Avid adventurers know that Montana is much more than just Glacier and Yellowstone. Ever wanted to fly fish a remote river, stay at a real-deal dude ranch, or head out on a multiday backpacking expedition without a soul in sight? The Treasure State’s got you covered.
With so much on offer, it’s the ideal state for car-camping road trippers and RVers alike. Welcoming small towns with epic music festivals and vibrant tribal communities await when travelers aren’t exploring wildflower-studded plains or summiting mountains. Below, we’ll get into some of the best ways to experience Montana in all its glory.
Multiday Horsepacking Trips
The Bob Marshall Wilderness (or “The Bob,” as locals amusingly call it) is home to some of the most dramatic scenery in Montana, and Mills Wilderness Adventures can help you get up and into its craggy peaks and pristine river valleys in style.
The company organizes epic, multiday pack trips, perfect for avid equestrians or hikers who’d rather not schlep a mountain of gear into the backcountry. From base camp, adventurers will gain phenomenal views of the Continental Divide and even have a chance to summit the imposing Haystack Mountain.
Tribally Run Rafting Expeditions
Whether you’re seeking a mellow float on flat water or an adrenaline-boosting whitewater adventure, tribally owned Flathead Raft Company can help get your crew out on the water. Located on the Flathead Indian Reservation, the company has exclusive access to miles of remote river, bordered by rocky canyons and fragrant conifers. Bring your binoculars; there’s a good chance you could spot mule deer, ospreys, eagles, black bears, and otters when you aren’t paddling a class III rapid.
Working Cattle Ranch Experiences
The Wild West hub of Absarokee sits along the Stillwater River in the southern expanse of Montana, and this friendly town is home to Paintbrush Adventures, a guide company that hosts epic fishing and horseback riding experiences. Want to go on a multiday horsepacking trip in the high peaks of the Beartooth Mountains? They’ve got the know-how to get you and your group there safely.
Or, if your crew prefers a more relaxed, family-style vacation, they offer a taste of the “real” Montana at Barron Ranch, their family-owned working cattle ranch, where guests learn about conservation and sustainable ranching and experience farm life on cattle drives and horsemanship activities.
Dog Sledding
Whitefish’s very own Dog Sled Adventures has been guiding sledding experiences for over 45 years. While most of the town’s winter tourists are heading up to the powder-dusted ski slopes, you can venture into the backcountry with Jeff Ulsamer and his team of roughly 130 Alaskan huskies.
Keep your eyes peeled for resident ungulates (like elk and moose) as you carve through pristine, white snow in the lush Montana backcountry.
Guided Angling and Ice Fishing
From open water angling to adventurous ice fishing, Trevor’s Guide Service in Fort Peck is a fisherman’s dream. Cast your line for northern pike, smallmouth bass, and lake trout in the Fort Peck Reservoir with this fully licensed and insured guide who’ll handle all the logistics so you can enjoy your day on the water.
When you’re not cruising around on the lake, head into town and check out Peck’s Rex (a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil found just 20 miles away) at the Fort Peck Interpretive Center & Museum, or motor over to Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs to soothe your tired muscles.
Rockhounding and River Exploration
Put on your explorer hat and get ready to experience Montana through the eyes of Lewis and Clark with Yellowstone River Adventures. Whether you’re more interested in fossil and agate hunting or wildlife viewing along the longest free-flowing river in the United States, the good folks at Yellowstone River Adventures in Glendive host incredible day trips via kayak or jet boat. After a day on the water, head over to Makoshika State Park for a look at some truly awe-inspiring badlands and night skies.
Dude Ranch and Fly Fishing
Tying flies and moseying around on horseback are about as quintessentially Montana as a vacation can get, and at Upper Canyon Outfitters, you can experience both, with a side of good-natured Western hospitality. This family-owned and operated ranch sits in the rolling hills of Montana’s Ruby Valley, with incredible front-row seats to the Ruby River.
Cozy lodge and cabin accommodations will make sure that your whole crew is comfortable when they’re not casting lines and saddling up. Plus, the ranch also offers guided hikes, hunting trips, and history tours for active adventurers hoping to experience the Treasure State’s storied mountains firsthand.
This post is sponsored by the Montana Department of Commerce.
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