Best Places to Visit in Montana
Searching for the best places to visit in Montana? Well, you are in the right place! Since I've moved to Texas, the one thing I miss are tall mountain peaks. So you can imagine that I find Montana fun to visit, especially in the summer. I can't get enough of glacier-fed lakes, glimpses of wildlife from the road, unique lodge accommodations, and Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks (yes, a portion of the world's most famous park is located in Montana!). Each place I visited in Montana over the years and during my recent four week road trip left a mark and I can't wait to return next summer.
So what is there to do in Montana? First off, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a living painting - You'll see mountains, lakes, wide-open skies, and the kind of silence that makes you breathe a little deeper. In addition, I think that this state is one of the most naturally beautiful places I’ve ever explored. Here is my final collection of favorite destinations that I think truly capture Montana’s magic.
1. Yellowstone National Park - 1.5 hours from Bozeman
Yellowstone will always be one of my favorite travel memories because it is so different from what I normally see and I think it's hands down one of the best places to visit in Montana! Why? Firstly, I was stunned by the beauty of Yellowstone Lake, and the incredible blue of Sapphire Pool. Then, I enjoyed walking on the boardwalk at Grand Prismatic Spring and driving through the Lamar Valley, often called America’s Serengeti. We saw lots of bison walking super close to the road. After a long drive, I was fascinated by the colors and features at Mammoth Hot Springs.
But, after all this, at the end of the day, Old Faithful will always be my favorite spot. We kept going back to watch Old Faithful erupt. It was crowded during the day but at night, my husband and I sat on the bench in front of it and enjoyed the famous geyser all by ourselves and the clear starry night completed the romantic picture.
- Northwestern United States, with areas extending into Montana
- Location: Map & Directions
What I loved best:
Ending our day stargazing - the park’s vast skies are breathtaking at night. I would have stayed up the whole night, but we had to drive on next day.
I also visited this national park on another ten day trip while exploring Jackson Hole. I wrote about it in my places to visit in Wyoming article.
2. Silver Gate Lodging - 5 minutes from Yellowstone
This is one of my favorite gateway stays to Yellowstone (just 5 minutes to the Northeast Entrance), and honestly, it feels like one of the most quietly magical mountain retreats in the West. Why? I love how it blends simple, rustic comfort with a sense of wild serenity — it’s the kind of place where I can sip coffee on a porch overlooking pine-covered peaks, wander into the park to watch bison at sunrise, then end the day by a crackling fire with a sky full of stars. Everything at Silver Gate Lodging feels peaceful, deeply connected to the landscape, and I highly recommend it as a weekend getaway in Montana!
We stayed in a Creekside Cabin for five days, with 2 Queen beds (perfect for me, my husband and son), a full kitchen and a comfortable bathroom with shower. This place offers a wide range of cabins and homes, so I guarantee that you'll find one that fits the size of your group. For couples, the Tiny Home Cabin is super cute and I could imagine spending a honeymoon here!
I loved that there’s complimentary parking (no unexpected extra parking fee which so often pops up when you travel!), a porch perfect for wildlife watching, and even the soothing sound of Soda Butte Creek in the distance. Silver Gate itself is nestled right outside the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone, so I had immediate access to Lamar Valley (less than 5 miles away), incredible hiking, fly-fishing spots, scenic drives, and one of the most breathtaking regions of the park.
There’s even a coffee shop on-site where we had morning coffee and picked up snacks for the road which was super convenient for me.
To book, check availability or prices for Silver Gate Lodging .
What I loved best: I loved that our room was affordable (around $230/night) and pet-friendly.
The only drawback? First off, I had to book months in advance which requires knowing your summer destination. Secondly, the cabins are steps from Yellowstone’s wild beauty, a real hidden treasure, but amenities were very basic which I didn't mind personally but I wanted to mention it nevertheless.
3. Bozeman, Montana
This place struck me as a mountain town with a rare blend of rugged adventure and small-city sophistication. Surrounded by the Rockies, it feels both outdoorsy and vibrant, a place where you can spend the morning on a trail and the evening enjoying craft beer, art galleries, or live music downtown. It’s big enough to have an energy of its own, yet small enough that the mountains always feel close at hand.
- Location: Southwestern Montana, in the Gallatin Valley near the Bridger Mountains
- Map & Directions
We flew about 3.5 hours from Austin (1,300 miles) into Bozeman where we usually start our Montana road trip. I toured the Museum of the Rockies ($16 admission), home to one of the world’s largest collections of dinosaur fossils, including a T. rex skull. Downtown, I browsed Main Street’s 19th-century storefronts filled with coffee shops, boutiques, and art galleries that completely won me over. Later, we stopped at the Gallatin History Museum (housed in an 1911 jail, $7 admission). The first night, we stayed at the LARK Bozeman ($189), a stylish boutique hotel right on Main Street where ceing able to walk everywhere from the hotel felt very grounding.
What I loved best:
Sampling local brews at Bozeman Brewing Company and relaxing in the Bozeman Hot Springs, were both my personal highlights here.
4. Gallatin River Lodge - 20 minutes from Bozeman
A perfect weekend getaway near Bozeman, what I love most about this place is how it combines boutique luxury with countryside relaxation. The design is warm with rustic timbers, leather accents, and big windows showcasing the views. This lodge to me feels like a hidden retreat along one of Montana’s most iconic fly-fishing rivers.
A one week stay in a Luxury Suite in the Trout Lodge was perfect for me. We had a spa-style bathroom with jetted tub, fireplace, and a private balcony, perfect for relaxing after spending a day outdoors.
On the property, you’ll find world-class fly fishing right outside your door, plus expert guides who can take you to nearby rivers and streams. The lodge also offers fine dining featuring locally sourced ingredients, a cozy bar, and plenty of quiet spaces to simply read by the fire or watch discuss wildlife with fellow guests.
To book, check availability or prices for Gallatin River Lodge .
A downside? The river views were peaceful, but the lodge’s small size meant limited availability. I realized I had to book well in advance to secure a room for a weekend.
5. Missoula - 3 hours from Bozeman
Set at the confluence of five valleys and crossed by the Clark Fork River, there's a lot of natural beauty in "The Garden City".
For me, the Missoula Art Museum is the go-to spot for contemporary and regional works, and I recommend the same to every art lover. I discovered The Old Post afterwards which serves great pub food (and occasional music).
I thought that the University of Montana gives the town a youthful buzz, while local breweries, bookstores, and Missoula Farmers Market keep it grounded. Yet just minutes away, you can hike up Mount Sentinel or drift along the river.
- Location: Western Montana, in the Rocky Mountains at the confluence of the Clark Fork, Bitterroot, and Blackfoot Rivers
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
Dinner at The Stables was my personal highlight after I worked up my appetite walking around all day.
6. Whitefish, Montana
This mountain town turned out to be a hidden gem of laid-back Western spirit where historic storefronts wore their rustic character proudly, and the scent of pine mingled with the breeze from Whitefish Lake.
We drove 2 hours and 20 minutes north from our previous stop in Missoula when Whitefish’s creative side revealed itself with its great downtown and a cozy two-day stay at Snow Bear Chalets. I enjoyed wandering through the shops along Central Avenue, taking the chairlift up Whitefish Mountain Resort to take in the views, and slipping away to the lake for quiet picnic.
What I loved best:
Going for a stroll along the Whitefish River Trail in the cool morning air was my personal highlight.
7. Snow Bear Chalets - 15 minutes from Whitefish
I love how this place blends whimsical, fairytale design with upscale mountain comfort. The architecture is stunning, with chalet-style structures shaped like treehouses.
Just steps from Whitefish Mountain Resort and near Glacier National Park, I think that Snow Bear Chalets offers one of the most unique luxury stays in Montana, and best of all, perched high in the treetops.
I really loved our Treehouse Chalet for a relaxing week, which featured a king bedroom loft, gourmet kitchen, fireplace, and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Around the property, there is ski-in/ski-out access, and après-ski evenings by the fire in the winter, as well as hiking trails and day-tripping to Glacier National Park in summer (which is when we visited). I loved having such quick access to Whitefish.
My favorite moment was soaking in the hot tub at dusk, watching the alpenglow fade over the peaks as snowflakes drifted down through the trees.
One challenge? Locals told me that winter weather means icy roads and tricky access which visitors often aren't prepared for.
8. Glacier National Park - 30 minutes from Whitefish
This place feels like stepping into a wild world and that's why I think it's the best places to visit in Montana. I found it to be incredibly beautiful and I think that you will too. After just a short drive from Whitefish, we spent the night at Many Glacier Hotel ($290) inside the park.
I especially loved driving on Many Glacier Road from Babb (Montana) to the Many Glacier Hotel and trailheads. We were surrounded by all these stunning peaks - Mount Grinnell, Mount Wilbur, and Swiftcurrent Mountain. We saw Lake Sherburne and followed along the shoreline.
I thought that our family vacation time was best spent on a boat tour on Lake McDonald, the park’s largest and most colorful lake. Exploring the serene Many Glacier Valley, often called the “Switzerland of North America” is also a highlight.
- Location: Northwestern Montana, along the U.S.–Canada border in the Rocky Mountains
- Map & Directions
Next time I plan to stay at Apgar Village Lodge (from $159) near the West Entrance.
What I Loved Most: My absolute favorite is ending my day stargazing - since Glacier is an International Dark Sky Park, night skies are some of the best in the world!
9. Butte, Montana - 1 hour 20 minutes from Bozeman
I absolutely loved visiting this place! Why? First off, it’s one of those places that completely surprised me — rugged, historic, and full of character, with this haunting beauty that lingers long after you leave. Secondly, nestled high in the Rocky Mountains, to me Butte feels like a living time capsule of the American West, where grand turn-of-the-century buildings, old mine headframes, and wide-open skies tell stories of boomtown glory and hard-earned resilience.
Located in southwestern Montana, between the Continental Divide and the Pioneer Mountains, Butte was founded in the 1860s as a mining camp and quickly became one of the richest copper boomtowns in America so if you are a history buff like me, don't miss this fascinating place to visit in Montana!
I spent two fascinating days exploring the city — touring the World Museum of Mining, taking the Old Butte Historical Underground Tour (a must if you love a good story!), and wandering the Uptown district with its quirky shops and vintage charm.
- Location: Southwestern Montana, on the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains
- Map & Directions
What I loved best:
I hiked up to the Our Lady of the Rockies, a striking 90-foot statue that overlooks the city from the Continental Divide — the view from up there was breathtaking!
10. Helena - 1 hour 45 minutes from Bozeman
I though that this was a unique capital city because it has more of a small town feel. Once a booming gold rush town, its roots show in the ornate architecture, grand cathedral, and Victorian mansions. Still, it's definitely a getaway for outdoor enthusiasts because just beyond downtown, trails climb into the surrounding hills, where we adored the views!
- Location: Western Montana, in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains
- Map & Directions
Helena is definitely historic, a place where you can walk through the stories of the Old West, and we walked as much as we could from our cozy Airbnb for three days. For lunch, we loved The Hopper Kitchen & Market where I had a great sandwich and fries (my son had a juicy burger). If you are in the mood for Italian, try On Broadway with a unique exposed-brick dining room.
My favorite stops included the Montana State Capitol, the striking Cathedral of St. Helena, and learning about local history at the Montana Historical Society Museum!
What I loved best:
Wandering through the Mansion District, home to Victorian-era residences from the gold rush.
A downside? There is a risk of wildfires when it's dry and windy so keep an eye on local news while there.
11. Billings - 2 hours from Bozeman
I think this is such a unique city and for me, one of the best places to visit this month! Why? Because it's both a hub of commerce on the Great Plains and a gateway to Montana’s wide-open spaces for vacationers who love the outdoors. It’s a big city (the largest in the state!) but you'll find it surrounded by rugged landscapes, sandstone cliffs, and rivers. We stayed in a comfortable room with two Queen beds at 3-star DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Billings for two days.
- Location: South-central Montana, along the Yellowstone River
- Map & Directions
So what is there to do here? Downtown Billings is a great starting point because it's lively with breweries, art, and history. The Yellowstone River runs through the heart of the city (yes, the same river you drive along in Yellowstone National park!). Billings is practical and authentic, a working city with a strong sense of community, and I kept thinking that I could easily live here if winters weren't so rough compared to my home in Texas!
We thought that Billings made a great base for exploring Montana. Some of my favorite stops included the Moss Mansion, Yellowstone Art Museum, Yellowstone Riverwalk, and the Billings Brew Trail, Montana’s only walkable brewery district.
What I loved best:
Ending the day with sunset views from Swords Rimrock Park.
Conclusion
Traveling through Montana was one of our all time favorite road trips because of the diversity of experiences, some urban, some rugged, with many charming places to stay!
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, buy the America the Beautiful Pass.
