Add This Scenic Drive To Your Montana Bucket List Right Away
The Montana Scenic Loop offers a stunning 400-mile drive through four national forests and 15 rural communities, showcasing the state's natural beauty.
Typically, by mid-October, much of Montana has already seen its first snowfall. But if you get that traveling jones before the winter weather really gets in the way, you can get a jump on any winter cabin fever by going on one final scenic drive of the season. And the almost 400-mile Montana Scenic Loop is a perfect choice for your journey.
... Essex, Hungry Horse, Columbia Falls, Bigfork, Condon, Seeley Lake (pictured here) and Ovando on your way. Stop in as many of these charming communities as you’d like.
Many stretches of the loop are wide open, and you may not see another car for miles.
Montana’s scenic loop is a beautiful drive. It takes about seven hours from beginning to end, so you may want to allow a full weekend for it so you can explore. Be sure to pack all the road trip essentials and snacks for your journey. Got the bug now? Here are some other beautiful scenic byways in the Treasure State.
Which do you think are the best drives in Montana overall? How about which you consider to be the best scenic drives in Montana? We'd love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!
If you’d like to explore hikes around any of these scenic drives you can find some great trails by going to the overall AllTrails website.
If you’re still in the mood for more Montana adventures, take a look at this video:
If spontaneously packing your bags, tossing them in your car, and hitting the road sounds like a grand adventure, you might be wondering how to get away for just a weekend of exploring. If your time is more limited, there is still plenty of beauty to see and explore over a couple of days, especially in the Treasure State. So hit the road and enjoy a weekend road trip in Montana that offers more than enough natural beauty, great food, and quality time with loved ones to go around.
Begin your weekend journey in the bustling tourist town of Whitefish. This town has been popularized due to it being one of the gateway towns to Glacier National Park, but even without visiting the park, there is much to do in town. I recommend you start your day bright and early so that you can enjoy a hearty breakfast (the culinary scene in Whitefish is top-tier) before you check out the great fishing at Whitefish Lake. For a truly memorable hiking experience, I recommend riding the gondola at Whitefish Mountain Resort for some truly stunning mountain views and a scenic hike back down the mountain.
Stop for lunch and enjoy one of the most delicious burgers in Montana at Lindsey’s Prime Steak House in Seeley Lake. While this restaurant is famous for its steak, the burgers are just about as good as it gets. And you really can't beat these views. If you leave Whitefish by around 11:00 a.m., you'll arrive at Seeley Lake just in time for a late lunch around 1:00 p.m., giving you plenty of time to relax and take in the scenery.
Visit a cathedral, grab dinner, and soak in hot springs in Helena
The end of your first day of roadtripping leads you to Helena, Montana's capital city, where you'll find plenty to explore. I recommend touring the gorgeous Cathedral of Saint Helena first for a taste of Neo-Gothic architectural beauty. Then, head over to The Springs Taproom & Grill for dinner and cocktails. Lastly, enjoy a rejuvenating soak in the mineral waters at Broadwater Hot Springs and Fitness. There are plenty of hotels around town, but I recommend reserving a night at The Sanders, an adorable bed and breakfast that will provide all the comfort you need for a good night's sleep, and then start you off right with freshly prepared breakfast in the morning.
After breakfast and before you depart from Helena, you owe it to yourself to jog a little to the north of town toward Upper Holter Lake and take a famous boat tour through Gates of the Mountains. This area is rich in history and natural beauty, and a boat tour is the best way to see it all.
Stop for lunch and a stunning scenic hike in Bozeman
Stunning scenic scenic in Bozeman Montana
After about an hour and 40 minutes into your drive, you'll want to stop in Bozeman for a bite to eat. I recommend grabbing some trout tacos, beef short ribs, or a delectable burger at Little Star Diner (be sure to ask for a seat on the sunny patio if one is available). The surrounding mountain scenery and endless hiking trails beg for exploration. I suggest checking out the College M Steep Trail for amazing views throughout that can be done in an hour and a half.
The tiny unincorporated community of Emigrant is a remote paradise that is surrounded by mountains on all sides. It is situated along the idyllic Yellowstone River just north of the Wyoming border. It is worthy of truly stopping to enjoy the peacefulness of this area before your final stop.
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Visit Mammoth Hot Springs in Mammoth, Wyoming
Close-up of travertine terraces, Mammoth hot springs, Yellowstone national park, USA.
For the last stop of your journey, you'll cross just a few miles over the Wyoming border to explore Mammoth Hot Springs — because this place is too cool to miss even if it isn't quite in Montana. Not only are the travertine terraces of the hot springs beautiful and geologically fascinating, but the entire area is a hot spot for wildlife. The last time I visited this area, I saw herds of elk meandering through the entire town of Mammoth, as well as bighorn sheep along the mountainous terrain of the valley as you drive into town from the north.
Stay in the Historic Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins
To round out the end of your trip, you'll want to stay at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins. Staying here post-June of 2022 is even more meaningful after a devastating flash flood ravaged the area and portions of the hotel had to be rebuilt. It looks even more beautiful than ever before, and I personally can't wait to visit again to see all the painstaking efforts to restore this entire area.
What are you waiting for? Pack your bags and embark upon this incredible weekend road trip in Montana. You'll explore some of the state's most beautiful landscapes, eat some delicious food, immerse yourself in the state's fascinating history, and enjoy plenty of quality time with whoever you decide to travel with, even if you embark on the journey alone!
And if you'd like to explore more of the western reaches of Montana, including Glacier National Park, you'll find it all on this road trip to some of the most magical destinations in Montana.
Whether it's a quick scenic tour or the beginning of a vacation, traveling by train is extremely fun. And we just happen to have a few Montana train trips that show off our beautiful fall colors. Make time in your schedule for one of these scenic train rides in Montana before winter and see for yourself how incredible our state looks during the fall season.
This train stops running the first week of September.
The little train that takes tourists from Virginia City to Nevada City doesn't operate on cold, snowy days (or when there's a bear in the area, apparently). But if you can catch the Virginia City Short Line on a cool day, you'll love the scenery. Just call the Virginia City Depot before you make the trip to make sure the train isn't unavailable due to maintenance. It's one of the best Montana train rides you can take.
Amtrak's Empire Builder passes right through Glacier National Park at its finest. Technically you could ride this train from Spokane through Chicago, but (obviously) the Montana stops are the most breathtaking. Book a ride on Amtrak.com. It's one of the best scenic train rides in Montana.
Central Montana is incredibly gorgeous this time of year, so you'll love the scenery as much as the food and the show aboard the Charlie Russell Chew Choo dinner train. It's one of the most memorable train rides in Montana!
Have you taken any of these scenic train rides in Montana? Let us know!
Trains play a big role in Montana's history. To see some of this history, lace up your boots for this Montana hike that takes you right through an abandoned train tunnel.
If you prefer a more exhilarating adventure, book a UTV Offroad Rental Tour in Lakeside, Montana!
