5 Scenic Montana Drives We Bet You Haven't Taken Yet
By Jessica Wick|Published October 29, 2018
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Jessica Wick
Author
Jessica Wick is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves exploring new places, meeting new people and, of course, beautiful Big Sky Country and every part of Washington State.
If you were born and raised in Montana, you’ve probably cruised down the famous Beartooth Highway and gone to the sun by now (We mean Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road, of course). But the Treasure State is full of hidden gems, and that includes some back roads and byways that are less often traversed. How many of these scenic roads have your tires touched?
1. The Missouri Breaks National Back Country Byway
This 2-3 hour drive takes you through central Montana, encompassing an area of vastly diverse scenery. This area plays an important role in our local history since the Lewis & Clark Expedition traversed through it. The byway also closely follows the Nez Perce National Historic Trail.
This gorgeous and underrated drive passes through the Lewis and Clark National Forest and Little Belt Mountains. Although it's only 71 miles in length (along Highway 89), you should allow several hours for the drive since you'll want to stop and take in the views as much as possible. And if you want to take a detour, the gravel roads criss-crossing the main highway lead to more mountain scenery, trails, campgrounds, and old mines.
Looking for a true country drive? Look no further than this gravel road, which winds through the back country of southwestern Montana. Starting near the tiny community of Dell, you'll cruise through 50 miles of rural territory. This is a great chance to see Montana the way early Native Americans and mountain men did (other than the modern vehicle you'll be in, of course).
If you're heading from Anaconda to Drummond, you're in for a treat. This 63-mile drive takes you past Georgetown Lake and Philipsburg, passing plenty of visually stunning scenery along the way.
If you've been to the Garnet Ghost Town, you've probably noticed how breathtaking the area is. This scenic byway provides a 12-mile journey through the Garnet Mountain Range along Highway 200, and it's a must-see for all Montanans.
Since winter is coming, we know many of you won’t have the chance to take these scenic drives before spring. So here’s a great video of the Big Sheep Creek Backcountry Byway to tide you over:
From our lesser known byways to our famously beautiful highways, Montana is definitely the best state to go on a long, relaxing drive.
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