Let’s be honest: Pretty much everyone who lives in Montana loves the great outdoors. We might not all be avid skiers or experts at fly fishing, but the vast majority of Montanans love spending time outside. This list certainly doesn’t include every outdoor activity the Treasure State has to offer—that would be impossible. But if you’ve experienced most of these things, you’re probably doing Montana right. Check out the ultimate Montana outdoor bucket list.
- Spend some real time exploring Glacier National Park.
Troy Smith / Flickr Driving on Going-to-the-Sun Road is great, but to really experience Glacier, you’ve got to get out of your car and be a little adventurous. Go hiking, take a Lake McDonald boat tour, camp under the stars. It’s such a surreal place, so enjoy it to the fullest.
- Go boating on Flathead Lake.
Troy Smith / Flickr Whether you live in Western Montana or call the east side home, vacationing at Flathead Lake is a quintessential Montana experience.
- Visit Makoshika State Park.
Tim Schleicher / Flickr Montana’s largest state park is amazing. Dinosaurs once roamed the area, and in fact, one of the largest Triceratops skulls ever unearthed can be found in the visitors’ center.
- Hike the Hyalite Creek Trail to Hyalite Lake.
Keith Ewing / Flickr On this trail, the destination really is the journey. The beautiful canyon views and waterfalls leading up to the top lead to Hyalite Lake, and if you make it all the way up and back you’ll have covered 5.5 miles.
- Soak your tired muscles at Lolo Hot Springs.
Steve Shupe / Flickr Soak in the peaceful outdoor pools surrounded by the natural beauty of Lolo. It doesn’t get better.
- See a sunrise (or sunset) from the top of the M Trail in Missoula.
Rex Brown / Flickr The short hike up Mount Sentinel will give you breathtaking views of the city, especially when it’s bathed in the glow of dawn or dusk.
- Go fly fishing in the Yellowstone River.
Fred Dunn / Flickr If you’ve never been fly fishing, ask a seasoned pro in your life to take you along. You just might love it.
- Float the Madison River.
Photo Credit It’s equal parts exhilarating and relaxing.
- Go camping at… well, pretty much anywhere.
Troy Smith / Flickr You haven’t really camped until you’ve camped in Big Sky Country.
- Spend the night at an old forest fire lookout.
Kate Brady / Flickr There are several spots in Montana where you can stay in an old fire lookout. The accommodations are rustic, but you’ll never be able to top the views.
- Hike the Morrell Falls National Recreation Trail.
Jeff Brown / alltrails.com This trail might be 6.9 miles long, but it’s not overly strenuous, and it’s absolutely beautiful.
- Go swimming in a swimming hole.
Keither Ewing / Flickr Pools are fine, but nothing tops taking a dip in a swimming hole on a hot day.
- Visit Seeley Lake.
Micah Sheldon / Flickr Seeley Lake is surrounded by the Mission and Swan mountain ranges, and it’s stunning in any season.
- Ski or snowboard at Whitefish Ski Resort.
John Mayer / Flickr Winter is no time to stay indoors. Hit the slopes at one of Montana’s most popular destinations.
- Visit a wildlife refuge.
USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Flickr Montana has more wildlife than… well, anywhere. Places like the Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge will up your odds of seeing some.
- Walk the swinging bridge to Kootenai Falls.
Holly Hayes / Flickr We dare you.
Being outdoors is so amazing. Check out these peaceful spots in Montana where nature will completely relax you.
Troy Smith / Flickr
Driving on Going-to-the-Sun Road is great, but to really experience Glacier, you’ve got to get out of your car and be a little adventurous. Go hiking, take a Lake McDonald boat tour, camp under the stars. It’s such a surreal place, so enjoy it to the fullest.
Whether you live in Western Montana or call the east side home, vacationing at Flathead Lake is a quintessential Montana experience.
Tim Schleicher / Flickr
Montana’s largest state park is amazing. Dinosaurs once roamed the area, and in fact, one of the largest Triceratops skulls ever unearthed can be found in the visitors’ center.
Keith Ewing / Flickr
On this trail, the destination really is the journey. The beautiful canyon views and waterfalls leading up to the top lead to Hyalite Lake, and if you make it all the way up and back you’ll have covered 5.5 miles.
Steve Shupe / Flickr
Soak in the peaceful outdoor pools surrounded by the natural beauty of Lolo. It doesn’t get better.
Rex Brown / Flickr
The short hike up Mount Sentinel will give you breathtaking views of the city, especially when it’s bathed in the glow of dawn or dusk.
Fred Dunn / Flickr
If you’ve never been fly fishing, ask a seasoned pro in your life to take you along. You just might love it.
Photo Credit
It’s equal parts exhilarating and relaxing.
You haven’t really camped until you’ve camped in Big Sky Country.
Kate Brady / Flickr
There are several spots in Montana where you can stay in an old fire lookout. The accommodations are rustic, but you’ll never be able to top the views.
Jeff Brown / alltrails.com
This trail might be 6.9 miles long, but it’s not overly strenuous, and it’s absolutely beautiful.
Keither Ewing / Flickr
Pools are fine, but nothing tops taking a dip in a swimming hole on a hot day.
Micah Sheldon / Flickr
Seeley Lake is surrounded by the Mission and Swan mountain ranges, and it’s stunning in any season.
John Mayer / Flickr
Winter is no time to stay indoors. Hit the slopes at one of Montana’s most popular destinations.
USFWS Mountain-Prairie / Flickr
Montana has more wildlife than… well, anywhere. Places like the Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge will up your odds of seeing some.
Holly Hayes / Flickr
We dare you.
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