Montana is one of the largest and least populous states in the U.S., but its tourism industry is steadily growing. The state specializes in showcasing broad expanses of unspoiled wilderness populated by bears, elk, bison and other wildlife. But you'll also find spots of historic interest, natural beauty and quirky town life under its big skies.
Glacier National Park
- Glacier National Park is in far northern Montana near the Canadian border. It covers nearly 1,600 square miles of mountainous wilderness. You'll find 25 active glaciers and more than 700 miles of hiking trails but only one road, known as Going to the Sun Road. You can camp at one of 13 sites or stay in a lodge or chalet. Those interested in wildlife spotting will find the park's offerings particularly rich. Glacier National Park is the home to the largest grizzly population in the lower 48 states, as well as several wolf packs; you can also see elk, rare species of ground squirrels and lemmings, colorful harlequin ducks and plenty of mountain goats. It's also a prime spot for sport fishing -- you don't need a permit to fly fish in the confines of the park.
Bozeman
- Bozeman is the home of Montana State University and thus the cultural center of western Montana. Ski spots and hot springs dot the mountains that surround the town; Bozeman proper includes several historic districts worth exploring. Downtown Bozeman combines saddle shops with a co-op health food restaurant, school spirit outlets and plenty of other shopping options -- all local, no chains. Lonely Planet calls Bozeman's Museum of the Rockies "the most entertaining museum in Montana"; it's complete with dinosaur exhibits, planetarium shows and displays on local Native American ethnology.
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
- The Lewis and Clark Caverns were never actually visited by explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on their expedition through the West; President Theodore Roosevelt gave the caves the name in honor of the explorers and their historic trek when he declared the site a national monument. The caverns, in the southwestern portion of the state, are made of limestone and heavily adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. Guided tours of the artificially illuminated cavern take about two hours. You can camp in the state park that houses the cavern proper.
Other Options
- After you hit the top three points of interest, you'll still have a vast state full of options to round out your Montana adventure. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is worth a visit if you're interested in the history of the Old West. On June 25, 1876, Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer was killed in the midst of a two-day battle between U.S. troops and a combined force of Lakota Sioux, Arapaho and Cheyenne warriors. The battlefield has monuments commemorating both sides of the conflict. Yellowstone National Park overlaps the state lines of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana, and many visitors choose to begin their exploration of this iconic national park from the Montana side of the border.
