Montana’s tourist season is fast approaching. And while we do love to show off our great state, this means our most popular destinations are about to become very crowded. We’d like to suggest a few alternatives for those weekends when you’d love to explore the Treasure State but you’d rather not deal with huge crowds.

1. Glacier National Park is gorgeous, but it’s THE most popular place for Montanans and visitors alike in the summertime.
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Ellena S / Yelp
Instead, get to know your local state park. You may find that it's almost as beautiful as Glacier and isn't nearly as crowded. This is Giant Springs State Park in Great Falls.
2. Flathead Lake gets lost in a crowd of excited people as soon as the sun comes out.
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David V / Yelp
Go south instead of north and hole up at Kobayashi Beach on the north shore of Ennis Lake. You’ll see swimmers, boaters, windsurfers and families enjoying picnics, but you won’t see as many hordes of people as you would at Flathead Lake.
3. Sir Scott’s Oasis in Manhattan is one of the most popular restaurants in the state, and it has received national attention.
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The Mint Cafe Facebook
But the locals know there are plenty of delicious alternatives in the area that won’t require a two hour wait. We recommend The Mint Cafe in Belgrade, a classic.
4. Visiting the Little Bighorn Battlefield is practically a requirement of being a Montanan.
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Bear Paw Battlefield / Flickr
But if you’ve already been, go to Chinook and check out the Nez Perce National Historic Park. There you’ll find the Bear Paw Battlefield, which is where Chief Joseph uttered his famous words, "From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more forever."
5. Located near Billings, Pictograph Cave State Park sees its share of visitors every year.
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Brett Whaley / Flickr
The Pictograph Cave is certainly worth checking out. But if you’ve never been, head northeast and discover all the majestic beauty of Makoshika State Park.
6. Bozeman’s Museum of the Rockies is by far the most popular museum in Montana.
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ClintPage / TripAdvisor
But if you’d rather learn more about Montana’s past than the dinosaurs, check out the Gallatin History Museum on Main Street in Bozeman. You’re guaranteed to learn something new.
7. ZooMontana has an excellent reputation, and a visit there is a day well spent indeed.
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Margee J / TripAdvisor
But if you’d rather see something new, travel to West Yellowstone and spend some time at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. It’s as amazing as it sounds.

Want a weekend getaway in a charming town that isn’t usually crawling with tourists? Check out the places on this list.

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