9 Inexpensive Road Trip Destinations In Montana That Won’t Break The Bank
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Jessica Wick
Author
Road tripping is a fun way to explore the state. It can also get very expensive, especially if you head to one of our top tourist areas. Luckily, there are still plenty of great destinations worth seeing that are surprisingly affordable.
When you’re craving a new adventure but don’t want to spend a fortune, head to one of these spots.
Located in Teton County near the Flathead National Forest, this quiet community of less than 2,000 people is both charming and affordable. You can get a hotel room for under $100 a night, score cheap eats at the Log Cabin Cafe, and check out the Old Trail Museum. Plus, the drive down Highway 89 is beautiful.
Philipsburg has become a popular tourist destination, but it's still surprisingly inexpensive to go. Hotels rooms in the area rent for as cheap as $50 in the off season ($68 in the summer). Stuff yourself at UpNSmokin BBQ, then walk it all off on the nearby Rainbow Lake Trail, a challenging and exhilarating hike.
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There's a reason we call Dillon Montana's most criminally overlooked city. Not only is this historic town beautiful, but you can get a hotel room for around $80 per night. Browse The Bookstore at 26 N. Idaho Street and check out the Beaverhead County Museum while you're there.
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If you don't have an entire weekend to explore a new city, make your destination Bannack State Park. Not only will you get to see a historic ghost town with 60 standing structures, but you can take a self-guided tour (complete with pamphlets) for $2.
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We''re pretty lucky to have a place like Pictograph State Park (located near Billings) in Montana. The park is a National Historic Landmark because of its numerous artifacts and over 100 pictographs (rock paintings). And of course, state parks are free for Montana residents to enjoy.
Who wouldn't want to spend time in one of Montana's very first cities? Walking around looking at all the historic structures is both fascinating and free. If you spend the night, a room at the historic Grand Union Hotel costs around $108 -- and considering that it dates back to the 1800s and has been beautifully restored several times, that's actually a pretty good deal.
Speaking of historic towns, this one makes a perfect road trip stop. Between the St. Mary's Mission, Fort Owen State Park and the abundance of affordable places to eat, you can do a lot here without breaking the bank.
Anaconda is like a smaller, quieter Butte, which is located about 24 miles away. The nightly movie at the Washoe Theater, which was built in 1936, costs only $5. You'll find plenty of other affordable attractions in Anaconda as well.
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If you've never visited the Virgelle Mercantile, you're really missing out. Located in the ridiculously tiny community of Loma (population 85), this historic store has a little bit of everything, Browse the antique shop by day, then spend the night in one of the B&B rooms or cabins. And don't forget to take the free Virgelle Ferry across the Missouri River.
If you love Montana road trips (like most of us do), check out this list of awesome pre-mapped trips.
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