Montana The 10 Must-See Attractions
If there’s any state in the U.S.A. called the Mecca of nature lovers, Montana is it. Montana is sometimes referred to as Big Sky country for its vast blue skies. Framed by jagged snow-capped mountains, but what lays beneath the sky is what makes Montana special.
The State is home to two of North America’s most spectacular National Parks. Stunning rock formations dating to millions of years ago, and abundant wildlife.
Wide plains in the east to the Rocky Mountains in the west. Montana’s dramatic scenery makes it one of the country’s most popular destinations.
Glacier National Park
In the north of Montana, you’ll find the one-million-acre Glacier National Park. A majestic landscape that sweeps through Alberta and British Columbia, Canada, into the United States.
Visitors to Glacier National Park can engage in all types of recreational activities with over 700 miles of hiking trails. Some of the most iconic hiking routes include Grinnell Glacier, Ptarmigan Tunnel, and the incredible Highline Trail.
The Park’s outstanding scenic area includes mountain ranges, alpine meadows, thick forests, tall waterfalls, lakes, and numerous glaciers. It’s a real adventure with iconic landscapes.
C. M. Russell Museum Complex
The award-winning C.M. Russell Museum contains more than 3,000 pieces of Western art that covers an entire city block and encompasses 16 exhibition galleries, educational programming spaces, a dedicated research center, and an impressive outdoor sculpture garden.
The C.M. Russell Museum is the home of Charlie Russell. He created his life and art in the Great Falls house and famous log cabin studio that are a preserved National Historic Landmark onsite. The museum holds a large collection of Russell’s art and memorabilia that spans an entire lifetime.
Museum of the Rockies
In the popular town of Bozeman. Tourist can Visit the Smithsonian Institution, Museum of the Rockies. With an extensive paleontological collection and the largest collection of dinosaur remains. Including the largest Tyrannosaurus skull discovered in the world.
Renowned for its excellent displays of dinosaurs and dinosaur eggs. The collection includes skeletons and realistic models of numerous species found in the state.
Visitors can learn about the people and animals that have lived in the Rocky Mountains. Other subject Western art exhibits, and the Tinsley House an original pioneer log home from the late 1800s.
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
One of the most famous battles in American history fought near Crow Agency, Montana. Where today the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument preserves the site. Memorializes those who fought and died.
The battlefield was the site of General Custer Death’s and his original burial site in the Custer National Cemetery. As well as many Native American warriors who are remembered with gravestones today. The monument includes a visitor center and a museum, where you can learn about the battle.
ZooMontana
ZooMontana cares for over 100 animals of different species. Including wolves, grizzly bear, otter, eagles, and Lynx, most of which are rescues. Located in the picturesque tourist destination of Billings, MT.
The zoo offers visitors a unique opportunity to learn about Yellowstone ecosystem through direct observation, interpretive displays, and experiential educational programs.
There is a rock garden, arid garden, native walk, garden flowers, grasses, bushes and tree varieties on display everywhere. There are plenty of shaded benches for resting, and a playground.
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
The Lewis and Clark Caverns discovered by non-Native Americans and explored are one of the largest limestone caverns in the world. Visitors to the caves can tour the caverns or enjoy any number of outdoor activities and options at the nearby campground.
The only way to experience its depths is as part of a guided tour led by park staff. Tours follow a concrete walkway the entire way and never navigate through tight spaces. The cavern’s campground is above ground, with cabins, tipis, and group campsites available.
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center’s primary mission is to provide visitors to the Yellowstone area. Opportunity to observe, understand and appreciate grizzly bears and gray wolves.
The main purpose of the Center is to gain knowledge about grizzlies and wolves through educational programs. Visitors spend their time watching these fascinating animals interact in their outdoor habitats.
Offers a chance to see giant grizzly bears and gray wolves in a natural habitat. Highlights include watching the bears forage for food, play in their ponds and with each other.
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
In 1966 the Bighorn River, nothing more than a stream, turned into a vast lake with the construction of the Yellowtail Dam. Now, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area encompasses Bighorn Lake and the surrounding canyon.
Within the park hiking, camping, and fishing are popular pastimes. Visitors interested in experiencing the wild side of Montana can visit the four historical ranches. Bighorn Canyon offers five camping areas with over 100 spots. Best of all, the majority are surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery in the west.
The World Museum of Mining
The World Museum of Mining is located in Butte, Montana, at an old copper mine site. The mine, called the Orphan Girl Mine, was open for over 80 years and had silver, lead, and zinc. There are over 60 exhibits at the museum. The exhibits have artifacts from the mining days, and there is a recreation of a mining town from the 1890s.
Many of the buildings in the town are originals from the mining period. Visitors can also take a guided tour of the mine that goes 100 feet underground and looks at what life was like in the mines and the equipment used in mining.
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
In Montana, visitors can learn about this amazing expedition at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Interpretive Center in Great Falls. The center features exhibit about the trail and the expedition. As well as the Native American tribes of the Plains and Pacific Northwest.
The 25,000 square-foot building includes the permanent exhibit hall, 158-seat theater, an education room for hands-on curriculum-based activities, and a retail store. This is a very interpretive center that gives you one of the more complete histories of the expedition.
Things to Do in Montana
Montana is the country’s 4th largest state, but it is one of the least populated. Montana offers excitement that will fill your lungs with fresh air, soothe your soul with wild beauty. Leave you wanting to come back time and again.