Category: Museums

The Western Montana landscape is chock-full of world-class attractions, but the Flathead Corridor is always at the top of our list when we’re looking for an unforgettable adventure. Here you’ll find small-town charm and Flathead Lake—the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi and an anchor to this wildly scenic vacation destination just south of Glacier National […]

If you’re looking for an impressive cultural experience, Glacier Country has you covered. View works from nationally renowned artists and walk through some of the most fascinating exhibits of historical artifacts providing glimpses into the Old West, railroad days, pioneer settlements and American Indian heritage. To help you history buffs, art lovers and train and […]

California, we’re coming for you and delivering direct flights to Glacier Country’s wide-open spaces, fresh mountain air and charming small towns. Our year-round recreation paradise is only a few hours away, now that Alaska Airlines offers daily nonstop flights from San Jose (SJC), San Diego (SAN) and San Francisco (SFO) to Missoula International Airport (MSO) […]

The Bitterroot Valley is one of Western Montana’s best-kept secrets, with endless world-class recreation—from hiking through canyons to soaking in alpine lakes, rigging in trout on a blue-ribbon river or biking the Bitterroot Trail—it’s not hard to have fun outdoors here. The quaint communities within the Bitterroot Valley are rich with Old West charm, museums […]

It’s not hard to guess how the small town of Hot Springs got its name. Just about an hour from Missoula and Kalispell—on Montana’s Tour 200 scenic travel corridor in the Flathead Indian Reservation—this eclectic community is brimful of character and mineral-rich waters. Called “big medicine” by the Pend d’Oreille American Indians, these geothermal waters […]

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 […]

There are 154 national forests in the United States, and Montana is home to 12 of them. Five of those cover ground in Glacier Country—Lolo, Bitterroot, Flathead, Kootenai and part of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests—and claim more than 8 million acres of national forestland comprised of some of the most pristine terrain in America. Dramatic mountain peaks and soft rolling foothills; lush and diverse woodlands; sparkling lakes and rivers; and remote wilderness areas make up these beloved forestlands, all a vital part of Montana’s prized landscape. And thanks to the help of the U.S. Forest Service, and their efforts and partnerships with local organizations to conserve the land, we plan to keep it that way.

Explore the rich heritage of American Indians and time-honored traditions like pow wows in Western Montana’s Glacier Country, where you’ll find two of the seven Indian reservations that fall within Montana’s borders—the Blackfeet Nation of the Blackfeet Reservation and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation. In addition to multiple year-round tribal events, you’ll find museums, galleries, shops and organizations dedicated to preserving the American Indian history and way of life with compelling exhibits and artifacts, and authentic arts and crafts.

Less than 20 minutes south of Flathead Lake—the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi—Ronan is quietly situated against the backdrop of the majestic Mission Mountains. This picturesque community off U.S. Highway 93 is more than a small-town agriculture community. The views alone are worth the visit to Ronan, but there’s more to this Mission Valley gem. Year-round recreation abounds here, like fishing, hiking in the Mission Mountain Wilderness Area (by permit), birding, camping and golf.

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.