Five Amazing Day Trips: Montana

The outdoor playground of Montana has some of the most stunning landscapes in the United States, featuring beautiful mountains, wild rivers, and endless prairies. With every season comes new opportunities for outdoor adventures, from world-class fishing excursions in the late spring to a weekend of winter activities at Big Sky Country Resort. The western portion of Montana is well traveled during the summer months as millions of people head towards both Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. The entire state is full of hidden gems— unique historic sites, all-inclusive ranches, and amazing small towns filled with unique shops and galleries. For two of the most scenic drives in the United States, look no further than the Beartooth Highway and the Going-to-the-Sun Road. To experience the small city life in Montana, Bozeman is the perfect spot to find a boutique luxury hotel, local brewery or distillery, and to taste the local cuisine. Our day trips take you from Missoula and showcase a few of the fantastic nearby destinations.

Bigfork (Parks & Recreation)

Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater lake (by surface area) west of the Mississippi. The 100-mile drive north from Missoula to Bigfork takes you through cherry orchards and the Flathead National Forest. The lake’s 188 square miles of crystal-clear water and tree-lined shores offer unlimited recreational opportunities. There are six units of Flathead Lake State Park scattered at various points along the shore with sites for picnics, boating, sailing, fishing, camping, and swimming. The best way to enjoy the park is on the water, to explore the many islands that are home to hundreds of species of birds and larger wildlife, including deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes, and bears. Due to the size of the lake and the ever-changing weather, book a guided kayak experience. Sea Me Paddle offers a variety of paddling adventures, ranging from two-hour family tours to full-moon tours.

Charlo (Parks & Recreation)

The National Bison Range, located 50 miles north of Missoula, is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Originally established in 1908, it is one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the nation. Today the best way to see the 250-300 bison in the refuge is a scenic drive along the 19-mile loop road— expect to be in the car for about two hours. The reserve is also home to elk, white-tailed and mule deer, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, black bear, and coyote. Your experience in the refuge will vary by season, with beautiful wildflowers popping up in the spring, wildlife exploring the grasslands looking for berries during the late summer months, and the peacefulness after the first snow. With surprises around every corner, the Bison Range is a fantastic place for wildlife observation and photography.

Deer Lodge (Museums & Attractions)

The Old Montana Prison Museum, located 80 miles east of Missoula, houses five unique museums in its historic walls. The complex includes the Old Montana Prison, Powell County Museum, Frontier Montana Museum, Yesterday’s Playthings, and the Montana Auto Museum. Visitors to the museum can take self-guided tours through several of the prison’s buildings, including the Cell House, the slide-bar cells, and the chilling maximum-security Black Box. See what it was like to spend time within the stone towers and iron gates. The Frontier Museum and the Powell County Museum will transport you back to the era of cowboys and the Old West. The Montana Auto Museum features over 120 vintage vehicles, and Yesterday’s Playthings is Montana’s foremost doll and toy museum.

Helena (Museums & Attractions)

Located 120 miles east of Missoula, Helena is the capital of Montana. The picturesque city began as a gold camp during the Montana gold rush in 1864. In the 1800’s, more millionaires lived there than any other city in the country! Start your day at Montana’s Museum to get a glimpse into the state’s rich past through a number of excellently curated exhibits. Don’t miss the Mackay Gallery of Russell Art, where 80 pieces of original art from famed “cowboy artist” Charles M. Russell are on display. After your visit to the museum, head across the street to the State Capitol Building. You can explore the Capitol on your own with a self-guided tour booklet and a scavenger hunt for the kids. The final stop is the Original Governor’s Mansion, a Queen Anne style mansion built in 1888. Between 1913 and 1959, it was home to nine Montana governors and their families. The one-hour tour is full of stories and information about the people who lived there.

Phillipsburg (Tours & Experiences)

Find your own sapphire gemstones at Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine, located about 75 miles southeast of Missoula. The mine is one of the world’s largest and oldest sapphire deposits. This day trip will not require any heavy lifting to find an impressive gemstone, they make the work easy for you by digging up the dirt and washing it free of large rocks. Purchase a gravel bucket and sift through the contents to try your hand at mining. Thousands of sapphires are discovered by visitors every year, and, if you are one of the lucky ones, they will evaluate their quality for you for a small fee. There’s even an onsite heat-treating facility to enhance the color and clarity of the highest quality gems!