Spring and summer tend to bring tons of tourists to Montana, and many Montanans get out of the house and explore more of the state as well. But while most flock to our well-known attractions like Glacier National Park and resort towns like Big Sky, there are also plenty of hidden gems that are always worth exploring.
This two-day road trip takes you through some of the Treasure State’s lesser-known attractions to some of the best Montana Hidden Gems. Some require quite a trek to reach, while others are hiding in plain sight.
Google Maps
1. Bleu Horses, Three Forks
555DPF / TripAdvisor Start your day in Three Forks, where a set of 39 steel horse sculptures sit on a hillside off Highway 287. Created and set up by artist Jim Dolan, these sculptures are the perfect sights to take in as you enjoy a big, sticky cinnamon roll from nearby Wheat Montana. Bleu Horses, 10493 US-287, Three Forks, MT 59752, USA
2. Grant-Kohrs Ranch, Deer Lodge
RJohnson1975 / TripAdvisor This National Historic Site commemorates the Western cattle industry from its 1850s beginnings to modern times. It’s currently operated by the National Park Service. And even though it’s one of the top attractions in the Deer Park area, visitors consist mainly of fellow Montanans. Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, 266 Warren Ln, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, USA
3. Anaconda Smelter Stack, Anaconda
Orin Blomberg / Flickr As you pass by Anaconda, stop by the infamous Anaconda Smelter Stack. With an overall height of about 585 feet, it’s the tallest surviving masonry structure in the world. Anaconda Smelter Stack, Anaconda, MT 59711, USA
4. The Hip Strip Condo, Missoula
The Hip Strip Condo Find a unique place to spend the night. We highly recommend booking Missoula’s Hip Strip Condo, located in the heart of town in a triangle-shaped building. The luxurious one-bedroom condo can easily accommodate a family of four, it’s a gorgeous place to stay, and is one of the best hidden gems in Montana. The Hip Strip Condo, 901 S Higgins Ave STE 102, Missoula, MT 59801, USA
5. Garden of One Thousand Buddhas, Arlee
Troy Smith / Flickr The next day, head to Arlee and explore the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas. This spiritual site is open to all, and it’s absolutely stunning. Garden of One Thousand Buddhas, 34574 White Coyote Rd, Arlee, MT 59821, USA
- Morrell Falls
Destini Tocci / alltrails.com Morrell Falls is located near Seeley Lake. If you enjoy this road trip between May and September, you can take a little detour and enjoy the stunning hiking trail. Keep in mind that the trail is about five miles in length, so we only recommend it for experienced hikers or those who can cover the ground somewhat quickly. Morrell Falls, Montana, USA
7. Montana Blue Jewel Mine, Helena
Montana Blue Jewel Mine / Facebook Last but not least, head to Helena and check out the Montana Blue Jewel Mine. This is another seasonal attraction, but digging for sapphires is a classic Montana experience and is our final hidden gem in Montana. The Montana Blue Jewel Mine, 5582 Four Cee’s Rd, Helena, MT 59602, USA
You don’t have to follow this exact itinerary to have an amazing Montana weekend, but each of these attractions is well worth exploring. And if you want to extend the trip, check out even more of the best Montana hidden gems.
Google Maps
555DPF / TripAdvisor
Start your day in Three Forks, where a set of 39 steel horse sculptures sit on a hillside off Highway 287. Created and set up by artist Jim Dolan, these sculptures are the perfect sights to take in as you enjoy a big, sticky cinnamon roll from nearby Wheat Montana.
Bleu Horses, 10493 US-287, Three Forks, MT 59752, USA
RJohnson1975 / TripAdvisor
This National Historic Site commemorates the Western cattle industry from its 1850s beginnings to modern times. It’s currently operated by the National Park Service. And even though it’s one of the top attractions in the Deer Park area, visitors consist mainly of fellow Montanans.
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, 266 Warren Ln, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, USA
Orin Blomberg / Flickr
As you pass by Anaconda, stop by the infamous Anaconda Smelter Stack. With an overall height of about 585 feet, it’s the tallest surviving masonry structure in the world.
Anaconda Smelter Stack, Anaconda, MT 59711, USA
The Hip Strip Condo
Find a unique place to spend the night. We highly recommend booking Missoula’s Hip Strip Condo, located in the heart of town in a triangle-shaped building. The luxurious one-bedroom condo can easily accommodate a family of four, it’s a gorgeous place to stay, and is one of the best hidden gems in Montana.
The Hip Strip Condo, 901 S Higgins Ave STE 102, Missoula, MT 59801, USA
Troy Smith / Flickr
The next day, head to Arlee and explore the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas. This spiritual site is open to all, and it’s absolutely stunning.
Garden of One Thousand Buddhas, 34574 White Coyote Rd, Arlee, MT 59821, USA
Destini Tocci / alltrails.com
Morrell Falls is located near Seeley Lake. If you enjoy this road trip between May and September, you can take a little detour and enjoy the stunning hiking trail. Keep in mind that the trail is about five miles in length, so we only recommend it for experienced hikers or those who can cover the ground somewhat quickly.
Morrell Falls, Montana, USA
Montana Blue Jewel Mine / Facebook
Last but not least, head to Helena and check out the Montana Blue Jewel Mine. This is another seasonal attraction, but digging for sapphires is a classic Montana experience and is our final hidden gem in Montana.
The Montana Blue Jewel Mine, 5582 Four Cee’s Rd, Helena, MT 59602, USA
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Address: Bleu Horses, 10493 US-287, Three Forks, MT 59752, USAAddress: Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, 266 Warren Ln, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, USAAddress: Anaconda Smelter Stack, Anaconda, MT 59711, USAAddress: 901 S Higgins Ave, Missoula, MT 59801, USAAddress: Garden of One Thousand Buddhas, 34574 White Coyote Rd, Arlee, MT 59821, USAAddress: Morrell Falls, Montana, USAAddress: The Montana Blue Jewel Mine, 5582 Four Cee’s Rd, Helena, MT 59602, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Montana Hidden Gems May 10, 2022 SKS What is the most beautiful waterfall in Montana? Virginia Falls The most beautiful waterfall in Montana is Virginia Falls in the world-famous Glacier National Park. This stunning waterfall begins with a massive 50 foot drop from the cliffs above, then cascades down a succession of smaller drops. Above the waterfall, trees tower overhead creating a scene unlike any you’ve ever seen before. To reach Virginia Falls, you’ll take the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail, a 3 mile out and back trail that will also give you the opportunity to visit the beautiful St. Mary Falls. That means, on this short hike, you will get to see two of the most beautiful waterfalls in the entire state of Montana. Where can I find the largest waterfall in Montana? Woodbine Falls Woodbine Falls is Montana’s tallest waterfall, standing at an incredible 280 feet tall! To find this massive waterfall you’ll have to venture into the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness in Custer National Forest, but don’t worry, the hike is short and easy, and you can reach the waterfall following a short trail that is under a mile long. Your trail starts following Woodbine Creek, and as you go, Woodbine Falls will grow louder and louder. There is no better way to spend your day than exploring waterfalls, and if you are going to explore waterfalls, might as well explore the biggest! What is the scenic hike in Montana? Highline Trail: Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet Glacier National Park’s Highline Trail has to be the most scenic hike in Montana. The Highline Trail is a long one (around 15 miles long to be exact), but it will bring you to scenic overlooks and views unlike anything you’ve ever seen. There are multiple trail options for the Highline Trail, but if we had to pick one, we think Logan Pass is the most scenic route. This route will give you breathtaking views of Glacier National Park, and nothing is better than a view of some of the world’s most picturesque mountains towering above you as you walk.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Montana Hidden Gems
May 10, 2022
SKS
What is the most beautiful waterfall in Montana? Virginia Falls The most beautiful waterfall in Montana is Virginia Falls in the world-famous Glacier National Park. This stunning waterfall begins with a massive 50 foot drop from the cliffs above, then cascades down a succession of smaller drops. Above the waterfall, trees tower overhead creating a scene unlike any you’ve ever seen before. To reach Virginia Falls, you’ll take the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail, a 3 mile out and back trail that will also give you the opportunity to visit the beautiful St. Mary Falls. That means, on this short hike, you will get to see two of the most beautiful waterfalls in the entire state of Montana. Where can I find the largest waterfall in Montana? Woodbine Falls Woodbine Falls is Montana’s tallest waterfall, standing at an incredible 280 feet tall! To find this massive waterfall you’ll have to venture into the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness in Custer National Forest, but don’t worry, the hike is short and easy, and you can reach the waterfall following a short trail that is under a mile long. Your trail starts following Woodbine Creek, and as you go, Woodbine Falls will grow louder and louder. There is no better way to spend your day than exploring waterfalls, and if you are going to explore waterfalls, might as well explore the biggest! What is the scenic hike in Montana? Highline Trail: Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet Glacier National Park’s Highline Trail has to be the most scenic hike in Montana. The Highline Trail is a long one (around 15 miles long to be exact), but it will bring you to scenic overlooks and views unlike anything you’ve ever seen. There are multiple trail options for the Highline Trail, but if we had to pick one, we think Logan Pass is the most scenic route. This route will give you breathtaking views of Glacier National Park, and nothing is better than a view of some of the world’s most picturesque mountains towering above you as you walk.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Virginia Falls
The most beautiful waterfall in Montana is Virginia Falls in the world-famous Glacier National Park. This stunning waterfall begins with a massive 50 foot drop from the cliffs above, then cascades down a succession of smaller drops. Above the waterfall, trees tower overhead creating a scene unlike any you’ve ever seen before. To reach Virginia Falls, you’ll take the St. Mary and Virginia Falls Trail, a 3 mile out and back trail that will also give you the opportunity to visit the beautiful St. Mary Falls. That means, on this short hike, you will get to see two of the most beautiful waterfalls in the entire state of Montana.
Where can I find the largest waterfall in Montana?
Woodbine Falls
Woodbine Falls is Montana’s tallest waterfall, standing at an incredible 280 feet tall! To find this massive waterfall you’ll have to venture into the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness in Custer National Forest, but don’t worry, the hike is short and easy, and you can reach the waterfall following a short trail that is under a mile long. Your trail starts following Woodbine Creek, and as you go, Woodbine Falls will grow louder and louder. There is no better way to spend your day than exploring waterfalls, and if you are going to explore waterfalls, might as well explore the biggest!
What is the scenic hike in Montana?
Highline Trail: Logan Pass to Granite Park Chalet
Glacier National Park’s Highline Trail has to be the most scenic hike in Montana. The Highline Trail is a long one (around 15 miles long to be exact), but it will bring you to scenic overlooks and views unlike anything you’ve ever seen. There are multiple trail options for the Highline Trail, but if we had to pick one, we think Logan Pass is the most scenic route. This route will give you breathtaking views of Glacier National Park, and nothing is better than a view of some of the world’s most picturesque mountains towering above you as you walk.
