Montana

NATIONAL PARKS

• Big Hole National Battlefield (Wisdom) – Honors those involved in the 1877 battle between Nez Perce and U.S. soldiers.
• ★ Big Horn Canyon National Recreation Area (Lovell) – 120,000 acres with diverse ecosystems and 10,000 years of human history.
• ★ Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site (Williston) – Major fur trading post (1828–1867) for Plains Tribes and international traders.
• ★ Glacier National Park – Alpine meadows, lakes, and glaciers with 700+ miles of trails. Famous for Going-to-the-Sun Road and Lake McDonald.
• Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site (Deer Lodge) – Preserves history of the open-range cattle era in the American West.
• Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (Garryowen) – Commemorates 1876 battle between U.S. forces and Plains tribes. Includes visitor center, memorials, and ranger/bus tours.
• Ross Creek Cedars Scenic Area (Troy) – Ancient cedar grove with a 0.9-mile accessible trail.
• ★ Nez Perce National Historical Park (Spalding) – Comprises 38 culturally significant sites across ID, MT, OR, and WA.
• ★ Shoshone National Forest – Scenic national forest near Yellowstone with hiking and wildlife.
• ★ Yellowstone National Park – First national park in the world; famous for geysers, wildlife, and vast wilderness areas.

NORTHWEST MONTANA

Babb

• Two Sisters Café – Eclectic roadside eatery known for homemade pies and quirky décor.

Big Arm

• Big Arm State Park – Lakeside park on Flathead Lake with camping, swimming, and boating.

Bigfork

• Bigfork Summer Playhouse – Historic theater offering professional summer musicals.

Clark Fork Area

• Beavertail Hill State Park – Riverfront park with cottonwood groves and interpretive trails.
• Council Grove State Park – Site of historic 1855 Hellgate Treaty, with picnic and walking areas.
• Milltown State Park – Riverside trails and restored floodplain at former dam site.
• Thompson Falls State Park – Wooded campground on the Clark Fork River with fishing access.

Columbia Falls

• ★ Bad Rock Canyon – Scenic canyon east of town, gateway to Glacier National Park and Bob Marshall Wilderness. Offers dramatic views and historical significance

• Montana Vortex and House of Mystery – Optical illusion site with gravity-defying exhibits.

Hungry Horse

• ★ Dam Visitor Center – Learn about one of the largest concrete dams in the U.S.
• ★ Huckleberry Patch – Café and gift shop offering huckleberry treats and souvenirs.
• ★ Willow’s Huckleberry Land – Seasonal stand for huckleberry jams, candy, and gifts.

Kalispell

• Conrad Mansion Museum – Restored 1895 home of a Kalispell founder with period furnishings.
• ★ Farmers Market – Local produce, crafts, and food vendors (seasonal).
• Hockaday Museum of Art – Regional art museum housed in a historic Carnegie library.
• Lone Pine State Park – Scenic overlooks and hiking trails above the Flathead Valley.
• Northwest Montana History Museum – Exhibits on regional logging, railroads, and pioneer life.

Les Mason

• Les Mason State Park – Quiet lakeside beach on Whitefish Lake with picnic facilities.

Libby

• Kootenai Falls and Swinging Bridge – Scenic waterfall with a dramatic suspension bridge over the river.

Polson

• Finley Point State Park – Peninsula park offering boating, fishing, and Flathead Lake views.
• Miracle of America Museum – Extensive collection of Americana, vehicles, and military memorabilia.

Seeley Lake Area

• Morrell Falls – Scenic forest hike to a twin waterfall in the Swan Mountains.

Somers

• Somers Beach State Park – New lakeshore park with a beach and space for paddling and picnics.

Wayfarers

• Wayfarers State Park – Rocky lakefront park with trails and dramatic Flathead Lake sunsets.

West Shore

• West Shore State Park – Forested lakefront campground with water access and birdwatching.

Whitefish

• Whitefish Depot and Railway Museum – Historic train depot with exhibits on railroad history.
• Whitefish Lake State Park – Lake access for swimming, boating, and camping near town.
• Whitefish Mountain Resort – Year-round resort with skiing, hiking, and scenic chairlifts.

Wild Horse Island

• Wild Horse Island State Park – Boat-access only park with wild horses, bighorn sheep, and hiking trails.

Yellow Bay

• Yellow Bay State Park – Quiet Flathead Lake park known for yellow cherry orchards and pebble beach.

SOUTHWEST MONTANA

Ackley Lake

• Ackley Lake State Park – Small reservoir with fishing, boating, and mountain views

Anaconda

• ★ Anaconda Smoke Stack – One of the world’s tallest free-standing brick structures
• Anaconda Smelter Stack State Park – Preserves the historic smokestack and smelter grounds
• Washoe Theater – Lavishly decorated 1930s theater with Art Deco interiors

Bannack

• Bannack State Park – Ghost town with preserved 1860s buildings

Butte

• Food & Local Flavor
  • ★ Wop Chop at Freeway Tavern – Classic deep-fried pork chop sandwich, a Butte staple.
  • ★ Sparkey’s Restaurant – Nostalgic auto-themed diner serving hearty comfort food.
• Visitor Resources
  • ★ Butte Visitor Info Center – Local hub for maps, small history display, travel tips, and trolley tour access.
• Guided & Scenic Tours
  • ★ Trolley Tours – Narrated 2-hour ride through Butte’s historical highlights.
• Landmarks & Monuments
  • Our Lady of the Rockies – Towering tribute to women overlooking the city.
  • ★ Evel Knievel Gravesite – Resting place of the famed daredevil with unique memorial.
  • ★ Berkeley Pit – Massive open-pit copper mine filled with acidic water; features viewing platform and exhibits on mining and environmental impact.
  • Copper King Mansion – Ornate Victorian home of mining tycoon William A. Clark, open for tours and overnight stays.
• History & Heritage
  • The Dumas Brothel Museum – Historic red-light venue turned museum.
  • Venus Alley – Once-thriving red-light district with preserved cribs and alleyways.
  • Rookwood Speakeasy – Subterranean bar rich in Prohibition-era lore and underground architecture.
  • ★ World Museum of Mining – 22-acre museum atop Orphan Girl Mine, with underground tours and a reconstructed 1890s mining town.

Clark’s Lookout

• Clark’s Lookout State Park – Historic Lewis & Clark navigation point above Beaverhead River

Cooney

• Cooney State Park – Reservoir offering boating, camping, and fishing

Darby

• Darby Pioneer Memorial Museum – Local history museum in a former schoolhouse
• Painted Rocks State Park – Remote lake with colorful cliff faces and hiking trails

Dillon

• Beaverhead County Museum – Regional history and pioneer exhibits
• Beaverhead Rock State Park – Rock formation noted by Sacagawea during the Lewis & Clark expedition

Elkhorn

• Elkhorn State Park – Preserved mining ghost town with historic buildings

Hamilton

• Daly Mansion – Restored 19th-century mansion of copper baron Marcus Daly

Logan

• Logan State Park – Lakeside park on Middle Thompson Lake, ideal for water recreation

Lewis and Clark Caverns

• Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park – Limestone caves with guided tours and hiking trails

Missoula

• A Carousel for Missoula – Hand-carved carousel with whimsical animal figures
• Fort Missoula Museum – Preserves the area’s military, frontier, and immigrant history
• Garnet Ghost Town – Well-preserved 1890s gold mining town
• Smokejumper Visitor Center – Tours and exhibits about wildfire parachute firefighters
• Travelers’ Rest State Park – Lewis & Clark campsite with archaeological features

Nevada City

• Nevada City Living History Museum – Gold rush town with original buildings and costumed interpreters

Salmon Lake

• Salmon Lake State Park – Quiet lake for fishing, boating, and camping along the Clearwater River

Placid Lake

• Placid Lake State Park – Popular for canoeing, swimming, and wildlife viewing

Virginia City

• Virginia City Historic District – Restored 1860s mining town with reenactments and vintage charm

CENTRAL MONTANA

First Peoples

• First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park – Archaeological site with bison cliff jump and Visitor Center

Fish Creek

• Fish Creek State Park

Great Falls

• C.M. Russell Museum – Western art and artifacts from famed artist
• ★ Giant Springs State Park – One of the largest freshwater springs in the U.S.
• ★ Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center – Exhibits on the explorers’ expedition

Greycliff

• Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park

Helena

• Cathedral of St. Helena – Impressive Gothic-style cathedral
• Gates of the Mountains – Scenic boat tour through canyon explored by Lewis and Clark
• Montana Historical Society Museum – State history and Native American artifacts
• Montana State Capitol – Beautiful domed capitol with murals
• Reeder’s Alley – Preserved 19th-century miner’s housing district
• Spring Meadow Lake State Park

Lewistown

• Central Montana Historical Museum – Regional artifacts and local history
• Charlie Russell Chew-Choo – Dinner train through scenic landscapes

Missouri Headwaters

• Missouri Headwaters State Park – Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers

Smith River

• Smith River State Park – 59-mile river segment with limited access

Tower Rock

• Tower Rock State Park – Near Missouri River

White Sulphur Springs

• Castle Museum and Carriage House – Stone mansion and historical displays

EASTERN MONTANA

Billings

• Moss Mansion – Historic home with original furnishings
• Pictograph Cave State Park – Rock art dating back thousands of years
• Western Heritage Center – History and culture of the Yellowstone River Valley

Brush Lake

• Brush Lake State Park – No fish due to mineral water composition

Fort Peck

• Hell Creek State Park – Fort Peck Lake

Glendive

• Frontier Gateway Museum – Pioneer artifacts and regional history
• Makoshika State Park – Badlands landscape and dinosaur fossils

Medicine Rocks

• Medicine Rocks State Park

Miles City

• Range Riders Museum – Cowboy and military memorabilia from the region

Marias River

• Marias River State Park

Pirogue Island

• Pirogue Island State Park – Yellowstone River

Plenty Coups

• Chief Plenty Coups State Park – Pryor Creek

Rosebud

• Rosebud Battlefield State Park

Terry

• Prairie County Museum – Local history and vintage jailhouse exhibit

Tongue River

• Tongue River Reservoir State Park

Wibaux

• Wibaux Museum – Historic buildings and collections from the early town days

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

West Glacier Area

Main Attractions

• ★ Lake McDonald Lodge – Historic lodge with dining and shops
• ★ Apgar Village – Visitor center, boat rentals, and shops
• ★ McDonald Creek Overlook – Rapids and cascades with pullout views
• ★ Apgar Nature Center – Kid-friendly exhibits on wildlife and ecology

Hiking Trails

• Trail of the Cedars – Short forest loop with boardwalk
• Avalanche Lake Trail – Moderate hike to alpine lake with waterfalls
• Johns Lake Loop – Easy forest loop with waterfall views
• Rocky Point Trail – Gentle trail to Lake McDonald views
• Howe Lake Trail – Quiet trail to lake with wildlife
• Huckleberry Lookout Trail – Strenuous climb with mountain views
• Snyder Ridge Trail – Steep forest trail with wildlife viewing potential

Historic Sites

• Logging Creek Ranger Station – Oldest cabin in park (1907)
• Lower Logging Lake Cabin – 1933 ranger boathouse

East Glacier / Logan Pass Area

Main Attractions

• ★ Logan Pass Visitor Center – Alpine visitor center and trailhead
• ★ Big Bend & Stone Arch Bridge – Scenic overlooks on Sun Road
• ★ The Loop & Heavens Peak Viewpoint – Curved overlook of Heavens Peak
• ★Westside Tunnel Overlook – Tunnel viewpoint over McDonald Creek
• ★ Jackson Glacier Overlook – View of one of the park’s remaining glaciers
• ★ Siyeh Bend – Scenic Sun Road pullout and trail access point

Hiking Trails

• Hidden Lake Overlook Trail – Short alpine trail with views
• Hidden Lake Full Route – Longer trail down to the lake
• Siyeh Pass Trail – High-elevation trail with mountain scenery
• Highline Trail – Iconic ridge trail from Logan Pass with cliffs and views

Two Medicine Area

Main Attractions

• ★ Two Medicine Lake – Scenic lake with boating
• Scenic Boat Tour – Cruise with trailhead access
• ★ Running Eagle Falls – Falls that emerge from a cave

Hiking Trails

• Twin Falls Trail – Easy hike to waterfalls
• Rockwell Falls – Short spur from Twin Falls Trail
• Oldman Lake Trail – Moderate hike through alpine valley
• Aster Park Trail – Easy hike to overlook above Two Medicine Lake

Many Glacier Area

Main Attractions

• ★ Many Glacier Hotel – Historic lodge with lake views
• ★ Swiftcurrent Lake – Boat rentals and wildlife viewing
• Fishercap Lake – Wildlife viewing spot near Swiftcurrent Motor Inn

Hiking Trails

• Grinnell Glacier Trail – Hike to a famous glacier
• Redrock Falls Trail – Easy walk past lakes and falls
• Iceberg Lake Trail – Trail to lake with floating ice
• Ptarmigan Tunnel Trail – Trail to mountain tunnel with views
• Swiftcurrent Pass Trail – Scenic climb past lakes to mountain pass

Historic Sites

• Sherburne Ranger Station – Rustic buildings from 1920s–30s
• Swiftcurrent Fire Lookout – 1936 fire tower with views
• Ptarmigan Tunnel – 1930 tunnel through mountain ridge

North Fork Area

Main Attractions

• Bowman Lake – Quiet lake for paddling and hiking
• Kintla Lake – Remote lake near Canada with solitude
• Polebridge Mercantile – Historic store with baked goods and supplies

Hiking Trails

• Numa Ridge Lookout Trail – Climb to fire lookout
• Snyder Lakes Trail – Hike to peaceful alpine lakes
• Quartz Lake Loop – Long loop with forest, lakes, and solitude

Goat Haunt Area

Main Attractions

• Goat Haunt Ranger Station – Remote ranger outpost
• Flathead River – Rafting, fishing, and wildlife

Hiking Trails

• Goat Haunt to Waterton – International trail (passport needed)
• Boulder Pass Trail – Backcountry trail from Kintla Lake

Historic Sites

• Belly River Ranger Station – Remote 1912 log cabin