What to do and see in Montana, United States: The Best Things to do Good for Couples

June 9, 2021 Etsuko Causey

No matter where you look in Montana, you’ll find unspoiled nature, charming small towns and relaxing hospitality. Explore Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, then hit the road to discover more natural wonders. You can hike, bike or horseback ride through rugged mountain landscapes, fly-fish blue ribbon trout streams, paddle scenic rivers and lakes, or spend winter days carving fresh powder at ski resorts — then end your day wandering a vibrant main street or relaxing in a cozy lodge.
Restaurants in Montana

1. Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center

4201 Giant Springs Rd, Great Falls, MT 59405-0913 +1 406-727-8733 http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lcnf/recarea/?recid=61458
Excellent
81%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 852 reviews

Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center

Located on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River in Giant Springs Heritage State Park, this visitors center provides information and exhibits about Lewis and Clark's famous journey and the historical significance of the United States' westward expansion.

Reviewed By abalparker - Sylvan Lake, Canada

A wonderful place to learn more about the amazing story of Lewis and Clark and the early early days of the great plains and the west!! Also take in the buffalo jump, amazing to understand of how the first nation peoples harvested and feed their communities while respecting and living in harmony with nature!!

2. Lower Yellowstone River Falls

Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park, WY http://www.yellowstonenationalpark.com/roadsidewaterfalls.htm
Excellent
85%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,417 reviews

Lower Yellowstone River Falls

A spectacular waterfall located in Canyon Country.

Reviewed By Tommy599 - Two Rivers, United States

We crossed Chittenden bridge across the Yellowstone river; stopping first at Uncle Toms to view the smaller upper Falls, then on to Artist Point to view the MAGNIFICENT lower falls and the unbelievable colors of the canyon. It is IMPOSSIBLE to describe the majesty of this waterfall and canyon colors, so we will not even try,

3. Highline Trail

Along Garden Wall, Glacier National Park, MT http://www.hikinginglacier.com/haystack-pass.htm
Excellent
86%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 509 reviews

Highline Trail

A popular hiking trail with phenomenal views.

Reviewed By BigtimeAllthetime

With Grinnell Glacier access restricted (Covid), we accessed via the Highline trail (Logan Pass visitor center), climbed to the Grinnell Overlook (via Garden Wall trail), and returned via the Loop trail (to the Loop parking lot for pickup). Highly recommend this route as Highline going back out is not only longer but harder and the loop is mostly downhill. The views on Highline after rain yesterday were amazing and perfectly clear. We saw a group of mountain goats, multiple bighorn sheep (on the trail), and a few marmot. The climb to the glacier was tough but definitely worth it. Recommend continuing climb to the saddle (see recording) to see all four lakes at the bottom rather than just looking into the glacier. Exiting via the Loop trail was great as it was mostly downhill. Would definitely do this again and highly recommend if wanting to see the glacier.

4. Grinnell Glacier

Glacier National Park, MT http://nps.gov
Excellent
91%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 651 reviews

Grinnell Glacier

A large glacier offering 300 acres of beauty.

Reviewed By BigtimeAllthetime

With Grinnell Glacier access restricted (Covid), we accessed via the Highline trail (Logan Pass visitor center), climbed to the Grinnell Overlook (via Garden Wall trail), and returned via the Loop trail (to the Loop parking lot for pickup). Highly recommend this route as Highline going back out is not only longer but harder and the loop is mostly downhill. The views on Highline after rain yesterday were amazing and perfectly clear. We saw a group of mountain goats, multiple bighorn sheep (on the trail), and a few marmot. The climb to the glacier was tough but definitely worth it. Recommend continuing climb to the saddle (see recording) to see all four lakes at the bottom rather than just looking into the glacier. Exiting via the Loop trail was great as it was mostly downhill. Would definitely do this again and highly recommend if wanting to see the glacier.

5. Going-to-the-Sun Road

Glacier National Park, MT 59936 +1 406-888-7800 http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/goingtothesunroad.htm
Excellent
87%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3,120 reviews

Going-to-the-Sun Road

A spectacular and scenic 52-mile highway through Glacier National Park, which crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass in Montana.

Reviewed By rdburrows

Every part of this drive is beautiful and breathtaking!!! Take your time and enjoy it!! Way to many people get in a hurry!! Enjoy the pull offs and take in the views!! Get out of the vehicle and take it all in!! We chose to drive on our own that way we could go at our own pace!!! We went the end of June and it was the first week that the full road had been open!! So glad we got to experience it!! We decided to drive east to west to avoid all the traffic coming into from the West!!

6. Rattlesnake National Recreation Area

Missoula, MT http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/lolo/recarea/?recid=10277
Excellent
83%
Good
17%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 107 reviews

Rattlesnake National Recreation Area

An all-season recreation area, this wilderness region is designated to promote the watershed, recreational, wildlife and educational values of the land.

Reviewed By EJS50 - Southborough, United States

We had a wonderful 5-6 miles walk through the woods and field, lunching at an overlook over Missoula. The drive to the Sawmill Gulch Trailhead was very easy.

7. Beartooth Highway

U.S. Highway 212, MT 59068 http://www.beartoothhighway.com
Excellent
94%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 834 reviews

Beartooth Highway

Spectacular high mountain road with sweeping views is a favorite scenic drive for sightseers.

Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States

My wife and I will never forget Beartooth Highway. We had decided to take the most scenic (northeast) entrance to Yellowstone National Park, via Red Lodge and Cooke City and the Beartooth Highway, or U.S. Highway 212 in Montana and Wyoming. It was mid-July and we were wearing shorts. We began to climb the winding road. A little above the tree line, we were surprised to see it was beginning to snow. And snow. And snow. Finally, we reached the summit, Beartooth Pass, the very top of the mountain at 10,947 feet above sea level. But the road was snowbound and it was foggy. We couldn't see anything on either side of the road but snow. From what we had read in the Yellowstone periodicals, this part of the drive should offering spectacular and scenic views of Yellowstone and the Yellowstone River, lots of photo ops from lookouts. All we could see was snow. We couldn't even see the highway. We stopped. What should we do? Go forward? Go back? Wait for someone else to arrive on the scene? We didn't have a cellphone. Or a snow shovel. Only shorts. It's mid-July, remember? At that moment, in our moment of indecision, a snowplow came over the horizon from the opposite direction. What a relief! The driver pointed to a spot where we could turn around and go back down the mountain to Red Lodge. We followed him all the way. It has been called "the most beautiful drive in America" but because of heavy snowfall at the top, the pass is usually open each year only from mid-May through mid-October. Nobody said anything about heavy snowfall in mid-July. Later, I saw colorful pictures of where we were and what we were supposed to see when we reached Beartooth Pass. Historically, the pass was crossed in August, 1872, by Civil War General Philip Sheridan and 120 men returning from an inspection tour of Yellowstone National Park. When the road was opened to the public in 1936, it essentially followed Sheridan's route over the pass. Fortunately, he didn't need a snowplow to get through.

8. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190 https://www.yellowstonepark.com/things-to-do/grand-canyon-of-the-yellowstone-colors
Excellent
87%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5,017 reviews

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

Reviewed By USN_Seabee_Wife - Chehalis, United States

#1 Rule: Don't forget your camera, make sure your batteries are charged and that you have plenty of SD cards for your digital camera. What is here: The dramatic, 1,000-foot-deep Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone rewards visitors with dazzling views of multi-hued rock walls and majestic waterfalls. With walking and hiking trails for all abilities, and learning opportunities for the whole family, it’s easy to spend an entire day in this unique area of the park. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is roughly 20 miles long and varies from 1,500 to 4,000 feet wide. Geologists believe it was formed as the Yellowstone River eroded softer, less resistant rock that had been weakened by hydrothermal gases and hot water. The colorful canyon is a natural work of art: streaks of red, orange, gold, black, and even green decorate the canyon walls. Several miles of trails connect 10 primary overlooks that afford dramatic views from both sides of the canyon. When we went there had been snowfall and it made the most beautiful pictures since it was combined with all of the colors of the canyon. Whether it’s your first visit to Yellowstone, or you visit regularly, everyone loves a summer day in the park. Here’s how to get the most out of yours. The best way to experience all the different facets of the canyon’s charm is to pick a trail and go for a hike. There are many trails along both canyon rims, from short jaunts to all-day treks. Here are a few of our favorites: Brink of the Lower Falls Trail (moderate): Descend 600 feet on a steep trail to get an up-close and personal view of the Lower Falls in all its thundering power. 0.7 miles, round-trip Seven Mile Hole Trail (strenuous): You’ll want to commit a whole day to this trail – the only one that leads to the canyon bottom.10.2 miles, round-trip Point Sublime Trail (easy): After visiting the Artist Point overlook, follow the South Rim Trail beyond Artist Point to this less-traveled path, which meanders along the canyon rim to the aptly named Point Sublime. 1.3 miles from Artist Point to Point Sublime View the Canyon and Falls While some views of the canyon and falls are only accessible by trail, you can still get to the following overlooks by car and a short walk from the parking lots on paved, accessible walkways. From North Rim Drive: View the Lower Falls from Lookout Point, Red Rock Point, Grand View, and Inspiration Point. Both waterfalls are visible from Brink of the Lower Falls. From South Rim Drive: See the Upper Falls from two viewpoints at Uncle Tom’s Point. View the Lower Falls at Artist Point. Several of the canyon overlooks and trails, which were originally built in the 1930s, are being rehabilitated with support from Yellowstone Forever. Over the years, they have been hammered by unforgiving weather, compromised by soil erosion, and damaged by increased visitation. In recent years, these conditions have prompted some temporary or long-term closures.

9. Artist Point

South Rim Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,292 reviews

Artist Point

Reviewed By Tommy599 - Two Rivers, United States

We crossed Chittenden bridge across the Yellowstone river; stopping first at Uncle Toms to view the smaller upper Falls, then on to Artist Point to view the MAGNIFICENT lower falls and the unbelievable colors of the canyon. It is IMPOSSIBLE to describe the majesty of this waterfall and canyon colors, so we will not even try,

10. Lamar Valley

Yellowstone National Park, WY +1 307-344-7381 http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/basicinfo.htm
Excellent
84%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2,998 reviews

Lamar Valley

Reviewed By FancyFree55 - Florida, United States

This route is an amazing drive into the park, with large herds of buffalo grazing in vast fields on both sides of the northeast entrance road. It seemed that our visit coincided with birthing season, when lots of calves were just joining families. They're an unusual orange-brown color, compared with the very dark fur of their parents.' Tourists parked all over the sides of the highway to stop for close-up photos these incredible animals. When I say close-up, I mean with a good zoom. Park signage warns you not to get nearer than 75 yards because the animals are very fast and, if they feel like their babies are threatened, they will charge. We were very fortunate to also spot a small herd of pronghorn elk grazing not far from the road and got some great pix. The drive itself is beautiful, with mountains off in the distance, and a river winding through vast green along and around the roadway.

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