Montana Top Attractions
Glacier National Park, Montana
Montana is the 4th largest state in the United States, and is an absolute mecca for tourists wanting to experience the Great American West. Within its 147,040 square miles, in addition to being home to Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and nearly 17 million acres of National Forest Land, nearly 3.5 million acres of Designated Wilderness, over 100 mountain ranges, over 3,200 lakes and over 80 major rivers and thousands of streams, the state of Montana has countless attractions within its borders that are very much worth the effort to seek out. In fact, there is so much to explore and discover in Montana there is no possible way to see and experience it all in one trip... or in a lifetime for that matter. Montana Fun Facts.
Rodeo of Champions at Red Lodge, Montana.
"Big Sky Country"
Known as "Big Sky Country", Montana is a place of limitless beauty. You'll understand why Montana is called "Big Sky Country" once you personally experience this special place. Trying to comprehend the words "big sky" is virtually impossible until you stand under Montana's boundless sky and look upon the vastness and magnificence of its landscape. It is then you will understand what "big sky" means, and you will more than likely fall in love with Montana. Montana Fun Facts.
Bugling Bull Elk, Montana.
"I'm in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection. But with Montana it is love."
- John Steinbeck
Travels With Charley: In Search of America
Our goal on this section of our website is to show you the Top Things To Do In Montana. Being 6th generation Montanans with a deep passion for this great state, we have a vast knowledge of what Montana has to offer. But actually choosing the actual "Top Things To Do In Montana" is a difficult task because there are so many things to see, discover and explore here. But we really want to try and simplify things so you at least know the "Must Sees" in a seemingly endless list of incredible and amazing things to do here.
A State Rich In History! Montana was initially inhabited by Native Americans for tens of thousands of years, and with the advent of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the Lewis and Clark Expedition set off to explore this immense tract of land in search of a water passage to the Pacific Ocean, which dramatically changed the course of history. Much of Lewis and Clark's time, and much of their amazing adventures, happened in Montana.
Following the Lewis and Clark Expedition, fur traders first came to Montana, followed by the miners of the Montana Gold Rush, then followed by the cattlemen. The mighty railroads then came onto the scene, as well as farmers, hard rock miners and loggers. These hard working, brave people represent the heritage of Montana, and the present day offspring of these early settlers still carry with them these traits, and this heritage remains alive and well in Montana. Our past is very important to each Montanan and is part of our DNA, and there is a deep pride and love of "being Montanan" that is easy to sense as you travel throughout this great state.
This is the only physical evidence remaining of the entire Lewis and Clark Expedition, and it is located at Pompey's Pillar east of Billings, Montana.
The Wild West Preserved... Virginia City and Bannack
David is a sixth generation Montanan, and his great great great grandparents were among the first settlers during the Montana Gold Rush of the early 1860's.
David's pioneer ancestors were members of the First Fisk Expedition in 1862, which brought them to Bannack, Montana.This was where gold was first discovered in Montana. They witnessed the birth of the State of Montana, and their story unfolded for the ages during the early days of the Great American West.
Young visitor exploring the ghost town of Bannack, Montana.
One year later, in 1863, David's ancestors moved to Virginia City, Montana, where Alder Gulch was the next major draw during the Montana Gold Rush. These early Montana Pioneers were the epitome of bravery, guts and willingness to follow ones dreams, and these brave souls built the foundation of what the present day people of Montana represent.
David is extremely proud of his Montana pioneer heritage, and the love we have for Montana is as vast and limitless as the "big sky" that watches over this magnificent land.
By the way, Virginia City, Montana is the largest preserved intact "ghost" town in America, and is an extremely popular tourist destination. Bannack, Montana, located at Bannack State Park near Dillon, Montana, is equally as popular and is amazingly preserved and an unforgettable experience for visitors interested in Montana pioneer history.
Proud Native American Heritage
Native Americans have lived in Montana for tens of thousands of years, and are an integral part of what we know as Montana today. There are seven Federal Indian Reservations in Montana, each having immeasurable pride in their Native American Heritage as well as pride of being present day Montanans.
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument near Hardin, Montana.
During the days of the "Indian Wars", there were many conflicts between the U.S. Calvary and the Native Americans. The Battle of the Little Bighorn is probably the most famous of all the battles.
Also known as "Custer's Last Stand", this battlefield is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Montana, and is located at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument near Hardin, Montana.
Other famous battlefields include the Big Hole Battlefield in western Montana, and the Bear Paw Battlefield in Northern Montana. The Bear Paw Battlefield is where Nez Perce Chief Joseph surrendered in 1877 and said these famous words.
During the days of the "Indian Wars", there were many conflicts between the U.S. Calvary and the Native Americans. The Battle of the Little Bighorn is probably the most famous of all the battles.
Also known as "Custer's Last Stand", this battlefield is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Montana, and is located at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument near Hardin, Montana.
Other famous battlefields include the Big Hole Battlefield in western Montana, and the Bear Paw Battlefield in Northern Montana. The Bear Paw Battlefield is where Nez Perce Chief Joseph surrendered in 1877 and said these famous words:
"Hear me, my chiefs. I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever."
More Deer, Elk and Antelope than People!
There’s not a lot of people that live in Montana relative to the massive size of this state. Montana only has a population density of 6 people per square mile. In fact, Montana has more elk, deer and antelope than people! Montana is very sparsely populated with many, many miles of wide open spaces between ranches and towns. This is part of the charm of Montana.
Magnificent Scenery
Montana has some of the most remarkable scenery in North America, and it's all yours for the viewing. From jagged, towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains, to the vast, wide open spaces of the Prairie, to huge bodies of water such as Flathead Lake and Fort Peck Lake, and to some of the most pristine rivers in America. Montana is waiting for you to explore and enjoy!
Going To The Sun Road, Glacier National Park Montana.
Endless Outdoor Activities
Visitors enjoying the whitewater of the legendary Gallatin River in Montana.
Montana is a dream come true for outdoor enthusiasts. With over 3.3 million acres of designated wilderness, nearly 17 million acres of National Forests, 1.1 million acres of National Wildlife Refuges, over 8 million acres managed by the Bureau of Land Management, over 100 named mountain ranges, 78 major rivers and thousands of streams, over 3,200 named lakes, and countless miles of hiking trails and mountain climbing opportunities, if you can think up an outdoor activity, chances are it’s happening in Montana.
Big Sky Ski Resort, Montana.
Amazing Wildlife
Montana Grizzly Bear.
Montana has the most species of mammals in the United States, and is home to the largest grizzly bear population in the lower 48 states. There is tremendous diversity of wildlife and plant life in Montana due to the fact that two Continental Divides actually intersect in Montana, bringing with this intersection their ecosystems.
This intersection occurs on Triple Divide Peak in Glacier National Park, which creates an incredible amount of bio-diversity. Pacific Northwest wildlife, Arctic-Hudson Bay wildlife, Great Plains wildlife and Rocky Mountain wildlife can be found in Montana because of this “collision” of the Continental Divides, and Montana is the only place in North America where this occurs.
Elk, grizzly bears, black bears, mountain lions, bison (buffalo), pronghorn, whitetail deer, mule deer, moose, wolves, bighorn sheep and mountain goats are just a few of the animals that call Montana "home".
Welcome and Enjoy!
So welcome to the “Montana" section of our national park vacation website. Again, our goal is to help you know where to go and what to do in one of the largest and most scenic states in the union.
From Glacier National Park to Yellowstone Park, from the Little Bighorn Battlefield, to the Butte Montana Historic District, to the magnificent Flathead Lake, there are seemingly endless things to see and do in Montana.
A person could spent a lifetime trying to do it all, but at least you can see some of the major attractions that has made Montana one of the truly special American Treasure. And adding on top of it all the rich history of this great state, there’s limitless things to discover in Montana, and we are going to help you narrow it all down so you at least know where to start!
Makoshika State Park near Glendive, Montana.
Giant Springs State Park in Great Falls, Montana.
Lewis and Clark Caverns, Montana.
Wild Mustang at the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range, Montana.