Western Montana is full of unexpected places worth adding to your itinerary. Explore a tropical garden, walk among 1,000 Buddha sculptures, sleep in a treehouse, catch live music along Lake Koocanusa or bike a trail connecting small towns in the Bitterroot Valley. Here are 21 under-the-radar places to discover throughout Glacier Country.
1. THE GARDEN OF ONE THOUSAND BUDDHAS
The Garden of One Thousand Buddhas is a public park, botanical garden and Buddhist center featuring 1,000 Buddha sculptures set against the Mission Mountains. Walk through the garden and learn about its design, which originated from a vision Tulku Sang-ngag Rinpoche had as a child in Tibet.
2. KOOCANUSA SAND DUNES
Koocanusa Sand Dunes offer an open play area for motorbikes and off-highway vehicles (OHVs). The sand dunes and play pits are accessible when reservoir levels are low, typically from late May through late June. When the water recedes, you might also spot concrete foundations from the original town of Rexford, which was relocated before the reservoir was created.
3. MONTANA TREEHOUSE RETREAT
Stay among the trees at Montana Treehouse Retreat in the Flathead Valley, with several unique treehouses to choose from. The Raven’s Nest is an elevated A-frame with a mountain-modern décor, the Meadowlark features a whimsical, turreted design, and the Beverly is a fully restored and reimagined 42-foot 1966 Trojan Motor Yacht elevated in the trees.
4. KOOTENAI CREEK TRAIL
In the Bitterroot Valley, Kootenai Creek Trail follows the creek past cascades, clear pools and granite canyon walls. The out-and-back trail makes it easy to choose your distance, while backpackers can continue about 9 miles to North Kootenai Lake for a longer adventure.
5. THOMPSON CHAIN OF LAKES STATE PARK
The Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park spans 3,000 acres and provides access to 18 lakes along U.S. Highway 2. Spend the day fishing, boating, water skiing or swimming, surrounded by forests of larch, Douglas fir and ponderosa pine.
6. ST. IGNATIUS MISSION
The St. Ignatius Mission was built in 1891 by American Indians and Jesuit missionaries. Inside, 58 hand-painted murals cover the walls and ceiling, created by Brother Joseph Carignano, a self-taught artist who also served as the mission’s cook and handyman.
7. HARPERS + BLANCHARD LAKES
Camp along the Clearwater River at Harpers Lake or neighboring Blanchard Lake, where 14 campsites provide easy access to fishing and a gravel boat launch. The recreation site is ADA accessible and located just off State Highway 83.
8. ABC ACRES TROPICAL GARDEN
ABC Acres is a working permaculture farm in the Bitterroot Valley where visitors can feed goats, collect eggs and take a farm tour to learn about sustainable agriculture. One unexpected feature is the farm’s 600-square-foot Tropical Botanical Garden, home to more than 100 different plantings. Stay on the farm in one of four vacation homes, with access to trails and other hands-on farm experiences.
9. THE SHIRE OF MONTANA
The Shire of Montana in Trout Creek is a vacation rental inspired by the homes in “The Hobbit.” Designed with whimsical details throughout, the private cabin offers a unique overnight stay for visitors looking for lodging that’s a little out of the ordinary.
10. REDSUN LABYRINTH
Walk the Redsun Labyrinth in Victor, a 108-foot-diameter replica of the labyrinth at Chartres Cathedral in France. The 4/5-mile walk winds through a grassland meadow with views of the Bitterroot Mountains, with nearly 200 lavender plants encircling the inside of the base. Bring a stone to leave within the labyrinth’s pattern.
11. MOON-RANDOLPH HOMESTEAD
Explore one of the region’s oldest intact ranches at the Moon-Randolph Homestead in Missoula. Walk the property at your own pace, taste wild plums along a trail traveled by Séliš-Ql̓ispé people, visit the laying hens, and discover rare apple varieties growing in the heritage orchard.
12. ST. MARY OVERLOOK
Less than 2 miles south of St. Mary on U.S. Highway 89, the St. Mary Overlook features two large metal tipis connected by winding pathways. The installation is integrated into the surrounding landscape, with the pathways leading to an upper overlook.
13. BITTERROOT TRAIL
Bike the approximately 50-mile Bitterroot Trail between Missoula and Hamilton, a paved path with views of the Bitterroot Mountains. The trail passes through several small towns along the way, making it easy to stop for a meal, browse local shops or explore before continuing your ride.
14. HOLLAND LAKE FALLS
The 3.3-mile out-and-back Holland Falls National Recreation Trail follows the shoreline of Holland Lake before gradually climbing to the base of Holland Falls. Along the way, take in views across the lake and surrounding mountains before reaching the falls.
15. TOBACCO VALLEY HISTORICAL VILLAGE
Step into the Tobacco Valley’s past at the Tobacco Valley Historical Village in Eureka, where restored buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries create a small historic village. Explore a schoolhouse, general store, railroad depot, fire tower and log cabins furnished with period artifacts. The adjoining Eureka Riverwalk Trail offers an easy way to continue exploring along the Tobacco River.
16. BRAND BAR MUSEUM
Step inside Ovando’s past at the Brand Bar Museum, housed in a former saloon once known as the “Bucket of Blood.” The museum displays artifacts, photographs and memorabilia from the community’s early days. Outside, you’ll also find Ovando’s historic jail, which has been transformed into an unusual overnight stay.
17. LONE PINE STATE PARK
Take in views across the Flathead Valley from Lone Pine State Park, just outside Kalispell. On a clear day, the overlook provides views of Flathead Lake, Big Mountain, the Jewel Basin and Glacier National Park. The park also offers hiking trails and interpretive programs, plus an Action Trackchair that helps visitors with limited mobility access more of the trail system.
18. ABAYANCE BAY
Listen to live music along the shores of Lake Koocanusa at Abayance Bay in Rexford. The outdoor amphitheater hosts concerts throughout the summer, with local musicians and national acts taking the stage against a backdrop of the lake and surrounding mountains. Before the show, grab dinner and drinks at the marina or spend time on the water with a boat or watercraft rental.
19. LOST TRAIL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge encompasses prairie grasslands, wetlands, riparian areas and aspen groves northwest of Marion, providing habitat for elk, deer, moose and other wildlife. More elusive species, including wolverines, Canada lynx, fishers and grizzly bears, have also been documented within the refuge.
20. HUNGRY HORSE DAM
At 564 feet high, Hungry Horse Dam is one of the largest concrete arch dams in the United States, and its 490-foot spillway is the highest in the world. The dam holds back Hungry Horse Reservoir, surrounded by the forested mountains of the Hungry Horse Recreation Area, with opportunities for boating, fishing, camping and scenic driving.
21. LEGACY BIKE PARK
Built specifically for mountain biking, Legacy Bike Park near Lakeside features downhill trails ranging from smooth flow trails to technical terrain with steep drops and large jumps. Load your bike onto the shuttle for a ride to the top of the mountain or pedal up the designated uphill trail before choosing your route down.
Please note: We ask that all our visitors and residents recreate responsibly by being mindful of the following: know before you go; plan ahead; play it safe; leave no trace; tread lightly; and help build an inclusive outdoors.
August 31, 2026
Related: Arlee, Babb, Biking, Bitterroot Valley, Cideries, Columbia Falls, Concerts/Music Festivals, Condon, Dining, Dixon, Kalispell, Lakeside, Missoula, Montana, Outdoor Fun, Shopping, St. Ignatius, Stay, Trout Creek, Vacation, Victor, Water Fun
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