Often referred to as ‘The Last Best Place‘ or ‘Big Sky Country‘, Montana is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. Its vast landscapes, ranging from uninterrupted prairies and endless plains to remote glacial lakes and stunning mountains, are home to some of the most breathtaking national parks in the United States. These parks offer a wide range of experiences, from exploring the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone National Park to stepping back in time at Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site. This article will guide you through Montana’s top national parks and give you all the information you need to plan your next adventure.
Whether you’re an experienced hiker, a history buff or just someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, Montana’s national parks have something for you.
1. Yellowstone National Park: A Geothermal Wonderland
Yellowstone National Park, the nation’s first National Park, attracts nearly five million visitors annually. Although only 3% of its sprawling 2.2 million acres sits within Montana, it’s a must-visit when touring the state. It was established in 1872 as the first national park in the United States. The park is known for its geothermal features such as Old Faithful Geyser, hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles.
Why Visit Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone is a geothermal wonderland, home to unique wildlife and impressive landscapes offering 360-degree views. The park’s most iconic feature, Old Faithful, has been erupting 20 times a day at roughly 90-minute intervals for the past 135 years. Visitors can watch this spectacle from a viewing platform or hike through the Upper Geyser Basin for a more expansive view.
The park also houses Mammoth Hot Springs, a small community for National Park service employees that offers a homely feel. Here, you can hike amongst the Mammoth Terraces and enjoy the company of other nature enthusiasts at the Terrace Grill.
Yellowstone is also a wildlife haven. Lamar Valley, located between Gardiner and Cooke City, is known for its abundance of elk, moose, bear, bison, deer, and wolf. The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, which houses wolves and grizzly bears that otherwise wouldn’t survive in the wild, is also worth a visit.
How to Get to Yellowstone National Park?
The park is located in the northwest corner of Wyoming and extends into Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone National Park has five entrances, three of which are in Montana. The most popular ones are the West Entrance, near West Yellowstone, and the North Entrance, located in Gardiner. The closest large airport to both entrances is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport.
- The entrance fee is $35 per vehicle (in 2023, may change in the future).
- The park is open year-round.
2. Glacier National Park: The Crown Jewel of America
Showcasing the rugged beauty Montana is known for, Glacier National Park is a paradise for those seeking remote hikes, dreamy alpine meadows, awe-inspiring waterfalls, and up-close views of glaciers. The park is located in northern Montana along the Canadian border. It was established in 1910 and covers over 1 million acres. The park is known for its rugged mountains, glaciers, lakes and wildlife.
Why Visit Glacier National Park?
The park is home to over 700 miles of trails, making it a hiker’s paradise. One of the must-see attractions is the Going To The Sun Road, one of the most beautiful drives in the entire U.S. This narrow road weaves 50 miles through and over the Continental Divide until it reaches the iconic Logan Pass.
For those new to hiking, the Trail of the Cedars is a perfect trail that features towering cedar trees, lush ferns, and stunning views of the lower Avalanche Gorge. For a more challenging hike, the Apikuni Falls trail in the Many Glacier region of the park is a great choice.
How to Get to Glacier National Park?
The closest airport to Glacier National Park is the Glacier Park International Airport in Kalispell. From here, it’s a scenic 45-minute drive to the West Glacier Entrance along Montana Hwy 206 and US-2.
- Entrance fee: $ 35 (may change in the future)
- Opening hours: Year-round
3. Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site: A Step Back in Time
A visit to Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site is a step back in time to the Wild Wild West. The Historic Site stopped time in its track as a way to celebrate America’s distinct cattlemen history and allow visitors to see a working ranch firsthand. The historic site is located in western Montana near Deer Lodge. It was established in 1972 to preserve the history of ranching in the American West. The site contains over 90 historic structures and covers more than 1,500 acres.
Why Visit Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site?
The site offers a unique opportunity to experience the Wild Wild West culture. Covered wagons roam the endless prairies, and you can hop in one yourself to travel between historic ranch buildings. Rangers lead blacksmith demonstrations, cowboy talks, roping lessons, and chuckwagon programs throughout the summer.
How to Get there?
The closest airport to Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport. From here, it’s a two-hour drive along I-90W.
- Entrance fee: No enctrance fee (may change in the future)
- Opening hours: Year-round
4. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area: An Offbeat Gem
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, one of the youngest parks in Montana, provides breathtaking landscapes to explore, including deep canyons, high desert plains and expansive valleys. The recreation area is located in southern Montana and northern Wyoming. The area includes Bighorn Lake, formed by the Bighorn River and Yellowtail Dam.
Why Visit Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area?
The Recreation Area provides ample opportunity to hike, boat, canoe, and take in awe-inspiring landscapes. Scenic trails sprawl across the Recreation Area’s 120,000 acres, and you can reach three beautiful hikes from the North District, including Beaver Pond Nature Trail, Bighorn Head Gate, and Three Mile Access.
How to Get there?
The easiest way to get to the North District Entrance of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Reserve is to fly into Logan International Airport in Billings, Montana. From here, it’s a 90-minute to two-hour drive along Interstate 90S and State Highway 313S.
- Entrance fee: No enctrance fee (may change in the future)
- Opening hours: Year-round
5. Big Hole National Battlefield: A Memorial of the Past
As somber as it is beautiful, Big Hole National Battlefield sits on 1,010 acres of rolling green hills and commemorates the Nez Perce, soldiers, and volunteers who died here. Located in southwest Montana, this park commemorates the Battle of Big Hole.
Why Visit Big Hole National Battlefield?
Unlike other areas protected by the National Park Service in Montana, Big Hole National Battlefield is more a memorial than a hiking destination. Still, it is home to a few short and beautiful trails. The Visitor Center provides a detailed account of the area’s tragic history and conservation efforts.
How to Get there?
Big Hole National Battlefield is in southwest Montana, ten miles west of Wisdom. The closest airport is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, and from here, it’s a three-hour drive along I-90W and MT-43 W.
- Entrance fee: No enctrance fee (may change in the future)
- Opening hours: Year-round
6. Nez Perce National Historical Park
Nez Perce National Historical Park, located in Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington, is a unique destination that offers a deep dive into the rich history and culture of the Nez Perce people. Unlike traditional parks, it consists of 38 distinct sites scattered throughout these four states, each highlighting a significant aspect of the Nez Perce’s history, culture, or interaction with the U.S. government.
Why Visit
Visitors can explore the park’s many sites, including battlefields, traditional fishing grounds and old mission buildings. Each site offers a unique perspective on the Nez Perce way of life and their struggles to preserve their land and culture. The park also offers a variety of educational programs and exhibits, making it an ideal destination for history buffs, students, and anyone interested in Native American culture.
How to Get there?
The park headquarters and visitor centre are located in Spalding, Idaho, about 11 miles east of Lewiston. This is a great starting point for your trip as you can get valuable information about the park and its sites.
If you’re planning to visit the sites in Montana, the nearest major airport is Missoula International Airport. From there you can rent a car and drive to the various sites. Big Hole National Battlefield, one of Montana’s most important park sites, is about a three-hour drive from the airport.
Keep in mind that Nez Perce National Historical Park is not a traditional park with a single entrance or boundary. Instead, it’s a collection of sites spread over a large area. It’s important to plan your trip carefully, taking into account the location of the sites you wish to visit.
- Entrance fee: No enctrance fee (may change in the future)
- Opening hours: Year-round
7. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
This monument preserves the site of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, 25-26 June 1876, near Crow Agency, Montana. It also serves as a memorial to those who fought in the battle: George Armstrong Custer’s 7th Cavalry and a combined force of Lakota, Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho. The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is located in southeastern Montana, near the town of Crow Agency.
Why Visit?
Visiting the monument is a unique opportunity to delve into an important chapter of American history. Here you can learn about the complex history of the Battle of the Little Bighorn, why it was fought and who was involved. The monument includes several key sites, such as the 7th U.S. Cavalry Memorial, the Reno-Benteen Battlefield and the Indian Memorial, each of which offers a unique perspective on the battle.
How to Get there?
The closest major airport is Billings Logan International Airport, located approximately 65 miles north of the monument. From the airport, you can rent a car and take I-90 E to Crow Agency, which is a drive of about an hour and a half. The monument’s physical address is Interstate 90 Frontage Rd, Crow Agency, MT 59022.
- Entrance fee: No enctrance fee (may change in the future)
- Opening hours: Year-round
Other Notable Parks in Montana
- Pictograph Cave State Park: Located 5 miles south of Billings, this park is home to a collection of caves that feature rock paintings dating back more than 2,000 years.
- Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park: This park is Montana’s first and best-known state park featuring one of the largest known limestone caverns in the Northwest. Visitors can explore the caverns on guided tours to see stalactites, stalagmites, columns and helictites.
- Makoshika State Park: As Montana’s largest state park, Makoshika is a haven for dinosaur lovers. The park features badland formations and dinosaur fossils. Visitors can hike, camp and explore the visitor centre, which features dinosaur bones and interpretive exhibits.
- Flathead Lake State Park: This park is located on the largest natural freshwater lake in the western US. The park offers water-based recreational activities (e.g. fishing, boating and swimming) as well as camping/picnicking facilities.
- Bannack State Park: This park preserves the ghost town of Bannack, the site of Montana’s first major gold discovery in 1862. Visitors can explore over sixty structures, walk the old streets (where much history took place) and even pan for gold.
- First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park: This park is home to one of the largest buffalo jump cliffs in North America. The visitor center provides exhibits on the Plains Indians and the buffalo culture.
- Giant Springs State Park boasts one of the largest freshwater springs in the world. The park offers a fish hatchery and aquarium, over 20 miles of trails for hiking and biking, and a chance to see the Rainbow Falls overlook.
- Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site: This site was the most important fur trading post on the upper Missouri River from 1828 to 1867. Today, visitors can see the reconstructed fort and learn about the fur trade era.
How Many National Parks are in Montana?
Montana has eight national parks, the most popular being Yellowstone and Glacier. But if you count not only the official parks, as described in the article, there are fifteen or more parks in total (see last section).
Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872 as the first national park in the United States. The park is known for its geothermal features such as Old Faithful Geyser, hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles. Glacier National Park was established in 1910 and covers over 1 million acres. The park is renowned for its rugged mountains, glaciers, lakes and wildlife.
What is the most visited park in Montana?
According to Statista, Yellowstone National Park is the most visited park in Montana with 4.86 million visitors in 2021. It is also one of the most popular national parks in the United States. Yellowstone National Park is known for its geothermal features such as Old Faithful Geyser and Grand Prismatic Spring. It is also home to a variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves and herds of bison and elk. In addition, Yellowstone National – the oldest national park in the country – attracted a total of approximately 3.29 million visitors in 2022.
How many people visit Glacier National Park?
Glacier National Park, located in the heart of Montana, remains one of the top 10 most visited national parks in the United States. In 2022, the park received 2,908,458 recreational visits, demonstrating its continued popularity among outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers.
Despite a slight dip in visitation in 2022, primarily due to a drop in visitation during the months of January, March, April, October, November, and December, Glacier National Park has consistently received around 3 million visitors each year for the past five years, with the exception of 2020 due to pandemic-related closures. This consistent visitation underscores the park’s appeal and its status as a must-visit destination for those seeking to immerse themselves in the grandeur of nature.
So what makes Glacier National Park the most popular park in Montana? The answer lies in its stunning natural beauty, abundant wildlife and range of outdoor recreational opportunities. From the awe-inspiring vistas of the Going-to-the-Sun Road to the tranquil beauty of Lake McDonald and the adventurous hiking trails that crisscross the park, Glacier National Park has something for everyone.
In addition, over the past two years, park officials have implemented a vehicle reservation pilot program that has successfully spread visitation throughout the day during peak times on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. This has resulted in fewer closures, better traffic management, and a more enjoyable park experience during the peak season.
Conclusion
Finally, Montana is home to some of the most beautiful national parks in the United States. Each park offers unique experiences, whether it’s exploring the rugged beauty of Glacier National Park, learning about the history of the Nez Perce tribe at Big Hole National Battlefield, or stepping back in time at Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site.
Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover or adventure seeker, Montana’s national parks have something for everyone. So pack your bags, get your hiking boots and get ready to explore Big Sky Country. Your adventure awaits in Montana’s national parks!
Article: “National Parks in Montana: A Traveler’s Paradise”! Looking for more articles about the United States? Visit our section about the United States of America!
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