15 Undeniable Reasons Why Everyone Should Love Montana

It’s been the setting for movies, the destination for numerous vision quests, a nature lover’s paradise and a surreal spot in this country for centuries. It’s safe to say you aren’t human if you can’t find something to love about Glacier.

Need to escape to Big Sky Country? Whether you live in the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest or the Heartland, you can hop on a train or go for a drive and be in Montana in a few hours or a couple of days, depending on your starting point. It’s a four hour plane ride from the East Coast. The state also borders Canada, so our friends from the North can visit easily.

There’s a reason why people flock to Montana during the winter, and it’s not because they’re dying to enjoy the sub zero temperatures. The skiing in Montana can’t be beat.

There are nice people everywhere, just like there are unfriendly people everywhere. But Montana seems to have an especially high number of kind-hearted people who will smile at you and wave as you drive past them, even when they don’t know who you are.

States like Oregon and California get plenty of attention for their breweries...and meanwhile, Montana is producing some of the finest beer you’ll ever taste. Better yet, it’s cheap! Most Montana beer is very affordable.

Montana makes the world a more beautiful place with its stunning sapphires. They’re called Yogo sapphires, and you can’t find them anywhere else.

The gold rush. The Dinosaur Trail. Custer’s Last Stand. Ghost towns galore. Montana is a history buff’s dream, and everyone should appreciate the stories it can tell.

Live in Montana for one year and you’ll truly experience all four seasons. There’s a running joke about those seasons being Almost Winter, Winter, Still Winter and Construction, but the green springs and fall foliage will convince you that it’s just that, a joke.

The cherries in Flathead Lake are so delicious, they have their own festival, the Polson Main Street Flathead Cherry Festival.

Not a cherry fan? Try the other state fruit in the form of freshly baked huckleberry pie or some Montana huckleberry ice cream.

Not everyone appreciates or loves this, of course...but sometimes Montana likes to keep the rest of the country guessing when it comes to how they vote. No matter where you stand, admit it: it’s exciting to watch. You’re welcome!

"Montana" means "mountain" in Spanish. The state has a long list of mountain ranges that will take your breath away.

Even in the dead of winter, you can keep warm in Montana, and the mineral rich water will soothe your body and soul.

When the weather warms up, all you have to do is step outside to fall in love with Montana. You’ll have your pick of places to hit the trails, pitch a tent or attempt whitewater rafting.

There is no place like Montana on Earth. It might share Yellowstone National Park with two other states and some of its quirks with other places, but it’s the unique combination of wildlife, stunning scenery, delicious food, rich history and wonderful people that make it so easy to love.