14 Detour-Worthy Things to Do in Montana on a Road Trip

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Montana might not be the first state that comes to mind when considering an epic American road trip, but this huge state should be on your travel radar.

Having visited over 65 countries, I often say Mongolia is my favorite. Swap the nomadic tribes with cowboys and the sheep for bison, and Montana’s grassland steppe is the closest you’ll find to one of the least visited places in the world.

After falling in love when volunteering on a ranch in this wonderful state as a teenager, I make sure to route all my road trips through the Rockies to see more of it. Here are the best things to do in Montana that deserve a detour.

Drive the Going-to-the-Sun Road Through Glacier National Park

All the way in northwestern Montana, Glacier National Park is often referred to as the “Crown of the Continent.” Spanning over a million acres, everywhere you look, there are snow-capped mountaintops with flowing glacial waters so clear you just want to take a sip.

Only open for a few months in the peak of summer, Going-to-the-Sun Road is a 50-mile stretch you must add to your itinerary. Giant jagged peaks, roaring waterfalls, and green valleys greet you at every turn. Stop at Logan Pass, the highest point on the road at over 6,600 feet, and splash past the Weeping Wall.

The opening dates for this scenic road vary annually based on snow conditions and snowplow progress.

Everything About Yellowstone National Park

Only about 3% of Yellowstone National Park is in Montana, but it surprisingly has three of the park’s five entrances. Established in 1872 as the first national park in the US, it spans three states with over 10,000 hot springs and geysers.

Enter from Gardiner on the north side for a quieter entrance to see bison – often causing traffic jams – before reaching Mammoth Hot Springs. The west entrance is used to tour Yellowstone from Bozeman, one of the bigger cities in this part of the state.

You absolutely can’t skip the giant, rainbow-colored Grand Prismatic Spring or Old Faithful. The park‘s iconic geyser has been shooting water up to 185 feet in the air every 90 minutes like clockwork for centuries.

I spent four days driving the figure-eight loop and plan to return with my mom, who isn’t even a fan of the outdoors.

Swinging Bridge of Kootenai Falls

I discovered the beauty of Kootenai Falls by accident. Sometimes, typing “attractions near me” on Google Maps does pay off.

Just west of Libby, a 210-foot-long, slightly nerve-wracking suspension bridge sways gently above the roaring Kootenai River. The longest such footbridge in the state, the bridge gives you a bird’s-eye view of one of Montana‘s most powerful waterfalls.

As you walk across, you can feel it swaying beneath your feet. It’s a somewhat stressful experience if it’s your first time crossing something that’s not exactly anchored to solid ground. However, it’s completely safe as it is built with sturdy steel cables and wooden planks.

See the Wild Horses on Flathead Lake

Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. As beautiful as the crystal-clear waters of the lake are, what’s more impressive is the sight of wild horses galloping freely, their manes flowing in the wind along the shore.

Wild Horse Island is a 2,160-acre state park right in the middle of the lake. Although they are not always visible, you can take a boat tour to the island to try your luck searching for the horses in their natural habitat.

Carve Down Big Sky Resort

The name Big Sky Resort had been embedded in me since I first learned to ski in 4th grade when my teacher spoke about its expansive slopes. Without knowing its reputation then, I always glorified it as one of the best in the nation. It certainly did not disappoint.

Known as the “Biggest Skiing in America,” my grade school teacher was not wrong, as the resort has over 5,800 skiable acres and 4,350 feet of vertical drop.

On clear days, you can spot winter wildlife all the way in Yellowstone from the Lone Peak Tram. For those who don’t love snowsports as much as I do, the resort also offers snowshoeing, zip-lining, and dog sledding.

Traverse the Beartooth Highway

Connecting 68 miles from Red Lodge to the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park, the Beartooth Highway is often hailed as one of the most beautiful drives in America. The scenery on either side of this highway is how I picture America to be before it was “discovered.”

The highway climbs to over 10,000 feet, so you’re practically driving among the clouds. The panoramic views of the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains will make you want to stop every few minutes to snap a photo.

Boat Tour Through the Gates of the Mountains

At the Gates of the Mountains, grand limestone cliffs rise dramatically on either side of the Missouri River, creating a narrow passage that Meriwether Lewis himself named during his famous expedition. Today, you can take a boat tour through these very same “gates.”

As you glide along the water, see bald eagles soar overhead and bighorn sheep perched precariously on the rocky ledges. One of the highlights is Mann Gulch, the site of a tragic wildfire in 1949 that claimed the lives of 13 firefighters.

Admire the Great Falls

While dams now harness their power, Great Falls is named after the series of five waterfalls that once roared along the Missouri River. Lewis and Clark came upon these falls during their expedition, and they were a major obstacle in their journey. You can learn more about their epic route at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

Many people bike or walk along the nearby River’s Edge Trail for incredible views of the river and the falls. You can stroll all the way to the Rainbow Dam and Ryan Dam, which is the closest you can get to the thundering power of the falls.

Nearby, head to Giant Springs State Park to see one of the largest freshwater springs in the country. It produces over 156 million gallons of water each day!

Gain Peace at the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas

Tucked away in the Jocko Valley, the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas is a hidden sanctuary of spirituality. I bet you didn’t imagine a list of things to do in Montana to include a thousand beautifully crafted Buddha statues and the sound of prayer flags flapping in the breeze.

Spread across 10 acres, the garden is arranged in the shape of a giant lotus flower, with Yum Chenmo, the “Great Mother” of Tibetan Buddhism, as the central figure. Once in a while, the garden hosts cultural events, which often include traditional Tibetan music and teachings.

Descend Into the Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park

Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park is a subterranean world of limestone formations, winding tunnels, and chambers. These caverns are some of the largest and most elaborate in the Northwest, with stalactites, stalagmites, and helictites decorating the ceilings and floors.

The guided tour descends deep into the caverns through highlights like the massive Paradise Room. Aboveground, continue your exploration on the scenic trails, hiking through the juniper-studded hills of the Jefferson River Valley.

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

You might recall the Battle of the Little Bighorn from your high school history textbooks as the location of one of the most infamous battles in American history. This is the site of Custer’s Last Stand, where in 1876, the 7th Cavalry Regiment led by General George Custer faced off against the combined forces of the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes.

Today, the site commemorates both sides of the conflict with markers and memorials. Fields of rolling plains are marked by a solemn obelisk surrounded by white marble gravestones. The nearby Indian Memorial honors the Native American warriors who fought to protect their way of life.

Learn of Montana’s Gold Rush Past

Montana’s Gold Rush days might be long gone, but the spirit of that era lives on in the state’s historic ghost towns. The remnants of these once-thriving communities give a sense of what life was like during the gold rush boom.

Bannack State Park was once Montana‘s first territorial capital, a busy mining town now eerily silent. Walk down its deserted streets to see over 60 preserved buildings, including the old schoolhouse, hotel, and Masonic Hall.

Not far away, Virginia City and Nevada City showcase the past with reenactors, stagecoach rides, and even a functioning blacksmith shop. Garnet Ghost Town is another one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the state.

Experience a Dude Ranch

If you’ve ever dreamed of living the cowboy life, Montana’s dude ranches are where those dreams can come true, at least for a few days. Saddle up to ride through open prairies just like in the movies. At one of these ranches, I snowshoed for the first time and learned that electric cattle fences can really shock you.

You’ll experience the authentic ranching lifestyle at a dude ranch, from herding cattle to learning how to rope like a pro. Many ranches offer all-inclusive stays, so you’ll be well-fed with hearty, home-cooked meals for all the horseback riding, fishing, and hiking activities you’ll be doing.

Some of the most famous dude ranches in Montana, like The Resort at Paws Up or Triple Creek Ranch, even throw in a bit of luxury with glamping tents and spa treatments.

Safely See Bison and Other Large Mammals

Impressively large wildlife live in Montana’s wide-open spaces, and there are many places where they will walk right alongside your car. Aside from the entirety of Yellowstone, the National Bison Range has over 18,000 acres of rolling hills where bison roam free. The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone is a place to safely observe Montana’s top predators without any risk.

No matter how cute and fuzzy they might look, keep your distance. Bison can run up to 35 miles per hour and have no problem charging if they feel threatened. Every year, stories come out of Yellowstone of ‘tourons’ who thought petting a bison or getting too close for the perfect selfie would be a good idea. The same goes for any other large mammals you may encounter.

This article originally appeared on Travel Binger.