Category: Bitterroot Valley

It’s no secret that Montana is a pretty big place with plenty of room to roam. We like to take advantage of all that gorgeous open space and cover as much ground as we can, especially in winter when we can power up our sleds and snowmobile miles and miles of bragworthy winter-wonderland terrain.

Montana’s main draw is its natural beauty and world-class outdoor recreation, so it can be a quite a pleasant surprise to find out the state’s rugged exterior belies a highly developed artistic sensibility. Many of Western Montana’s communities boast big-city-worthy galleries and artists with talent galore. Local art makes a lovely souvenir, so take some time to browse and shop.

We’re sweet on every season here, but we’re especially smitten with autumn. The tapestry of golden hues and hillsides dusted with the first snow complemented by the impossibly blue sky gets us every time, and fall brings a few of our favorite things: flannels, festivals, scenic road trips, seasonal microbrews and farmers markets brimming with pumpkins, heritage apples, ciders and more of our favorite harvest flavors.

[caption id="attachment_7205" align="aligncenter" width="5760"] Hop in your car and prepare for epic views of Glacier National Park…and don’t worry, there are plenty of places to pull over and capture the moment.[/caption]

When thinking about Montana, images of wildlife, jaw-dropping landscapes and recreation in pristine mountain wilderness probably come to mind. But in the midst of all of this, Montana is also bustling with a lesser known beautiful thing: breweries. Glacier Country is home to more than 20 brew houses, and we’re here to highlight the handful in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley. This scenic valley is long (96 miles, to be exact) and is flanked by the Bitterroot Mountains on the west and the Sapphire Mountains on the east. It’s also home to the Bitterroot River, charming communities, incredible history, fabulous food and an abundance of year-round outdoor recreation. However, we’re here to tell you about the exceptional craft beer coming straight out of “The Root.”

You may have already figured out that we’re pretty good at divulging our own secrets. That’s because we have so much good Glacier getaway intel to share. For instance, spring is one of the best times to explore Big Sky Country by bike. As the temperatures begin to warm in Western Montana, snow enthusiasts head home, making spring one of our quietest—and most serene—seasons. Experience wildflowers, emerging wildlife, rushing rivers and the always welcome shoulder-season pricing (which pairs well with our warm western hospitality).

Stretching 50 paved miles through the heart of Western Montana, the Bitterroot Trail links the vibrant city of Missoula with the communities and landscapes of the Bitterroot Valley. Decades of collaboration and local commitment helped bring this trail to life, creating a scenic, accessible route for cyclists of all experience levels. The trail parallels two […]

Western Montana’s landscapes have long inspired creativity. With wide-open spaces, vibrant communities and a rich cultural heritage, the region has become a natural gathering place for musicians and music lovers alike. Symphonies play beneath open skies, while well-loved festivals bring nationally recognized artists to small towns and mountain valleys across Glacier Country. Throughout the year, […]

Food is an essential part of experiencing a place, and in Western Montana, a well-prepared, locally sourced steak is both a meal and a reflection of the region’s heritage. Cattle ranching remains a longstanding tradition here—shaped by generations of stewardship, agricultural pride and deep respect for the land. Across Glacier Country, steakhouses serve as community […]

Western Montana’s Glacier Country stretches from the Canadian border to the Bitterroot Valley, offering an expansive landscape of forests, rivers, peaks and small communities. With so many miles of trail to explore, choosing where to begin can feel like a challenge. What started as a list of 10 favorite hikes quickly grew beyond a single […]