20 Finest Locations to Go to in Montana, Based on Locals

Lolo Nationwide Forest

“At two million acres, Lolo Nationwide Forest is likely one of the smaller nationwide forests within the state, but it surely options rivers, waterfalls, mountains, valleys, and almost each bodily function Montana gives,” says Pittman. He describes the wildlife, geology, and surroundings as “breathtaking,” and lots of the space’s campgrounds and websites are open year-round for guests to discover. The hotter months are notably good, as there’s mountaineering, biking, fishing, swimming, and extra. 

Purple Lodge

Purple Lodge, Montana, is a licensed mountain city that’s positioned within the Beartooth Mountains and surrounded by Custer Gallatin Nationwide Forest. Not solely was it lately named the “most charming” small city, but it surely’s additionally a gateway to Yellowstone. The route from Purple Lodge to the nationwide park — what’s referred to as the Beartooth Freeway — is simply as noteworthy. In case you’re visiting Purple Lodge within the winter, although, you’ll miss the drive; Beartooth Freeway is just open to vehicles from Memorial Day weekend via mid-October (climate allowing). 

Fort Benton

“Fort Benton is a cool Montana city alongside the banks of the Missouri River with a tremendous historical past,” says Patrick. “Whether or not you need to recreate on the river or take a historic tour, you received’t be disillusioned.” In case you’re staying on the town, she recommends reserving a room at the Grand Union Resort, Montana’s oldest working lodge and an institution that was as soon as referred to as the best lodging between Seattle and St. Louis.

Garnet

“Garnet Ghost City is an actual, well-preserved, Previous West ghost city simply outdoors of Missoula,” says Pittman, who recommends it “for many who love historical past and the Previous West or simply need to expertise one thing that almost all won’t ever get to see.” And in the event you occur to be within the space in June, your journey could overlap with Garnet Day, which he describes as a “can’t-miss expertise that includes Previous West reenactments, video games, music, meals, and family-friendly actions that embrace the historical past of the city.”

Missoula

“Past all of the outside journey at your fingertips, locations like downtown Missoula are additionally filled with breweries and eating places with stay music, nice meals and drinks, and funky locally-owned retailers that includes impartial artists, artwork galleries, and museums. It additionally has nice structure and loads of historic websites for historical past buffs,” says Pittman. In case you’re spending just a few days within the metropolis and trying to find locations to eat, he recommends trying out just a few of his favorites: Large Dipper Ice Cream, High Hat Restaurant & Bar, The Depot, and Break Espresso.

West Yellowstone

Yellowstone has 5 entrances, one in all which is positioned in West Yellowstone, Montana. Whereas it was solely integrated within the Nineteen Sixties, the small city has been referred to as a gateway to the park for effectively over a century. It’s an excellent day journey from Island Park, Idaho — Journey + Leisure’s Finest Small Mountain City of 2024 — and it’s particularly enjoyable in the summertime when the West Yellowstone Rodeo is on and yow will discover huckleberry ice cream on almost each nook on the town. 

Glacier Nationwide Park

In case you haven’t but skilled the splendor of Glacier Nationwide Park, add it to your checklist. One of many park’s highlights is the 50-mile Going-to-the-Solar Street, the stretch between West Glacier and St. Mary that goes via the guts of the park and by unimaginable remark factors, waterfalls, and glacial lakes. Glacier can also be a licensed Worldwide Darkish Sky Park, making it among the finest locations to stargaze in Montana. 

Associated: This U.S. Nationwide Park Has Over 700 Lakes, Lovely Glaciers, and an Iconic 50-mile Scenic Drive

Drugs Rocks State Park

Quite a lot of Montana’s vacationer points of interest and notable locations are positioned on the western aspect of the state, however you’ll discover Drugs Rocks State Park within the jap area. The drugs rocks themselves are a set of pure rock formations which can be thought of sacred by Native American tribes within the space. For a very immersive expertise, guests can camp at one of many 12 campsites among the many rocks. 

Flathead Lake

There’s no scarcity of lakes in Montana, and the 200-square-mile Flathead Lake is actually among the finest. “The lake options islands, mountain views, and adventurous actions that make it a must-visit location,” says Pittman. A little bit over an hour’s drive from Missoula, it makes for the proper day journey in the event you’re within the space. 

Lookout Move

Technically, Lookout Move is positioned on the border between Montana and Idaho, however Pittman calls it the most effective place to ski within the Western Montana area, and he recommends it for anybody “who desires to expertise Rocky Mountain snowboarding with out having to drive 5 hours.”  He additionally provides that the ski space has “a number of trails of every talent degree, eating places and bars, and skilled employees,” making it a “can’t-miss mountain for these visiting within the winter months.”

Whitefish

Vacationers headed to Glacier Nationwide Park ought to make it a degree to cease in Whitefish, a resort city with year-round enchantment. House to Whitefish Mountain Resort, it is a vacation spot the place winter sports activities are a precedence — the resort options 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. In case you choose lodging which can be near the resort, downtown Whitefish, and the nationwide park, e book a comfy, Western-inspired room at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake.

Associated: Whitefish, Montana, Is the Excellent All-seasons Vacation spot — With Small-town Allure, Lakefront Lodges, and Mountain Views

Clark Fork River

“In case you’ve come to Western Montana with fishing in thoughts, the Clark Fork River is a should,” says Pittman. “The chilly, raging waters of the river are additionally the proper spot for some white water rafting and even for some extra peaceable river floating (cocktails are a should).” However for anybody trying to find one thing a bit more difficult on Montana’s largest river, he suggests “going straight to the Alberton Gorge, a spot on the Clark Fork that options a number of the finest and most difficult white water rafting within the area.”

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

Once you come to Montana, you’ll see a wide range of geological options, from mountains and valleys to lakes and caverns. If you wish to expertise the latter, Patrick suggests Lewis & Clark Caverns, a state park close to Whitehall. “It is likely one of the largest identified limestone caverns within the Northwest and is a really spectacular 2-hour tour,” she says. After your tour wraps, she recommends stopping by LaHood Park Steakhouse alongside the Jefferson River for a margarita and a steak.

Nice Falls

“Whereas Nice Falls may not be one of the talked-about locations in Montana, it’s one you don’t need to miss,” says Patrick. The centrally positioned metropolis is known as “Montana’s base camp” and even has a world airport. “Whether or not you’re on the C. M. Russell Museum or the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Heart, Nice Falls has nice museums highlighting Western tradition and has nice lodging and eating choices,” she provides. In case you’re visiting in the summertime, her insider tip is to make the 40-minute drive to close by Sluice Containers State Park for swimming, fishing, and rafting.

Diamond Lake

Once you get to Diamond Lake, notes Pittman, ”you’re greeted by a panoramic, jaw-dropping scene of a pristine, crystal-clear lake, ringed by forest and mountain peaks.” When the climate permits, he says you’ll be able to fish, hike, picnic, or “simply sit on the shoreline and take within the mountain air and wonderful surroundings.”

Bozeman

Southwestern Montana is often related to Yellowstone — it’s lower than two hours from the nationwide park — but it surely additionally has its personal id as one of many finest locations to stay in Montana. Residents are in a position to take full benefit of the nice outside; actions like fishing, mountaineering, backcountry exploring, and snowboarding are all at their doorstep. Moreover, Bozeman is thought for its thriving arts and cultural scene. Spend even just a little time within the metropolis and also you’ll discover museums, artwork galleries, avenue festivals, farmers markets, and extra.

Seeley Lake

Patrick calls Seeley Lake “the place to be” when summer season temperatures peak, as there’s “fishing, boating, {golfing}, mountaineering, waterfalls, and, most significantly, huckleberry ice cream.” It’s additionally a phenomenal fall vacation spot; starting in early October, you’ll be able to anticipate the western larch needles to show yellow and placed on a present. 

Helena

The capital of Montana, Helena sits between Yellowstone and Glacier, making it an excellent stopping level for anybody trying to do each nationwide parks in a single journey. Historical past buffs will discover loads of factors of curiosity within the metropolis, which was based as a gold camp throughout Montana’s gold rush. The Final Likelihood Tour Practice, for instance, leaves from the Montana Historic Society Museum and takes riders on a journey via Helena’s previous and current, passing by the State Capitol Constructing, the Cathedral of St. Helena, and different must-sees whereas on the town. 

White Sulphur Springs

Montana could be massive on outside sports activities and common journey, however the entirety of your journey doesn’t need to fall into this class. Working example: White Sulphur Springs, a metropolis named for its mineralized scorching springs. Patrick calls it the “excellent getaway,” and recommends planning a ski weekend at Showdown Montana that features a keep at The Edith Resort and a soak within the scorching springs at Spa Scorching Springs Motel.