There's nothing like a scenic drive through Montana, especially on a warm summer day. Road trip season is officially upon us, and we hope you plan to do some exploring this year. Cruising alongside the Clark Fork River is always a great place to start.
The Clark Fork is the longest river in Montana, at approximately 310 miles long. But you can see some of its best parts on a relatively short drive.
The Clark Fork River stretches from southwest Montana to the Idaho border.
St. Regis is an old logging and mining town with a lot of charm. There are also some great spots to get out, stretch your legs, and check out the river.
Follow the St. Regis-Paradise Scenic Byway as it winds through Lolo National Forest, taking you through some beautiful terrain.
While the highway itself is quite scenic (and often full of wildlife), you might be tempted to do some exploring on foot on the many scenic trails in the area.
Before you know it, you'll start to see the dams of the Clark Fork River.
The river has three dams: Thompson Falls Dam, Noxon Rapids Dam, and Cabinet Gorge Dam. The largest of these, Noxon Rapids, is an earth-filled dam that forms the 28-mile-long Noxon Reservoir.
You can follow the river for as long as you'd like, but we recommend wrapping up around Thompson Falls.
Want to experience the best Montana has to offer? It will likely take an entire lifetime to do that. There's so much to do and see in the Treasure State, especially when you take different hobbies and tastes into consideration. But if you manage to do this wonderful list of things, you can feel pretty good about your Montana bucket list. So come along as we show you what we think is some of the best of the best!
It's hard to believe any Montanan could reach adulthood without visiting Glacier National Park, but it happens. This is one place you'll want to prioritize.
We may share most of Yellowstone National Park with Wyoming, but it's definitely part of a Montanan's rite of passage to see it. Besides, the entrance towns like Gardiner and West Yellowstone are really fun.
Almost every city and town in Montana celebrates the 4th in style, from parades (this one is from Livingston's) to fireworks displays. Montana has some totally cool small towns, afterall!
A lot of people visit Havre without ever knowing that an underground tour is available. But exploring Havre Beneath the Streets is a great way to learn about the area's history.
In Butte you can visit the World Museum of Mining, check out the Dumas Brothel Museum, and have a meal at the Pekin Noodle Parlor, Montana's oldest restaurant.
Bonus points if you have a huckleberry bear claw! Note: Polebridge Mercantile is only open seasonally, so be sure to check the website for seasonal days and hours.
It is possible to see the Northern Lights in other parts of the world, of course, but can you think of a better place to enjoy them than Big Sky Country?
This celebration is the oldest traditional pow‑wow in Montana. Even if you're not Native American, it's nice to learn more about (and respect) the culture.
Whether that means pitching a tent under the stars or hooking up your RV at a campground, finding your ideal way to be close to nature will help you enjoy Montana even more.
Every September, the good people of Hobson and Utica gather for "What the Hay," the Montana Bale Trail. The creativity that goes into each display is so impressive.
If someone were to ask "What are the best things to put on a Montana bucket list," you'd know what to tell them! This list is a small fraction of all the beautiful experiences you can have in Montana, but it's definitely a great start. Here's some more information on Havre Beneath the Streets and Montana's oldest restaurant.
How many of these things have you done? What do you think are some of the best things to do in Montana? What are your favorite natural wonders in Montana? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section below!
If you’d like to explore hikes around any of these destinations you can find some great trails by going to the overall AllTrails website. Want to crank your hiking game up to 11? Check out AllTrails Plus.
If you’re still in the mood for more Montana adventures, take a look at this video:
The Scenic Train Ride In Montana That Runs Year-Round
The Amtrak Empire Builder offers one of the most scenic train rides in Montana, passing through notable locations like Glacier National Park and Whitefish.
The Amtrak Empire Builder in Montana is a well-known long-distance passenger train. Considering you can go all the way from Seattle to Chicago and back, there's no doubt that this is one of the most scenic train rides in Montana offers some amazing scenery. In fact, you'll see more of the U.S. from your window than you would if you made the trip by car. The Empire Builder passes through the Big Sky State, taking you from Browning to Wolf Point before barreling on to North Dakota, making it one of the longest Montana train rides you can take. This means you'll pass Whitefish, Glacier National Park, and many other areas that aren't always easy to drive to - especially in the dead of winter. But you won't have to worry about that, because the Amtrak Empire Builder operates all year and is one of the best scenic train rides in Montana.
When it gets dark early in the winter months, that isn't always possible, but it's amazing to see all the snow-capped mountains and the trees dusted with white powder.
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Of course, you'll be taking it all in from inside your cozy train car.
If you have a case of cabin fever, find the nearest Amtrak station on the route and book yourself a ride.
See what it’s like to ride on the Amtrak Empire Builder:
Ready to see a true winter wonderland? When you're ready to take one of these incredible train rides in Montana, check out the full Empire Builder schedule. Have you ever been on the Amtrak Empire Builder in Montana? Let us know about your experience in the comments. In the warmer months, take a road trip to the charming small town of Whitefish, Montana.
