With mighty Rocky Mountains, Great plains, luxuriant forests and sparkling lake; Montana is a beautiful place in the US. Known for its topographic beauty and aura; this place allures nature lovers, wildlife enthusiasts and backpackers. The vast wilderness looks spectacular and picturesque as much as the vintage towns and cities and together they make up for the list of best places to visit in Montana.
If you are planning to explore this pristine beauty; here is the list of top 10 places to visit in Montana. Read on to know more about these amazing destinations.
Must-see places in Montana
The list of popular places to visit in Montana is quite extensive. With cities, quaint towns to natural wonders, it covers everything that a tourist wants. Come and explore the breathtaking beauty and uniqueness of the state.
1. West Yellowstone: The iconic site in Montana
West Yellowstone is the Western side entrance of Yellowstone National Park. This is a sprawling and verdant national park, known for spectacular topography, flora and fauna. Moreover, this place is also famous for adventure sports like cross country skiing, river rafting, fly fishing, trekking and mountain biking. If you are shortlisting the best places to visit in Montana, West Yellowstone should be one of the top-rated names.
Must see: Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Historic Centre, Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center and Yellowstone Aerial Adventure.
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2. Glacier National Park: Swear by its breath-taking scenery
Bordering Alberta and British Columbia, Glacier National Park is another natural wonderland of Montana. One among the popular Montana attractions, Glacier National Park is a stunning destination, sprawling over 16,000 square miles. Aptly known as ‘Crown of Continent Ecosystem’ is the home to Canadian lynx, Grizzly bear, mountain goats and bighorn sheep. The national park has many popular hiking trails including Huckleberry Mountain Trail, which makes it one of the most frequented places to visit in Montana. One can enjoy trekking, biking, horse riding or boating in Waterton Lake and Mc Donald’s Lake.
Must see: Logan Pass, Lake Mc Donald and Highline Trail
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3. Virginia City: Reliving the bygone era
A quaint historic town of Montana, Virginia City features vintage houses, cobble stone roads, narrow gauge railway and historic monuments. It was the commercial hub and largest town of the state till about 1875, famous for large scale gold mining. Now, a picture-perfect town, Virginia City attracts travellers, who wish to relish the flavour of medieval times and is considered as one of the best places to see in Montana.
Must see: Thompson Hickman Museum, Montana Heritage Commission and Nevada City
4. Missoula: A buzzing hotspot
Missoula is best known for pre-historic and vintage railway stations. This is one of the best places in Montana to explore, chill-out and relax. Featuring buzzing pubs, souvenir shops, vintage theatre house, markets and Caras Park carasole; Missoula never gives a dull moment to anyone. If you love adventure, enjoy rafting in Clark Fork River or trekking in famous Kim Williams Trail.
Must see: Missoula Art Museum, Roxy Theatre, Caras Park and Lolo National Park
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5. Helena: The vibrant capital city
If you are selecting what to see in Montana, how can you forget the state capital; Helena. This is a pretty city, always buzzing with tourists. When you are in Helena, you can never miss the aura this city offers, through its historic yet modern monuments and buildings. One can indulge in guided city tours, trek at Mountain Gates of Mississippi River and relax at city parks.
Must see: Montana State Capitol, Cathedral of Saint Helena and Mount Helena Park
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6. Whitefish: A favourite for adventure lovers
One among the Montana points of interest, Whitefish is a famous resort town and the doorway to Glacier National Park. Surrounded by many freshwater lakes and streams; Whitefish is a snow-covered area, popular for skiing and rafting. Considered as one of the best places to visit in Montana USA, Whitefish attracts adventure freaks, nature lovers and trekkers, round the year.
Must see: Whitefish Lake, Depot park and Whitefish Mountain Resort
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7. Flathead Lake: An emerald blue lake
Formed by glacier, Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater lake and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Montana USA. The sprawling lake, cherry plantations and surrounding mountains leave everyone is an awe. It is a perfect place to invigorate or enjoy thrilling activities like canoeing, sailing and swimming.
Must see: Sandpiper Art Gallery, Lake cruise and Polson Flathead Historical Museum
8. Bozeman: A cultural and leisure hub of Montana
If we are discussing about places to visit in Montana state, we might as well keep Bozeman in the list. Being the home to Montana State University, this town remains crowded throughout the year. Featuring theatres, opera house, cafes, breweries and art galleries; Bozeman is the famous cultural and recreational hub of Montana. Moreover, it is the doorway to Yellowstone National Park, hence counted as an integral part of Montana sightseeing.
Must see: Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman hot spring, Emerson Centre of Art and Culture and American Computer Museum.
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9. Big Sky: A scenic ski destination
Travel about 45 miles from Bozeman to reach an immensely scenic destination called Big Sky. Surrounded by snow laden mountains, Spanish peaks and Gallatin National Forest, Big Sky is a picturesque resort town and one of the top places to visit in Montana. With 5800 acres of skiing track, Big Sky attracts ski enthusiasts, making it one of the favourite places to visit in Montana in winter. Other than skiing, one can also enjoy rafting, fishing and backcountry hikes during summer and spring.
Must see: Moonlight Basin, Spanish Peaks, Ousel Falls Roads and Big Sky Resort
10. Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park: A perfect display of karst landscape
This is a significant part of Montana tourism and certainly one of its kind tourist sites. Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is a sprawling cave park, featuring stunning limestone topography. Take guided walks through the caves and caverns and admire the spectacular stalactite, stalagmite and columns and pillars. Other than this, one can also enjoy picnic, canoeing and spotting wildlife here.
Must see: Stalactites, stalagmites, pillars and helictites. One can also visit Headwaters Heritage Museum and Headwater State Park, located in proximity.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Places to Visit in Montana
What are the top attractions in Montana?
West Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Virginia City, Missoula, Helena, Whitefish, etc. are some of the major attractions in Montana that you can incorporate into your itinerary.
What are the best hotels to stay at in Montana?
There are numerous hotels in Montana where you can enjoy a cozy stay. Some of the best ones are: Northern Hotel Best Western Premier Helena Great Northern Hotel Kimpton Armory Hotel Triple Creek Ranch Summit at Big Sky
Can I visit Montana during the current Covid situation?
Yes, you can plan a visit to Montana during the current Covid situation. However, make sure that you are completely vaccinated and always carry your vaccination certificate. Besides this, you need to follow government protocols that include wearing a mask when in public, sanitizing hands at certain intervals, and maintaining social distancing.
What is the best month to visit Montana?
The summer months which are between June and August are the best time to visit Montana. During this time the weather is sunny and warm. Besides this, you can also plan a visit from December to March when you can indulge in skiing and other snow activities.
Which are the best things to do in Montana?
Here are some best experiences you can enjoy in Montana: Explore Medicine Rocks State Park Enjoy skiing at Whitefish Visit Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center: Explore Glacier National Park Revisit history at Montana Historical Society Museum Witness beautiful nature at Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary
How many days are enough for exploring Montana?
A trip of 4-5 days would be enough to witness the best of Montana. To enjoy your vacation, you can go sightseeing and indulge in outdoor activities.
Which is the nearest airport to Montana?
Great Falls (GTF) Airport is the nearest airport from Montana which is around 130.5 away from it.
Which are the best places to eat in Montana?
Some of the best eateries in Montana are: Sir Scott’s Oasis The Sip & Dip Lounge The Burger Dive Black Iron Grill & Rotisserie Big Pizza Grizzly Bar
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A book lover and fun-loving, overtly emotional mom with a wanderlust soul, Sukanya has completed her Master Degree in Geography and currently perusing her passion for writing as a profession. Nothing detoxes her more than trying new recipes and travelling to offbeat places is ultimate Therapy for her.