Western Montana’s Glacier Country is filled to the brim with amazing scenery and picture-perfect backdrops. From the glacier-carved peaks of Glacier National Park in the north to the Old West town of Darby in the south, Montana is chockful of awe-inspiring views. Taking pictures is a key part of vacationing, and to help you snag some of the most iconic images in Glacier Country, we’ve created a list of 31 of our favorite locations for photo opportunities.
1. FLATHEAD LAKE
At 30 miles long and 15 miles wide, and with 185 miles of shoreline, the vast and beautiful Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, and pretty as a picture. One of the best views—and a perfect photo op—is from the Polson Hill Lookout just south of Polson on the east side of U.S. Highway 93. The view looking north out over the lake is absolutely stunning.
2. BITTERROOT NATIONAL FOREST
Hiking trails are numerous in the Bitterroot Range, and the views are awe-inspiring. A favorite hike is the Kootenai Creek Trail, where you can wander through granite canyon walls and past small waterfalls following Kootenai Creek 9 miles in to the Kootenai Lakes. This is one photogenic route.
3. MISSOULA FROM MOUNT SENTINEL
One of the most popular Missoula hikes, the zigzagging trail that leads up to the “M” on Mount Sentinel is a quick, easy trek, with many places to take in the stunning view of the University of Montana clock tower, the scenic campus, and the town of Missoula along its path. While you can tackle the hike at any time of day, sunset offers the perfect opportunity to capture your Missoula moment.
4. SELI’Š KSANKA QLISPE’ DAM (FORMERLY KERR DAM)
A short drive from Polson, admire the spectacular views from Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ Dam, which is 54 feet higher than Niagara Falls. The viewing platform offers amazing Flathead Lake and Mission Mountain views, and is open year-round from dawn to dusk. Please note: You’ll need a CSKT Tribal recreation permit for this adventure.
5. GARNET GHOST TOWN
During the late 1850s, prospectors struck gold in Montana. Once the gold disappeared, so did the people, turning the once wild and roaring mining camps into historic ghost towns. Montana’s best-preserved ghost town is right here in Glacier Country. Garnet Ghost Town once had a population of nearly 1,000 people. What’s left today includes 30 historic buildings consisting of cabins, a saloon and part of a hotel.
6. WHITEFISH MOUNTAIN RESORT
The Summit House restaurant sits nearly 7,000 feet above sea level at the top of Whitefish Mountain Resort, and is a particularly spectacular place to grab lunch and enjoy a gorgeous view of Glacier National Park. This view of the park is best in winter—the snowcapped peaks of the distant mountains add an additional visual element that’s best described as surreal.
7. RODEO
Pull on your boots, grab your cowboy hat and channel some western vibes at a local rodeo. Steeped in tradition and history, many of our communities still host rodeos paying homage to Montana’s heritage with events based on the duties of actual working cowboys. A rodeo is your chance to document an authentic western adventure and have a wildly good time while you’re at it.
8. LIBBY DAM + LAKE KOOCANUSA
The dramatic, 422-tall Libby Dam hold back 90 Miles of pristine Lake Koocanusa. There’s a great view of the dam from the road as you approach the visitor center. Lake Koocanusa recreation also includes one gorgeous natural setting after another. Drive the Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway for miles of picturesque vistas.
9. STARRY NIGHT SKY
Capture the dark side of Montana’s great big sky, and discover a stellar experience in Glacier National Park—an internationally recognized Dark Sky Park. This stargazer’s haven is a night sky photographer’s playground. Focus on the Milky Way and maybe even catch a glimpse of the northern lights.
10. CLEARWATER COW
On your way up State Highway 200 to explore the Seely Swan Valley and Seeley Lake, make it a point to stop for gas at Clearwater Junction and pose for a pic with the giant cow.
11. GARDEN OF ONE THOUSAND BUDDHAS
Built in Arlee in Montana’s Jocko Valley, the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas is a beautiful contrast to the nearby snowcapped Mission Mountains. Open year-round, the garden offers a unique location to capture a peaceful Montana moment.
12. KOOTENAI FALLS + KOOTENAI FALLS SWINGING BRIDGE
Check out the view of Kootenai Falls (between Libby and Troy) from the swinging bridge. This picturesque bridge is suspended over the rushing Kootenai River, presenting the perfect photo op and an unforgettable experience.
13. BIGFORK CHRISTMAS VILLAGE
Always on our must-stop list, the small town of Bigfork is charming year-round—think Hallmark vibes. Near the holidays, Bigfork “elves” decorate the town from top to bottom in holiday cheer, earning the town’s nickname of Montana’s Christmas Village and making the perfect backdrop for your holiday card.
14. THE MISSION MOUNTAINS
As you travel along U.S. Highway 93 from Missoula to Polson, you’ll be met by the impressive peaks of the Mission Mountains. A few favorite photo locations for this mountain range are cresting Ravalli Hill just south of St. Ignatius (use the designated scenic pullout) and Ninepipes Lodge in Charlo.
15. WILD GOOSE ISLAND + GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
The 50-mile-long Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park leads travelers to incredible scenic overlooks and photo opportunities. Topping our list: Wild Goose Island overlook on the east side of the road. This view is accessible by car when the road is open and can be accessed by cross-country ski during the winter months. Please note: Visitors entering the Going-to-the-Sun Road from the east side will not be required to have a vehicle reservation this year, but visitors entering the road from the west side will need a vehicle reservation.
16. CLEARWATER CANOE TRAIL
The Clearwater Canoe Trail is a calm stretch of river meandering through a dense willow marsh, entering the north end of Seeley Lake. It’s a serene float to do by kayak, canoe or paddleboard, and if you’re lucky you’ll see an otter, turtle or great blue heron. This is a lovely spot to capture Montana’s nature from the perspective of the water.
17. ROUTE OF THE HIAWATHA
Noted as one of the most breathtakingly scenic stretches of railroad in the country, the Route of the Hiawatha is a 15-mile gradual downhill ride through an alpine forest. Pass through 10 tunnels, including a 1.66-mile tunnel, and get the perfect family photo from one of the seven sky-high trestles you’ll ride over.
18. THE CHINESE WALL (IN MONTANA)
Montana’s expansive Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex is home to the Scapegoat, Great Bear and Bob Marshall wilderness areas. It’s also home to the Chinese Wall, a 22-mile-long rock escarpment that reaches heights of 1,000 feet and makes for a dramatic backcountry landscape shot. While you can access The Bob on your own, there are also many outfitters that offer guided trips into Montana’s largest wilderness area.
19. BLACKFOOT RIVER
Cast a line on the Blackfoot River and capture your Montana adventure on the famous waters of Norman Maclean’s “A River Runs Through It.” You can also cool off on a hot summer day by floating down a stretch of the Blackfoot on a tube, raft, kayak or paddleboard.
20. FOREST SERVICE FIRE LOOKOUT
One of Western Montana’s best-kept secrets is that our Forest Service fire lookout towers can be rented. Lookout towers are small U.S. Forest Service cabins positioned at high elevations in remote areas historically used for spotting smoke and wildland fire. These cabins have windows on all sides, setting the stage for epic panoramic views.
21. DARBY
An Old West charmer, the little town of Darby sits at the southern tip of the Bitterroot Valley. Take a step back in time in downtown Darby at local antique shops and an old-fashioned candy store and grab some selfies in the town that’s home to the actual Dutton Ranch from the TV drama “Yellowstone.”
22. POLEBRIDGE
Sitting in Montana’s North Fork (outside Glacier National Park), Polebridge is one of our favorite places to visit. It has an adorable historic mercantile and bakery that serves mouthwatering huckleberry bear claws. Plus, there’s plenty of wildlife to be seen—a photographer’s dream come true.
23. CONRAD MANSION
Take a docent-guided tour of the 26-room Conrad Mansion, and its gardens, once home to the founder of Kalispell, Charles E. Conrad. The museum offers a glimpse into the lives of the Conrad family and their impact on Montana’s history, and the gardens and grounds are picture-perfect.
24. THE HOT SPRINGS IN PARADISE
Home to natural hot springs, Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort sits along the St. Regis-Paradise Scenic Byway. The pools are located against the bottom of a nearby mountain and create a truly picturesque scene any time of year.
25. MONTANA’S EAGLE EXPERIENCE
Discover Montana’s Eagle Experience, where you’ll encounter eagles, hawks, owls, falcons and more. Enjoy hands-on interaction, and even opt for a thrilling experience with a Harris’s Hawk flying to your fist. Capture memories with these majestic creatures or book a photography session to snap your own stunning images.
26. ROSS CREEK CEDAR GROVE
Try to wrap your arms around 1,000-year-old cedar trees that have grown up to 8 feet in diameter at Ross Creek Cedar Grove. A mile-long interpretive walking trail explains the area’s ecology and history.
27. AERIAL ADVENTURE
Enjoy the scenery from above when you take flight in Western Montana. A helicopter tour, hot air balloon ride or private airplane adventure is a picturesque way to explore our vast terrain and get a bird’s-eye view of some of the most untouched wilderness areas on the planet, including the Mission Mountains, the Chinese Wall and Glacier National Park.
28. CSKT BISON RANGE
Take a selfie—from the safe distance of 25+ yards away—with a bison. There’s no better place to spot wildlife than the 18,500-acre CSKT Bison Range near Moiese. Home to 350+ bison, as well as antelope, bighorn sheep, elk, deer, coyotes and black bears, and set against the backdrop of the gorgeous Mission Mountains, it’s definitely a sight to capture.
29. BLACKFEET NATION WARRIOR SCULPTURES
These Blackfeet warrior sculptures are found at four entrance points into the Blackfeet Reservation near the east side of Glacier National Park. Created by Blackfeet artist Jay Laber, the warriors are made of scraps from rusted cars, barbed wire and stones of an old mission school.
30. HOLLAND LAKE FROM HOLLAND FALLS
The 1.6-mile-long trail to the falls doesn’t have much of an elevation gain, but gives beautiful perspectives along the way. The cream of the crop is the view from Holland Falls overlooking Holland Lake.
31. TWILIGHT AT LAKE MCDONALD IN GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
Accessible year-round, this view of Lake McDonald from Apgar is located just inside the west entrance of Glacier National Park. To have this view (nearly) all to yourself, go during the off-seasons of fall, winter and spring.
PHOTOGRAPH RESPONSIBLY
While you’re capturing that perfect Montana moment, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. Do not disrupt wildlife and wild places or endanger yourself or others while taking photos in Montana’s most Instagram-worthy spots. Please also tag responsibly; to keep the experience of discovery alive, while taking photos in Western Montana—including in Glacier National Park—please do not tag specific locations on social media; instead, tag locations simply as “Western Montana” or “Glacier National Park.”
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.
February 26, 2024
Related: Aerial Tours, American Indian, Arlee, Bigfork, Bison Range, Bitterroot Valley, Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Blackfeet Nation, Blackfoot Corridor, Charlo, Clark Fork Corridor, Darby, East Glacier Corridor, Flathead Corridor, Flathead Lake, Garnet Ghost Town, Glacier National Park, Go, Guided Tours, I-90 Corridor, Kalispell, Lakeside, Libby, Missoula, Moiese, Montana, Outdoor Fun, Paradise, Polebridge, Polson, Seeley Lake, Seeley-Swan Corridor, St. Mary, Troy, Whitefish, Wildlife
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