Montana is the most sparsely populated US state. It is the 4th largest and the 2nd least densely populated. But don’t let its size fool you! This Western state has a lot to offer, and these 10 things will show you just what we mean by that.
Here are 10 things that you should do in Montana. From hiking to biking, fishing to hunting, it truly is the best of both worlds when it comes to this beautiful state. So get ready to be blown away because here are 10 things to do in Montana that will blow your mind.
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10 Things to Do in Montana
1. Glacier National Park
This is a million acres of heaven on Earth. The incredible array of facts is nearly too long to include. Trek over 700 miles of hiking and bike trails, drive down the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road, pass the 7,700-foot-high Logan Pass, view Reynolds Peak at 9,100 feet, relax by one of the park’s 130 lakes, and get lost in the wildlife-rich interior. You’ll be astounded at Montana’s most famous tourist site.
It’s been dubbed the “Crown of the Continent Ecosystem,” and it’s easy to see why. If this is on your list, and it should be, you’ll need to schedule a second vacation to accomplish anything else since you won’t want to leave once you are there.
2. Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake is the biggest natural lake in the Western United States. It covers 200 square miles of water and has a shoreline of 185 kilometres. Thanks to the Swan and Flathead rivers, anglers and water enthusiasts have made the lake a Montana vacation place. Visitors must acquire a permit to explore this beautiful portion of the lake since it is on tribal reserve grounds.
If you visit during Memorial Day weekend, you may attend the annual Bigfork Whitewater Festival. Wildhorse Island is located in the center of the lake. This 2000+ acre state park is only accessible by boat and is a great spot to spend a day.
3. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument near Crow Agency, Montana, is one of America’s most well-known historical sites. A visitor’s center, the Custer National Cemetery, a museum, the 7th Cavalry Memorial, and the Reno-Benteen Battlefield are all part of the memorial.
The region recalls the Battle of Little Bighorn, one of the most infamous confrontations between the United States government and the Sioux and Cheyenne American Indians. Thousands were killed during the war, and the memorial has been a tremendous assistance in subsequent reconciliation efforts.
4. Ringing Rocks
The Boulder Batholith’s Ringing Rocks are located outside Butte, Montana. These unusual rock formations chime melodically when hit with a mallet or similar instrument. These fascinating structures can only be seen in a few places on the planet. Aside from Montana, you may also visit Pyeongyang in Vietnam, Orissa in India, or the lithophones in Africa.
These formations have been known for about 2000 years. Though there are ideas as to why the stone rings, there is no scientific confirmation. When one of the rocks is removed, the formation no longer rings.
5. The Museum of the Rockies
The Boulder Batholith’s Ringing Rocks are located outside Butte, Montana. These unusual rock formations chime melodically when hit with a mallet or similar instrument. These fascinating structures can only be seen in a few places on the planet. Aside from Montana, you may also visit Pyeongyang in Vietnam, Orissa in India, or the lithophones in Africa.
These formations have been known for about 2000 years. Though there are ideas as to why the stone rings, there is no scientific confirmation. When one of the rocks is removed, the formation no longer rings.
6. Lake McDonald
Lake McDonald is one of Glacier National Park’s great 130 lakes. It stretches over eleven kilometres and is about 500 feet deep. From here, the vista of the Great Continental Divide is unrivalled. Hiking, animal viewing, birding, picnics, and photography are popular activities for visitors.
Typical sightings are elk, bighorn sheep, black bears, and mountain goats. Lake McDonald serves as the focal point of the park’s western section. Stay in the early-twentieth-century lodge for a great rest after an incredible day. The glacier sculptures that occurred over thousands of years have unique effects.
7. The Garden of One Thousand Buddhas
The Garden of One Thousand Buddhas is a bit unexpected in the midst of Montana, but that’s part of the charm. It was founded as a peace center on an American Indian reserve in 2000. The arrangement, which reaches 750 feet and is put out in a round pattern, portrays the wheel of dharma and the Noble Eightfold Path, which symbolizes the cycle of life, death, and reincarnation.
Yum Chenmo, the Great Mother, stands in the center. Each buddha is built of white concrete and is symmetrically arranged around the circle. It’s a moving sight that’s a source of pride for the volunteers who worked on it.
8. Big Sky
Do you want to go skiing? Big Sky, Montana is the most acceptable option. Big Sky is one of the largest and most popular ski resorts in the United States, with 400 inches of snow per year and about 6,000 acres of skiable territory. There is something for everyone here. During peak season, the lifts transport 29,000 skiers each hour. A vacation to Big Sky is a win-win situation, with luxurious lodgings, beautiful restaurants, and plenty of entertainment.
If you chat to any of the locals, you’ll hear many stories of individuals who came to visit and never left. The town itself is charming and rustic, with the ideal balance of contemporary conveniences and escapism.
9. West Yellowstone
In the late nineteenth century, tourists began viewing this fantastic and relatively untouched location shortly after the United States Congress established Yellowstone National Park (the first national park). The park’s entrance began to develop into a town, which presently houses around 1200 people. West Yellowstone attracts approximately four million tourists each year and serves as a gateway to the park.
See real wolves, grizzlies, and raptors at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Centre. West Yellowstone boasts an IMAX theatre, a plethora of local crafts, recreational gear imaginable, and every type of culinary experience possible. Take a trip on a snow coach and see magnificent animals while learning about the town and park’s history.
10. Castle Ghost Town
Montana is home to several founded and ultimately bankrupted municipalities during the late-nineteenth-century silver boom. Today, you can go on a tour of a castle. Prospectors claimed about 1000 plots in less than seven years, and Castle, Montana was founded. Castle had a school, a prison, many stores, 14 saloons, and seven brothels during its heyday. It was a riotous town.
Calamity Jane (Martha Jane Cannary Burke) briefly lived in Castle while owning a restaurant. The city had a brief existence, lasting little more than 50 years. Visitors may observe the remnants of the town, which was abandoned in the 1930s, including Minnie’s sporting mansion.
The People You’ll Meet
The people you’ll meet in Montana are some of the friendliest and most welcoming folks in the country.
Montana is a place where people know their neighbours, offer a warm smile when they see you and greet you with a friendly “hello” when they cross your path. The cultural diversity of this Western state is also incredible. From Native American tribes to Italian Americans, Montana has it all. There’s no one set type of person who lives here. One thing is for certain: if you come to visit, you’ll find that Montana has one big open door for you.
See Also: Top 10 Highest Paying Jobs in Montana
The Places You’ll Go
1) Glacier National Park
2) Blackfeet Nation Resort
3) C.M. Russell Museum
4) Flathead Lake
5) Flathead Valley Wineries
6) University of Montana-Missoula
7) Missoula Mercantile Co. and Feed Store
8) Max’s Sports Bar in Missoula, MT
9) Montana State University– Bozeman Campus
10) Big Mountain Ski Resort
The Experience of a Lifetime
The experience of a lifetime can be found in this Western state. Montana is the 4th largest and the 2nd least densely populated, so there are plenty of opportunities to take in nature’s beauty. The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, just one of the many spectacular sites, was designated by Congress in 1964 as “the first national wilderness preservation system established by an Act of Congress.”
So what are you waiting for? Be sure to include these 10 things to do in Montana on your bucket list!
Conclusion
Montana is one of America’s most beautiful states, with endless opportunities to take in the scenery, explore national parks, and experience the great outdoors. Montana has it all from world-class skiing to fishing, hiking, biking, and more.
So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head to Montana ASAP!
