Montana Vacation and Travel Guide with Tips on Attractions, Activities, Lodging, and Restaurants
Montana is the “Treasure State.” Opportunities for fun and excitement are found in every part of the state, from the prairies in the east to the mountains in the west. Travel in Montana is a special experience. Enjoy!
In area, Montana is a large state, slightly bigger than the entire country of Germany. But not many people live here. Montana’s population is just over one million, about equal to San Jose, California. So there’s plenty of room to roam in both rural places and cities.
Most residents are of European descent with the earliest explorers and settlers arriving in the state after the year 1800. German, Irish, English, and Norwegian heritage are common. Many Indigenous Peoples, first to arrive and cherish lands of the western hemisphere, as far back as 17,500 years ago, are at home here, as well.
Eastern Montana is an area of vast rolling plains. Grasslands with few trees dominate the landscape. Huge wheat farms and cattle ranches are common.
In central Montana, the plains are dotted with small mountain ranges. Cattle ranching and farming are a way of life. Mule deer and antelope roam the prairies throughout this region.
Western Montana is a region of magnificent mountains. Welcome to the Rocky Mountains. The Absaroka Range near Livingston is covered with snow much of the year and peaks reach over 11,000 feet in elevation. The pristine landscape is home to mountain lions and grizzly bears. Rainbow and brown trout are abundant in streams and rivers.
A good share of visitors in Montana are attracted by the wonders and scenery found in Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. About four million visitors tour Yellowstone each year, and more than three million visitors go to Glacier. But the state has much more to offer those who take time to explore and experience lesser know attractions.
In the great outdoors, fishing, hiking, camping, boating, golfing, skiing, and horseback riding are popular activities. Cultural events galore appeal to visitors, too. It’s an ideal and fun place to vacation.
Savvy visitors also seek out and enjoy the state’s many interesting historical places and landmarks. They find many wonderful museums in cities, big and small.
Rainfall is low in most areas, often less than 13 inches, annually. Temperatures in western mountain valleys are generally moderate the year-round. In eastern areas, on the plains, days can be very hot in the summer and very cold in winter.
The western part of the state is a top destination for families and others who like spending time outdoors. Amazing scenery is everywhere.
Grizzly bears are at homes in wild areas of western Montana. Photo Frank van Manen, courtesy U.S. Geological Survey.
Hayden Valley and meandering Yellowstone River with Washburn Mountain Range in background, Yellowstone National Park. This may be the most scenic landscape in North America. Photo courtesy National Park Service.
Travel Regions
Montana has five distinctive travel regions. The flavor varies a lot from region to region.
Learn more by reading Montana Traveler Web pages. Find things to see and do that fit your interests and tastes. Then go and have some fun.
The southeast and south-central region is Yellowstone. Early explorers noticed prominent yellow sandstone bluffs bordering what is now known as the Yellowstone River. Soon, the name Yellowstone became associated with this region. Visitors enjoy vast prairies and, in the western section, towering mountains.
Some cities are Billings, Glendive, Miles City, Red Lodge, and Livingston. Billings (pop. 110,323) is the chief city along I-90 and the upper Yellowstone Valley. Billings is a trade, medical, and entertainment center for a vast area including northwest Wyoming. Billings is a good base from which to make forays to Yellowstone National Park and the Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument. Cody, Wyoming, a major tourist center, is southwest of Billings.
Read about Yellowstone Region.
It’s easy to say that the southwest region is Wonderland. As the Union Pacific and Northern Pacific Railroads pushed new tracks west in the late 1800s, railway executives wanted Americans to see and develop virgin lands. To create interest and excitement, savvy railroad managers promoted this region and areas beyond as “Wonderland.” Today tourists flock to this region for outdoor activities, cultural events, and more. Fun is everywhere.
Some cities are Missoula, Bozeman, Dillon, Hamilton, and Butte. Bozeman and Missoula are the major cities in Wonderland. Bozeman (pop. 45,250) is located in the Gallatin Valley, surrounded by magnificent mountain ranges. The Gallatin Range and the Madison Range, south of Bozeman, rise more than 10,000 feet and have peaks covered with snow much of the year. Missoula (pop. 73,364) is home to the University of Montana and the mighty Grizzlies.
Read about Wonderland Region.
Northeast and north-central Montana is Discoveryland. Most of the region is vast open plains, with few trees. The Missouri River flows through the heart of Discoveryland.
U.S. Highway 2 is the main east-west route across northern Montana and Discoveryland. Towns along U.S. Highway 2 are small and often far apart. A traveler can go from Culbertson, near the eastern border of the state, to Browning, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, a distance of 421 miles, without seeing much human civilization. Welcome to the Great American Outback. Other towns along U.S. Highway 2 are Glasgow, Malta, Havre, Shelby, and Cut Bank.
Read About Discovereland Region
The central and east-central region is Ranchland. Rural landscapes here are exceptionally beautiful. Cattle on the range out number people in this region by a gazillion or so it seems. Important cities are Helena, Lewistown, Roundup, and Townsend. Helena (pop. 31,169) is a friendly town with lots to offer visitors. Helena is the state capital and a major tourist center. The main part of town lies at the foot of the mountains in the beautiful Helena Valley. Lewistown, in central Montana, is a quaint small town, supported by ranching. The outdoors near Lewistown is a huge attraction.
Read About Ranchland Region
The northwest region is Glacier, a wilderness area of wild and pristine landscapes. If one imagines what a wilderness is like, this is the place. Some cities are Kalispell, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Bigfork, and Polson. Kalispell (pop. 22,761) is the largest city in the region. Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake are huge attractions in this area. In Glacier, visitors see some of the most spectacular landscape in North America.
Read about Glacier Region.
Travel tip When traveling, time usually is precious and limited. This is especially important to think about in Montana as “things” including attractions and cities are far apart. As for cities, a visit to one or two of the larger cities may be all that time allows. The choice of which cities to visit may come down to why a person is in the state in the first place. In any case, Missoula and Bozeman are likely tops for many visitors.
Travel tip Be prepared for large temperature changes even in the same day. This is true for the summer months too. Many areas are at a high elevation and the state is far north. Think chilly or cold. The best advice is to take along clothing to “layer up” when conditions change. During the summer a wool sweater and a spring- or fall-like jacket of medium-weight is a good choice.
Travel tip A detailed highway map is helpful for planning alternate routes which may turn out to be more scenic and less traveled than roads drivers usually take. Plan your trip using the official map. The map can be ordered online here.