southwest montana
glacier country
yellowstone country
southeast montana
central montana
Choose a region for experiences made only in Montana.
My family would love ...
the water
hikes
fun tours
dino
fun
unique views
Remember that
trip to Montana?
Your kids will.
They’ll remember
the sky,
the mountains,
the waters,
the wildlife,
the history–
and how they
shared it all with you.
Don an elk-hide blanket for a wilderness ride at the speed of dog. Dog Sled Adventures in Olney takes passengers on a 12-mile mush. The driver and dogs do all the work—you enjoy the ride. Afterward, warm your toes by the fire and enjoy cocoa and cookies. Hit the powder on skis or snowboards at Whitefish Mountain Resort in Whitefish or Blacktail Mountain Ski Area in Lakeside. Whitefish offers more than 100 marked trails over 3,000 acres. At Lakeside, park at the top of the mountain, take in the view and get in a run before you even ride a chairlift.
Check Out Glacier National Park
Make a
Kid-Centric Checklist
Get Ready
to Make
Some Waves
Plan a Snowy Winter Vacation
Choose your adventure
glacier country
Soak Up Natural Hot Springs
Spelunk
in One Cool Cave
channel
the Spirit of the Old West
Roam
Helena’s
Hot Spots
Choose your adventure
southwest montana
fly at big sky resort
soak in
hot springs
get into science
take a
Kid-friendly
hike
Hike Some Sweet Trails
Raft
along
Wild Rivers
Rough It
(Sort of)
in a Tepee
Go for
a Rush
at Big Sky
Choose your adventure
yellowstone country
wade into the wilderness
Attend a Rodeo or State Celebration
Watch Birds and Other Creatures
Cruise a Scenic (and Short) Byway
Choose your adventure
central montana
get a
dino close-up
learn the ropes of ranch work
see a prehistoric picture show
capture the ultimate scenic drive
Dine Out in Downtown Billings
Bunk
in a Rustic Room
Spend
Recess in
Red Lodge
Go Off-Road
on a
Jeep Tour
Choose your adventure
map your route:
drive the rockies
southeast montana
Share your #montanamoment
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Missouri river country
missouri river country
indian country
Choose your adventure
Explore
Three Great State Parks
Take a Break in a Kid-Friendly Museum
Score Treasured Memories
Touch a
Life-Size
T-Rex Model
see native
art and artifacts
exerience powwow celebrations
view culture through an expert's eyes
Learn About Powwow Etiquette
Choose your adventure
native american culture
roam free
Make Kalispell base camp for Glacier National Park;
it’s a 45-minute drive from downtown to the park’s west entrance. Inside Glacier, drive historic
Going-to-the-Sun Road past Lake McDonald (10 miles long and almost 500 feet deep) and peaks created by earth-shattering glaciers. Hit the Trail of the Cedars, a short, easy loop through a forest of cedars and hemlocks. And hike to Apikuni Falls. The 1-mile trail starts out level, then climbs steeply to the cascading water. A little fancy footwork gets you close to the flow.
Fuel up on blueberry muffins and other sweet treats at Ceres Bakery in downtown Kalispell. Parents can satisfy coffee cravings. Toys are tops at Imagination Station in Kalispell. Go all retro with building blocks or find a new favorite puzzle or board game. Erna’s famous made-from-scratch pie beckons at The Huckleberry Patch in
Hungry Horse, along with other treats made from handpicked local huckleberries. The Museum at Central School in Kalispell opens young eyes with artifacts
from pioneer days.
Flathead Lake, the state’s largest body of water, provides prime paddling, even for first-timers.
Sea Me Paddle Kayaking leads tours that match your family with the right water adventure. Want a more relaxed ride? Pointer Scenic Cruises in Bigfork launches boat trips to Wild Horse Island State Park, a primitive park in Flathead Lake. For an action-packed ride, cruise the North or Middle Fork of the Flathead River with
Glacier Guides and Montana Raft.
Broadwater Hot Springs in Helena, ten minutes from downtown, offers natural hot springs water (cooled to comfy temps) in spas and pools. The taproom and grill will serve you waterside. A 100-year-old inn anchors Boulder Hot Springs Inn and Spa in Boulder. Enjoy pools filled with geothermal waters, plus luxury bed-and-breakfast lodging, massages, hiking and wildlife. Hot water meets cold play at Elkhorn Hotsprings Resort in Polaris, a year-round resort with two outdoor mineral pools and a wet sauna, as well as snowmobiling and skiing at nearby Maverick Mountain.
It’s really cool at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park
in Whitehall, Montana’s first and best-known state park. "Naturally air-conditioned" limestone caves, among the most decorated in this part of the country, hold Mother Nature’s awesome underground decor—stalactites, stalagmites, columns and helictites. Above ground, follow a self-guided nature trail and 10 miles of hiking routes. Access to the cave interiors is by guided tours only (May 1–September 30). The park’s main visitor center, trails and campground stay open year-round.
Make like old prospectors and sift for precious
stones at the Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine and
Gold Fever Rock Shop in Helena. The mine (named for a gravel bar) sits on Hauser Lake, a Missouri River reservoir. You may find blue-green sapphires. Also in Helena,
saddle up at Summer Star Ranch for a ride past “whoa!”-inducing scenery in the Helena National Forest.
Or take a horse-drawn wagon to dinner at
Last Chance Ranch. After the family-style
gourmet meal, a cowboy crooner entertains.
Play follow-the-leader along the
Missouri River Canyon Trail for up-close views
of the storied waterway and stunning limestone cliffs. Lewis and Clark once camped near here. Or hop on an open-air train for a ride through Helena—and history. The Last Chance Tour Train rolls past the Mansion District’s elegant homes and the Cathedral of
St. Helena’s soaring spires. Find classic toys and cool new ones at Lasso the Moon Wonderful Toys, where the name of the game is creativity and imagination.
At Heaven on Earth Ranch in Great Falls, spend a day
fishing or horseback riding in a lush mountain meadow sheltered by ancient limestone cliffs overlooking the Smith River. Or take a multiday trip with Montana Safaris in Vaughn. Horses and mules transport you and your gear on
a guided adventure into the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, the largest in the lower 48. Sleep in a tent, dine on camp cuisine and see stop-in-your tracks scenery every day.
Ask about discounts for kids.
Immerse yourself in state culture at the Montana State Fair (July 26–August 3). Soak in waves of concerts, carnival fun, food, livestock shows and crafts. See nearly 100 of Montana’s best rodeo cowboys take on the state’s orneriest animals during the Montana PRCA Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals (January 10–12, 2020). At the Lewis and Clark Festival (June 14–16), celebrate the explorers with live music and Native American dance, plus check out the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center.
Keep an eye on the waterfowl and other wildlife that flock
to “prairie potholes” (shallow wetlands) formed by ancient glaciers. Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge near
Great Falls attracts 240 species of birds, as well as coyotes, badgers, porcupines, deer and pronghorn. You can see
more birds and critters at Giant Springs State Park
in Great Falls, home to one of the largest freshwater
springs in the county—156 million gallons of cool,
clear water flows through per day after a 26-year trip
from the Little Belt Mountains.
When it comes to drives, Kings Hill Scenic Byway
reigns supreme. Passing through Lewis and Clark National Forest and the Little Belt Mountains, the 71-mile stretch
of US-89 takes you by lakes and streams, trailheads, campgrounds, old mines and wildlife. It’s also a gateway
to skiing, snowmobiling, hot springs and museums.
Or follow it to biking adventures on the
Little Belt Mountain trail system, which branches out
from Showdown Montana Ski Area in Neihart.
Try this trio of hikes that won’t tax you.
You can cover Drinking Horse Mountain Trail,
a 2.4-mile (round-trip) right outside of town, in about an hour. Fairy Lake Trail, just over a mile, circles a lake in a forested bowl at the foot of Sacagawea Peak. The M Trail,
a gift from Montana State University’s class of 1918, lies just 4 miles outside Bozeman—look for the big white
“M” on the side of Mount Baldy.
Trade YouTube for you tubing—Madison River Tubing
offers floats on the surprisingly warm water of the Madison. Trips come with tube rentals and a shuttle to and from the water. Or trade theme park raft rides for the real deal. Montana Whitewater takes you on the Yellowstone, Madison and Gallatin rivers—some of the most beautiful, pristine waters in the lower 48. Choose your adventure level, from relaxing class I rapids to intense class IV.
Sleep in a boutique tepee near the north
entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
The Dreamcatcher Tipi Hotel features several luxe conical tents, each big enough for a family of four. Comforts include memory-foam mattresses, heaters and free Wi-Fi, plus a bathhouse with private rooms, heated floors and high-end fixtures. Or bunk in the backcountry of Yellowstone at Hell’s A-Roarin’ Outfitters near Gardiner. Stay in the family-size Bear’s Den cabin or
Eagle’s Nest cabin, or a rent a walled tent.
The high ropes course at Big Sky Resort, an hour south
of Bozeman, dangles you 20–30 feet above the ground (safely harnessed and spotted by a guide). Go ziplining, mountain biking or whitewater rafting, too.
Whatever you choose, it’s easy to get distracted
by the views of Lone Mountain, home of sublime
skiing and snowboarding. Each year, 400 inches of
powder fall on the resort’s 5,800 skiable acres and
4,350 vertical feet. An innovative lift system
makes lines short (or nonexistent).
Heft a world-champion burger and check out the checkered floor and diner decor at The Burger Dive, a retro-vibe fave. Try not to drool over the mega cinnamon rolls (14 ounces) at Stella’s Kitchen and Bakery. Monster pancakes, oatmeal and heavenly forkfuls of French toast (with house-made bread) keep this place hopping. If the giant pretzel appetizer (large pizza size) at Montana Brewing Company doesn’t win over the kids, the nachos and the mac ’n’ cheese will.
Parents can order beers like Custer’s Last Stout.
After you walk a dinosaur trail at Makoshika State Park
in Glendive, spend the night down the road at the
Kempton Hotel in Terry. Built in 1902 and full of retro character, the place has hosted famous guests—and ghosts, some say. Dude Rancher Lodge in Billings looks like an old frontier ranch house with knotty pine paneling, custom Western furniture and carpets stamped with ranch brands.
Beartooth Basin Bunkhouse in Belfry books rooms with rugged names like Cowboy Up, Riding ’n’ Roping and Hold Yer Horses. You’re guaranteed a mountain or river view.
Play’s the thing in Red Lodge, a community
southwest of Billings. This stop on the way to
Yellowstone National Park (via the Beartooth Highway) boasts world-class outdoor recreation amid warm, small-town hospitality. Take the kids on a thrilling whitewater rafting trip or a relaxing float in a canoe or kayak. Hit the trails on foot, horseback or bike, or go for a wagon ride.
Want the gang to go fishing? Nearby Wild Bill Lake
is just right for younger kids.
Jump into a jeep for a four-wheel-drive foray into the Rockies on Montana Fun Adventures Tours. Whether you have two hours or two days to explore, there’s a tour to match your schedule and interests. Options include solving local history mysteries (like the angel that watches over Billings), and a trip to watch wild mustangs and the wow of a Big Sky sunset. You can also dive deep into Native American customs at Crow Fair (Tepee Capital of the World).
Peck’s Rex, a life-size model of a
Tyrannosaurus rex found nearby, greets you inside
Fort Peck Interpretive Center and Museum.
A partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, the facility showcases northeast Montana’s land and sea creatures of the past and present and features the state’s two largest aquariums.
At Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station in Malta, spy rare fossils of hulking dinosaurs,
delicate plants and ancient sea creatures.
Prospects for fun are good in Zortman, a historic
mining town nestled in the Little Rocky Mountains.
Though Zortman’s days as a mining mecca ended long ago, you can still pan for gold there or hit a jackpot of scenery while hiking and camping in the mountains. In town,
old log cabins and miners’ shacks share the landscape
with modern buildings. Hike up a hill to historic
St. Joseph’s Catholic Church for a commanding view.
See a Western bar (with a bullet hole and slug intact) and a rare elk-hide tepee at the Valley County Pioneer Museum in Glasgow. Tour a 1924 catalog home and an old schoolhouse room, plus learn about local aviation and railroad history. A 1915 streetscape is nearing completion. The Children’s Museum of Northeast Montana
offers younger kids hands-on learning in play settings
like a post office, general store and tree house.
The whole family can marvel at wildlife displays
and check out progress on new exhibits.
Hell Creek State Park near Jordan feels like
heaven for anglers, campers and boaters.
It’s set on the Hell Creek Arm of Fort Peck Lake.
For wildlife watchers, it’s game on at
Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, about
60 miles southwest of Glasgow. Spot elk, mule deer,
red foxes and coyotes. Revel in solitude at the
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument
in Lewistown. It is a haven anchored by the 149-mile
Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River.
A powwow is a must-see. It’s a tribe’s big social ceremony and celebration of life, an important link to ancestors. Most powwows are open to the public, with an emcee explaining what’s going on. Heed any rules about taking photos, including refraining when asked. You may be invited to dance at times, too! And be sure
to check out the vendors selling art, crafts and food.
The proceeds help offset the powwow’s cost.
On Blackfeet Cultural History Tours, a native guide
rides in your vehicle to explain buffalo jumps,
St. Peter’s Mission—a boarding school for Native Americans—and historic tribal sites. The Battle of the Little Bighorn (aka Custer’s Last Stand) comes to life via a Crow guide on Indian Battle Tours. It’s a unique perspective—Crow scouts worked with the U.S. Army, and a small group of them witnessed Custer’s defeat. Montana Journeys offers small-group tours led by native Montanan anthropologists and archaeologists.
Come to North American Indian Days (July 11–14) in Browning for drumming and dancing, a parade, fun run and rodeo. The Rocky Boy’s Annual Powwow (August) at the Rocky Boy’s reservation features cultural demonstrations as well as ethnic and traditional food. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes hold the People’s Center Celebration and Pow-wow (August 17) in Pablo. The Fort Belknap Indian Community, home to the Nakoda and Aaniiih nations, hosts Milk River Indian Days (July 19–21) and a Veterans Day powwow (December 21–22).
View a rich variety of tribal art at the
Museum of the Plains Indians in Browning.
See paintings, sculptures and photography by
Northern Plains peoples, including Blackfeet,
Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Sioux, Assiniboine,
Arapaho, Shoshone, Nez Perce, Flathead, Chippewa
and Cree. Historical exhibits display tribal
clothing, weapons and household items.
Sea Me Paddle Kayaking, Flathead Lake
Summer Star Ranch, Helena
Big Sky Resort High Ropes Course, Big Sky
Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge near Great Falls
Montana Fun Adventures Tours, Billings
Fort Peck Interpretive Center and Museum, Fort Peck
Milk River Indian Days, Fort Belknap
