Glacier National Park
America's crown jewel wilderness with 700+ miles of trails
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About Montana
Montana offers some of North America's most pristine wilderness alongside genuine Western heritage. Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road, the Beartooth Highway, Flathead Lake, and the Missouri River Breaks draw adventurers, while Billings, Bozeman, Missoula, and Great Falls offer vibrant arts scenes, craft breweries, and outstanding dining. The state sees far fewer visitors than neighboring Wyoming, making its parks and public lands feel genuinely remote.
- Capital
- Helena
- Largest city
- Billings
- Population
- 1.1 million
- Languages
- English
- Currency
- US Dollar
- Time zone
- Mountain Time (UTC-7/UTC-6 DST)
Explore Montana by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Montana
The 10 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
The most spectacular alpine highway in North America
Beartooth Highway
68 miles of switchbacks climbing to 10,947 feet
Little Bighorn Battlefield
Site of Custer's Last Stand and a deeply moving historic monument
Museum of the Rockies
World's greatest collection of dinosaur fossils in Bozeman
Big Sky Resort
Montana's premier four-season resort with 5,850 skiable acres and summer mountain biking
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Montana Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Montana, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Montana
- Days 1-2Montana city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Montana
- Days 1-3Montana comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Montana, departure
Where to stay in Montana
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget $75
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range $175
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury $500
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
The Resort at Paws Up
Check rates on Booking.comWhitefish Lake Lodge
Check rates on Booking.comBig Sky Resort — Summit Hotel
Check rates on Booking.comAverill's Flathead Lake Lodge
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Montana
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Blackbird Kitchen
Pearl Cafe
A small, chef-driven dining room in downtown Missoula that pairs French technique with Montana ingredients. The menu leans on classic sauce work and game meats rather than experimentation, and the space is quiet and low-lit, built for a slow multi-course meal rather than a quick bite.
Walkers American Grill and Tapas Bar
A downtown Billings steakhouse and tapas bar occupying a historic commercial building, splitting its menu between composed small plates at the bar and full steak dinners in the dining room. It draws on Montana beef and bison as the backbone of the menu rather than trying to be a general American grill.
Plonk Wine Bar
A narrow wine bar on Bozeman's Main Street focused on the glass pour and the charcuterie board rather than cooked entrees. The format is grazing and unhurried - cheese, cured meats, and small bites meant to go with a bottle rather than a full sit-down meal.
Chico Hot Springs Dining Room
The formal dining room of the historic Chico Hot Springs resort south of Livingston, built around Montana wild game and a wine list that has long outsized its rural setting. The room keeps a lodge feel - wood, white tablecloths - distinct from the resort's more casual saloon next door.
The Fieldhouse
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Getting around Montana
Montana is a driving state — distances are vast and public transit is minimal outside city centers. Renting a car is essential for most itineraries. Glacier Park International Airport (FCA), Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN), Missoula Montana Airport (MSO), and Billings Logan International (BIL) are the main gateways. Amtrak's Empire Builder crosses northern Montana daily.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in USD, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $35 | $120 | $350 |
| Food (per day) | $20 | $35 | $100 |
| Transportation | $10 | $30 | $60 |
| Activities | $10 | $25 | $75 |
| Daily total | $75 | $175 | $500 |
Best time to visit Montana
Weather through the year in United States
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for United States.
July–August for hiking and Glacier; September–October for fall colors and fewer crowds; December–March for skiing at Big Sky and Whitefish
Going-to-the-Sun Road typically opens fully mid-June and closes in mid-October. Winter visitors should note that some services close seasonally.
Essential travel tips
- Book Glacier NP vehicle reservations and campsites 6+ months in advance for summer visits
- Gas stations are scarce between towns — fill up whenever possible
- Montana observes Mountain Time (UTC-7 summer, UTC-8 winter)
- Tipping 18–20% is standard at restaurants
- No state income tax; sales tax is 0% — prices shown include no sales tax
Safety information
Carry bear spray and know how to use it in all backcountry areas
Check weather forecasts before mountain drives — conditions change rapidly
Wildlife is wild — maintain 100-yard distance from bears and wolves, 25 yards from bison
Cell service is absent across vast portions of the state; download offline maps
Drive carefully on mountain roads — wildlife crossings at dawn and dusk are common