Montana Travel Resources. Apps, Maps, Emergency Contacts

Essential Digital Resources

Apps for Your Trip

Google Maps/Apple Maps:
Download offline maps for areas where cell service is unreliable.
AllTrails:
For hiking trail information, maps, and user reviews. Pro version allows offline downloads.
National Park Service App:
Official NPS app for Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks with information, maps, and alerts.
NOAA Weather/AccuWeather:
For reliable and up-to-date weather forecasts, important for rapidly changing mountain conditions.
Yelp/Google Reviews:
For finding and reviewing restaurants, attractions, and other businesses.

More Digital Tools

Booking Apps:
Booking.com/Expedia/Airbnb/VRBO for accommodation bookings and finding deals.
Ride-sharing:
Uber/Lyft for ride-sharing services in major cities (Missoula, Bozeman, Billings, Kalispell).
Airline Apps:
For flight information, check-ins, and mobile boarding passes.
Flashlight App:
A backup for unexpected dark situations (a dedicated Headlamp is preferable).
NPS.gov:
The official websites for Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks.

Print Resources & Further Reading

Guidebooks & Maps

A Montana Road & Recreation Atlas is highly recommended. Topographic Hiking Maps for specific trails in national parks are useful. Consider a Glacier National Park Map.

Books About Montana

"Undaunted Courage" by Stephen E. Ambrose; "The Big Sky" by A.B. Guthrie Jr.; "A River Runs Through It" by Norman Maclean; "Winter Range" by Claire Davis.

Local Publications

Local newspapers and free visitor guides have current event listings, restaurant recommendations, and local insights. Look for publications like "Big Sky Journal" or "Montana Magazine".

Emergency & Medical Information

Emergency Contacts

General Emergency (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 911
Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
Glacier National Park Emergency (non-911): 406-888-7800
Yellowstone National Park Emergency (non-911): 307-344-2655

Hospital Locations

Missoula: St. Patrick Hospital, Community Medical Center
Bozeman: Bozeman Health Deaconess Hospital
Kalispell: Logan Health Medical Center
Billings: Billings Clinic, St. Vincent Healthcare

Lost Documents & Disasters

Lost Document Procedures

Passport: Report the loss to local police, then immediately contact your country's embassy or consulate.
Driver's License: Report the loss to local police. For U.S. Citizens, contact your state's Department of Motor Vehicles.
Credit Cards: Immediately contact your bank or credit card company to report the loss or theft and cancel the cards.
Keep your country's embassy or consulate contact information handy in case of passport loss or other emergencies.

Natural Disaster Protocols

Wildfires: Monitor air quality alerts (e.g., AirNow.gov) and local news for information on active fires.
Blizzards: Monitor road closures via the Montana DOT website. Do not travel on closed roads.
Flash Floods: Move to higher ground immediately if in a low-lying area near water during heavy rain.
Avalanches: If venturing into backcountry in winter, check avalanche forecasts (e.g., Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center).

Emergency Kit

Carry an Emergency kit in your vehicle, including extra warm clothes, food, water, and blankets.
If venturing into backcountry in winter, carry appropriate safety gear (Avalanche beacon, probe, shovel).

Further Exploration

Films & Documentaries

Film Adaptations

"A River Runs Through It" (1992): A film adapted from Norman Maclean's novella, filmed in Montana.
"The Revenant" (2015): Portrays early 19th-century trapper life in the Montana wilderness.

TV & Nature

"Yellowstone" (TV series): A popular dramatic series set in modern-day Montana ranching country.
National Geographic or PBS documentaries on Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks.

Art & Culture

Music: Explore country, folk, and Western music.
Art: Research works by Charles M. Russell (1864-1926), a famous cowboy artist.
Visit the C.M. Russell Museum in Great Falls.

Online Communities & Forums

Community Insights

Reddit communities (e.g., r/Montana) offer traveler discussions and insights.
Various travel forums for specific interests (e.g., fly fishing forums, hiking groups).

Language & General Tips

Not applicable beyond standard English, as English is the main language.

Return Visits

Seasonal Returns

Winter Wonderland: Return in winter for world-class skiing or snowmobiling.
Fall Colors: Visit in late September/early October to witness the spectacular golden larch trees.

Experience More

Specific Events: Plan a trip around a Native American powwow, a local rodeo, or a huckleberry festival.
Deep Dive: Focus on a single region for a more in-depth exploration, tackling longer backpacking trips.

Next Destination Recommendations

More Mountains

Head north to the Canadian Rockies (Banff, Jasper, Waterton Lakes National Park) for equally stunning scenery.

Geothermal & Wildlife

Extend your stay in Wyoming to fully explore Yellowstone National Park's southern loop and Grand Teton National Park.

Western History

Explore the American Southwest (Arizona, Utah, New Mexico) for a different kind of natural beauty and rich history.

Resource

Familiarize yourself with the National Park Service website for Glacier and Yellowstone. It is the most reliable source for current conditions, alerts, and necessary reservations.

Online Resource