Everyone From Montana Should Take This Awesome Mountain Vacation Before They Die

No matter which part of Montana you call home, you can count on seeing natural beauty as soon as you open the door. And although living in a state so vast means it's unlikely that you'll ever explore all of it, we do think there are a few trips that should be mandatory for Montanans. Exploring the Beartooth Mountains is definitely one of them.

The Beartooth Mountains are located in south-central Montana and parts of Wyoming.

The mountains lie just northeast of Yellowstone National Park.

Make sure to drive the 68-mile stretch of Beartooth Highway, a scenic byway thought to be one of the prettiest drives in America.

You'll want to pull over a lot on this drive.

There are some amazing hikes that will allow you to get up-close-and-personal Beartooth views.

This is part of the Beartrack Trail to Silver Run Plateau trail, an 18-mile trek that's not for beginners (but well worth the endeavor).

But if you're not up for a huge hike, you'll find plenty of lookout points along the Beartooth Highway.

You'll want to take in these views as much as you possibly can.

When it's time to get a bite to eat and rest your head, the charming mountain town of Red Lodge will have everything you need.

The Pollard Hotel dates back to the 1800s, and it's still a favorite stop for travelers.

You might have to share your space with a ghost or two, but that's part of the fun.

If you're a Montana resident, you should definitely spend some time exploring the Beartooths.

It's one of the many mountain ranges we're lucky to have in our state.

The Beartooth Highway just closed down for the snowy season, so you'll have to plan your mountain vacation for next spring. In the meantime, rejoice in knowing that Montana is currently transforming into a winter wonderland.