National Bison Range
Visit one of the few places left on the continent where the bison still roam freely. On the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana, the National Bison Range conserves the habitat for around 300 of North America’s largest mammals, a species that nearly went extinct in the late 1800s. Under the stewardship of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the nature refuge gives wildlife watchers and photographers opportunities to spot these majestic creatures up close.
Glacier National Park
If your mental image of Montana has magnificent snowy peaks and pristine evergreen forests, then you’re probably picturing Glacier National Park — an expansive wilderness area in the northern Rocky Mountains. It’s a top destination for outdoor recreation, with 762 alpine lakes and more than 700 miles of trails to explore. The seasonal Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses the park from east to west, lined with scenic viewpoints.
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
Hikers trace the continental divide several hundred miles through western Montana, where you can step between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans’ watersheds. The epic long-distance trail cuts across multiple scenic areas, including the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Lewis and Clark National Forest. Akin to the Appalachian and Pacific Crest trails, the Continental Divide is a destination for backpackers, though its many access points make it easy to do day hikes.