Posted in Montana Seasonal September 30, 2021 by

The Ultimate And Definitive Montana Bucket List For Fall

Fall flies by in the blink of an eye, and it’s important to soak up the splendor of the season while we can. Due to the early snowfall and chilly temperatures, fall is actually a pretty short season in Montana. So we’ve put together the following bucket list for fall fun in Montana. Give it a read, and then set forth for some fun fall adventures in the Treasure State! 

During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
1. Take part in at least one festival or classic autumn event.
Town Center Avenue, Town Center Ave, Big Sky, MT 59730, USA
Big Sky Town Center / Facebook
Oktoberfest. Harvestfest. The Bannack Ghost Walk. Halloween festivals. Montana has plenty of fall festivities to choose from, and you’ll be ready to embrace the season after enjoying one.
2. Enjoy the fall foliage on a scenic drive down some country roads.
Bitterroot Trail, Hamilton, MT, USA
Bitterroot Drive, Bitterroot Dr, Blendon Township, OH 43081, USA
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr
The Bitterroot Valley is an excellent choice, but you’ll find beautiful fall colors to admire statewide.
3. Go hiking before it’s too cold.
Jewel Basin, Montana 59911, USA
Forest Service, USDA/Flickr
You’ve still got time to hit the trail. Pick a place that’s especially gorgeous right now, like the Jewel Basin.
4. Go to Glacier National Park.
Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
Shutter Runner / Flickr
You might think of it as a summer destination, but fall is actually the best time to visit Glacier National Park. Some of the park’s attractions close down at the end of September, but the lack of crowds makes it seem even more peaceful. Going-to-the-Sun Road is usually open through October, weather permitting.
5. Enjoy a seasonal delicacy from your local bakery.
The Daily, 1203 N Rouse Ave #3A, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA
Wyatt T / Yelp
This is a pumpkin roll from Bozeman’s Daily Coffee Bar, and it tastes even better than it looks.
6. Spend as much time outdoors as you can breathing in the crisp, clean air.
Loco Steve / Flickr
Unless you love snow sports, you probably spend a lot of time inside during winter. So spend your October enjoying the great outdoors while you still can to tide you over until next spring. Take a walk every day if you can. Here are some great trails to check out.
7. Get lost in a corn maze.
Montana Corn Maze, 4605 Cameron Bridge Rd W, Manhattan, MT 59741, USA
Montana Corn Maze/Facebook
They’re surprisingly fun! This is an aerial shot of the Montana Corn Maze in Manhattan.
8. Go to a pumpkin patch.
Sweet Pickins' Pumpkin Patch, 1990 Holt Stage, Kalispell, MT 59901, USA
Sweet Pickin's Pumpkin Patch/Facebook
Getting your pumpkins from a pumpkin patch feels so much better than plucking them from a store display. Plus, pumpkin patches usually have hot cider and tasty treats.
9. Spend a weekend at a cabin enjoying nature.
Blue Sky Cabins, 32 Blue Sky Ln, Red Lodge, MT 59068, USA
Blue Sky Cabins Facebook
This is something you can do even after the snowfall since cabins are always cozy. This one of the Blue Sky Cabins in Red Lodge.
10. Gather around a bonfire.
Sampo Sikiö / Flickr
Montanans love a nice bonfire. If you don’t have the room to host one yourself, tell your nearest and dearest to meet you in the mountains.
11. Dress up for Halloween.
Marc Moss / Flickr
You know you want to.
12. Visit a craft fair or bazaar.
Little Red Truck Vintage Market Facebook
Summer is Farmers Market season in Montana, but October and November are packed with weekend craft fairs where you can buy local handmade items and get ahead on your holiday shopping.
13. Enjoy all the seasonal delicacies of autumn.
Katie / Flickr
Apples. Apple pie. Pears. Root veggies. And yes, pumpkin spice everything. Fall is a wonderful season for foodies. Pies for days!
14. Be thankful you live in Montana.
minonda / Flickr
Because really, it doesn’t get better than calling the Treasure State home.

How many of these things can you do before December? How many of these bucket list activities have you already checked off your fall fun list in Montana?

Our state really is a beautiful place in any season. In case you need a reminder of why Montana is the best state, read this.

Address: Bitterroot Trail, Hamilton, MT, USA
Address: Bitterroot Drive, Bitterroot Dr, Blendon Township, OH 43081, USA
Address: Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
Address: The Daily, 1203 N Rouse Ave #3A, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA
Address: Blue Sky Cabins, 32 Blue Sky Ln, Red Lodge, MT 59068, USA
Address: Town Center Avenue, Town Center Ave, Big Sky, MT 59730, USA
Address: Montana Corn Maze, 4605 Cameron Bridge Rd W, Manhattan, MT 59741, USA
Address: Sweet Pickins' Pumpkin Patch, 1990 Holt Stage, Kalispell, MT 59901, USA
Address: Jewel Basin, Montana 59911, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Fall fun in Montana

October 04, 2021
Sarah

What’s the best season to visit Montana?

Here’s the thing: the Treasure State is always beautiful, no matter when you visit. There are many reasons why Montana is one of the most coveted scenic states in the country: the expansive land, distant mountain ranges, and unfettered natural attractions all come to mind. But we have a few other reasons why visiting Montana is a worthwhile venture, and they include the changing of the seasons. Depending on the time of year in Montana, there are different seasonal activities to participate in. For instance, have you ever wanted to take a sleigh ride the plains? How about picking your own pumpkins at a nearby pumpkin patch? Do you know the best place to view Monarch butterfly migration in the fall? The Treasure State offers a uniquely wonderful adventure depending on the season, and our guide to the best seasonal activities in Montana will get you prepared.

What’s fall like in Montana?

Fall is a rather short season that always seems to go by in the blink of an eye! But if you’re in Montana in the fall, expect beautiful colors and scenery, plus lots of buzzing and busy wildlife. Wondering when to expect fall foliage around your neck of the woods? Check out this article!

What are some scenic places to explore during the fall in Montana?

Gas up the car — we have the most amazing fall foliage road trip in Montana that you’re absolutely going to want to take! This road trip to the best fall foliage in Montana takes you from Missoula up to Glacier National Park, then to the northwest corner of the state before looping back. Take a long weekend and see Montana like you’ve never seen it before, in the golden glow of autumn.

Address: Bitterroot Trail, Hamilton, MT, USA
Address: Bitterroot Drive, Bitterroot Dr, Blendon Township, OH 43081, USA
Address: Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
Address: The Daily, 1203 N Rouse Ave #3A, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA
Address: Blue Sky Cabins, 32 Blue Sky Ln, Red Lodge, MT 59068, USA
Address: Town Center Avenue, Town Center Ave, Big Sky, MT 59730, USA
Address: Montana Corn Maze, 4605 Cameron Bridge Rd W, Manhattan, MT 59741, USA
Address: Sweet Pickins' Pumpkin Patch, 1990 Holt Stage, Kalispell, MT 59901, USA
Address: Jewel Basin, Montana 59911, USA