Home to two major state parks and 54 smaller ones, Montana’s glaciers and geysers are one of its biggest draws. Filled with adventurous possibilities, the national parks are a backdrop to outdoor pursuits suitable for families, solo travelers, friends, and lovers alike. With one of the most diverse geographies of any state and one of the largest areas in sheer size, come see what all the fuss is about in “Big Sky Country.”
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone needs no explanation. The granddaddy of the US National Park system; it was the world’s first as well as one of the largest. One of the last, nearly intact, natural ecosystems in the Earth’s temperate zone, Yellowstone is home to 290 waterfalls, 300+ geysers, over 1,100 historic structures, 200+ species of birds, 950 miles of trekking trails, and 60+ different mammals, and it would take days to fully do this park justice. Catch Old Faithful erupting on the hour, hike to Mammoth Hot Springs, spot bears, bison and wolves, and stare deep into the Grand Canyon (no not that one, but a thundering dual waterfall twice as high as Niagara). Known as the American Serengeti, Lamar Valley is prime for picking out wildlife in their natural habitat.
Glacier National Park
A breathtaking nature area comprised of 26 glaciers, 70 species of mammals, 260 types of birds, and 700 miles of hiking trails, these 1,600 square miles of heaven straddle the line between Montana and Canada, known as the Crown of the Continent. Notable highlights include St. Mary Lake, Lake McDonald, Iceberg Lake Trail, and Garden Wall’s Highline Trail, but by far the most famous route is Going-to-the-Sun Road, a 50 mile road trip that twists and turns through the entire width of the park, crossing the Continental Divide at 6,646 feet at Logan Pass. The diversity in landscapes and wildlife is breathtaking, from large glacial lakes to cedar forests, alpine tundra and sweeping valleys.