Welcome Back, Wildlife
Spring offers a return of wildlife activity in Montana, spanning from Yellowstone National Park’s baby bison born each May to Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge’s sharp-tailed grouse dance in the late spring. At the end of March, thousands of snow geese make their annual migration toFreezeout Lake in Central Montana. You can track the migration using Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks online migration tracker.
Once-in-a-lifetime Scenic Drives are Back Online
Road trips and logging quality “windshield time” are a key part of the Montana experience, and when you have snowcapped mountains in the background, it’s a sight to behold. Here in Montana, you have the chance to explore some of the most scenic roads in the United States, like the Seeley-Swan Scenic Drive, located between the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Mission Mountains. Another scenic drive is along the Hi-Line (Highway 2) in Northern Montana, which blossoms with wildflowers in late spring and early summer. If train travel is more your speed, book a ticket on Amtrak’s Empire Builder Route and explore small towns along the Hi-Line like Glasgow, Malta, Havre and Shelby. Lastly, the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway is one of Montana’s hidden-gem drives that features views of the Pioneer Mountain Range and Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Make a pit stop to fly-fish for trout in the Wise River, and you won’t be disappointed.
Late Spring and Summer Means Skiing at This Montana Mountain
For avid skiers looking to log runs during all months of the year, the Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area is Montana’s only summer skiing destination. The ski area is home to two high-speed platter lifts that provide access to 600 acres of terrain varying in pitch from 15 to 50 degrees. Weather permitting, the ski area is typically open from late May through August. Other popular late-season skiing options include Lookout Pass Ski & Recreation Area (open through April 13), Red Lodge Mountain (open through April 13) Whitefish Mountain Resort (open through April 6) and Big Sky Resort (open through April 27).
Celebrating 20 Years of Montana’s Dinosaur Trail
For 20 years, the Montana Dinosaur Trail has helped visitors interact with the past and learn about the incredible dinosaurs that once roamed this part of the country. Featuring 14 different locations ranging from award-winning museums to interpretive centers and even active digsites, the trail gives visitors the opportunity to view dinosaur remains up close and with the backdrop of Montana’s scenic landscapes. This past year, a new dinosaur species was identified in Montana, and dinosaur nesting grounds near Choteau were recently named an International Geoheritage Site.
National Parks Are Better in the Spring, Just Pack a Bike!
While many people have heard of Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road, very few have conquered the scenic drive by two wheels. Every spring, the park begins plowing snow from the road and opens bike-only access to the roadway. While seasoned cyclists can conquer the steep climb, e-bikes have become a popular option for less-experienced riders. Companies like Glacier Outfitters and Glacier Guides offer seasonal rentals for travelers. Yellowstone National Park also opens select roads to bike-only travel, which usually lasts a few weeks in early April. Enjoy views of snowy, geothermal features with the backdrop of bison on the hillside as you pedal through the park.
Celebrate Western Art and Local Artists This Spring
Montana has a rich history of helping some of the best artists launch their careers, while also creating opportunities for new artists to showcase their work. Popular art festivals and shows around the state include Western Art Week in Great Falls, Artists Along the Bitterroot in the Bitterroot Valley, Yellowstone Art Museum’s Summer Fair in Billings, Livingston’s weekly summer Art Walks, the Uptown Butte Art Walk and the Spring Art Walk in Helena.
Montana’s Wildflower Season Is Almost Here: What to Know
When the snow melts and the sun shines, Montana’s wildflowers blossom, providing everyone with an added bonus when spending time outside. We reached out to Forest Service leaders to get their recommendations on the best locations and viewing times.
●The Gravelly Mountain Range, near Ennis, is a great place to see wildflowers, and the area features large displays of Old-Man-of-the-Mountain, sky pilot, low larkspur and shooting star. The Gravelly Range Road opens on July 1, and blooming wildflowers can generally be seen around that time. This road is a great choice for those seeking the beauty of wildflowers without getting off the beaten path.
●Goat Flat in the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, and many of the high alpine lakes nearby, often have incredible displays of wildflowers, which can generally be seen in late July and early August.
●The Highwood Mountains, near Great falls, are a great spot to visit in late May through early July for wildflowers and incredible hiking access.
●Willow Creek Trail, near Augusta, offers wonderful views of wildflowers with the backdrop of the Bob Marshall Wilderness. Plan a visit in July for the best chances to see peak wildflowers.
●Mount Aeneas, and the surrounding lakes, typically have wildflowers blooming from mid-June through early August.
●Try hiking to Finger Lake to see a variety of habitats and bench-like areas, which are excellent for flowers. It’s a short hike with just a few small grunts of exertion, concluding at the lake as a nice reward for the effort.
As always, be aware of grizzly bears. Once bears emerge from their dens, they are often drawn to spring wildflower habitat. Always bring bear spray, hike in groups, make noise and review bear safety practices before starting your hike. If you’re looking to learn how to identify wildflowers, use this free guide.
Keep Paddling and Hold On Tight: Rafting Returns to Montana This Spring
Every spring, Montana’s rivers come alive as the snow melts from the mountains. The increased flows provide world-class rafting in places like Gardiner (Yellowstone River), Columbia Falls (North and Middle forks of the Flathead River), Superior (Clark Fork River) and Libby (Kootenai River). Be sure to go with a guided outfitter to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience.
Montana’s Mountain Biking Cities You’ve Never Heard of Before
As the sport of mountain biking continues to grow in popularity across the country, many of Montana’s small towns are developing trails and infrastructure to improve access for riders. The International Mountain Bicycling Association named Helena a silver-level destination, Butte continues to create new trails near the city and new bike parks have opened across the state, such as the Legacy Bike Park in Lakeside, Discovery Bike Park in Philipsburg and Marshall Mountain in Missoula. For laid-back riders, head to Makoshika State Park for mellow trails around striking badland formations.
An Angler’s Dream Destination: Fort Peck Lake + Missouri River
Home to the state-record small mouth bass and more than 1,520 miles of shoreline (longer than the California coast), Fort Peck Lake in Montana’s Missouri River Country is an angler’s paradise. The fishery comes alive in the spring, when both traditional and fly anglers flock to the lake to catch walleye and smallmouth bass. No stop to Fort Peck Lake is complete without visiting the Fort Peck Marina for food and fishing tackle. Another popular spring fishing destination is the Missouri River—fondly referred to as the“Mighty Mo”—where it flows near the town of Craig. Starting at the end of April and in early June, prolific Caddis hatches occur below Holter Dam, providing anglers with the chance to land a trophy trout on a tiny dry fly.
Experience Montana’s Fall Colors by Train with Amtrak’s Empire Builder Route
Spanning from Chicago to Seattle, Amtrak’s Empire Builder is the ultimate fall train trip to watch Montana’s landscape transition from rolling prairies to scenic mountain ranges as they turn to gold when the cooler weather arrives in late September and early October.
Trade the heat and humidity in the Midwest and explore Montana’s small towns and incredible views found in the northern part of the state. No ride through Montana is complete without a stop in one of the small towns along the way.
Small Town Chefs Making a Big Name
Ever heard of Livingston or Fishtail, Montana, before? With populations of 8,790 and 478 people respectively, these small towns in South-Central Montana aren’t on many people's radar. But if you're a food enthusiast, you'll want to make a trip to taste the unique, local flavors being prepared by Montana chefs gaining national attention at Campione in Livingston and MontAsia in Fishtail. Campione chef Joshua Adams and MontAsia chef Lee Johnson were named semifinalists for the prestigious James Beard awards for Best Chef from the Mountain region earlier this year. And in 2023, the James Beard award committee included the Backporch– a barbecue spot located in the small, historic town of Roundup (population: 1,916)– on its list of nominees for best new restaurant.
85 Years of Montana State Parks: 55 Options to Choose From
Montana State Parks is celebrating its 85th anniversary this year, making it a perfect time tovisit. Here are some of our favorites:
Makoshika State Park. Makoshika is the largest state parkin Montana (11,538 acres)and home to balands and dinosaur fossils. Starting this summer, visitors can stay in yurts on the property for a glamping experience under some of the darkest skies in theworld.
Sluice Boxes State Park. Hike along limestone cliffs, follow trails that historically served as mining routes for gold prospectors and explore old cabin remains where mining families used to live and work.
Missouri Headwaters State Park. Camp where Lewis and Clark stayed in 1805 during their cross-country trek and soak in the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin Rivers—where the Missouri River begins.
Tower Rock State Park. View the breathtaking 424-foot-high rock formation used as a landmark by many Native American tribes and noted in the journal of Capt. Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis & Clark Expedition.
Celebrating the Spaces In Between (Montana’s National Parks)
Look, we also love Glacier and Yellowstone, but what travelers often overlook are the hundreds of miles of untouched wilderness and outdoor recreation in between these more oft-visited parks, especially during the shoulder season in the fall.
Start at the less crowded East Glacier entrance (book an interpretive tour with Sun Tours, led byresidents of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation) and then head south to explore the Bob Marshall Wilderness (the third-largest wilderness area in the lower 48 states).
Make a pit stop in Craig (only 39 permanent residents but home to five fly shops, a new breweryand coffee shop) for world-class fly fishing on the Missouri River, and then head south to Dillon for more adventure and a world-class steak dinner at local favorite the Den.
King Salmon and Bugling Elk: Fall in Montana’s Missouri River Country
When the leaves start to turn in Montana’s Missouri River Country, anglers, hunters and wildlife enthusiasts flock to the wilderness areas in and around Fort Peck Lake to marvel at elk and test their luck catching Chinook salmon, both of which become most prevalent this time of the year. Start your wildlife excursion in the small towns of Zortman, Fort Peck or Glasgow and book a guided wilderness tour with an outfitter like Redbone. Be sure to plan a stop to Slippery Ann Wildlife Viewing Area for the best chance to see bugling elk.
Where the Bison Roam: Bison Range
If connecting with nature and some of our country’s most iconic wildlife is a focal point of your travel, then exploring the 18,500 acres of wildlife conservation land found in the Bison Range is your ticket. Managed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT), the range is home to 350 bison in addition to elk, deer, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, bears and more than 200 species of birds. Visitors can navigate the range by foot on a series of nature trails or by two different wildlife drives:
1.Prairie Drive (open year-round)
2.Red Sleep Mountain Drive (open mid-May to Mid-October, weather permitting).
Each season brings different wildlife encounters. In late summer, plan to get out early to beat the heat and spot deer and elk calves, bighorn sheep and rams or bears hunting for berries. When the temperatures drop in the fall, you can encounter bugling and sparring elk with a backdrop of golden aspens. Stop by the visitor’s center for your day-use access pass. Just remember to bring bear spray and keep a safe distance when viewing wildlife.
Cold Smoke in the Rockies
Montana’s Rocky Mountains welcome hundreds of inches of snow per year. Known for its light, airy quality as it follows skiers and snowboarders during a fresh powder run, Montana’s signature cold smoke powder is a favorite among downhill lovers. Local favorites like Lookout Pass, Lost Trail Powder Mountain, Bridger Bowl and Turner Mountain are known for deep and dry stores of this type of snow.
Plan the Perfect Family Getaway to Big Sky Country’s World-Class Ski Resorts and More
While many people gravitate toward warm destinations and beaches for spring break, here in Montana, we tend to think that spring break is best spent playing in a snow-covered winter wonderland, enjoying adventures from downhill skiing and snowboarding, to exploring our two national parks and charming towns. Springtime is when the landscape itself comes alive with rushing rivers from mountain runoff, meadows and hillsides awash with wildflowers, fertile green hues and emerging wildlife. The days get longer, and the temperatures begin to warm up. We ski well into the spring here—surfing the soft snow and celebrating a winter well-played.
Find Your Perfect Romantic Weekend Getaway in Montana
There are a few destinations that conjure up feelings of coziness and romance, and if it’s not already, Montana should be at the top of the list. From snow-covered landscapes to horse-drawn sleigh rides and quaint mountain cabins, to guest ranches and candlelit dinners, the opportunities for romance are endless. During the winter season, several of Montana’s guest ranches, resorts and lodges are transformed into intimate winter retreats that are ideal for couples looking to travel for a Valentine’s Day getaway, long weekend away and more.