Everyone In Montana Should Take This Underappreciated Scenic Drive

Are you planning on exploring more of Montana this year? If planning a spring or summer scenic drive is on your to-do list, we recommend putting the underrated Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway on your calendar.

The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway takes you through part of the beautiful Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.

The 49-mile federally designated route stretches between Dillon and Wise River on Highway 278.

A few highlights of the trek include the ghost town of Coolidge, excellent views of the higher peaks of the Pioneer Mountains, superb camping spots, and the Wise River.

Coolidge alone is definitely worth exploring, so you'll want to allow several hours for the drive.

But while many of our scenic drives, like Going-to-the-Sun Road and the Beartooth Highway, receive national attention, this scenic drive remains largely underrated.

But that's ok — Montanans don't mind having a few local secrets.

This drive takes you through some of Southwest Montana's most beautiful scenery.

From mountain meadows and lodgepole pine forests to rivers and overlooks, you'll see it all.

If your new year's resolution is to explore more of Montana, this is a great place to start.

After you've finished driving the byway and exploring the ghost town, you can relax your tired muscles at Elkhorn Hot Springs.

Did reading this make you want to take a back road? Don't worry, Montana is a fine place to do that.