horses when exploring the world’s mountaineering trails. There are additionally loads of ranches the place you’ll be able to saddle up to see the wild horses on horseback.
Located on the Montana-Wyoming border, the world is centered round Bighorn Canyon itself, which is unquestionably value visiting. You can drive to scenic overlooks or hike to probably the most distant but rewarding viewpoints – it’s completely up to you. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is filled with surprises and thrilling issues to see.
20. Makoshika State Park
Meet the most important state park in Montana. Makoshika State Park is overflowing with fossils, and dinosaur lovers will likely be ecstatic at seeing the fossil stays of dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops. Families notice this park down in your little ones. But adults don’t miss out on the enjoyable both – Makoshika State Park impresses all ages.
Start your go to on the customer middle, the place you’ll be able to admire a collection of interpretive reveals and the very best dinosaur fossils. Then you’ll be able to hike the Montana Dinosaur Trail for the final word paleontology expertise. Allow an entire day to go to as there’s a lot to see, and also you don’t need to rush.
21. Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument
Now the Missouri River is the longest river in the US, so, until you need to sail the size of it (which might be an thrilling journey), you’ll have to select a small part to go to. The river cuts via Montana east to west, passing a number of riverside cities and cities. However, our favourite place to benefit from the river is the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument is a 377,000-acre nationwide park and the perfect spot for a riverside journey. You can kayak, swim, or hike. To expertise the Missouri River, the nationwide park is the very best and quietest place in Montana.
Of course, you can too indulge in a river rafting expertise to pump your adrenaline or sit alongside the river banks for some stress-free fly fishing. North Montana can also be full of various sights like Bear Gulch Pictographs and the Phillips County Museum that you may mix with visiting the park.
22. Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is gorgeous. There’s no denying it. In explicit, its mountaineering is famend as a number of the greatest in the US, and you’ll learn our full information on the very best mountaineering trails in Glacier National Park right here. The park is bound to impress regardless of the season and regardless of your pursuits.
If you might be in a rush, we suggest visiting Lake Mcdonald and Logan Pass. Lake Mcdonald is the park’s largest lake and is a picture-perfect alpine vacation spot with nonetheless water and mountainous views. Logan Pass is a dramatic elevation cross on the Continental Divide, with attractive surroundings and plenty of mountain goats to spot. You can’t go incorrect with a go to to Glacier National Park.
Final Thoughts
Montana is unbelievable. The state has a dreamy mixture of pure wonders and historic cities and cities to discover. By visiting Montana, you’ll be visiting a number of the greatest locations in the US – prepare to begin ticking off your bucket record.
If you might have the prospect, attempt to go to as many of those locations as potential for the final word Montana expertise. We hope you might have a implausible journey.