There’s so much natural beauty to discover in Montana that you could spend a lifetime here and never see it all. In fact, some of our most enchanting spots are the least well known. Here are some places that only the most seasoned Montana explorer might know about.
- Akokala Lake, Glacier National Park
Troy Smith / Flickr Some of the larger bodies of water like Swiftcurrent Lake are the most popular in the park, but Akokala Lake is a hidden gem. There is also a quiet, peaceful, rarely occupied 11 mile trail that wraps around it.
- Fairy Lake, Bozeman
Troy Smith / Flickr Head up Bridger Canyon Road, go over Battle Ridge Pass and you’ll find the beautiful Fairy Lake. This spot is a local favorite, but if you don’t live in Bozeman, it’s easy to miss.
- The Anaconda- Wilderness
Wikimedia This 250 square mile area in south-central Montana gets far fewer visitors than the national parks, but it’s just as scenic.
- Big Spring Creek, Lewistown
Wikipedia Big Spring Creek runs 26 miles to join the Judith River. It’s well known among people who fly fish, but many people who don’t live in the Lewistown area don’t know it exists.
- Yaak Valley
Dylan Wyman / Flickr Montana has a rainforest! You’ll find the Yaak Valley way up in the northwest corner. Along with the large family of trees that love low elevation and plenty of rain, you’ll see plenty of wildlife there.
- Heart Lake, Mission Mountains Wilderness
Troy Smith / Flickr You’ll find some beautiful hiking trails around Heart Lake, which is a hidden gem close to the Idaho border.
- Turquoise Lake, Mission Mountains Wilderness
Troy Smith / Flickr This little known spot is absolutely stunning.
- Piegan Pass, Glacier National Park
Brendan Bombaci / Flickr Just look at that view.
- Rimrock , Billings
Jason Pitcher / Flickr The picturesque cliffs that surround Billings are a beautiful sight, but what many people don’t know is that there are numerous ways to explore them. Phipps Park, located just west of Billings off Molt Road, is a great option.
- Calypso Trail, Terry Badlands
Bureau of Land Management / Flickr The badlands of Southeast Montana are a beautiful sight. And the Calypso Trail is an easy 5.5 mile primitive road that allows you to see some of the best sandstone and clay structures.
Are any of these enchanting spots unfamiliar to you?
Troy Smith / Flickr
Some of the larger bodies of water like Swiftcurrent Lake are the most popular in the park, but Akokala Lake is a hidden gem. There is also a quiet, peaceful, rarely occupied 11 mile trail that wraps around it.
Head up Bridger Canyon Road, go over Battle Ridge Pass and you’ll find the beautiful Fairy Lake. This spot is a local favorite, but if you don’t live in Bozeman, it’s easy to miss.
Wikimedia
This 250 square mile area in south-central Montana gets far fewer visitors than the national parks, but it’s just as scenic.
Wikipedia
Big Spring Creek runs 26 miles to join the Judith River. It’s well known among people who fly fish, but many people who don’t live in the Lewistown area don’t know it exists.
Dylan Wyman / Flickr
Montana has a rainforest! You’ll find the Yaak Valley way up in the northwest corner. Along with the large family of trees that love low elevation and plenty of rain, you’ll see plenty of wildlife there.
You’ll find some beautiful hiking trails around Heart Lake, which is a hidden gem close to the Idaho border.
This little known spot is absolutely stunning.
Brendan Bombaci / Flickr
Just look at that view.
Jason Pitcher / Flickr
The picturesque cliffs that surround Billings are a beautiful sight, but what many people don’t know is that there are numerous ways to explore them. Phipps Park, located just west of Billings off Molt Road, is a great option.
Bureau of Land Management / Flickr
The badlands of Southeast Montana are a beautiful sight. And the Calypso Trail is an easy 5.5 mile primitive road that allows you to see some of the best sandstone and clay structures.
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