What to Love About Montana:
A Guide for First-Time Visitors
They call Montana the “Treasure State” for a reason.
While that unofficial moniker harkens back to an era when 19th century prospectors flooded the state to mine its natural riches, Montana’s treasure trove includes more than just gold and gems. It also refers to everything from the splendors of the state’s natural beauty (think the Rocky Mountains, Yellowstone, and sweeping plains) to its rich history (the proud heritage of its Native American tribes and the memories of the colorful characters who made their Gold Rush mark) to the bucolic appeals of its charming, tightly knit towns.
It’s a state for both the thrill-seeking adventurer and the person who wants to just relax and escape city stress while sleeping under the stars of Big Sky country.
Montana is a place I’ve come to love from my time working here as a TV journalist. I’ve been drawn in by the natural splendors of this place whose wonders seem endless while experiencing welcoming communities who have been more than happy to let me in on their best kept local favorites. I’ve been made to feel right at home. Now, I want to share all of that with you. For those who are making your first trek to Montana, here’s a look at everything to love about the state and what will make you want to revisit it again and again.
Natural Beauty
Perhaps the most defining hallmark of Montana is its natural beauty. The majestic landscapes that dot the state are unmistakably iconic.
The Rocky Mountains, or ‘the Rockies’ for short, is a mountain range that extends all the way from Alberta and British Columbia in Canada down to New Mexico, an impressive 3,000-mile expanse. About 100 individual ranges comprise the Rocky Mountains, which include Montana’s Northern Rockies. The Rockies’ Front Route in the state makes up a total distance of 365 miles of uninterrupted, pristine beauty. It stretches from Glacier National Park and Yellowstone — more on those in just a bit. You’ll be able to do everything from dig for fossils to exploring the state capital, Helena, to retracing Lewis and Clark’s epic trail. For more information on the complete route, head to this guide, here.
While traversing the Rockies, your path will be bookended by two key parks — Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park.
At Glacier National Park, you’ll be able to view melting glaciers, valleys etched into the earth, and alpine meadows that transition from verdant greens to snow-dusted fields over the course of the year. This park boasts more than 700 miles of hiking trails dotted by lodges and cozy chalets. Perhaps the most popular route through the park is the 50-mile Going-to-the-Sun Road. Stops like the Apgar Village and Lake McDonald Lodge offer lodging and delicious bites, while 13 campgrounds are available along the trail. You also can’t go wrong by viewing the park’s unique wildlife, including grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats.
At the other end of the Rocky Mountain’s spine running down Montana is of course Yellowstone National Park. Situated in two additional states — Idaho and Wyoming — Yellowstone has the distinction of being the world’s first national park. Its 2.2 million acres of wild, unparalleled beauty features geothermal regions that house roughly one half of Earth’s geysers. The Yellowstone River snakes through the park, the last significant free-flowing river located in the lower 48 states.
For hikers, the state’s Fish, Wildlife, and Parks service offers a helpful guide to 10 popular trails. It should also come as no surprise that Montana offers up almost unparalleled skiing opportunities. There are 15 sites for serious skiing in the wintertime. Montana’s Office of Tourism has this comprehensive overview of where you’ll want to go for skiing, snowboarding, and relaxation at hot springs, including Big Sky Resort, Teton Pass Ski Resort, and the Blacktail Mountain Ski Area.
For birders, naturalists, and artists alike — there are countless opportunities to engage your creativity and stop and snap a photo. As you enjoy these natural sites, you’ll want to bring your professional photography equipment (or even just your smartphone!) and record your journey.
One big tip: If you’re going to visit one place for winter sports adventures and ultimate leisure, check out Big Sky Montana, which offers the chance to hit the slopes, take a walk through an Enchanted Forest, and indulge in some delicious fine dining.
Rich Culture and History
At the heart of Montana is the rich and varied history of the people who’ve lived here among its mountains and plains.
Indigenous Heritage: Native American tribes were the first communities to live in Montana. These included the Cheyenne, living in the southeast, the Crows in south central, the Kootenai and Salish people of the west, the Assiniboine, the Blackfeet, and Gros Ventres of central and north-central regions, the Kalispel tribe of the westernmost mountains, and the Pend d’Oreille of Flathead Lake.
The state’s Division of Indian Education and the Montana Office of Public Instruction reports on the important history and continued impact of the Native Americans who still call Montana home. Currently 12 American Indian tribes in the state are recognized as nations by the U.S., residing across seven reservations.
Gold Rush Towns: One of the most indelible historic images of Montana’s past is the Gold Rush — dreamers flooding the state to hit gold and strike rich. You can visit Virginia City and Nevada City for a glimpse into the past. Make a visit to the River of Gold Mining exhibit and gold panning experience, which is right smack between Virginia and Nevada Cities. Just look for the giant Mount Vernon Dredge right off the road.
In July 1863 hard rock gold was struck just eight miles away from Virginia City proper. Flash forward to that fall, and 10,000 people were in Alder Gulch and towns like Nevada City and Virginia City, forming what Montana’s official website calls “a nearly continuous settlement eleven miles long.”
Modern Day, Local Festival Favorites: The state is home to thriving communities that love to celebrate what makes them special. You can find everything from the annual Big Sky Country Fair in the summers, to Haunted Peaks Halloween Festival in the autumn, and a trip to cowboy country with the Bigfork Montana Rodeo.
Unique Culinary Scene
This one is for all the foodies out there. There are countless opportunities to partake in some delicious local cuisine.
It perhaps doesn’t get more ‘Montana’ than bison burgers. Recently the Food Network gave a big picture look at all the mouthwateringly delicious foods you’ll find in the state. Beyond bison, you’ll come across snacks made from Montana huckleberry — tasty flapjacks, homemade huckleberry syrup, and delectable Huckleberry swirls. You also can’t go wrong with steak made from local producers, while a twist on an American classic — the ‘Hootdog’ — offers a hotdog renamed with some local slang. It was coined by Rita Hofer, who serves her skewered hot dog (covered in boiling oil, and nestled in fry-bread dough) at the city of Lewiston’s popular Farmers Market.
Montana is known for its strong farm-to-table movement. Nonprofits like the Farm-To-Table Co-op bring local food to local markets throughout Eastern Montana and Western North Dakota. You’ll also encounter smaller efforts within towns and communities. For some examples, check out these top 10 farm-to-table options in the city of Bozeman, based on locals’ Yelp reviews.
Community Spirit
While Montana is a big state, local pride and neighborly connections matter. Got a flat tire? Someone will help. Looking for suggestions for things to do? Ask your neighbor.
At the same time, Montana is a place defined by its fierce independence. If you’re looking to decompress, the people here will give you space.
Small town charm is one of the things that brings Montana’s communities their enduring appeal. Take two examples — Livingston and Bozeman. If you visit one of these two towns, you’ll find closely connected communities where locals actually live.
Known as “L-Town,” Livingston grew from the railroads and, today, it’s a vibrant place to visit right alongside the Yellowstone River. It’s full of art galleries, golf courses, music venues, rodeos, theater, and, of course, plenty of outdoor recreational activities.
The fourth-largest city in the state, Bozeman historically has been home to numerous Native American communities - with tribes like the Sioux, Nez Perce, Blackfeet, Shoshone, Flathead, and Crow Nation traversing through the region known as the “Valley of Flowers.” In the 1860s, frontiersman John Bozeman started a route that branched off the Oregon Trail — the Bozeman Trail, which stretched through the Gallatin Valley, where modern-day Bozeman is found. Today, Bozeman is a hub for skiing, hiking, and fishing. Separately, the Big Sky Country State Fair, Gallatin County Fairgrounds, and Montana Shakespeare in the Parks bring a big dose of culture and fun when you aren't in nature.
Adventure and Freedom
Back in 2020, the Washington Post reported on a “property gold rush,” in which city dwellers fled metropolitan centers for the appeals of Montana. If you’re someone who feels bogged down by city life, Montana can offer a slower pace with one of the most beautiful natural backdrops imaginable.
There aren’t many other places where you can wake up on a Saturday morning and kayak down the Yellowstone River and then hit the town at night at a hip farm-to-table restaurant in downtown Livingston.
You can live a reality where the skies are the limit in Big Sky Country, embracing the personal freedom to live the life that makes the most sense to you.
Challenges Facing Montana
Montana has its challenges. The economy is growing, but so is the cost of living.
A recent article published in the Great Falls Tribune reports that the Montana Department of Labor and Industry reveals the state now ranks second in the nation. for fastest wage growth since 2020. That economic outlook is complicated by the fact that Montanans who earn the median wage can’t buy median-priced homes. A childcare worker shortage in the state also burdens young families.
Zooming in further, economic hardship disproportionately hits the state's American Indian reservations.
Another major challenge hitting Montana is climate change, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reporting that rising temperatures, draughts, and melting glaciers are playing a role in everything from wildfires to less fruitful crops to greater demands on water supplies.
The realities of a changing culture also are embedded in Montana’s story. No longer the state of prospectors, Montana boasts agriculture, forestry, energy production, and mining as its leading industries, but tourism has grown as a major highlight. Montanans are faced with the challenge to hold on to and preserve that special independent spirit in the face of growing tourist popularity.
Conclusion
Montana is a state I love. Whether the natural beauty of its state and national parks, the rich history of its indigenous communities and gold rush past, the delicious farm-to-table bites, or the independent spirit of its residents, there’s no place quite like it in the U.S.
Grab your hiking boots and skis, book a place to stay with a backdrop of mountains and expansive fields, and I hope you discover the treasures of this state for yourself.
Resources
Visit Montana — from Montana’s Office of Tourism: https://www.visitmt.com/
Visit Montana’s official guidebooks: https://www.visitmt.com/plan-your-trip/montana-guidebooks
Montana’s Official State Website: https://mt.gov/
Travel + Leisure’s guide to Montana: https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-guide/montana
Glacier National Park: https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm
Yellowstone National Park: https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm
Viator, from Tripadvisor — Things to do in Montana: https://www.viator.com/Montana/d22221
Montana Indians Their History and Location: https://opi.mt.gov/Portals/182/Page%20Files/Indian%20Education/Indian%20Education%20101/Montana%20Indians%20Their%20History%20and%20Location.pdf
About Sebastian
Sebastian Keitel discovered the beauty of Montana while serving as an Evening News Reporter and Multimedia Journalist for ABC FOX Montana. A freelance Play-by-Play Broadcaster, since 2023 he has rotated between play-by-play and color commentary positions with SWX Montana covering college and high school basketball, soccer, and volleyball. Learn more about him here.