Montana Vacations

1. Visit Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is one of the most popular Montana destinations. A vast national park that rests on the United States-Canada border, encompassing over 1 million acres, two mountain ranges, over 130 lakes, and thousands of plant and animals species. This natural wonderland is at the center of what is referred to as the "Crown of the Continent Ecosystem."

Is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise, with a range of recreational activities to enjoy, including hiking, biking, mountain climbing, and wildlife watching. The park’s habitats include rugged mountains, tranquil lakes, alpine forests, and meadows through which 700 miles of trails wind, just waiting to be explored.

The park is home to the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, an engineering marvel that spans 50 miles through the park's wild interior, winding around mountainsides and boasting some of the most spectacular sights and views in Montana. It is one of the top Montana attractions.

Other unique destinations to explore in the park include the Goat Haunt, Two Medicine, and Many Glacier, where visitors can discover Native American history and historic homesteading sites and soak up spectacular natural landscapes. Glacier National Park is one of the most famous Montana tourist attractions. Best time to visit Glacier National Park is in the summer.

2. Have a picnic on Flathead Lake

Flathead Lake is the largest natural lake in the Western United States with 185 miles of shoreline and over 200 square miles of water. Two rivers, namely the Flathead and Swan Rivers, supply the lake with fresh water, creating a fishing and outdoor recreational paradise.

The southern half of Flathead Lake is situated within the boundary of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Flathead Reservation, and visitors need to purchase a tribal recreation permit to enter and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The lake features several state recreation areas complete with boat launches, camping, swimming and picnic facilities, and restrooms, along with Wayfarers, Finely Point, and Elmo and first-class fishing sites. The west shore of the lake is home to Wildhorse Island, a 2,165-acre state park that can serve as a pleasant day picnic venue and is only accessible by boat. The Bigfork Whitewater Festival is held every year around Memorial Day. If you are looking for pretty places to visit in Montana, Flathead Lake is a great stop.

3. Admire Missoula's natural beauty

Most people have never heard of Missoula until they pass through this charming university town on the way to Yellowstone. But, once they come, they tend to stay awhile. Thousands of students at the University of Montana contribute to a lively atmosphere, along with a yearly marathon, the Big Sky documentary film festival, great restaurants, and so much more.

Outdoor types will be happy to learn that there are three rivers passing through the area, and there are kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and rafts to play with. Fishing around Missoula is among the best in the country. Endless trails take hikers to explore the valley’s natural beauty, and they can see traces of the ancient lake and signs of first inhabitants from the Salish American Indian tribe.

You can participate in gold and gem mining, visit ghost towns, or check out local breweries, distilleries, and wineries. You might have to postpone your trip to Yellowstone for a few days to see it all. This small town has a really big heart and is one of the best towns in Montana.

4. Enjoy a family trip to Bozeman, Montana

According to Bloomberg Businessweek, Bozeman is one of the best places in the country to raise kids. What makes a city so famous for its high quality of life? It might be the sunny winters, 300 sunny days a year, the excellent Montana State University, great skiing and fishing, miles of hiking trails, several well-known festivals such as Music on the Main, and the biggest collection of dinosaur fossils in the world at the Museum of the Rockies. Bozeman has great shopping and some fabulous restaurants. Beer lovers should not miss the Montana Brewers Trail to check the local craft brews. And Yellowstone is just a short trip away. You will just have to come and check it all out. Whatever you like, it is very likely that you will find it in Bozeman.

5. Indulge in exciting winter activities in Big Sky

It is easy to fall in love with Big Sky, one of the best places to visit in Montana. As you drive through the magnificent Gallatin Canyon and through parts of Yellowstone, you will drive through towering verdant ancient trees – be sure to slow down for passing bears, moose, or elk and stop for a photo of one of the many thundering waterfalls. The beauty of the quaint little town with rustic log cabins, cozy B&Bs and luxurious Big Sky Resort, where everything is taken care of for your perfect vacation, will leave you in awe.

Some people come for a vacation and decide to stay permanently. There is so much to do, and while you feel far away from civilization with the mountains towering over the town, you are only an hour from the Bozeman airport. This is the perfect community for avid skiers, with the Biggest Skiing in America with 5,800 acres of ski terrains, the 4,350 ft vertical (the longest in the country), 85k of fabulous trails for cross-country skiing, and over 50k of trails for snowshoeing.

In the summer, there is as much if not more to do for those who like the great outdoors: miles of hiking, biking and horseback trails, great fishing and hunting, mountain climbing and, of course, opportunities to visit Yellowstone National Park. And wherever you go, there is the big sky and a sense that the world is a wonderful place.

6. Take in the views at Lake McDonald

At 10 miles long and over 470 feet deep, Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park and one of the best places to see in Montana. If you are looking for pretty places and things to see in Montana, this unique lake is a great start. Surrounded by majestic mountains and the Great Continental Divide, this long fjord-like lake fills an ancient basin that Ice Age glaciers gouged out over time.

Today, it provides a fantastic environment for hiking, walking, wildlife viewing, picnicking, and sightseeing. Keep an eye out for black bears, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and elk. The lake is home to several species of native trout, game fish, and other catchable species such as whitefish, salmon, and suckers, and the world-renowned Going-to-the-Sun Road runs parallel to the lake along the southern shore.

7. Take pictures of Great Falls

When you visit Great Falls, you will be amazed by the spectacular vistas wherever you look. Located on the mighty Missouri River, the city is surrounded by five waterfalls, snow-topped mountains, and towering buttes, and is one of the best Montana destinations.

If you turn around, you will see vast plains all the way to the horizon. It is a magnificent landscape that ranges from huge wheat farms to picturesque valleys and steep river gorges. And in the city, the third largest in Montana, its 58,000 residents enjoy a rich cultural life that revolves around the Mansfield Center for Performing Arts, the Paris Gibson Square Museum of Art and the C.M. Russell Museum.

Great Falls has a special place in the history of the region, and the best way to learn about it is by visiting the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center. Located on the bluff above the Missouri River, the center offers the view of the same terrain the explorers Lewis and Clark saw in 1805 when they tried to navigate the area’s river and falls. Great Falls is also a home of the University of Great Falls, First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park, The Electric City Water Park, and 40 miles of River’s Edge Trail. The residents of Great Falls evidently love their outdoors.

8. Visit the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas

The Garden of One Thousand Buddhas is an International Peace Center that offers a sanctuary for people to cultivate inner peace and preserve the ancient culture of Tibet.

Nestled in the beautiful Jocko Valley just north of the small town of Arlee, the garden is situated on the property of Ewam Sang-ngag Ling and was established with the aim of working towards global peace and serenity through the ancient culture of Buddhism and awakening the human qualities of joy, wisdom, and compassion.

Founded by Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche, the garden is open from dawn until dusk to visitors of all religions and features an array of Buddhist symbols, statues, structures, and images that promote spiritual change and awakening. The central figure in the garden is the 24-foot tall figure of Yum Chenmo, the Great Mother of Transcendent Wisdom. One thousand stupas, which are one of the world’s oldest architectural forms, encircle the garden to honor the remains of great kings and warriors.

Address: 34574 White Coyote Road, Arlee, MT 59821, 406-726-0555

9. Spend a night in West Yellowstone

It happened naturally. It all started in 1872 after Congress officially established Yellowstone National Park and people started flooding into this natural wonder. The area that served as a gateway to the park slowly turned into a more permanent settlement that was officially incorporated into a city in 1966. A small community of about 1200 permanent residents, the city welcomes and accommodates more than four million people who visit the national park every year. If you are wondering what to see in Montana, West Yellowstone is a great place to start exploring. While the tourism is good for the economy, the residents probably enjoy a nice breathing period during the cold winter months when the flow of tourists ebbs a bit. The city is a true gateway to all outdoor adventures. Fishing, especially fly fishing, is excellent year-round, and there is an ice fishing tournament on Hebgen Lake every year. There are miles and miles of snowmobile trails and about 35 kilometers of trails for cross-country skiing. Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center has live wolves, grizzly bears and raptors in their natural habitat. West Yellowstone has Montana's first IMAX Theatre, and the shopping ranges from outdoor gear to fine local crafts. And whatever your taste requires when dinner time comes, you will find it in this charming and welcoming small town in Montana.

10. Enjoy a fun getaway in Butte, Montana

Until the 1870’s, Butte consisted of just a few mining camps. Then they discovered silver and copper, and people and companies from all over the world started flooding in. The town prospered and grew to 100,000 people. As the mining industry experienced its ups and downs, so did the town. With the decline of the use in copper, the town became a shadow of itself, and residents spent decades repairing the environmental damage all the mining created and recreating its identity. They did remarkably well, renovating abandoned old buildings into places such as Metals Sports Bar and Grill and turning cleaned mining pits into lakes with great fishing. Many houses are being renovated and repainted, and new businesses are cropping up daily. The town’s multicultural nature remained, and you can enjoy diverse events such as Chinese New Year. Don’t miss the World Museum of Mining.

Outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the great hiking and biking trails in the surrounding mountains and excellent fishing in several rivers and lakes.