Are you searching for some of the best day trips in Montana? Our state has so many gems, it would be impossible to see them all in a lifetime — but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Here’s a list of potential day trips (or overnight excursions, depending on where you live) to take this year.
- Garnet Ghost Town
mksfca / Flickr Located in Granite County about 38 miles from Missoula. Garnet is an old mining town with a rich history. It also happens to be very well-preserved and cared for, and it sits in a beautiful natural setting surrounded by hiking trails. Garnet Ghost Town, Drummond, MT 59832, USA
- Butte
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr If you’re searching for “getaway spots near me,” Butte always rises to the top of the list! The town’s rich mining history, museums, fun festivals, and food scene make it a great place to spend a day. Dine on pasties from Joe’s and stop by Pekin Noodle Parlor, Montana’s oldest eatery. Butte, MT, USA
- Virginia City and Nevada City
David / Flickr Our liveliest ghost towns, Virginia City and Nevada City, really come alive in the summer and are among the best day trips in Montana. Folks of all ages love exploring the historic buildings, shops, museums, and theater. Virginia City, MT 59729, USANevada City, MT, USA
- Makoshika State Park
Brett Whaley / Flickr If you live in Eastern Montana and you’ve never been to Makoshika State Park, you’re missing out on some beautiful badlands. Not only is it our largest state park, but it’s full of dinosaur fossils (including Tyrannosaurus Rex remains). But even if you’re not a paleontologist, you’ll appreciate the hiking trails and the historic landmarks. Makoshika State Park Road, Makoshika State Park Rd, Glendive, MT 59330, USA
- Miles City
David Schott / Flickr Miles City is a classic Western town, which makes it a perfect place for May’s annual Bucking Horse Sale. But there’s something for everyone in Miles City: The Tongue River Winery, Range Riders Museum, and tasty food at the historic Montana Bar will charm you. After one visit we think you’ll agree that it offers some of the most unique things to do around Montana! Miles City, MT 59301, USA
- Livingston
Mattia Panciroli / Flickr Livingston is a charming city and definitely among the best day trips in Montana. The top attraction here is the annual Livingston Roundup Rodeo. But no matter when you go, you’ll find plenty to do, see, and eat. Livingston, MT 59047, USA
- Kootenai Falls
Troy Smith / Flickr Northwest Montana is incredibly beautiful, and this spot is no exception. Kootenai Falls is the largest undammed falls in the state, it’s easy to reach (a short hike and a swinging bridge from the parking lot), and it’s a perfect day trip excursion. Kootenai Falls, MT 59935, USA
- Virgelle Mercantile
Virgelle Mercantile Facebook Located in the heart of the Upper Missouri River Breaks near Loma, Virgelle Mercantile is an antique shop, bed & breakfast, and historic treasure. Visiting truly feels like going back in time. Virgelle Mercantile, 7485 Virgelle Ferry Rd N, Loma, MT 59460, USA
- Bannack State Park
Ernie Hathaway / Flickr What can we say? We love our ghost towns and Bannack State Park is without a doubt one of our favorite and best day trips in Montana. This one just happens to be our first territorial capital, and it’s now a great place to learn about our local history. Some even say it’s haunted. Bannack, MT 59725, USA
- Stevensville
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr If you live within a three-hour radius of Stevensville, it makes an absolutely perfect day trip destination. Check out the historic St. Mary’s Mission, shop for an abundance of antiques, and treat yourself to a meal at Mission Bistro. Stevensville, MT 59870, USA
- The Gates of the Mountains tour
for2une / TripAdvisor If you have yet to take this boat tour through Montana’s Grand Canyon in Helena, make this year the year you go. Tours begin again in May, and they’re both affordable and beautiful. Helena, MT, USA
- Deer Lodge
Aaron Hickley / Flickr Historic Deer Lodge at the Old Montana Prison Complex is fantastic. And once you’ve explored it and enjoyed a few tasty slices at Prison Pizza, check out the charming historic downtown area. Deer Lodge, MT 59722, USA
We hope these suggestions have inspired some local getaways for 2022. But these aren’t all! There are many other spots that we’d consider to be must-see places to keep in mind.
mksfca / Flickr
Located in Granite County about 38 miles from Missoula. Garnet is an old mining town with a rich history. It also happens to be very well-preserved and cared for, and it sits in a beautiful natural setting surrounded by hiking trails.
Garnet Ghost Town, Drummond, MT 59832, USA
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
If you’re searching for “getaway spots near me,” Butte always rises to the top of the list! The town’s rich mining history, museums, fun festivals, and food scene make it a great place to spend a day. Dine on pasties from Joe’s and stop by Pekin Noodle Parlor, Montana’s oldest eatery.
Butte, MT, USA
David / Flickr
Our liveliest ghost towns, Virginia City and Nevada City, really come alive in the summer and are among the best day trips in Montana. Folks of all ages love exploring the historic buildings, shops, museums, and theater.
Virginia City, MT 59729, USANevada City, MT, USA
Brett Whaley / Flickr
If you live in Eastern Montana and you’ve never been to Makoshika State Park, you’re missing out on some beautiful badlands. Not only is it our largest state park, but it’s full of dinosaur fossils (including Tyrannosaurus Rex remains). But even if you’re not a paleontologist, you’ll appreciate the hiking trails and the historic landmarks.
Makoshika State Park Road, Makoshika State Park Rd, Glendive, MT 59330, USA
David Schott / Flickr
Miles City is a classic Western town, which makes it a perfect place for May’s annual Bucking Horse Sale. But there’s something for everyone in Miles City: The Tongue River Winery, Range Riders Museum, and tasty food at the historic Montana Bar will charm you. After one visit we think you’ll agree that it offers some of the most unique things to do around Montana!
Miles City, MT 59301, USA
Mattia Panciroli / Flickr
Livingston is a charming city and definitely among the best day trips in Montana. The top attraction here is the annual Livingston Roundup Rodeo. But no matter when you go, you’ll find plenty to do, see, and eat.
Livingston, MT 59047, USA
Troy Smith / Flickr
Northwest Montana is incredibly beautiful, and this spot is no exception. Kootenai Falls is the largest undammed falls in the state, it’s easy to reach (a short hike and a swinging bridge from the parking lot), and it’s a perfect day trip excursion.
Kootenai Falls, MT 59935, USA
Virgelle Mercantile Facebook
Located in the heart of the Upper Missouri River Breaks near Loma, Virgelle Mercantile is an antique shop, bed & breakfast, and historic treasure. Visiting truly feels like going back in time.
Virgelle Mercantile, 7485 Virgelle Ferry Rd N, Loma, MT 59460, USA
Ernie Hathaway / Flickr
What can we say? We love our ghost towns and Bannack State Park is without a doubt one of our favorite and best day trips in Montana. This one just happens to be our first territorial capital, and it’s now a great place to learn about our local history. Some even say it’s haunted.
Bannack, MT 59725, USA
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr
If you live within a three-hour radius of Stevensville, it makes an absolutely perfect day trip destination. Check out the historic St. Mary’s Mission, shop for an abundance of antiques, and treat yourself to a meal at Mission Bistro.
Stevensville, MT 59870, USA
for2une / TripAdvisor
If you have yet to take this boat tour through Montana’s Grand Canyon in Helena, make this year the year you go. Tours begin again in May, and they’re both affordable and beautiful.
Helena, MT, USA
Aaron Hickley / Flickr
Historic Deer Lodge at the Old Montana Prison Complex is fantastic. And once you’ve explored it and enjoyed a few tasty slices at Prison Pizza, check out the charming historic downtown area.
Deer Lodge, MT 59722, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best day trips in Montana July 30, 2022 Lysa Allman-Baldwin Where can I go camping in Montana? There are lots of wonderful places to go camping in Montana. Among them are Glacier National Park, the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, and Makoshika State Park, just to name a few. Be sure to plan well ahead because they fill up fast. There are some that don’t require reservations so you can wing it a little bit easier within your travel itinerary. I’m looking for a charming small town in Montana. Montana is full of charming small towns, each offering its own unique scenic beauty, things to see and do, and places to stay. One that you might consider is Choteau. Located about 52 miles northwest of Great Falls, the town has maintained a great deal of its historic French roots and offers a wide array of great shopping, dining establishments, and inviting accommodations. Can you suggest a good steakhouse in Missoula? Missoula is home to many outstanding steakhouses. One of the most well-known is the 1889 Steakhouse. Its name is in honor of the year that Montana was officially declared a state. The food here is fantastic, drawing folks from all over the city and region. Only open for dinner, the menu encompasses meat-centered options like Kurobuta pork chops, baseball-cut sirloins, and filet mignon. But they also serve up a wide array of seafood, fish, and delicious starters.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best day trips in Montana
July 30, 2022
Lysa Allman-Baldwin
Where can I go camping in Montana? There are lots of wonderful places to go camping in Montana. Among them are Glacier National Park, the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, and Makoshika State Park, just to name a few. Be sure to plan well ahead because they fill up fast. There are some that don’t require reservations so you can wing it a little bit easier within your travel itinerary. I’m looking for a charming small town in Montana. Montana is full of charming small towns, each offering its own unique scenic beauty, things to see and do, and places to stay. One that you might consider is Choteau. Located about 52 miles northwest of Great Falls, the town has maintained a great deal of its historic French roots and offers a wide array of great shopping, dining establishments, and inviting accommodations. Can you suggest a good steakhouse in Missoula? Missoula is home to many outstanding steakhouses. One of the most well-known is the 1889 Steakhouse. Its name is in honor of the year that Montana was officially declared a state. The food here is fantastic, drawing folks from all over the city and region. Only open for dinner, the menu encompasses meat-centered options like Kurobuta pork chops, baseball-cut sirloins, and filet mignon. But they also serve up a wide array of seafood, fish, and delicious starters.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are lots of wonderful places to go camping in Montana. Among them are Glacier National Park, the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, and Makoshika State Park, just to name a few. Be sure to plan well ahead because they fill up fast. There are some that don’t require reservations so you can wing it a little bit easier within your travel itinerary.
I’m looking for a charming small town in Montana.
Montana is full of charming small towns, each offering its own unique scenic beauty, things to see and do, and places to stay. One that you might consider is Choteau. Located about 52 miles northwest of Great Falls, the town has maintained a great deal of its historic French roots and offers a wide array of great shopping, dining establishments, and inviting accommodations.
Can you suggest a good steakhouse in Missoula?
Missoula is home to many outstanding steakhouses. One of the most well-known is the 1889 Steakhouse. Its name is in honor of the year that Montana was officially declared a state. The food here is fantastic, drawing folks from all over the city and region. Only open for dinner, the menu encompasses meat-centered options like Kurobuta pork chops, baseball-cut sirloins, and filet mignon. But they also serve up a wide array of seafood, fish, and delicious starters.
