10 ULTIMATE ROAD TRIPS
THE BEST OF BIG SKY COUNTRY
PLANNING YOUR TRIP
TRAVEL GUIDE FROM THE MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 1 1/22/16 2:44 PM Hike to the top of Lower Yellowstone Falls. Cover: Peer into majestic Bighorn Canyon.
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ALAMY WATERFALLS, MARTIN WALZ MAP, KEITH LADZINSKI COVER M interactive mapsandadditional photos—at nationalgeographic.com/montana/roadtrips. graphic Traveler magazineandare available online—with expandedcontent including Trips showcasing top sights andactivities. The routes were publishedinNational Geo- the Montana Oce of Tourism have teamed up to chart10Ultimate Montana Road The sky’s the limitinMontana. To helpyou explore the state,National Geographic and WELCOME TO BIG SKY COUNTRY mighty Missouri, glacial lakes, snowcapped mountain peaks, blue-ribbon troutstreams, andthe trails leadtowild,secludedspaces whereitisstillpossibletobeutterlyalone. retrace theroutesforgedbyexplorers LewisandClark.Andbackcountry American I heritageandtraditions.Scenictrain,float,drivingtrips hunt f preserve adazzlingarrayofhistoricaltreasures—andoffer opportunitiesto crowds at rodeos. Ghost towns, state parks, andaone-of-a-kind Dinosaur Trail American W V ast, andwild,“BigSky unspoiled, Country” represents thevery best ofthe or fossilsandgems.SevenIndianNationscelebratethestate’s rich est. Rugged cowboys still saddle up toride at ranches andwow jewels ofthenational park system—and ishometoglistening Montana isagateway toGlacier andYellowstone—two crown roamed here, andmajestic bison,elk, andgrizzly bearsstill do. ONTANA ISLIKENOPLACE ELSEONEARTH. Y ellowstone, andFlathead Rivers. Dinosaurs once
10 ULTIMATE ROAD TRIPS Planning Your Trip Page 23 Can’t Miss Events Page 22 Food &Drink Page 20 Winter Wonderland Page 19 State &National Parks Page 16 History &Heritage Page 15
10. Bitterroot Parkway Page 12 TRAVEL GUIDE CONTENTS 4. 3. 2. 1. 7. 7. 6. 5. 9. 8.
Yellowstone Country Page 4 Small Towns &Ghost Towns Page 6 Great Plains Adventures Page 5 Main Street Adventures Page 9 Flathead toPhilipsburg Page 7 Backbone of theRockies Bighorn andBeyond Page 11 On theLoose inBig Sky Page 10 Footsteps of Lewis &ClarkPage 11
Page 6 1/22/16 2:44 PM 3 Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 4 O n baoe las ie it Montana’smountains. highest into rides leads Absarokee in hte o gohra formations. geothermal of hotbed a Silver Gate. n ht h trail. the hit and Cabins Y like places to trips oers Valley Paradise o h nrhat nrne of entrance northeast the to an Lodge Red connecting RoadAll-American 212), (U.S. Highway Beartooth the on Stay: springs-fed pool. way,the Along hot a makein soak stopto a Valley. Paradise in ride Horseback River. plateau.Stillwaterwilderness the a Raft on Montana Hike Park. Yellowstone National southern into and through loop scenic ae etme) and September), late derness tional Park. mid-December to March), Yellowstone Na ihs include lights Stay: & to grimage erot Café Beartooth and trip down the Stillwater River with foot 10,900-plus- the over and feet 12,000 than more of peaks 20 past leads mid-October) no hr te ru ae iig ht day. on that biting tips are get trout the or where guide, fishing local a hire fly-fishing.Montana of Buyflies, hand-tied father the by 1938 in founded shop angler stone Valley Lodge through south Road Loop Grand the followyou as Yellowstone ainl Park National ka River Adventures ON THE FLY THE ON WIDEEYED WONDERS WIDEEYED PERFORMANCE PEAK RAFT OR RIDE The Route: Livingston U.S. 212 to Red Lodge > ellowstone through Paradise Valley ra ad the and area; ExitWyoming toMontana Park entrance ThePollard lr cnr aon o ti five-day this on abound scenery ular TOR ADVENTURE UTDOOR Total Distance: approximately 360miles Gateway Airport : Bozeman Yellowstone LivingstonGrille and Bar .Yellowstone 1. erot Plateau Beartooth lt Arl o al Otbr and October early to April (late
. Or, take a pulse-pounding rafting pulse-pounding a Or,take . amt Ht pig Htl and Hotel Springs Hot Mammoth > International Airport,Bozeman Yellowstone National Park Grand Loop Road Begin in Livingston with a pil- a with Livingston in Begin Countr te bubbling the ; a Bailey’s Dan > and rd yu cr o a horse a for car your Trade U.S. 212toYellowstone National Te iha (ae a to May (late highway The . > rn Cno o the of Canyon Grand the Coe iy lt My to May (late City Cooke , ExitMontana toWyoming , Red Lodge. Absaroka-BeartoothWil- amt Ht Springs Hot Mammoth , Livingston. anbuh Adventures Paintbrush > Prepare to be amazed be to Prepare I-90 toColumbus Bear Paw OutfittersPaw Bear . Soak in the scenery scenery the in Soak Eat & Stay: ivr ae Lodging Gate Silver > U.S. 89toLivingston > > U.S. 89toGardiner te all-things- the , U.S. 89 . y a & Stay: & Eat n spectac- and u Volca Mud and Yellowstone
Café Regis > MT-540 Absaro- Yellow- > . High- . MT-78 a & Eat >
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DAVID LICHTNEKER/ALAMY BEAR, TYLER METCALFE HIKING ROAD LESS TRAVELED Turn onto scenic U.S. 89 in Livingston to take the Paradise Valley Scenic Drive. Paralleling the Upper Yel- lowstone River between the Absaroka and Gallatin mountain ranges, the drive passes through pasturelands of the lower valley, and delivers pure Montana mountain and river vistas. Eat & Stay: K-Bar Pizza, Gar- diner, and Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa, Pray. 2. Great Plains Adventures
The Route: Fort Benton > U.S. 87 > Havre > U.S. 2 > Malta > U.S. 191 > Lewistown > MT-3 > MT-80 > Fort Benton. Total Distance: approximately 400 miles Gateway Airport: Great Falls International Airport Great Falls
OR MONTANA’S American Indian peo- ple, bison, or bualo, are revered sym- Fbols of strength and unity. Celebrate the bison, see them roam, and discover how the mighty bison helped create the state on this six-day drive across Big Sky badlands and prairies.
BIRTHPLACE OF MONTANA Start where the state began in Fort Benton, once the world’s largest inland port. At the Upper Missouri Above: Go fly-fishing on the Madison River. Below: Ride the Charlie Russell River Breaks National Monument, buy a Chew Choo to see the wide-open spaces that inspired his famous Western art. two-day admission to the Interpretive Cen- Top left: See wildlife up close at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone. Bottom left: Enjoy top-of-the-world views from Beartooth Pass. ter, Old Fort Benton, the Museum of the Upper Missouri, and the Museum of the Northern Great Plains. Eat & Stay: Union Grille and Grand Union Hotel, Fort Benton.
SADDLE UP The next day, go antiquing at the Virgelle Mercantile. Try horseback riding at Sky View Guest Ranch (reservations re- quired), and see the “bualo rock” used as a bison scratching post. Navlivka’s
TRAIN Eat & Stay: Original Pizza Kitchen and Best Western Plus Havre Inn and Suites, Havre.
ALL ABOUT THE BISON Stop at Wahkpa Chu’gn TYLER METCALFE TYLER Archaeological Site (June to Labor Day) to see a bualo jump with an excavated wall FISHING, of archaeological deposits, including com- pacted bualo bones and skulls. See wild bison on a guided tour of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation’s bualo reserve. (Call 406 353 4350 or 406 945 0014 for reserva- tions.) Eat & Stay: (Detour east to Malta on U.S. 2) Great Northern Hotel and Steak- house, Malta.
DINOSAURS & DETOURS Play paleontologist at the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Phillips County Museum in Malta. Take a side trip to either Bowdoin National Wild- life Refuge (follow Old U.S. 2 east) or Sleep- ing Bualo Hot Springs Resort (via U.S. 2 MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS AND TOURISM OF OFFICE MONTANA
Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 5 1/22/16 2:44 PM east). Eat & Stay: Great Northern Hotel and Orphan Girl silver and zinc mine. Contin- Steakhouse, Malta. ue this theme at Headframe Spirits, makers of Orphan Girl Bourbon Cream Liqueur. 4. Backbone of RAILROAD & REFUGE Return to the route by In the distillery’s tasting room, try an Or- taking U.S. 191 about 74 miles south to MT- phan Girl Chocolate Drift (mixed with vod- the Rockies 66. Next is the self-guided Charles M. Rus- ka and chocolate syrup). Eat & Stay: Joe’s The Route: Kalispell > U.S. 93 > sell National Wildlife Refuge auto tour Pasty Shop and Finlen Hotel and Motor Whitefish > MT-40 > U.S. 2E > Glacier Route 1 through the badlands. Northwest of Lew- Inn, Butte. Going-to-the-Sun Road > St. Mary > istown, ride the Charlie Russell Chew Choo U.S. 89 toward Babb > Many Glacier Road to Many Glacier > backtrack on Many Glacier Road Montana dinner train (select weekend days FIELD TRIP Consider detouring at Wise River to U.S. 89 and back to St. Mary > MT-49 > in summer and early fall). Eat & Stay: Dash (west on MT-43 past Wisdom) to Big Hole Two Medicine Road to Two Medicine Lake Inn and Historic Calvert Hotel, Lewistown. National Battlefield. This sacred site of the > backtrack to MT-49 > East Glacier > Nez Perce people is part of the multistate U.S. 2W > MT-206 > MT-35 > Kalispell Total Distance: approximately 265 miles BACK IN TIME On the drive back to Fort Ben- Nez Perce National Historical Park. At Gateway Airport: Glacier Park International ton pull o at Bear Gulch Pictographs, a Wise River, slow down and enjoy the scen- Airport, Kalispell 313-million-year-old limestone inland sea ery along the 49-mile-long Pioneer Moun- formation with more than 3,000 drawings tains Scenic Byway. In summer, visit the UGGED, WILD, and incredibly sce- by ancient peoples. Eat & Stay: Wake Cup ghost town of Coolidge. Eat & Stay: Jackson nic, this five-day trip is filled with Coee House and Bakery and The Lark and Hot Springs Lodge, Jackson. Ronly-in-Montana experiences. Travel Gla- Laurel Bed and Breakfast, Fort Benton. cier National Park’s legendary Going-to- GO GHOSTBUSTERS Stop in the route’s three the-Sun Road. Take a ranger-led tour to best-preserved ghost towns: Bannack State see the park’s namesake glaciers. Raft or Park, Nevada City, and Virginia City (which fish untamed waters. And chow down on a remains a living town with about 190 full- hearty steak supper or sleep in a restored 3. Small Towns time residents). The latter two towns house railroad car. a collection of 19th-century buildings and BIKING and Ghost Towns Americana, including more than a hundred GO WILD Pre-register for a wildlife photog- The Route: Butte > MT-41 > MT-287 arcade and music machines. If visiting in raphy workshop at Kalispell’s Triple “D” through Virginia City to Ennis > U.S. 287 > summer, reserve tickets for Virginia City’s Game Farm, a safe place to capture imag- MT-2 through Cardwell to Butte bawdy Brewery Follies or family-friend- es of wolves, grizzly bears, mountain lions, Take I-90 from Cardwell to Butte for a Shortcut: ly Virginia City Players shows. Eat & Stay: and other native Montana animals. Or, hike faster drive. Total Distance: approximately 300 miles Gateway Airport: Bert Bale of Hay Saloon (May to September), in Lone Pine State Park for far-as-the-eye- Mooney Airport, Butte Virginia City, and Nevada City Hotel and can-see views of Kalispell, the Flathead Cabins, Nevada City. River and Flathead Lake, and the Swan ANDER through authentic 1800s Mountain range. Eat & Stay: Western Bar- ghost towns on this rambling four- CATCH & RELEASE Spend the day fishing (or becue Dinner Ride at Artemis Acres Paint Wday route over mountains, across the Con- learning to fly-fish) in the tiny town of En- Horse Guest Ranch and Kalispell Grand tinental Divide, and along blue-ribbon nis with such fly-fishing outfitters as the Hotel, Kalispell. trout streams. Butte (population 33,854) Tackle Shop, Madison River Fishing Com- is the “big city” on the drive. Legend has pany, and Trout Stalkers. Buy or rent out- TAKE A HIKE There’s so much to see in Gla- it some of the smaller towns harbor gold- door gear, book a guided fly-fishing trip cier National Park that you’ll need to spend DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS AND TOURISM OF OFFICE MONTANA rush-era ghosts. (April to November 1), or get angling tips. at least two days there. Begin by hiking the
Continue on to Norris Hot Springs (open Highline Trail (for alpine views and possi- BURGER, DIG IN Begin in Butte, once known as the year round), known locally as “water of the ble wildlife sightings) or the Iceberg Lake “richest hill on Earth” thanks to a multi- gods.” While soaking, watch for deer and Trail, which leads to a teal-blue lake hold- billion-dollar mining industry. Take an antelope. Eat & Stay: Banditos, Ennis, and ing small icebergs most of the summer. Eat underground tour at the World Museum Norris Hot Springs Campground (May to & Stay: Base Camp Café, Columbia Falls, YNN DONALDSON YNN of Mining, located on the former site of the September), Norris. and Belton Chalet, West Glacier.
Left to right: Explore Bannack State Park ghost town. Munch a burger at Square Butte Bar & Country Club. Bike in Gallatin National Forest. BANNACK, L MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS AND TOURISM OF OFFICE MONTANA
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Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 6 1/22/16 2:44 PM Unwind on a lakeside deck at the historic Many Glacier Hotel, the largest lodge in Glacier National Park.
CROWN OF THE CONTINENT On your second ing waterfalls in the northwest. View the genuine Montana sapphires. And, if you Glacier day, drive the epic Going-to-the- 30-foot-high main falls from a swinging dare, take the steep and winding portion Sun Road (partially closed mid-September bridge. From Libby, take o with Kootenai of MT-38 over 7,257-foot Skalkaho Pass. through early June) through the heart of Aviation for an aerial tour of the Cabinet the park and over 6,646-foot Logan Pass. Mountains. Or, watch for wildlife and visit PEDAL POWER Slow down to enjoy the Eat & Stay: St. Mary Lodge and Snowgoose Libby Dam along the Lake Koocanusa Sce- scenery in Missoula, a gold-level Bicycle Grille, St. Mary. nic Byway. In winter, deep-powder Turner Friendly Community. Rent a bike and ride Mountain Ski Area is a must-ski for ex- the Riverfront Trail to the hand-carved OFF THE BEATEN PATH On the eastern side of perts—60 percent of the runs are black Carousel for Missoula. Pedal around the the park, take a detour to Browning and the diamond. Eat & Stay: Libby Café, Libby, and University of Montana campus or along Museum of the Plains Indian. Watch Amer- Double J Bed and Breakfast, Troy. the Missoula Microbrew Tour trail. Park ican Indian artists demonstrate authentic the bike long enough to hike the M, the crafts, including weaving with porcupine city’s signature hiking trail, and go surf-
GLACIER ing Montana-style at Brennan’s Wave, quills. Eat & Stay: Johnson’s of St. Mary (mid- May through September), St. Mary, and Iz- 5. From Flathead a man-made white-water venue on the zak Walton Inn (railroad car room), Essex. Clark Fork River. Eat & Stay: Biga Pizza to Philipsburg and Gibson Mansion Bed and Breakfast, Missoula. SEE & SKI Whitefish Mountain Resort is an The Route: Missoula > U.S. 93 > MT-35 to Bigfork all-season destination for adventure. Ride > MT-83 > MT-200 > MT-141 > MT-271 > Frontage WILDLIFE WATCH Spend the morning at the the lifts to the summit in winter to ski and Road East > Front Street through Drummond > National Bison Range in Moiese. Bring year round for views of Glacier National MT-1 through Philipsburg to Porters Corner > binoculars to look for bison, bighorn Park, the Flathead Valley, the Canadian MT-38 over Skalkaho Pass > U.S. 93 to Missoula sheep, elk, deer, and black bears. From Total Distance: approximately 380 miles Rockies, and more. Eat & Stay: Loula’s and Gateway Airport: Missoula International the range visitor’s center, it’s about ten The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, Whitefish. Airport, Missoula miles to Charlo and the Ninepipe Nation- al Wildlife Refuge. Drive the back roads EPIC ENDINGS Extend your stay with a side HIS FOUR-DAY DRIVE is packed with to see the kettle ponds where waterfowl— trip from Kalispell west on MT-2 to Koo- Tadventure. Learn to river surf and fly- including tundra swans, white pelicans,
MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS AND TOURISM OF OFFICE MONTANA tenai Falls, one of the largest free-flow- fish. See wild bison roam and mine for and Canada geese—congregate. While in
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MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT (RESERVATION, SHEEP, KEITH LADZINSKI PADDLEBOARDING T is backtracking to I-90 near el route is closed in winter. An easier option and all-season nearly 18 feet of compacted bison remains remains below. bison compacted of feet 18 nearly n sme sadu paddleboarding winter and stand-up rentals, kayak (SUP), summer ing leaving town, see mermaids swimming at at the swimming mermaids see town, leaving endary Western artist Charlie Russell. Before ate Mountains Castle JumpBualo Peoples Red Bird House Steak Prime Lindey’s atquired) re- (reservationsCharlo, riding horsebackgo aa apie i Philipsburg. in sapphires tana Mon- for mine to winter.time Savein skis cross-country or snowshoes, snowmobile, Restaurant the Inn andBreakfast, Bed Runner Raven Adventures rvn 5 mls f h narrow the of miles 54 driving o Pass ho the through runs and year all open that’s tana Mon in pass highest the crosses drive mile Road rud lake. a around hop on the on hop iaaig ie badn ride. boarding river hilarating ex- or excursion; white-waterrafting trip;wild, float scenic serene, a take Missoula, Missoula. The best views are from are views best The Missoula. to the to boat ride down theMissouri River. magical a take and springs, hot in soak tal, capi- state the and parks state explore art, WesternCelebrate Rockies. the of edge the MOUNTAINMAJESTY COWBOYECLECTIC PLAY OR PASS LIFE LAKE The Route: Great Falls backtrack toMT-284 toHelena Total Distance: approximately 380milesGateway Sulphur Springs Airport: Great Falls International, Great Falls HIS FIVE-DAY otws Mnaa rvl i ad on and in travels Montana southwest Sip ‘n Dip LoungeDip ‘n Sip Big Belt Mountains Belt Big ei ad lr Ntoa Forest National Clark and Lewis Ranch at Rock Creek U.S. 89toBynum portion of MT-38.dirt-and-grav-Theof portion .Main Street 6. C.M. Russell MuseumRussell C.M. and a & Stay: & Eat ba, r ie n umr n a and summer in bike or boat, , hwvr gtig hr requires there getting however, ; Adventures , Missoula and the Che GuestChe Ranch ln ha t pa i, n or on, in, play to ahead Plan Mountain Lake Lodge and lted Lake Flathead Kings Hill Scenic BywayKingsScenic Hill In . hoe or ot bc to back route your Choose > Hotel Arvon, U.S. 89 ae ap Bigfork Camp Base ely Lake Seeley Begin in Great Falls, home home Falls,Great in Begin to the east, and stop to to stop and east, the to loop through central and
Southeast of Great Falls,Great of Southeast Celtic Cowboy Pub and and Pub Cowboy Celtic > > U.S. 89toGreat Falls U.S. 87 . In Ulm,In visit. the , a sandstone cli with with cli sandstone a , > to the west and the the and west the to Huson. U.S. 12to Townsend > , Philipsburg. activities includ- activities , a tribute to leg to tribute a , > > Running Horse . Drummond Great Falls. U.S. 89toWhite I-15 rn a rent , Eat & Stay:& Eat , Seeley Lake, Seeley , , Bigfork. a & Stay: & Eat a & Stay: & Eat > U.S. 287 Skalkaho Dogsled . The 71-The . Skalka- oers Wave First . See See .
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ain 2, bu 7 mls on-rp from round-trip miles 72 about 92), lation o Ferry, and yon items. Buy an original glass piece at piece glass original an Buy items. Reservoir vures, and original and vures, Stay: & SpringsSulphur White eea n h bns f the of banks the on Helena horn Mountains. seph Henry Sharp Henry seph Springs Motel a Hnbon Glass Handblown Bay seum Stay: ie h easy the hike ru Ue hle Area Shelter Use Group IY TOWN TINY Blackfeet culture attheBlackfeet Indian Reservation. Bottom left:Paddleboard onFlathead Lake, Above: Look for bighornsheepnear Logan Pass inGlacier National Park. Top left:Learn about rnig rn aé n Spa and Café Iron Branding here to see to here
ihadr a ad Grill and Bar Highlander bten the between , eor o atndl (popu- Martinsdale to Detour , White Sulphur Springs. eoil al Trail Falls Memorial elae aprud and Campground Hellgate Edward Curtis Edward paintings, among other among paintings, Charlie RussellCharlie the largest freshwater lake west of theMississippi River. n Townsend. in . Tourthe . i Bl ad Elk- and Belt Big lctd at of east located , ayn Ferry Canyon photogra- Bair Mu- Bair and and . Can- , Goose Eat & & Eat Hot Hot Eat Jo - Helena. open upopen revealto patha down river.the magically “gates” the see can journey the making those Only clis. 1,200-foot-tall by down the Missouri through the River Ranch, Craig. Stay: & Eat Stay: & state capital, state Mountains n n o Hln’ 3 goahn tours. geocaching 38 Helena’s of one on sightsthe see to gps a rent or yourphone trails itsself-guidedand Or,walkingtours. use biking mountain single-track sic clas networkitsof for known is city The OPTICAL ILLUSION BIKE & HIKE
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pn te a epoig the exploring day the Spend Lucca’s Helena Book a two-hour boat tour , Choteau, and Choteau, , and , on foot or by bike. by or foot on , Sanders B and B and B Sanders Gates of the Missouri Eat 1/22/16 2:45 PM 9 - , Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 10 10 I d udo rc-lmig rp with trip rock-climbing outdoor ed winter,climbice in to learn InRockies. Northern the of venturecapital r i te lps t h laid-back the at slopes the hit or biking trailstherest oftheyear. and hiking the on and winter in snow the play—in and scenery incredible the savor to days six aside slow.Set itTake to? want day.a only in backwhy and youwouldBut Bowl N H ROCKS THE ON T’S POSSIBLE POSSIBLE T’S oea t Ylosoe ainl Park National Yellowstone to Bozeman Above: Conquer expert andextreme terrain onLone Peak atBig Sky Resort. Right: Watch thewildrodeo actionatMiles City’sBucking Horse Sale .OntheLoose 7. Gateway Airport: Bozeman Yellowstone Total Distance: approximately 180miles . No snow? No problem. Take a guid- a Take problem. No snow? No . The Route: Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Bozeman in BigSky ei i Bzmn te ad- the Bozeman, in Begin o ae hs rv from drive this make to > U.S. 191 > U.S. 191 > Bozeman HyaliteCanyon > West Bridger Spire Climbing Center ing wall. climb- the scale or trampoline, bungee the p o te detrs ha at ahead adventures the for up ilnn, hike ziplining, snowshoe,skate.or weather,warmerIn go moun- there’sIf tains. snow, four snowboard,ski, sled, with playground all-season ot dsge t hnl ay Montana any weather. handle to pac designed sole boots rubber handcrafted, of makers base for any adventure in and around and adventurein any for base and Rockies the of Museum Bozeman’s The Lark Lodge the in exhibits paleontology of array amazing I IN DIG YELLOWSTONE FUN BIG ebl ioar Complex Dinosaur Seibel Gallatin River Lodge , BigSky. pn te onn veig the viewing morning the Spend Drive south to south Drive Eat & Stay: , Bozeman. a & Stay: & Eat Make oe Mountain Lone . Eat & Stay:
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Nova Café and lctd at located , jm on jump , Schnee’s Huntley Gear . your Yel and , an , - , osoe ainl Park National lowstone elwtn, and Yellowstone, the the Arts and Culture Big Sky. the to coach snow a take mid-March through Mid-December stream. trout bon blue-rib- a fly-fishingbike.in Go Hikeand lowstone. earlier. in couldn’tfit yousummer—that in course ropes high the and winter in sledding dog Lounge Big Sky Resort Sky Big Faithful and glide across the ice at one of the city’s the of one at ice the across glide and skates rent February, of end the through original pieces at the at pieces original for shop and downtownshopshistoric the stone PLAY DAY DAY PLAY HP SKATE & SHOP rzl ad of icvr Center Discovery Wolf and Grizzly or the national park. Or, head back to and Eat & Stay: & Eat area. Spend another day in he Ba Lodge Bear Three ak in Back Eat & Stay: to try activities—including try to
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MTOT free outdoor rinks. Eat & Stay: The Western carved his name and date into the pillar. Eat GRANDEST CANYON On the way back to Bill- Café and Element, Bozeman. & Stay: The Burger Dive and the Northern ings, detour south to the Bighorn Can- Hotel, Billings. yon National Recreation Area, aptly billed as “the grandest canyon in the Northern 8. Bighorn BRONCS & BADLANDS The next destination Rockies.” Spend the morning hiking, fish- is Miles City, best known for its annu- ing, boating, or watching for wildlife— and Beyond al Bucking Horse Sale weekend each May. including bighorn sheep and mule deer— Learn about the town’s Old West roots at before heading back to the road trip route. > > The Route: Billings I-94 to Miles City the Range Riders Museum before sampling Outside of Pryor, visit Chief Plenty Coups > backtrack west on I-94 to exit 72 State Park, one of only three U.S. state MT-384 to Hardin > I-90 to Crow Agency > Crow the latest vintages at Tongue River Winery. St. Xavier Road > MT-313 > Pryor St. Xavier cut- Detour east to the town of Terry to shop for parks located on an American Indian res- across to Pryor > MT-418 > MT-416 to Billings Made in Montana goods at Prairie Unique. ervation. Eat & Stay: Lilac and Dude Ranch- Total Distance: approximately 400 miles If you’re driving a high-clearance vehicle, er Lodge, Billings. Gateway Airport: Billings Logan International Airport, Billings explore the Terry Badlands Wilderness Study Area. Eat & Stay: Montana Bar and EARN MORE ABOUT Montana’s rich Steakhouse and The Horton House B and 9. Footsteps of LAmerican I heritage and cowboy B, Miles City. culture on this four-day drive through Lit- Lewis & Clark tle Bighorn Country. The history-packed SACRED GROUND In Crow Agency, Little Big- route crosses Indian nations, the state’s horn Battlefield National Monument pre- The Route: Glasgow > U.S. 2 > Culbertson > biggest city, and the path taken by the Lew- MT-16 > Glendive > U.S. 94 > Wibaux > U.S. 94 > serves the memory of the American Indian Terry > MT-253 > MT-200 > MT-24 > Glasgow is and Clark Corps of Discovery expedition. warriors and U.S. Cavalry soldiers (led by Total Distance: approximately 450 miles George Custer) lost in the epic conflict here Gateway Airport: Glasgow International, Glasgow PICTOGRAPHS & PILLARS From Billings, head in 1876. See the site with Apsaalooke Tours, south to Pictograph Cave State Park, home which employs mostly Crow Indians as ETRACE THE PATH of Lewis and to over a hundred rock paintings and arti- guides. The one-hour tour includes stops RClark, and parallel two mighty rivers— facts left by prehistoric hunters. Forge on at Reno-Benteen Battlefield (where the Bat- the Missouri and the Yellowstone—on a to Pompeys Pillar National Monument, tle of Little Bighorn began) and Last Stand five-day loop around the state’s northeast- a rock formation rising 150 feet above the Hill. Eat & Stay: Lariat Country Kitchen, ern badlands and spacious plains. This Yellowstone River. Look for the spot where Hardin, and 7th Ranch RV Camp and His- route-less-traveled crosses the Fort Peck William Clark (of Lewis and Clark fame) torical Tours, Garryowen. Indian Reservation and passes through ALLEN RUSSELL RUSSELL ALLEN
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Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 11 1/22/16 2:45 PM lands where dinosaurs once roamed. HYDRO POWER Before driving back to Eat & Stay: Lolo Hot Springs, Lolo. Glasgow, explore any of the six recreation WIDEOPEN SPACES Head east from Glasgow areas surrounding Fort Peck Lake. See PLAY DAY Continue south to the Histor- to Wolf Point, home of July’s annual Wild Fort Peck Dam and take a free tour of the ic Darby Ranger Station Visitor’s Center Horse Stampede. Detour up MT-13 for Fort Peck Power Plant Museum (Memorial and Museum. Inside, find out about Bit- a back-in-time visit to Scobey, home of Day to Labor Day). Downstream from the terroot Valley activities and see Forest Ser- the Daniels County Museum and Pioneer dam, hike the Beaver Creek Nature Trail vice historical exhibits. In Darby, buy Mon- Town. Or, head north on MT-16 to look and look for elk and bison on the Leo B. tana-made huckleberry treats—including for white pelicans at the Medicine Lake Coleman Wildlife Exhibit driving route. fudge, gummy bears, coee, and tay—at National Wildlife Refuge. Eat & Stay: Ber- Eat & Stay: Sam’s Supper Club and Cotton- the Old West Gallery & Old West Candy gie’s Café & Gifts, Nashua, and Microtel wood Inn, Glasgow. Store. Weather permitting, spend the after- Inn, Sidney. noon biking, hiking, or swimming at Lake Como. Eat & Stay: Nap’s Grill, Hamilton, BORDER CROSSING View Western art and and Alta Ranch, Darby. pioneer artifacts at The MonDak Her- 10. Bitterroot itage Center in Sidney (closed Sundays SKI & SEE In winter, make this a ski day. and Mondays). From here, take a side trip Parkway There’s downhill at Lost Trail Powder to the Fort Union Trading Post National The Route: Missoula > U.S. 93 > Mountain (just before Lost Trail Pass) Historic Site, once the fur-trading hub of Lost Trail Pass > MT-43 > Big Hole and cross-country loop trails accessible the Upper Missouri. The site straddles the National Battlefield > MT-43 > U.S. 93 > from 7,251-foot Chief Joseph Pass, where MT-269 > U.S. 93 > Missoula Montana-North Dakota border. Eat & Stay: you cross the Continental Divide. Or, drive Total Distance: approximately 230 miles Monte Carlo Pizza and Astoria Hotel & Gateway Airport: Missoula International on to hike the trails and tour the exhibits Suites, Glendive. Airport, Missoula at Big Hole National Battlefield, sacred ground to the Nez Perce people and part of PLAY PALEONTOLOGIST In Glendive, pre-book IG DEEP into Montana’s roots on a the four-state Nez Perce National Histori- a fossil hunt with Baisch’s Dinosaur Digs four-day drive through the history-rich cal Park. Eat & Stay: Sula Country Store & (April to October). See a Triceratops hor- DBitterroot Valley. The down-and-back Resort, Sula. ridus skull and hike through the badlands route crosses the Nez Perce and Lewis at Makoshika State Park, one of two Glen- and Clark National Historic Trails, as well WHERE MONTANA BEGAN On the return dive stops (Frontier Gateway Museum is as the Continental Divide. Along the way, trip to Missoula, stop in Stevensville to the other) on the Montana Dinosaur Trail. bunk in a hand-hewn log cabin and camp tour (April 15 to October 15) the historic Eat & Stay: Mexico Lindo and La Quinta Inn under the stars. Watch for moose, elk, and St. Mary’s Mission & Museum. The com- & Suites. deer. Soak in natural hot springs. And, de- plex, established in 1841, includes a Salish pending on the season, go skiing, skating, encampment and American Indian arti- BACK COUNTRY Head west to hook up with hiking, or horseback riding. facts. Visit nearby Fort Owen State Park, the Big Sky Byway, a 105-mile scenic route site of the first permanent white settle- following a section of the historic Regi- ICE AGE At Missoula’s Montana Natural ment in Montana. Eat & Stay: Bitter Root CANOES na-Yellowstone (R-Y) Trail. Stop at the History Center, get a free driving map Brewery, Hamilton, and The Stevensville Byway kiosk in Terry to learn more about of the proposed Ice Age Floods National Hotel, Stevensville. the drive. At the northern end of the route, Geologic Trail, and visit some local Gla- visit the Fort Peck Interpretive Center and cial Lake Missoula landmarks. Walk in the METCALE TYLER Museum to see “Peck’s Rex,™” one of the footsteps of explorers near Lolo at Trav- EXPLORE MORE ONLINE Get additional road trip information—including interactive maps, world’s most complete Tyrannosaurus rex elers’ Rest State Park, the only site on the special events, and more must-see stops—at skeletons. Eat & Stay: Gateway Club and Fort Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail nationalgeographic.com/montana/roadtrips. Peck Hotel, Fort Peck (May to November). with a confirmed expedition campsite. SPRINGS AND MUSHROOMS, AND SPRINGS Bottom left to right: Try a homemade donut at Windmill Village Bakery, Ravalli. Take a soak at Norris Hot Springs. Hunt for morels, a fungus native to Montana, at many of the local farmers' markets. YNN DONALDSON YNN L MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DONUTS DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS AND TOURISM OF OFFICE MONTANA
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Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 12 1/22/16 2:45 PM Paddle along the path of Lewis and Clark on an Upper Missouri River canoe trip.
Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 13 1/22/16 2:45 PM Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 14 Fort Peck Reservation. the state,includingon Powwow events across be felt atmany of the Montana's richhistory can photo credit 14 natgeotravel.com SPONSORED CONTENT 1/22/16 2:45 PM
photo credit memorabilia. And, in Great Falls, test your strength pulling a boat against the HISTORY & HERITAGE mighty Missouri’s current at the state-of- the-art Lewis & Clark National Historic N MONTANA, the past is always present. Wherever your travels take you, you’ll Trail Interpretive Center. find museums, monuments, and cultural centers with hands-on opportunities to learn about the state’s amazingly rich history. Dig in to our dinosaur roots by INDIAN NATIONS Ihunting for fossils. Tour a ghost town or travel underground to learn about mining. Celebrate the tribal culture and traditions of our seven Indian Nations at annual ong before Montana became known events like the Crow Fair, held annually since 1918. Retrace the paths of pioneers and as the “last best place,” this land was L“the first best place” for several tribal na- explorers, including Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery expedition. Experience tions. Today, the state remains a sacred what it means to be Montanan by discovering the remarkable forces that shaped this place to the American Indians who live land and the rugged individuals who call it home. within reserved homelands—seven feder- ally recognized Indian reservations—and in cities and towns throughout Montana. MONTANA DINOSAUR TRAIL LEWIS AND CLARK At the Museum of the Plains Indians in SIGNATURE SITES Browning, learn the stories of the Black- feet, Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Sioux, ontana is the home of dinosaurs. The Assiniboine, Arapaho, Shoshone, Nez first Tyrannosaurus rex found in the ollow the route of discovery forged by Perce, Flathead, Chippewa, and Cree Mworld came from the state in 1902, and the the Lewis and Clark expedition more tribes. Visit some of the many sacred first dinosaur fossils identified in North Fthan 200 years ago. Monuments, interpre- American Indian sites, including First America were discovered here in the tive centers, caverns, and state parks Peoples Bualo Jump State Park in Ulm 1840s. Follow the 14-stop Montana Dino- honor the explorers and tell their story of and the Big Hole National Battlefield saur Trail to uncover the state’s prehistoric adventure and survival. Near Billings in Wisdom, part of Nez Perce National past, and visit the mostly rural communi- you’ll find the only remaining physical Historical Park. And, at Little Bighorn ties located on the 1,300-mile route. Three evidence of the Corps of Discovery on the Battlefield National Monument in Crow stops—Two Medicine Dinosaur Center, trail at Pompeys Pillar National Monu- Agency, walk the site where chiefs Crazy Great Plains Dinosaur Museum, and Ma- ment. Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park Horse and Sitting Bull orchestrated the koshika Dinosaur Museum—have field dig in Whitehall oers guided tours (May 2 to Plains Indian War’s most decisive Amer- programs. Two communities—Glendive September 30) of one of the most impres- ican Indian victory. An 1881 obelisk me- and Malta—each have two Dinosaur Trail sive caves in the United States (though the morializes the U.S. Army dead, including locations. And one of the world’s largest expedition never passed through there). At George Custer. “The Peace Through Uni- collections of dinosaur fossils is housed in the Headwaters Heritage Museum in Three ty” Indian Memorial, added in 2003, hon- Bozeman’s Museum of the Rockies. Forks, see a collection of Lewis and Clark ors the American Indians who died here. MUSEUM YNN DONALDSON YNN CK, L FORT PE MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS ( AND TOURISM OF OFFICE MONTANA
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NOAH COUSER 16 B M S STATE & NATIONAL PARKS trance through Gardiner, where theiconic “front doors” toYellowstone: thenorthen- wolves. From Montana, therearethree including grizzly bears,bison,elk, and also isbeloved forits abundant wildlife, changing geothermal formations. The park Faithful from by the National Park Service. These range ic “Crown oftheContinent.” Drive theicon- miles, majestic Glacier isknown asthe way Red Lodge andfollow the a scenic68-mile drive tothelatter, start in trance nearCooke City andSilver Gate. For West Yellowstone; andthenortheast en- Roosevelt Arch Hot Springs Area yon ofthe Yellowstone and over theBeartoothPlateau. you past 20peaks ofmorethan12,000 feet of-the-best scenicdrives. The routetakes park andover 6,646-foot turning routethrough theheartof ply thebigger glacial lakes. buses orinoneofthewooden boats, which in oneofthepark’s ubiquitous redtour enjoy theunobstructed views while riding easy-to-challenging trails.Or, sit back and Go forahike onafew ofthe700 milesof also iswhere you’ll findthe the U.S.’s first national park, Yellowstone tration ofgeysers. Established in1872 as EXPLORE MORE NATIONAL PARK YELLOWSTONE GLACIER NATIONAL PARK Y in theremotebackcountry inoneofMontana’s wildandwide-open natural spaces. under thestars, backpack toglacial lakes, aranger-led join program,orseeksolitude Going-to-the-Sun Road covering anastounding 1,583square traddling theContinental Divide and tana features seven othersites managed esides Glacier andYellowstone, Mon- featuring iconicsites such as ellowstone istheclassic national park, , designated asoneofthe nation’s best- Big Hole Battlefield and theplanet’s biggest concen- collection ofwildlifeandadizzyingarray ofrecreation options.Camp and state parks. These vast wilderness wonders arehometoadiverse ONTANA BOASTS acres MILLIONSofunspoiled setaside fornational stands; theentrance from , ahotbedofconstantly
andthe Logan Pass , which honors , atwisting and Beartooth High- Grand Can- Mammoth Old
. M Historical Park year asapark in2016. Or, visit the acres ofwilderness andcelebrating its 50th clear waters. At known forits terrificfishing andcrystal Swan Range. head Lake andtheMission Mountains and glaciers tosavor spectacular views ofFlat- stand ontherock outcropscarved by Montana. The of Discovery through 11states, including Old West. The the lives ofcowboys andcattlemen inthe cattle operation, istheplace tolearnabout at onetimethecenter ofa10-millionacre Trail Travel back intimeat rex,Triceratops,rus andotherdinosaurs. to seefossilizedremainsorTyrannosau- in Glendive, ramble through thebadlands Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site in early August 1877, to soldiers andvolunteers killedinanattack 90 members oftheNez Perce tribe and31 land andculture. Perce people’s struggle topreserve their 38 sites—tells thestoryofnative Nez Union Trading Post National Historic Site beaten-path parks tochoose fromincluding o-the- head Lake area,thereareseveral state dating fromthegold rushera.In theFlat- home toanon-commercialized ghost town Last Stand,” andthe National Monument as guns,blankets, clothing, andbeads. The robes andotherfursforgoodsbualo such the place where AmericanIndians traded which spansMontana andNorth Dakota, National Recreation Area Montana history. At paddle, pitch atent, ordiscover achapter of a park outhereforyou. Hike, bike, picnic, tivities. Whatever you want todo, there’s STATE PARKS traces the route of the famous Corps traces therouteoffamous oering funandfamily-friendly ac- ontana hasmorethan50state parks Lake Mary Ronan State Park Lewis andClark Historic Little Bighorn Battlefield —spanning fourstates and West Shore State Park Makoshika State Park is thesite of“Custer’s Nez Perce National Bannack State Park Bighorn Canyon , covering 120,000 Fort
, , , , ,
Glacier National Park. trek alongtheLivingstonRange in Blaze your own trail onabackpacking 1/22/16 2:45 PM
photo credit SPONSORED CONTENT Caption: Ehent, optati tem quo es
Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 17 1/22/16 2:45 PM SPONSORED CONTENT
Above: Strap on a pair of snowshoes and head out on the Mystic Lake Trail near the tiny community of Nye to access Montana’s amazing backcountry. Below: A few miles from the town of West Yellowstone is the fabled Two Top Mountain with sweeping views of Yellowstone National Park. photo credit
Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 18 1/22/16 2:45 PM WINTER WONDERLAND SNOWCOVERED GLACIER AND YELLOWSTONE N MONTANA, frosty temps and falling snow usher in an action-packed season of wintry fun and adventure. Ski or snowboard at one of the state’s 15 ski areas. Not inter is one of the most magical times of the year in Montana’s most a downhill skier? No problem. With snowmobiling, snowshoeing, dog sledding, Wpopular national parks—Glacier to the Icross-country skiing, ice climbing, and more, there’s something for everyone who north and Yellowstone to the south. Fewer wants to play in the snow. And, since snow can arrive as early as October and linger tourists venture into the parks this sea- son, making it easier to spot wildlife, fi nd through May, Montana o ers one of the longest winter seasons in the lower 48 states solitude, and explore at your own pace. In to skate, schuss, glide, and soar. Glacier, snowshoe through the snow-cov- ered woods on a ranger-led walk. In Yel- lowstone, take a guided snowcoach or IT’S ALL DOWNHILL ships in Whitefi sh. The wild, wacky, and always thrilling skijoring races are the fan snowmobile tour with an authorized park concessionaire. Weather permitting, tours here’s no better skiing or snowboard- favorite of January’s Whitefi sh Winter Car- are available December 15 through March ing in the world than in Montana. With nival. This annual celebration of all things 15. Book the full-day Old Faithful Tour to Tmiles of groomed trails and deep-powder ice and snow includes a torchlight ski pa- see Firehole Falls, Fountain Paint Pots, backcountry runs to choose from, you’ll rade, Penguin Plunge in Whitefi sh Lake, Midway and Biscuit Geyser Basins, and never feel crowded or rushed. Big Sky Re- ski races, hockey tournament, ice sculpting, Old Faithful. sort, the state’s largest ski area, boasts four and more. mountains connected by chairlifts and the most room to roam (about two acres per skier). For the ultimate Big Sky experience, try First Tracks and get on the moun- tain before the lifts open to the public. Ski MONTANA SKI AREAS Whitefi sh Mountain Resort for 360-de- gree views of Glacier National Park. Take GLACIER MISSOURI RIVER the lift to the top of Big Mountain for a vari- NATIONAL PARK CENTRAL CANADA CANADA COUNTRY ety of terrain and spectacular views. MONTANA West Cut Bank Glacier Browning Havre Shelby Libby Whitefish Malta DAKOTA NORTH MAKE TRACKS East Glacier Wolf Culbertson Kalispell Essex Park Point Glasgow ross-country or nordic, skiing and Sidney snowshoeing get you out of the hus- St. Regis Great Falls C IDAHO tle and bustle and back into the woods Seeley Lake Glendive Missoula (where you’re more likely to spot wildlife). Lewistown Wibaux GLACIER Terry One of North America’s top nordic ski re- COUNTRY Helena Miles City sorts is Big Sky’s Lone Mountain Ranch. Philipsburg Rent cross-country skis or snowshoes Georgetown Lake Butte
Anaconda DAKOTA SOUTH to explore the groomed trails. On Kings Bozeman Hardin Hill Scenic Byway (U.S. 89) near Great Billings Broadus Falls, hit the Silver Crest Trails. The top- SOUTHWEST Dillon MONTANA Red Lodge notch network features nearly ten miles West of groomed trails plus challenging back- Yellowstone YELLOWSTONE WYOMING SOUTHEAST COUNTRY country ones. The Red Lodge Nordic Cen- MONTANA IDAHO YELLOWSTONE ter on MT-78 has classic tracks and skate NATIONAL PARK skiing lanes plus children’s programs and ski clinics. DAY AREAS WITH HIDDEN GEMS FOR A ONLYINMONTANA LIFT TICKETS UNDER $50 WEEKEND GETAWAY DESTINATION RESORTS ADVENTURES 1. Bear Paw Ski Bowl 8. Discovery Ski Area 12. Big Sky Resort ontana is the place to go for o -the- beaten-path winter experiences. Learn 2. Blacktail Mountain 9. Lookout Pass Ski & 13. Bridger Bowl Ski Area M Recreation Area how to ice climb on a frozen waterfall in 3. Great Divide 14. Red Lodge Mountain world-famous Hyalite Canyon near Boze- 4. Lost Trail Powder Mountain 10. Montana Snowbowl 15. Whitefi sh Mountain man. At Base Camp Bigfork, harness and mush your own team of Inuit sled dogs. Or, 5. Maverick Mountain 11. Showdown Montana hold on tight and try Montana-style skijor- 6. Teton Pass ing (sort of like water skiing, only on snow and pulled by a horse or mule instead of 7. Turner Mountain
KEN TAKAKA MAP MTOT MAP TAKAKA KEN a boat) at the World Skijoring Champion-
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Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 19 1/22/16 2:45 PM Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 20 20 F FOOD & DRINK C Butte’s legendary find classic Mom-and-Pop joints—including fine-dining establishments—such as at menus breads andpies.Andthedaily ice cream,hand-cut fries,andfresh-baked mayonnaise spread)—servinghomemade burger” toppedwith achopped peanut and and ranching traditions. Montanans arecreating new taste sensations rootedinthestate’s rich agricultural chocolatiers tocheesemakers, andfromcraftbrewers tofoodie-favorite young chefs, EATS Montana cuisine. Across thestate, you’ll arm-to-table fresh isthehallmark of Above clockwise:Enjoy flatbread andfresh air attheEmerson Grill, Bozeman. Seewhat’sontapatthe Great Northern Brewing Company, Whitefish.
beginning oftheflavor experiencesavailable today inBigSky Country. From steaming bowls ofchili—remains aMontana staple. But that’s only the LASSIC COWBOY FARE—including heartysteaks, tender primerib, and Save room for alemon-blueberry tartatKafe Utza, Miles City. Right: Experience thefarm-to-table movement inMontana. Matt’s Place (try the“nut Café P in Bozeman wild-caught fish. sonally fresh fruits andvegetables, and raised bison,elk, andpork, aswell assea Khandahar Montana’s seasonalbounty. From wild, HOMEGROWN roadside stands tosample thebest of marketsull oat localfarmers’ and —regularly feature locally inWhitefish and Open Range
- M spruce tips.spruce head Spirits Huckleberry Gin Brewing Company around most every bendintheroad. artisanal foodsandproducts available apiary honey, therearehomegrown and more) toFlathead cherries andlocal jam,jelly,leberry syrup, icecream,and handpicked huckleberries (and huck- as number ofsmall-batch distilleries—such keys andfinespirits, including grow. forMade Look inMontana whis- Darby tostatewide distributor small-batch dent craftbreweries, rangingfrom Montana ishometoover 50indepen- vibrant farm-to-tap brewing culture. LIBATIONS Glacier Distilling glacial fresh water fuelthestate’s ontana-grown maltedgrainand Bandit Brewing Company in Billings—continues to infusedwith local inMissoula. Andthe inCoramand Big Sky Glacier’s Trail- in 1/22/16 2:45 PM
LYNN DONALDSON DESSERT & CHEF, MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EXTERIOR DINING & BREWERY photo credit Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 21 1/22/16 2:45 PM CAN’T MISS EVENTS ONTANA IS AN ALL-SEASON celebration destination. Whenever and FALL (September to November)
wherever you visit, there’s sure to be a festival or fair happening nearby. Great Montana Sheep Drive, Here’s a seasonal sampling of Big Sky country’s best and brightest annual Reed Point, SEPTEMBER (stillwatercountychamber.com/about/ Mevents. For a complete listing and specific dates, go to visitmt.com. chamber-event-galleries/reed-point-sheep-drive)
Great Northwest Oktoberfest, Whitefish, SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER SPRING (March to May) Bannack Days, Bannack State Park, JULY (www.whitefishoktoberfest.com) (www.bannack.org/bannack_days.htm) Western Art Week, Great Falls, MARCH Ennis Hunters Feed, Ennis, OCTOBER (www.westernartweek.com) Montana State Fair, Great Falls, JULY (www.ennischamber.com/calendar.asp) (www.montanastatefair.com) Bucking Horse Sale, Miles City, MAY Tamarack Festival & Brewfest, (www.buckinghorsesale.com) Red Ants Pants Music Festival, Seeley Lake, OCTOBER White Sulphur Springs, JULY SUMMER (June to August) (redantspantsmusicfestival.com) Annual McIntosh Apple Day, Hamilton, OCTOBER Strawberry Festival, Billings, JUNE (downtown Evel Knievel Days, Butte, JULY (www.brvhsmuseum.org) billings.com/events/strawberry-festival) (evelknieveldays.org)
Little Bighorn Days, Hardin, JUNE Crow Fair Powwow Celebration, WINTER (December to February) Crow Agency, AUGUST Lewis and Clark Festival, Great Falls, JUNE (http://www.crow-nsn.gov/) Whitefish Winter Carnival and World (www.lewisandclarkfoundation.org) Skijoring Championships, Whitefish, MontanaFair, Billings, AUGUST JANUARY Fort Benton Summer Celebration, (www.montanafair.com) (whitefishwintercarnival.com, Fort Benton, JUNE www.whitefishskijoring.com) (www.fortbenton.com/sumcel) Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Western Music Montana Winter Fair, Montana Folk Festival, Butte, JULY Rendezvous, Lewistown, AUGUST, Lewistown, JANUARY (montanafolkfestival.com) (www.montanacowboypoetrygathering.com) (www.montanawinterfair.com)
Livingston Roundup Rodeo, Livingston, JULY Western Montana Fair, Missoula, AUGUST Wild West Winterfest, Bozeman, FEBRUARY (www.livingstonmontana.org/visiting/ (www.missoulafairgrounds.com/ (www.bozemannet.com/events/ livingston_roundup.html) western-montana-fair) wild_west_winterfest.php) MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
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Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 22 1/22/16 2:45 PM PLANNING YOUR TRIP If you aren’t already driving to Montana, rental vehicles are available once you arrive. For those adventures on back roads and gravel, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended. Direct flights are available from several U.S. cities, and Amtrak’s Empire Builder (www.amtrak.com) runs between Chicago and Seattle, through the northern half of the state. For a list of airports and carriers, go to visitmt.com/airports
TRAVEL RESOURCES
Visit www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo/ to download MDT’s Travel Info mobile app.
WEATHER REPORTS Western Montana 406.721.3939 Central Montana 406.453.5469 Northeast Montana 406.228.9625 Southeast Montana 406.652.1916
24HOUR ROAD CONDITIONS Available Statewide 511 www.mdt511.com Emergency phone service available statewide 911
LEARN MORE
VISITMT.COM/TRAVELERRESOURCES
NATIONAL PARKS Top: Witness the wonder of Old Faithful during an evening visit to Yellowstone National Park. Glacier National Park Bottom: Go kayaking on Bowman Lake, Glacier National Park. Far left: See daredevil stunts at Evel 406.888.7800 Knievel Days in Butte. Left: Cheer on the cowboy skiers at the Whitefish Winter Yellowstone National Park Carnival’s signature skijoring event. 307.344.7381
SOCIAL MEDIA
FACEBOOK There’s no love button, so you’ll have to set- tle for “liking” Montana. www.facebook.com/visitmontana
TWITTER While we’re usually distracted by another kind of twitter (bird watching, anyone?) we keep our virtual tidbits updated, too. www.twitter.com/visitmontana
INSTAGRAM Follow us on Instagram for a constant stream of photos guaranteed to make you pine for your next Montana trip. www.instagram.com/visitmontana
TUMBLR Share your favorite #MontanaMoment to inspire others or browse the photo gallery to kick o® your next adventure. www.montanamoment.tumblr.com
ONLINE RESOURCES
An encyclopedic, user-friendly resource for trip ideas and general wanderlust. Here, you’ll find a wealth of varied information— motorcycle route ideas, a compilation of powwows, craft breweries, wineries, ghost town rundowns, and just about anything else you can think of.
JACOB W. FRANK OLD FAITHFUL, CHUCK HANEY KAYAKING HANEY CHUCK FAITHFUL, OLD FRANK W. JACOB VISITMT.COM
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Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 23 1/22/16 2:45 PM Absaroka Mountains outside of Livingston, MT
VISITMT.COM
Montana Drives_REPRINT_FINAL.indd 24 1/22/16 2:45 PM