Day Trips from Montana. Excursions, Nearby Cities, Tours

Nearby Destinations

Montana features many captivating day trip destinations easily reachable from its main cities.

From major cities like Bozeman, Missoula, and Whitefish, a variety of unique experiences await just a short drive away.

Popular Spots

Yellowstone National Park (North Entrance - Gardiner): Approx. 1.5 hrs. Explore Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley wildlife.
Big Sky Resort: About 1 hour. Offers summer activities like hiking, ziplining, or winter skiing and snowboarding.
Livingston: About 30 minutes. A historic downtown, the Yellowstone River, and close proximity to Paradise Valley.
Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park: About 1 hour. Explore Montana's largest limestone caverns on a guided tour.

Planning Your Outing

Transportation Options

Various transport options cater to different preferences for exploring Montana.

Choices

Rental Car: The most practical and flexible option for almost all day trips.
Guided Tours: Available for popular destinations like Glacier and Yellowstone from gateway towns.
Local Shuttles: Limited services exist between certain towns, like Link Transit in Flathead Valley.

Suggested Itineraries

Most destinations work for half-day to full-day excursions.

Popular Day Trips

Glacier NP Day Trip (West Side): Drive Going-to-the-Sun Road, hike, visit Lake McDonald Lodge.
Yellowstone NP Day Trip (North Entrance): Lamar Valley wildlife viewing, Mammoth Hot Springs.
Flathead Lake Loop: Drive around the lake, stop at cherry orchards (seasonal), visit Bigfork.

Tour vs. Independent Travel

Organized Tour Points

Convenience: No driving, parking, or navigation concerns. Guides share local insights.
Cost: Generally a higher per-person expense.
Flexibility: A fixed itinerary with limited changes.
Social: Opportunity to meet other travelers.

Independent Travel Points

Flexibility: Complete control over itinerary, stops, and timing.
Cost: Potentially lower expense for a group; includes car rental, fuel, and park fees.
Access: Reaching remote trailheads or hidden gems calls for personal navigation.
Expertise: Personal research and navigation skills are involved.

Trip Lengths

Glacier NP Day Trip:Full Day
Yellowstone NP Day Trip:Full Day
Flathead Lake Loop:Half to Full Day
Lewis & Clark Caverns:Half Day

Big Sky Resort:Half to Full Day
National Bison Range:Half Day
Garnet Ghost Town:Full Day (with travel)
Bitterroot Valley:Half to Full Day

Travel Tip

Always check road conditions and seasonal closures before your day trip, especially for mountain passes and national parks.

Natural Escapes

Montana's expansive wilderness has various opportunities for experiencing nature, from protected areas to stunning landscapes.

Yellowstone River

Renowned for fishing, floating, and riverside recreation opportunities.

Paradise Valley

A stunning valley bordered by mountains, featuring dramatic views, hot springs, and rural charm.

National Bison Range

View a large, free-roaming herd of American bison in a protected environment at this unique destination.

Wilderness Areas

Vast areas like Bob Marshall and Lee Metcalf offer unparalleled solitude and true wilderness immersion.

Features

Bob Marshall Wilderness: Over 1.5 million acres for multi-day backpacking trips.
Lee Metcalf Wilderness: Near Big Sky, ideal for hiking and backcountry experiences.
National Forests: Managed for multiple uses, including conservation and recreation.

Lakes & Valleys

Explore the scenic beauty of Montana's major bodies of water and agricultural valleys.

Popular Areas

Flathead Lake: Enjoy scenic drives, cherry orchards (seasonal), or water activities.
Bitterroot Valley: Scenic agricultural valley with impressive mountain views and charming small towns.
Highwood Mountains: An isolated mountain range in Central Montana, with unique geology and hiking trails.

Seasonal & Landscape Variety

Beaches:Somers Beach State Park on Flathead Lake for swimming.

Mountains:Opportunities for hiking, climbing, scenic drives in National Forests.

Rural Areas:Drive secondary roads for authentic Montana life and ranchlands.

Fall Foliage:Mid-September to early October for spectacular larch forests.

Aurora Borealis:Possible on clear, dark nights in Northern Montana.

Connectivity:Expect dead zones for cell service within Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.

Conservation Note

Always stay on marked trails to protect fragile ecosystems.
Observe wildlife from a distance; do not disturb animals.
Pack out all trash brought into natural areas.
Use reusable water bottles to minimize waste.
Report any suspicious activities to park authorities.

Cultural Excursions

Discover Montana's rich past and local life through various historical and rural destinations.

Historic Mining Towns

Explore Montana's gold rush history and preserved towns, offering glimpses into a bygone era.

Noteworthy Sites

Butte: "The Richest Hill on Earth," a historic mining city with unique architecture.
Virginia City & Nevada City: Historic gold rush towns, largely preserved as living museums.
Philipsburg: A charming historic mining town, popular for its sweet shops and sapphire mining.

Capital & Missions

Experience Montana's state history and early religious settlements, each with compelling stories.

Locations

Helena: Montana's capital. Explore historic Last Chance Gulch and the State Capitol Building.
Stevensville: Site of St. Mary's Mission, Montana's first permanent white settlement.
St. Ignatius Mission: A historical and spiritual site with beautiful frescoes by a Jesuit brother.

Rural Charms

Experience small-town life and agricultural landscapes, offering a glimpse into authentic Montana.

Country Visits

Darby/Corvallis (Bitterroot Valley): Agricultural towns with orchards and farm stands.
Scenic Drives: Explore expansive ranchlands and quiet landscapes on secondary roads.
Local Markets: Find fresh produce and artisan goods from local producers.

Heritage & History

Additional historical experiences that deepen one's appreciation of Montana's past.

More Explorations

Lewis & Clark Sites: Explore locations connected to the famous expedition.
Garnet Ghost Town: A remarkably well-preserved historic mining town.
World Museum of Mining (Butte): Extensive exhibits on the region's mining history.

Extend Your Journey

Consider expanding your trip to nearby regions or within Montana for a fuller experience.

Neighboring Parks

Add 1-3 days for exploration of Yellowstone or Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.

Canadian Rockies

Journey north from Glacier National Park into Banff and Jasper National Parks in Canada (check border requirements).

Pacific Northwest

Head west to explore cities like Spokane, WA, or Coeur d'Alene, ID, accessible via road or flight.

Extension Planning

For multi-day extensions into other states or Canada, check their specific entry requirements, park reservations, and road conditions, as they may differ from Montana's.

Logistics & Connections

Efficient travel options and suggested routes connect you to wider regional adventures.

Regional Routes

1

Parks Loop

Begin in Bozeman, explore Yellowstone National Park, then journey north to Glacier National Park, and conclude in Western Montana (Missoula/Kalispell).

2

Montana & Wyoming Tour

Fly into Denver, Colorado. Drive north through Wyoming (Grand Teton, Yellowstone), then enter Montana (Bozeman, Glacier, Missoula), departing from Missoula or Kalispell.

3

Long-Term Base

Consider renting a monthly vacation rental in a larger town like Missoula, Bozeman, or Whitefish. This acts as a central base for various day or overnight trips.

Travel Connectivity

Driving: A rental car enables seamless travel between states and parks.
Flights: Direct flights from Montana airports connect to major hubs.
Amtrak: The Empire Builder line offers scenic journeys.
Day Trip Bookings: Find day trips and excursions on GetYourGuide.
Travel Essentials: Pack appropriate gear for various activities.
Local Guides: Consider hiring local guides for unique insights.

Regional Options

Regional Exploration: Consider additional states like Idaho or Wyoming.
International Travel: Journey to the Canadian Rockies (Banff, Jasper).
Hubs: Major airports include Missoula (MSO), Bozeman (BZN), Kalispell (FCA).
Book Experiences: Explore more GetYourGuide experiences.
Flexible Planning: Adapt to seasonal closures and weather changes.
Public Transit: Limited in rural areas; mainly for city centers.

Transportation Highlights

Rental Car

Most flexible for exploring diverse regions at your own pace.

Regional Airports

Connects Montana to major hubs for onward travel throughout the West.

Amtrak

Offers scenic train journeys connecting to the West Coast and Midwest.

Driving Note

A rental car is recommended for most regional explorations to experience Montana's vast landscapes fully.

Day Trips from Montana