Montana: Big Sky Country

Montana State Sign

Montana is often called "Big Sky Country" due to its expansive vistas and wide-open spaces. I've barely been in Montana and we plan on going back to Montana to visit Glacier National Park. So this isn't the last you've heard from me about Montana. Basically, we were on a roadtrip from California to Wyoming and back. That trip we went to 9 states and 8 National Parks in the span of 9 days in an RV. We entered Montana in the bottom left corner as we were headed to visit Wyoming because my mom's cousin lived 20 minutes from the east gate of Yellowstone National Park. By accidentally going the wrong way we drove through Yellowstone to get to their house instead of driving around it and then having them show it to us for the first time. I loved Yellowstone but more on that in a later post.

Here's a few fun facts about Montana:

• Montana is one of the few states in the U.S. where you can find grizzly bears in the wild. They inhabit areas like Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

• Montana was known for having no daytime speed limit on certain roads until 1999 when the federal government mandated speed limits.

• Montana is a hotbed for dinosaur discoveries. The Hell Creek Formation in eastern Montana has yielded numerous fossils, including those of Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops.

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If you want to visit Montana, here's a list of possible things to see and do:

1. Glacier National Park: Known as the Crown of the Continent, this park boasts stunning landscapes, including glaciers, mountains, and lakes. Don't miss the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road for breathtaking views.

2. Yellowstone National Park: While the majority of Yellowstone lies in Wyoming, parts of it extend into Montana. You can witness geothermal wonders like Old Faithful, colorful hot springs, and diverse wildlife.

3. Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park: Explore underground wonders in this park, which features one of the largest limestone caverns in the Northwest.

4. Flathead Lake: Enjoy water activities like boating, fishing, or simply lounging on the shore of this picturesque lake, which is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the U.S.

5. Montana Ghost Towns: Explore the remnants of Montana's mining history by visiting ghost towns like Bannack and Garnet.

6. Big Sky Resort: Experience world-class skiing and snowboarding in the winter, or enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor activities in the summer.

7. Museum of the Rockies: Located in Bozeman, this museum features exhibits on dinosaurs, Native American history, and the cultural and natural history of the Rocky Mountain region.

8. Gates of the Mountains Wilderness: Take a boat tour through the towering cliffs of the Missouri River, which were famously described by Meriwether Lewis as resembling "gates" as the river winds through them.

9. Custer Battlefield Museum: Learn about the Battle of the Little Bighorn, also known as Custer's Last Stand, at this museum near Hardin.

10. Scenic Drives: Montana offers numerous scenic drives, such as the Beartooth Highway, the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway, and the Montana Scenic Loop.

If you want more suggestions on what to do in Montana, I suggest you check out their tourism website.