Montana

"The Big Sky State"

Begin with two of the world's greatest treasures, the crown of the continent, Glacier National Park, where mountain goats pose in their home of unparalleled scenery, and Yellowstone National Park where primal geothermal forces gush out of the earth while bison graze. Next, fill the wide-open spaces between the parks with wilderness refuges, rodeos and festivals, soaring Rocky Mountains, vast prairies, rivers and lakes, art galleries, agricultural communities and modern cities, museums, elegant resorts and unpretentious ranches and abundant wildlife.

Beneath the vast blue sky, choose from a plethora of activities from whitewater rafting or river floating, downhill skiing, snowmobiling or snowshoeing, hiking, horse riding or mountain or road biking or worldclass lake and fly fishing. In the evening, soak in a hot spring pool beneath our stars, sip local wines or microbrew while dining on bison or burgers or relax with lemonade on a country porch. Year-round, Montana’s communities serve as gateways to days of adventure and an evening of relaxation. Explore our past, but enjoy the present. Follow the Lewis and Clark Trail, see the site of Custer’s Last Stand at the Little Bighorn, explore the ghost towns and old mining camps, experience a Native American powwow or follow the Montana Dinosaur Trail.

Montana is the untamed, the wild and the natural, a blend of scenery, intriguing history and recreation. To the north is Glacier National Park, to the south is Yellowstone with ranches, cattle drives, rodeos and old mining towns.

Little Bighorn honours the US Army’s 7th Cavalry and the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians in one of the Indians' last armed efforts to preserve their way of life. It was here General Custer lost his life.

Land Area: 147,138 sq miles

Population: 967,440

State Capital: Helena

Largest City: Billings

Local Time: MST – 7 hrs behind the UK

Warm, dry summer with cool evenings. Cold, snowy winters tempered with sunshine and very dry air. Weather in higher altitude areas, including National Parks, is variable with snow possible in mid-summer.

Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Little Bighorn National Battlefield, and three other sites under National Parks Service administration.

Home to the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains and the breath-taking beauty of Glacier National Park

Montana is the epitome of The Great American West – a vast, unspoiled landscape just waiting to be explored. With only 1 million residents and more wildlife than people, Montana gives new meaning to the phrase “wide, open spaces.” From the soaring peaks of the Rocky Mountains in the west with their pristine alpine lakes and meadows, to the rolling plains and dramatic badlands in the east, Montana offers boundless opportunities to explore its stunning scenery, enchanting wildlife, rich cultural heritage and small-town charm.

Two national parks anchor Montana – Glacier to the north and Yellowstone to the south. These parks and the seemingly endless natural wonders between them – including 55 state parks, 15 wilderness areas, and numerous national and state forests – make Montana an incredible frontier for adventure and discovery. Rafting, hiking and biking can be enjoyed during summer on numerous lakes, rivers and trails throughout the state.

Winter activities in Montana can be as adventurous as you like. Travelers attracted to fun in the snow will find some of the best skiing available at 15 ski areas, including Whitefish Mountain Resort near Glacier National Park, and Big Sky Resort near Yellowstone. Beyond the slopes, winter visitors to these areas can also enjoy dog sledding, snowshoeing, snowmobile tours and snowy expeditions to the national parks.

Travel Montana’s scenic byways by car or recreational vehicle, visiting charming and historic towns along the way. The Beartooth Highway extends from the quaint mountain town of Red Lodge into Yellowstone National Park and is a spectacular drive through a land of glaciers, high alpine lakes, glacier-carved cirque formations and fragile tundra. 

Montana’s ranches will immerse you in an authentic Western way of life that still exists today. Saddle up and experience trail rides, barn dances and ranch life. Practically every summer weekend offers a chance to see a rodeo somewhere in the state. Native American cultural traditions can be experienced at Montana’s powwows, such as Crow Fair near Billings or at North American Indian Days in Browning. Montana’s American Indian tribes celebrate their heritage with dance, drumming and traditional dress during these family-oriented celebrations. Learn some of Montana’s rich history along Montana Dinosaur Trail, or at sites such as Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, First People’s Buffalo Jump State Park or Grant Kohrs National Historic Site.

Wander through authentic ghost towns such as Bannack State Park, one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the country. More than 50 buildings line its Main Street with historic log and frame structures that recall Montana’s gold rush era. The lively Victorian-era gold rush town of Virginia City is located just 145 kilometers from Yellowstone National Park. Nevada City, just 2.4 kilometers away, invites nostalgia with its historic buildings, museum, music hall, train rides and weekend living history programs.