It’s probably no surprise that I’m a big fan of fall in Montana. In fact, I think it may be my favorite season. But to be honest, the changing colors of autumn in Big Sky Country tend to get overlooked for other more colorful destinations. Which I totally get. If you ask me, one of the reasons Montana is glanced over as a fall color destination is because people just don’t know that we actually have fall foliage here.

A perfect fall scene of the Bitterroot Mountains in Hamilton.
A perfect fall scene of the Bitterroot Mountains in Hamilton.

Which is why I’m glad my buddy Andy Austin, a local Montana photographer, decided to embark on a Montana Fall Tour in which he drove hundreds of miles to soak up, play in and photograph autumn’s beauty. He traveled from Bighorn Canyon in the southeast corner of Montana (read more about the canyon here) to the expansive Paradise Valley and the ice-carved peaks of Glacier National Park on his search for Montana’s best fall colors.

Montana's Paradise Valley.
Montana’s Paradise Valley. Photo: Andy Austin

And while I lived vicariously through him on instagram while he was hitting the road, he said I could share his photos on the blog so you can have an up-close look at fall in Montana.

Take a look at his trip through Western Montana’s Glacier Country…

The Middle Fork of the Flathead River from Belton Bridge in West Glacier.
The Middle Fork of the Flathead River from Belton Bridge in West Glacier. Photo: Andy Austin
A glimpse at Glacier National Park.
A glimpse at Glacier National Park. Photo: Andy Austin
A perfect fall sunset from Oberlin Peak in Glacier National Park.
A perfect fall sunset from Oberlin Peak in Glacier National Park. Photo: Andy Austin
Looking into the St. Mary Valley in Glacier National Park.
Looking into the St. Mary Valley in Glacier National Park. Photo: Andy Austin
Fall at Whitefish Lake.
Fall at Whitefish Lake. Photo: Andy Austin
Tamarack trees (and the most beautiful fog I've ever seen) at Salmon Lake State Park.
Tamarack trees (and the most beautiful fog I’ve ever seen) at Salmon Lake State Park. Photo: Andy Austin
Hands down, the Seeley-Swan Valley is one of the best places to view tamarack trees (AKA western larch).
The Seeley-Swan Valley is one of the best places to view tamarack trees (AKA western larch). Photo: Andy Austin
Soaking up Missoula's colors from Waterworks Hill.
Soaking up Missoula’s colors from Waterworks Hill. Photo: Andy Austin

To see more of fall in Montana, check out the #MontanaFallTour on instagram.

Oh and Andy…don’t forget to stop and pick me up on your next Montana road trip.

xo,
TT

November 10, 2016

Related: Fall Fun

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