Category: Fishing

Western Montana’s cinematic landscapes have long inspired film producers, setting the stage for legendary films like “A River Runs Through It” and binge-worthy TV shows like “Yellowstone.” As we shelter in our homes and practice social distancing, we may find ourselves in need of a distraction. To help you escape, we’ve rounded up famous movies […]

The higher you go the better the view. Channel your inner treehouse-loving child and stay in a lookout tower, one of the most unique rustic getaways in Western Montana. Lookout towers are prime for stellar scenery, plus incredible wildlife watching, sunrises and sunsets, and dark-skies stargazing. Lookout towers are small U.S. Forest Service cabins positioned […]

Simply put, a destination wedding in Western Montana has all the ingredients to make your wedding dreams come true. Whether it’s in a sweeping mountain meadow, on the shores of a crystal-clear lake, or in Glacier National Park, the backdrop for your special day will be picture perfect here. It’s also the ideal place to […]

Glacier Country has a number of ranches—both rustic and luxury—offering warm western hospitality, relaxation and recreation opportunities like fly-fishing, hiking, snowshoeing, and, of course, horseback riding under big blue skies. Experience the beauty of Western Montana’s breathtaking landscapes, bask in infinite adventures and get to know our friendly, saddle-savvy locals from a traditionally western vantage point.

Every summer, thousands of travelers drive I-90 as they cruise across Montana. Many of these folks will take a detour south near Bozeman to head to Yellowstone, and others may take the detour north of Missoula to Glacier National Park. But Montana has so many hidden gems tucked just off the interstate, from endless mountain views to quaint small towns with big personalities. My name is Andy Austin. I am a Montana-based photographer and lover of the lesser-visited places in my beautiful state. When Glacier Country Tourism reached out to do a shoot in the I-90 corridor west of Missoula, I was quick to say yes to exploring one of the few areas I have only driven through. 

From Flathead Lake—the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi—to countless alpine lakes, legendary rivers and famous blue-ribbon trout streams, there’s no shortage of places to play on the pristine waters of Western Montana’s Glacier Country. Boaters, rafters, paddlers, sailors and anglers alike flock to the region to take advantage of world-class water recreation opportunities among some of the planet’s most scenic and unspoiled landscapes.

With countless ways to recreate, from golf to yoga and biking to fly-fishing, Western Montana sets the scene for an epic girls getaway—without breaking the bank. Our awe-inspiring views create the perfect backdrop to relax, reconnect and rejuvenate with friends. Set aside time to explore one of our vibrant (and quite charming) downtowns where you will be greeted with warm western hospitality. Here’s your guide to an authentic small-town adventure and instagram-worthy retreats in Glacier Country.

Winter in Glacier Country is for adventurous powder plungers, downhill dreamers and paradise seekers looking for a peaceful escape in an enchanting frosty forest of white. We have activities year-round here, but winter is one of our best seasons for adventure. Exploration is exponential this time of year, and it’s one of our favorite seasons to recreate in Western Montana.

Part of what makes Western Montana’s great outdoors so great is the abundance of explore-worthy, off-the-beaten-path public lands. Admittedly, we’re a little obsessed with visiting the lesser-known gems of Glacier Country, where crowds are light or non-existent and the adventure is always one of discovery.

As a guide in Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park (GNP) I am no stranger to their beauty, but I am also no stranger to their crowds. With record numbers expected to hit GNP again this year, I knew it was time to explore the surrounding regions. My name is Andy Austin, and I’m a photographer based out of Montana. For the past three weeks, I have road-tripped across Montana in search of spring wildflowers and epic adventures. As my tour starts to come to a close in northwest Montana’s Glacier Country, many of my friends guessed that my trip would take me to the Flathead Valley and GNP, an area I spend a good deal of free time in. But, for this adventure, I had my eyes set on solitude and escaping the crowds.