Category: Parks

Spring in Western Montana brings longer days and snow-free trails at lower elevations, making it a great time to get outside. While higher elevations may still be snow-covered, many in-town and nearby trails are clear and ready to explore. These easy, family-friendly hikes offer a simple way to stretch your legs, take in the scenery, and experience Western Montana’s communities on foot—no steep climbs required.

Western Montana’s pristine landscape makes for prime bird habitat. Our skies are graced with soaring raptors, our lakes and rivers are flush with waterfowl and shorebirds, and our grasslands and woodlands are visited by beautiful songbirds. Whether you’re an avid birder checking birds off a life list, or someone who just wants a look at something wild and free, there’s plenty of opportunity to catch some good glimpses of Glacier Country’s feathered residents.

Glacier National Park is open year-round, and fall offers a season all its own. Glacial-carved valleys and mountainsides shift into shades of gold, adding depth and color to the already dramatic landscape. With fewer visitors and excellent opportunities for birding and wildlife watching, it’s one of the most rewarding times to explore. Plus, vehicle reservations […]

Families have long vacationed in Western Montana to reconnect and find adventure together. This place has a way of turning simple moments into unforgettable memories. Come float a gentle river (or a wild one), pick cherries under the summer sun, spot wildlife in the woods or try something new—like kayaking on Flathead Lake, riding horseback […]

One of the things that makes Montana so special is that we share the land with an abundance of beautiful, wild creatures. Western Montana is comprised of millions of acres of public land that is home to 83 species of mammals and 393 species of birds—and seeing them is easier than you think. There are plenty of undesignated places to watch wildlife in Glacier Country, but some amazing spots have been set aside specifically for Montana’s mammals, birds and reptiles. Explore our year-round wildlife refuges and viewing areas that offer a diversity of habitat and a look at some of the region’s most majestic inhabitants.

Come see what’s SUP in Western Montana. Stand-up paddleboarding, or SUP, is an increasingly popular way to explore Montana’s sparkling alpine lakes and scenic, lazy rivers. In fact, SUP is the fastest-growing water sport in the world. Surfing meets kayaking in this epically fun way to play on the water.

Spring is one of Western Montana’s best-kept secrets. It’s the season to get out and explore the region’s emergence from winter, which includes greening landscapes, baby wildlife and raging waterfalls, not to mention uncrowded adventures and shoulder-season prices. Here are nearly two dozen ways to explore our most underrated season. 1. BIKE IN GLACIER NATIONAL […]

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. 

Set along the Interstate Highway 90 corridor between Missoula, Montana, and Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the welcoming community of St. Regis is a classic Western Montana road-trip stop. Framed by the Bitterroot, Coeur d’Alene and Cabinet mountain ranges, this small town blends scenic views, outdoor adventure and genuine hospitality. SHOP The St. Regis Travel Center is […]

Set along the western shore of Flathead Lake—the largest freshwater lake in the West—the small town of Lakeside offers an inviting blend of lake access, mountain views and an easygoing Montana feel. Located at the northern tip of the lake, this Glacier Country community is known for its relaxed pace and year-round appeal. While summer […]