Truth be told, it doesn’t get much better than summer in MontanaAnd this year, summer has been pretty fantastic. From visiting Bighorn Canyon in Southeast Montana to biking the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, it’s been full of adventure, beautiful weather and lots of memorable moments. Before the days of summer fully give way to fall, I thought it’d be fun to take a look back at a summer spent in Montana.

Here’s a look at 25 of my favorite summer memories from living, working and playing in Big Sky Country.

1. Bighorn Canyon. 

Visiting Bighorn Canyon in the southeast corner of Montana was the highlight of June.
Visiting Bighorn Canyon in the southeast corner of Montana was the highlight of June.

2. Mission Mountains from the top of Ravalli Hill. 

One of the best views in Montana.
One of the best views in Montana.

3. Gladiator Mountain. 

To get here, you're well-advised to take a hearty horse.
To get here, you’re well-advised to take a hearty horse.

4. American Indian dancers at Ninepipes Lodge in Charlo. 

The dancers + this backdrop made for a perfect morning.
The dancers + this backdrop made for a perfect morning.

5. A late summer sunset. 

A Missoula sunset.
A Missoula sunset.

6. Horses at Flathead Lake Lodge in Bigfork. 

Letting the horses out to pasture.
Letting the horses out to pasture.

7. A misty morning in Glacier National Park. 

Snow and low clouds lingered in mid-May.
Snow and low clouds lingered in mid-May.

8. Missoula from Waterworks Hill. 

Taking in the view of the Garden City.
Taking in the view of the Garden City.

9. Twilight on Flathead Lake. 

I think this is what they call a perfect Montana summer night.
I think this is what they call a perfect Montana summer night.

10. Riding through remnants of a forest fire. 

Riding through several miles of forest-fire burn was one of the most vibrant memories from the summer.
We rode through several miles of forest-fire burn and this experience is one of my favorite and most vibrant memories from the summer.

11. The Rocky Mountain Front east of Lincoln. 

Country roads, take me home.
I can only imagine the scenes along this road.

12. The Clearwater Canoe Trail. 

Sky and land collide near Seeley Lake.
Sky and land collide near Seeley Lake.

13. Storm clouds over Lake McDonald. 

One of my favorite scenes, the boats of Glacier Park Boat Company at Apgar in Glacier National Park.
One of my favorite scenes, the boats of Glacier Park Boat Company at Apgar in Glacier National Park.

14. The Blackfeet Nation + Glacier National Park. 

This view is just off Highway 2 between East Glacier Park and Browning.
This view is just off Highway 2 between East Glacier Park and Browning.

15. Main Street in Augusta, Montana. 

One of the perks of small-town living: little traffic.
One of the perks of small-town living: little traffic.

16. Biking the Going-to-the-Sun Road. 

One of my favorite memories of the entire year: biking in Glacier National Park.
One of my favorite memories of the entire year: biking in Glacier National Park.

17. The Augusta Rodeo. 

One of the greatest things about summer is that nearly every town in Montana has a rodeo.
One of the greatest things about summer is that nearly every town in Montana has a rodeo.

18. Playing in the water at Placid Lake. 

The Seeley-Swan Valley is home to hundreds of lakes. Placid Lake just happens to be my personal favorite.
The Seeley-Swan Valley is home to hundreds of lakes. Placid Lake just happens to be my personal favorite.

19. Cotton-candy clouds. 

Montana sunsets may be the best sunsets.
Montana sunsets may be the best sunsets.

20. White River, Bob Marshall Wilderness. 

Montana's backcountry looks like THIS.
Montana’s backcountry looks like THIS.

21. Sawtooth Mountain + Montana’s plains. 

One of the most stunning places to see is where the mountains and plains meet.
One of the most stunning places to see is where the mountains and plains meet.

22. The Chinese Wall in Montana. 

Standing on top of the Chinese Wall.
Standing on top of the Chinese Wall, a 22-mile-long rock escarpment in the Bob Marshall Wilderness.

23. Country roads. 

Driving Montana's country roads is something I highly recommend when visiting Big Sky Country...because of views like this.
You can never go wrong taking a country road.

24. The Crown of the Continent. 

Many park visitors come in July and August. This photo is why I love visiting in June.
Many park visitors come in July and August. This photo is why I love visiting in June.

25. A barn in Gold Creek. 

To me, farms and ranches are Montana.
To me, farms and ranches are Montana.

It was a great summer.

xo,
TT

August 19, 2016

Related: Summer Fun

Comments

Sandra Hodges
Thank you for sharing :-)
Kenneth. G. Blair
A most inspiringly beautiful collection of photos ! As an old Montana Boy born and raised I very much appreciate these pics and although a trip home isn't in the financial cards this year I'll certainly plan on a visit next year with my entire family ! Thanks for sharing, Thanks for caring ! Keep up with all the good work and good luck with all your endeavors !
Judith Lynch
You live a beautiful life!
Judith Lynch
Your pictures are buautiful! Love Montana.
Darlene Mayer
Beautiful pics thank you for sharing!! Went to the US the beginning of July for a week..Most of the time spent just outside of Augusta at our daughters..love the mountains and wildlife in the backyard!! :)
Penny (Taylor) Esparza
I miss home. GLACIER National Park is one of my most favorite places on earth. I now live in New Mexico but Montana is in my heart and I loved these photos.
Letty
Just left Glacier, after a third trip this year - one in each season. Your photos are inspired and magic, like the entire state of MT.
Nancy Lyons-Miller
Always look forward to this blog. Montana IS the last best place. Gorgeous photos! Thank you a lot for capturing her beauty.

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