Fall in Western Montana is a wonderful season for wholesome family fun. Get spooked at Garnet Ghost Town, trace history at Travelers’ Rest State Park and soak in hot springs among the crisp mountain air. Watch the hillsides turn gold at the CSKT Bison Range, attend a fall harvest festival, then cap off the adventure with a visit to Glacier National Park. It’s easy to get outside and make lasting autumn memories together in Glacier Country.

GARNET GHOST TOWN

Embrace the spooky season with a visit to Garnet Ghost Town, one of Montana’s best-preserved ghost towns. Just 30 miles east of Missoula, families can step back into homesteader life in the Old West. Thirty historic buildings remain standing today—including cabins, a saloon and part of a hotel—some open for walking through. Beyond the townsite, several hiking trails begin at the Garnet parking lot and travel through forests dotted with golden fall trees.

Garnet Ghost Town provides a glimpse of life in the Old West. Photo: Lyman Gillen

TRAVELERS’ REST STATE PARK

A visit to Travelers’ Rest State Park offers something for all ages. Located half a mile west of Lolo, it is the only archaeologically verified campsite of Lewis and Clark and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1960. Pick up a brochure at the visitor center—open Wednesday through Sunday in fall and winter—and take a self-guided tour along the half-mile loop. Inside, you’ll also find artifacts from the Salish, Pend d’Oreille and Nez Perce tribes, who used Travelers’ Rest for centuries as a campsite and trail junction.

Don’t forget to explore the exhibits at Travelers’ Rest State Park Visitor Center.

CSKT BISON RANGE

Take a self-guided driving tour of the CSKT Bison Range in Moiese, and play “I Spy” with the kids to see how many bison, deer, elk, bighorn sheep and antelope you can spot. The range is home to 350+ bison, and during the fall rut, you may hear elk bugling in the morning or evening as wildlife activity increases. Visitors can explore the range daily from dawn to dusk, year-round. Two road options are available: Prairie Drive, a short route open year-round, and Red Sleep Mountain Drive, which travels through the heart of the reserve and is open from mid-May to mid-October. A short nature trail is also located within the range.

Bonus: Western Montana is home to numerous wildlife refuges, which are preserved for mammals, birds and reptiles. Many feature walking trails that are accessible year-round, offering excellent birding opportunities.

Autumn’s golden hues make a picture-perfect background for wildlife watching. Photo: Jason Savage

HOT SPRINGS

A hot springs stay is a great way to embrace the colder temperatures. Parents can unwind in the warm, natural mineral water, while kids enjoy some play time in the pools. Surrounded by crisp mountain air and fall colors, there’s no better place to soak than under Western Montana’s star-filled night sky. Hot springs here range from hidden backcountry pools to developed resorts and everything in between.

Soak and relax at Quinn’s Hot Springs in Paradise. Photo: Kirsten Maxwell

FALL EVENTS

Alongside changing leaves and cooler days, fall in Western Montana also brings a season full of events. Communities across the region celebrate with harvest festivals, pumpkin patches, Halloween activities, and live music, providing families with numerous ways to enjoy the season together. From small-town pumpkin patches and farmers markets to spooky haunts and concerts, fall festivities offer another way to experience local culture and fully immerse yourself in the season.

Fall gatherings, like The Moon Randolph Harvest Festival, add to the season’s flair. Photo: Rio Chantel

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

Glacier National Park is one of the best places to see wildlife in the fall. As one of the most intact ecosystems in the lower 48 states, it’s home to 19 large mammals, including bears, moose and bighorn sheep, along with a wide variety of bird species. In autumn, thousands of golden eagles migrate through the park, and deer, elk, and moose are in rut, making wildlife activity especially visible. With lighter crowds, it’s also a good time to walk the boardwalk on the Trail of the Cedars, which winds through a centuries-old cedar forest. Before you go, know what to expect when planning a trip to Glacier this time of year. Most lodging, restaurants and concession services close by mid-October, and the Going-to-the-Sun Road typically closes for the season in October, depending on the weather.

Chase fall colors and a quieter park experience this fall.

Please note: We ask that all our visitors and residents recreate responsibly by being mindful of the following: know before you go; plan ahead; play it safe; leave no trace; tread lightly; and help build an inclusive outdoors.

September 22, 2025

Related: Bison Range, Events, Fall Fun, Family Fun, Garnet Ghost Town, Glacier National Park, Hot Springs, Lolo, Moiese, Montana, Outdoor Fun, Vacation

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