Every year, for the past few years (we took a hiatus in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-to), we take a family trip in the U.S. For this year’s trip, we read a few articles on the best places to visit in Montana and knew this was the place for us. From the mountains, plains, national parks, lakes, and hiking trails, Montana is an outdoor paradise.
Previous editions of our family trip included Lake Tahoe, Nevada + Napa Valley, California, and Grand Canyon National Park + Sedona, Arizona. Future pandemics pending, these are trips we hope to take every year to explore what the U.S. has to offer.
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Best Credit Cards for these Best Places to Visit in Montana
While normally the Citi Premier Card would be part of this list, we can no longer ignore the noise Capital One is making with Venturelike the Capital One Venture X. It’s impressive what Capital One has done in the past 24 months with its credit card rewards program. One could argue Capital One has had the most innovation over these last two years.
When experiencing these best places to visit in Montana, the Amex Gold Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred, and Capital One Venture X all offer excellent options. The Amex Card Card earns 4X points on restaurants and U.S. grocery stores. You earn 2X points on travel and 3x points on dining with the Chase Sapphire Preferred. The Capital One Venture X earns 2X points on all purchases.
When is the best time to visit Montana?
June to September is when it likely makes the most sense to visit Montana. The highs range from 72-83 and the lows range from 41 to 50 degrees.
We visited in late June through early July. The weather could not have been more perfect. Think 50’s and crisp when you wake up and go to sleep, and the highs tipping out in the upper 70s during the day. No humidity plus these temps are the type of weather we can all get behind in the summer.
How to Fly to Montana
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) is one of the larger airports in the state. This is the airport we flew into to access Paradise Valley, Montana, and Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming.
Examples of nonstop flights on major US airlines to these airports include:
- Bozeman <>Los Angeles, Portland (OR), Seattle/Tacoma – Alaska Airlines
- Bozeman <> Las Vegas, Nashville, Phoenix/Mesa – Allegiant Air
- Bozeman <> Dallas/Fort Worth – American Airlines
- Bozeman <> Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City – Delta Air Lines
- Bozeman <> Denver, Las Vegas – Southwest Airlines
- Bozeman <> Chicago–O’Hare, Denver, Los Angeles, San Francisco – United Airlines
Best Places to Stay in Montana
Hilton, IHG, and Marriott have decent coverage in terms of hotels in Montana’s larger cities. The closest major city to where we stayed was Bozeman. So, if you need a place to stay in Bozeman check out Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman.
For our group of eight, an Airbnb makes the most sense nearly all of the time. Plus, staying in an Airbnb with a large group is a great time. We stayed at Wesley’s Yellowstone & Montana Family Getaway in Emigrant, Montana. This Airbnb was outstanding. Its location was A+, the amenities were solid, and the views were out of this world good.
Best Restaurants in Montana
Southwest Montana, outside of Bozeman, is fairly remote. So, the food and drink options are somewhat limited. Ashlee and I flew in early and checked out Wild Crumb and Treeline Coffee Roasters for breakfast. We then met my sister and her husband at Gil’s Goods for lunch followed by our group of eight enjoying a tasty dinner at The Fireside Room at Sage Lodge. On days two and three we had dinner at The Old Saloon and Follow Yer’ Nose BBQ respectively. Ashlee and I grabbed breakfast on day three at Wild Flour Bakery & Cafe followed by dinner with our entire group at Murray Bar.
Here Are the 2022 James Beard Awards Restaurant and Chef Semifinalists [Updated] is a resource we utilized when looking for places to eat and drink. In addition, a friend of mine, who travels to this area regularly, provided most of the outstanding recommendations listed above.
Best Places to Visit in Montana
Day 1 of Montana
After making the drive from the Bozeman Airport (BZN), grab a coffee at Treeline Coffee Roasters to accompany your breakfast from Wild Crumb. Check into your hotel or Airbnb, regroup, and then head to Sage Lodge for cocktails (try the huckleberry margarita) overlooking the mountains before dinner at The Fireside Room.
Day 2 of Montana
With coffee in hand, hike Pine Creek Falls and enjoy the waterfall at the end of the 1.3-mile trail! After you snag lunch, head to Rubber Ducky River Rentals for one of the most scenic and relaxing floats on earth along the Yellowstone River. Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa is your next activity where you’ll soak in the pool heated by a hot spring while enjoying your beverage of choice. Dinner at The Old Saloon followed by live music on their amphitheater is a must.
Day 3 of Montana/Wyoming
If you have more than 48 hours, make the drive to Yellowstone National Park. Normally, the Yellowstone National Park North Entrance is open. However, historic flooding in the area required us to enter from the West Entrance. Check out Fountain Paint Pot and Old Faithful (this is one and done for us) before stopping for a lunch overlooking Yellowstone Lake between West Thumb Geyser Basin and Bridge Bay. After lunch, follow the Yellowstone River north to Canyon Village to see the Upper and Lower Falls. If you are out of gas in the tank, make the trek back home while you talk about the bison, elk, wolves (fingers crossed), and bears you saw along the way.
Day 4 of Montana
Flying Diamond Guide Services is a superb way to start your fourth day. The Davis family, cattle ranchers for 4 generations in Paradise Valley for 50 years, will lead you on a breath-taking 2-2.5 hour horseback ride through the mountains. When your horseback riding adventure concludes, head to Murray Bar for pizza from Gil’s Goods and then call it a trip.
Best Places to Visit in Montana FAQs
What is the prettiest place in Montana?
Lake McDonald, Gates of the Mountains Wildnerness, The Whitefish Range, Logan Pass, and Makoshika State Park are a few of the places that make this list.
What is the best town to visit in Montana?
Helena, Flathead Lake, Great Falls, Philipsburg and Anaconda, Livingston, Virginia City, and
Billings per this article.
What is the number one attraction in Montana?
Glacier National Park per this list.
What is the most beautiful town in Montana?
Bozeman according to this list. It’s hard to argue when you’re walking down the streets of downtown Bozeman.
Conclusion on Best Places to Visit in Montana
Our family had a blast on our third edition of a family trip. Previous trips included Lake Tahoe, Nevada + Napa Valley, California, and Grand Canyon National Park + Sedona, Arizona. For this trip to Montana/Wyoming, visiting during the summer months can be the way to go. When you decide to make the trip, Bozeman Airpot (BZN) is easy to fly into and Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman is one of the few points hotels in the area. However, you’re likely wanting to get to the outdoors, in which case the Airbnb we booked is an excellent option.
What do you think are the best places to visit in Montana? Please let me know in the comments or by sending me an email on my contact page.
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