Montana road trip

[Chuckanut]

I’ve driven through Montana many times. This year i want to go to Montana and stay there for a week or two. Other than Glacier NP for which I already have booked a three day stay, what other natural and historical sites can people recommend. I no longer bolder hop to the top of mountains, so hiking trails need to be fairly flat or gently sloped without a lot of obstacle to scurry over. And I don’t do snow. Recommendations appreciated.

 

[audreyh1]

We really enjoyed Missoula and a river day cruise in the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness near Helena.

 

[427Vette]

Ringing rocks is worth seeing.

 

[rodi]

The Flathead lake area is nice. Some boating, touristy resorts, but nice.

A nice level(ish) hike in Glacier Nat'l Park is to drive (dirt road) to Bowman Lake Campground. There's a trailhead that leaves south from the parking lot - and goes up around the lake. Very few people go there. As you go about 1/2 mile east you'll see a very rustic cabin and dock on the lake edge. That's where volunteer trail maintenance crews stay during summers. Or at least used to. My dad spent a summer, during college, living / working there. He described how cold the water was (snow melt) - but it was the only way to get clean.

 

[gcgang]

Virginia City is kind of cool/kitschy.

Butte has an interesting history and architecture. It was about the richest city in USA around 1900. And you can visit the Berkeley Pit and the headwaters of the Clark Fork River, the nations largest Superfund Site, and witness what environmental degradation really looks like.

If you’re in Glacier, Whitefish might be worth visiting. Lot of good restaurants.

 

[imjustawarrior]

When we went to Glacier, we stayed in Whitefish. One day we did a day trip up to Eureka, down Hwy 37, then west on Hwy 2. Just south of Hwy 2 is an old growth Cedar forest that was really cool. The hiking was easy. Along that route, you can make a stop at the following for a nice walk and great views.

Suspension Bridge (The River Wild 1994)

 

[Gumby]

Places I have been to and enjoyed: Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Pompey's Pillar National Monument, US Rte. 212 up over the Beartooth Pass.

 

[street]

Oh man you could spend a lot of time in the west. Some great attractions mentioned so far.

Museum of the Rockies

In the Bozeman area a lot of history to see. I love the area of Paradise Valley. The west entrance to Yellowstone Park is a beautiful ride through that long valley. I hunt in that area and there is a place tourist stop and watch grizzles come out and feed in an open field hunting grub etc.

West Yellowstone is a wonderful place to visit also. I would contact Montana Tourism and they will get you info on all the things to do and see in this beautiful part of Montana. I take it all for granted and don't take in much of it. I think that is how it works when you live the life everyday see the surrounds isn't a big deal.

So much to see and have a great plan will get you the most for your time.

 

[audreyh1]

Ha ha, I believe Chuckanut lives in the West (WA)!

Montana is a huge state. We crossed it following the Missouri River in our motorhome in 2006. It was a great trip!

There was a fantastic dinosaur museum in Glendale MT near the eastern border of MT.

But that’s quite far from Glacier NP.

 

[Gallaher]

Pompey’s Pillars national monument. Last site of original evidence of Lewis and Clark expedition. They carved their names in the sandstone
Still very legible.
Close to Billings.

 

[DrRoy]

When we went to Glacier NP we spent 10 days, including a visit to Waterton Lakes NP just over the border in Canada. It's a big park with lots to see.
+1 on Museum of the Rockies
Also enjoyed the state capital building in Helena

 

[wearefinishedworking]

Livingston is a cute little town where we stayed. From there, it is a beautiful drive south through Paradise Valley to the north entrance of Yellowstone NP in Gardiner. We also did a fun rafting trip on the Yellowstone right there in Gardiner. On an early spring visit we did the sled dog rides out of Chico Lodge which was so fun and memorable.

 

[Ronstar]

Sunrise from the Many Glacier Hotel.
Hike from Many Glacier to Grinnell Lake is awesome. And Fishercap Lake has several moose feeding late afternoons.

 

[HarveyS]

The Bear Tooth Pass outside of Red Lodge has spectacular scenery and will take you towards Yellowstone if you go far enough.

 

[Chuckanut]

Wow. Plenty of great tips. Thanks.