20 Finest Locations to Go to in Montana, In keeping with Locals

Lolo Nationwide Forest

“At two million acres, Lolo Nationwide Forest is without doubt one of the smaller nationwide forests within the state, nevertheless it options rivers, waterfalls, mountains, valleys, and practically each bodily function Montana presents,” says Pittman. He describes the wildlife, geology, and surroundings as “breathtaking,” and most of the space’s campgrounds and websites are open year-round for guests to discover. The hotter months are significantly good, as there’s climbing, biking, fishing, swimming, and extra. 

Purple Lodge

Purple Lodge, Montana, is a licensed mountain city that’s situated within the Beartooth Mountains and surrounded by Custer Gallatin Nationwide Forest. Not solely was it just lately named the “most charming” small city, nevertheless it’s additionally a gateway to Yellowstone. The route from Purple Lodge to the nationwide park — what’s often known as the Beartooth Freeway — is simply as noteworthy. Should 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 by means of mid-October (climate allowing). 

Fort Benton

“Fort Benton is a cool Montana city alongside the banks of the Missouri River with an incredible historical past,” says Patrick. “Whether or not you wish to recreate on the river or take a historic tour, you gained’t be upset.” Should you’re staying on the town, she recommends reserving a room at the Grand Union Resort, Montana’s oldest working resort and an institution that was as soon as often known 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 individuals who love historical past and the Previous West or simply wish to expertise one thing that almost all won’t ever get to see.” And in case you occur to be within the space in June, your journey might 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 outlets that includes impartial artists, artwork galleries, and museums. It additionally has nice structure and loads of historic websites for historical past buffs,” says Pittman. Should you’re spending a couple of days within the metropolis and trying to find locations to eat, he recommends testing a couple of of his favorites: Massive Dipper Ice Cream, Prime Hat Restaurant & Bar, The Depot, and Break Espresso.

West Yellowstone

Yellowstone has 5 entrances, one among which is situated in West Yellowstone, Montana. Whereas it was solely included within the Nineteen Sixties, the small city has been often known as a gateway to the park for properly over a century. It’s an awesome 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 you will discover huckleberry ice cream on practically each nook on the town. 

Glacier Nationwide Park

Should you haven’t but skilled the splendor of Glacier Nationwide Park, add it to your record. 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 by means of the guts of the park and by unimaginable statement factors, waterfalls, and glacial lakes. Glacier can be a licensed Worldwide Darkish Sky Park, making it top-of-the-line 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

Lots of Montana’s vacationer sights and notable locations are situated on the western aspect of the state, however you’ll discover Drugs Rocks State Park within the jap area. The medication rocks themselves are a group of pure rock formations which are thought of sacred by Native American tribes within the space. For a totally 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 top-of-the-line. “The lake options islands, mountain views, and adventurous actions that make it a must-visit location,” says Pittman. A bit of over an hour’s drive from Missoula, it makes for the right day journey in case you’re within the space. 

Lookout Go

Technically, Lookout Go is situated 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 ability 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 some extent to cease in Whitefish, a resort city with year-round enchantment. House to Whitefish Mountain Resort, this can be a vacation spot the place winter sports activities are a precedence — the resort options 3,000 acres of skiable terrain. Should you choose lodging which are 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

“Should 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 right 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 tougher on Montana’s largest river, he suggests “going straight to the Alberton Gorge, a spot on the Clark Fork that options a few of the finest and most difficult white water rafting within the area.”

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

Whenever you come to Montana, you’ll see quite a lot 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 without doubt one of the largest recognized 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 some of the talked-about locations in Montana, it’s one you don’t wish to miss,” says Patrick. The centrally situated metropolis is known as “Montana’s base camp” and even has a global airport. “Whether or not you’re on the C. M. Russell Museum or the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Middle, Nice Falls has nice museums highlighting Western tradition and has nice lodging and eating choices,” she provides. Should you’re visiting in the summertime, her insider tip is to make the 40-minute drive to close by Sluice Packing containers State Park for swimming, fishing, and rafting.

Diamond Lake

Whenever 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 possibly can fish, hike, picnic, or “simply sit on the shoreline and take within the mountain air and superb surroundings.”

Bozeman

Southwestern Montana is often related to Yellowstone — it’s lower than two hours from the nationwide park — nevertheless it additionally has its personal id as one of many finest locations to stay in Montana. Residents are capable of take full benefit of the good open air; actions like fishing, climbing, backcountry exploring, and snowboarding are all at their doorstep. Moreover, Bozeman is thought for its thriving arts and cultural scene. Spend even a bit 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}, climbing, waterfalls, and, most significantly, huckleberry ice cream.” It’s additionally a lovely fall vacation spot; starting in early October, you possibly can count on 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 a great 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 Prepare, for instance, leaves from the Montana Historic Society Museum and takes riders on a journey by means of 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 large on outside sports activities and common journey, however the entirety of your journey doesn’t must fall into this class. Living proof: White Sulphur Springs, a metropolis named for its mineralized scorching springs. Patrick calls it the “good 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 Sizzling Springs Motel.