MontanaCarmen Willings
itinerantjoy.com April 26, 2025 Montana is celebrated for its wide-open spaces, rugged mountains, and breathtaking natural beauty. It's home to two of America's crown jewels: Glacier National Park and part of Yellowstone National Park. Known as "Big Sky Country," Montana offers incredible outdoor adventures like hiking, fishing, skiing, and wildlife watching. Its rich history includes Native American heritage, frontier towns, and a strong cowboy culture that’s still alive today.
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National Parks
Glacier National Park
Northwest Montana
Website: Glacier National Park
Website: Glacier National Park
Often called the “Crown of the Continent,” is renowned for its melting glaciers, towering peaks, alpine meadows, and over 130 named lakes. The park preserves a vast ecosystem and provides unmatched opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, boating, wildlife watching, and scenic drives. Tip! Carry bear spray and know how to use it; grizzly bears are common.
​St. Mary Lake Glacier National Park
St. Mary Lake, the park’s second-largest, offers iconic views of Wild Goose Island. Here you can canoe or kayak through deep turquoise waters surrounded by snowcapped peaks. Sun Point Nature Trail and Baring Falls are easy hikes with great lake views.
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​St. Mary Lake Glacier National Park
Going-to-the-Sun A 50-mile engineering marvel that traverses the park from east to west, crossing the Continental Divide at Logan Pass (6,646 ft). June 13 through September 28 timed entry vehicle reservations are required for the west side of Going-to-the-Sun Road and North Fork from 7 am to 3 pm.
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​St. Mary Lake Glacier National Park
Two Medicine A hidden gem. Located in the southeastern section of the park, Two Medicine is less crowded but incredibly scenic. The lake is great for boats, picnics, and hikes. Scenic hikes include the Scenic Point Trail, Aster Falls, and Rockwell Falls. Be on the lookout for wildlife including moose, black bear, and mountain goats.
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Lake McDonald at Glacier NP
Lake McDonald is the largest lake in Glacier National Park. It is famous for its crystal-clear waters, colorful pebbles, and mirror-like reflections of surrounding mountain peaks. Especially stunning at sunrise or sunset, this 10-mile-long lake offers iconic photo opportunities and a serene gateway into the park’s western wilderness.
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Colorful Lake McDonad Rocks
The colorful pebbles in Lake McDonald come from ancient sedimentary rock formed millions of years ago when the area was covered by a shallow inland sea. Over time, iron and mineral deposits in the rock gave the stones their striking colors—reds from iron oxide, greens from chlorite, and purples, blues, and yellows from various other minerals.
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Yellowstone National ParkAlthough most of Yellowstone lies in Wyoming, significant portions stretch into Montana. The park is famed for its geothermal wonders like geysers and hot springs, abundant wildlife including bison and grizzlies, and breathtaking scenery. It’s not only the first national park in the world but also a crown jewel of the American West.
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Yellowstone National Park
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National Battlefield
Big Hole National BattlefieldThis solemn site commemorates the 1877 battle between the Nez Perce and U.S. Army forces. Nearly 90 Nez Perce people, along with 31 soldiers and volunteers, lost their lives. The site honors all those involved in the tragic conflict and provides visitors with a deeper understanding of the struggles faced by the Nez Perce during their historic flight.
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Big Hole National Battlefield
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National Recreation Area
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation AreaSpanning over 120,000 acres, this area features stunning canyons, diverse ecosystems, and a wide variety of wildlife. It also preserves over 10,000 years of human history, including sites connected to Native American tribes, early explorers, and homesteaders, offering both outdoor recreation and cultural insight.
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Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
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National Historic Sites, Trails & Parks
Fort Union Trading Post National Historic SiteOnce the most important fur trading post on the Upper Missouri River, Fort Union operated from 1828 to 1867. It was a place where Native American tribes, particularly the Assiniboine, traded buffalo robes for manufactured goods, reflecting a period of peaceful and mutually beneficial economic exchange.
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Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
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Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic SiteThis site preserves the legacy of cattle ranching in the American West, showcasing the life of a working ranch and the story of Conrad Kohrs, who built one of the largest cattle empires of the 19th century. Visitors can explore historic buildings, livestock operations, and learn about ranch life then and now.
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Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
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Lewis and Clark National Historic TrailWebsite: Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
The Montana portion of the trail is one of the most dramatic and rugged segments of the expedition’s route. It showcases the Corps of Discovery’s passage through towering mountain ranges, vast plains, and along major rivers like the Missouri and Jefferson. In Montana, visitors can explore significant sites such as the Great Falls Portage, the Gates of the Mountains, and Camp Fortunate, where the expedition met the Shoshone tribe.
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Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
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Nez Perce National Historical ParkThe Montana portion of the park preserves key sites related to the Nez Perce people's 1877 flight toward Canada as they resisted forced removal from their homeland. This leg of the journey includes significant battlefields and landscapes that tell the story of resilience, conflict, and cultural survival. Notable Montana sites include the Big Hole National Battlefield, where a tragic clash occurred between the Nez Perce and U.S. Army, and Canyon Creek, the site of another confrontation during the retreat.
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Nez Perce National Historical Park
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National Monument
Little Bighorn Battlefield NMThis monument commemorates the Battle of the Little Bighorn, where on June 25–26, 1876, Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors fought to protect their way of life against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the U.S. Army, led by Lt. Col. George A. Custer. The site offers a respectful and educational look at this pivotal moment in American history.
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Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
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Ice Age Floods National Geologic TrailWebsite: Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail
The Montana portion of the trail showcases dramatic evidence of the massive glacial floods that shaped the Pacific Northwest at the end of the last Ice Age. In western Montana, visitors can explore ancient lakebeds, gravel bars, and ripple marks left behind by Glacial Lake Missoula, which repeatedly formed and drained with catastrophic force. Interpretive sites around Missoula and along the Clark Fork River highlight the origins of the floods and the region’s pivotal role in one of the most significant geologic events in North America’s history.
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Stout's Bar at Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail
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Bureau of Land Management
Pompeys Pillar National MonumentThis sandstone outcrop along the Yellowstone River is famous for bearing the only remaining physical evidence of the Lewis and Clark Expedition — William Clark’s carved signature from 1806. The monument offers historical interpretation and scenic views, making it a compelling stop for those interested in early American exploration.
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Pompeys Pillar National Monument
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Upper Missouri River Breaks National MonumentThis remote and rugged landscape preserves a wild stretch of the Missouri River, showcasing stunning cliffs, badlands, and wildlife-rich habitats. The area has deep historical ties to Native American cultures and was a significant segment of the Lewis and Clark journey, offering visitors both solitude and a powerful sense of history.
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Missouri River Breaks National Monument
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Scenic Locations
Big Sky ResortOne of the largest ski resorts in the U.S., known for its vast terrain, deep powder, and dramatic Lone Peak views. Beyond winter sports, it offers summer activities like zip-lining, mountain biking, and hiking, with panoramic photo opportunities in every season.
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Big Sky Resort
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Bitterroot ValleyStretching from Missoula to the Idaho border, is framed by the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains and dotted with quaint towns like Hamilton and Stevensville. The valley is rich in pioneer and Native American history, scenic drives, hiking trails, and fly-fishing rivers, making it a perfect spot for outdoor exploration and photography.
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Bitterroot Valley
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Flathead LakeWebsite: Flathead Lake
Covering nearly 200 square miles, is surrounded by cherry orchards, small towns, and forested hills. It’s a popular destination for kayaking, boating, and swimming, and the lake’s vibrant blues and sunsets make it one of the most photogenic water bodies in the state.
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Flathead Lake
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Jewel BasinA designated hiking area in Flathead National Forest with over 15,000 acres of alpine wilderness. Known for its high-elevation trails, glacial lakes, and wildflowers, it provides uncrowded access to some of Montana’s most beautiful backcountry views.
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Jewel Basin
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Makoshika State ParkMontana's largest park and features eerie badlands formations, dinosaur fossils, and dramatic cliffs. The landscape offers a stark contrast to Montana’s mountain scenery and is perfect for rugged photography and geological interest.
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Makoshika State Park
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Missouri Headwaters State ParkWhere the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers merge to form the Missouri River. Lewis and Clark camped here in 1805, and the area features scenic trails, interpretive signage, and wildlife viewing amid rolling hills and riparian habitats.
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Missouri Headwaters State Park
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Virginia City & Nevada CityWebsite: Virginia City & Nevada City
Authentically restored mining towns that transport visitors back to the 1860s Montana gold rush. You’ll find original buildings, costumed interpreters, antique shops, and a narrow-gauge train connecting the two towns — all offering rich opportunities for immersive history and charming photography.
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Virginia City & Nevada City
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Wild Horse Island State ParkA 2,160-acre island accessible only by boat or kayak. It’s home to wild horses, bighorn sheep, mule deer, and bald eagles. Hiking trails and secluded coves provide peaceful encounters with nature and sweeping lake views.
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Wild Horse Island State Park
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Dark Sky Places
- Glacier National Park. An official International Dark Sky Park.
- Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge. A remote refuge in northwest Montana offering clear, dark skies perfect for stargazing, framed by wetlands, forests, and distant mountains.
- Medicine Rocks State Park. Sacred sandstone formations rise under some of Montana’s darkest skies, creating a surreal landscape for night photography and stargazing.
Iconic Montana Foods
- Bison (Buffalo). Leaner and richer than beef, bison is a Montana staple, often served as burgers, steaks, jerky, or chili.
- Chicken Fried Steak. A diner favorite: beef steak breaded and fried like chicken, served with creamy gravy.
- Chokecherry syrup (native berry, sometimes used in jams, too)
- Flathead Cherries. Grown along Flathead Lake, these sweet, juicy cherries are famous across the Northwest.
- Huckleberries. The crown jewel of Montana’s wild edibles. These tiny, tart berries are used in everything from pies to syrups to ice cream.
- Indian Tacos / Fry Bread. A traditional Native food found at powwows and festivals—fry bread topped with beans, beef, lettuce, and cheese.
- Morel mushrooms (foraged wild mushrooms, prized during springtime)
- Pasty (Cornish Meat Pie). Popular in Montana’s mining towns, especially Butte—these hand pies are filled with beef, potatoes, and onions.
- Rocky Mountain Oysters. Not for the faint-hearted—these are deep-fried bull testicles, often served at rodeos and local bars.
- Steak & Prime Rib. Montana’s ranchlands mean seriously good beef. Look for cowboy-cut steaks and slow-roasted prime rib.
- Strong Local Coffee. Montana has a great indie coffee scene, especially in college towns like Missoula and Bozeman.
- Trout. Montana’s clear, cold rivers are trout paradise! Often grilled, pan-fried, or smoked.
Sensory Souvenirs
- Beaded Jewelry (traditional Native American crafts). Intricate, colorful beadwork that honors Indigenous artistry and traditions.
- Cowboy Poetry or Native American Drumming. Authentic sounds of Montana’s history—storytelling and rhythm passed down through generations.
- Dried Prairie Grass or Wheat. A rustic, natural reminder of Montana’s wide-open prairies and golden fields.
- Hand-carved antler art (popular local craft, often sheds found naturally)
- Handmade Leather Goods (like a leather braid keychain). Sturdy, handcrafted leather pieces inspired by Montana’s ranching heritage.
- Huckleberry Jam (or Vegan Huckleberry Candy). Sweet, tart, and wild—Montana’s favorite berry captured in every bite.
- Locally made salves or lotions (Montana wildflower/essential oil blends)
- Montana Agate or Garnet Stones. Polished treasures from Montana’s rivers and hills, naturally colorful and unique.
- Montana Wildflower Honey. Golden, floral honey made from the blossoms of Montana’s meadows and forests.
- Native American beadwork moccasins (if you want more traditional crafts)Pinecones from Ponderosa Pine. Scented souvenirs from Montana’s towering pines—nature’s own keepsakes.
- Recording of a Montana Mountain Stream or Wind through Pines. Capture the peaceful sounds of Montana’s wilderness, perfect for relaxation.
- River Rocks (from Yellowstone, Missouri, or Flathead Rivers). Smooth, ancient stones shaped by Montana’s wild and historic rivers.
- Sachets of Sagebrush or Sweetgrass. Fragrant pouches filled with the earthy scents of Montana’s plains and traditions.
- Small Fossils (ammonites or trilobites from Eastern Montana). Tiny pieces of prehistoric life from Montana’s ancient seas and badlands.
- Small Piece of Petrified Wood (common in Montana). Fossilized wood turned stone—Montana’s ancient forests preserved through time.
- Tiny Sample of Montana Clay. Earthy, raw Montana clay—perfect for a hands-on piece of the landscape.
- Wild Huckleberry Products (like scented sachets). Carry the fresh, fruity scent of Montana’s beloved wild huckleberries.
- Wool from Montana Sheep (handspun yarn) . Soft, natural fibers spun from Montana’s flocks, warm and full of heritage.