Category: Wildlife

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. 

Glacier National Park boasts an abundance of wildlife—one of the most intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states. The park is home to at least 19 large mammals, including bear, moose and bighorn sheep. These magnificent animals are exciting to witness in their natural setting, however, wildlife is just that: wild. We need to respect their space, for their safety and ours. To help keep wildlife a safe distance from visitors, the park hired an expert on the subject—Gracie the Bark Ranger. Learn how Gracie is keeping you safe this season, and discover best practices when it comes to wildlife safety. Warning, cuteness overload ahead.

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.

 Winter in Western Montana offers more than high-adrenaline adventures. It also invites quiet exploration—slow, steady movement through snow-covered forests, open meadows and mountain landscapes. Snowshoeing provides an accessible way to experience Glacier Country in winter, opening trails and backcountry spaces that are otherwise unreachable during the colder months. This low-impact activity is well-suited for a […]

Winter in Western Montana offers a quieter, more contemplative way to experience the region’s extraordinary landscapes. Snow-covered valleys, mountain peaks dusted with white and open stretches of highway create a memorable backdrop for cold-season travel. Whether you set out for a half-day drive, a full-day adventure or an overnight getaway, Glacier Country’s winter roads reveal […]

Western Montana’s landscapes—spanning rivers, lakes, forests, mountains and the glacial-carved terrain of Glacier National Park—create a region defined by natural beauty and ecological diversity. This environment is home to an array of wildlife, from grizzly and black bears to elk, mountain goats, moose, bighorn sheep and countless smaller species. Encountering these animals in their natural […]

Some of Western Montana’s most significant places are those we may pass without realizing the depth of their history. The CSKT Bison Range—located off U.S. Highway 93 north of Ravalli—is one of them. Spanning 18,500 acres on the Flathead Reservation, the range is owned and managed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, whose stewardship […]