Every season is beautiful in Montana, but autumn happens to be especially gorgeous. Enjoy the gorgeous changing colors by going on a relaxing drive down a country road. We suggest starting with one of these 7.
- Kootenai County
Tony Webster / Flickr The northwest corner of Montana is gorgeous, and it’s also somewhat undiscovered. For breathtaking views of Lake Koocanusa, travel the scenic byway between Libby and Eureka.
- Highway 200, Clark Fork Valley
Tim Lumley / Flickr As Highway 200 makes its way through the Clark Fork Valley, you’ll pass small towns like Paradise, Plains and Thompson Falls. The fall colors are incredible here, especially in October. Get out of your car and explore for the best views.
- Hyalite Canyon Road, Bozeman
Hyalite Canyon / Flickr Located 15 miles south of Bozeman off 19th Avenue, the Hyalite Canyon has mountainsides decked out with colorful aspens this time of year.
- Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr Southwest Montana’s Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is almost three times the size of Glacier National Park, but it sees far fewer visitors. The 49 mile Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway runs from Highway 43 south to Highway 278. For the best scenery, stop a couple of times and get out of your car to explore.
- Bitterroot Valley
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr The Bitterroot Valley is a stunning place in the fall. The valley is 96 miles long, framed by the Sapphire Mountains to the east and the Bitterroot range to the west. The drive takes you through forested hillsides colored with classic fall hues.
- The Looking Glass Road, Glacier National Park
rickz / Flickr Highway 49, Looking Glass Road, offers a relaxing drive on the east side of the park. But when it comes to looking for colorful leaves in Glacier, you really can’t go wrong this time of year.
- The Paradise Valley Scenic Loop, Livingston
Tim Gage / Flickr Highway 89 from Livingston south to Gardiner is a wonderful drive to take in the fall—the cottonwoods and aspens turn bright gold.
Have you driven on these country roads in Montana during autumn? There’s nothing like going for a nice, quiet drive in Montana. Here are some of our best scenic byways.
Tony Webster / Flickr
The northwest corner of Montana is gorgeous, and it’s also somewhat undiscovered. For breathtaking views of Lake Koocanusa, travel the scenic byway between Libby and Eureka.
Tim Lumley / Flickr
As Highway 200 makes its way through the Clark Fork Valley, you’ll pass small towns like Paradise, Plains and Thompson Falls. The fall colors are incredible here, especially in October. Get out of your car and explore for the best views.
Hyalite Canyon / Flickr
Located 15 miles south of Bozeman off 19th Avenue, the Hyalite Canyon has mountainsides decked out with colorful aspens this time of year.
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr
Southwest Montana’s Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is almost three times the size of Glacier National Park, but it sees far fewer visitors. The 49 mile Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway runs from Highway 43 south to Highway 278. For the best scenery, stop a couple of times and get out of your car to explore.
The Bitterroot Valley is a stunning place in the fall. The valley is 96 miles long, framed by the Sapphire Mountains to the east and the Bitterroot range to the west. The drive takes you through forested hillsides colored with classic fall hues.
rickz / Flickr
Highway 49, Looking Glass Road, offers a relaxing drive on the east side of the park. But when it comes to looking for colorful leaves in Glacier, you really can’t go wrong this time of year.
Tim Gage / Flickr
Highway 89 from Livingston south to Gardiner is a wonderful drive to take in the fall—the cottonwoods and aspens turn bright gold.
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