Montana was our topic for our YouTube that aired in December where we interviewed Author JL Hendricks who has authored some Novels-merging Christmas her favorite holiday with her love for the unexplained– her website is here.
Montana for travelers and outdoor lovers has a lot to offer! Check out the description Lonely Planet gives it!
“Welcome to Big Sky Country, where the Great Plains hit the Rockies and just about anything seems possible. Wilderness areas rule out here, whether it’s the pre-Yellowstone valleys of Montana’s south to Absaroka Beartooth, Bob Marshall or the American Prairie Reserve and the horizons-without-end in Montana’s rural heartland. Not far away, Missoula and Bozeman are hip urban centers rich in brewpubs, great restaurants and scenes of emerging culinary excellence. Montana is also home to Little Big Horn Battlefield and, the state’s major drawcard, the sculpted peaks of Glacier National Park, one of the most dramatically beautiful corners of the continent.” -Lonely Planet
Montana truly experiences four seasons from beautiful winters in Yellowstone National Park viewing animals and the eruptions of geysers like Old Faithful and the beauty of snow covered trees. Yellowstone with its open hot pots, bubbling geysers and hot steam can seem a bit forbidding and I would advise doing your research on getting to the park, and exploring it!
Bozeman is a solid airport and from there you might want to look into bus options to the park and stay at one of the wonderful park lodges such as Old Faithful Inn which was built in 1903 and first welcomed guests in 1904. It’s soaring lobby and use of logs makes it possibly the largest Log Hotel in the World! I think a winter stay would be grand with its huge fireplace which is made from rock – rhyolite produced from Yellowstones past volcanic eruptions. Old Faithful Inn does close in October so for Winter Visits you would want to stay at Mammoth Hot Springs or the Old Faithful Lodge. Some of the wood used in the Old Faithful Lodge was recycled and from the same mill that milled timber for the Old Faithful Inn. Always plan ahead to stay inside a National Park as these are popular locations to stay.
Other places to see in Montana include Glacier National Park- Jennifer really enjoyed Glacier National Park so much that she went more than once! Glacier National Park is elegantly described by Lonely Planet.
“The glacially carved remnants of an ancient thrust fault have left us a brilliant landscape of towering snowcapped pinnacles laced with plunging waterfalls and glassy turquoise lakes. The mountains are surrounded by dense forests, which host a virtually intact pre-Columbian ecosystem. Grizzly bears still roam in abundance and smart park management has kept the place accessible and authentically wild.”
Glacier National Park is also known for its amazing “Parkitecture”- so plan to try and stay at one of the Grand Lodges such as Many Glacier Hotel- described here on its parkwebsite “
“Built by the Great Northern Railway in 1914-15, Many Glacier Hotel is situated on the shores of Swiftcurrent Lake inside Glacier National Park. This location presents visitors with the Swiss Lounge, Heidi’s Snack Shop, the lakeside Ptarmigan Dining Room as well as a Gift Shop. Red Bus tours, boat cruises, horseback rides, evening ranger programs, and numerous other activities are available at this spectacular lakeside setting, one of the best of any of the national parks. Partially renovated in 2016, this secluded, five-story hotel contains 2 suites, 7 family rooms and 205 guest rooms offering lakeside, deluxe, standard and value lodging options. All guest rooms at Many Glacier Hotel are rustic, yet comfortable.” Glacier National Park Lodges.
Plan to take time to drive the incredible “Going to the Sun Road” which is about 50 miles but has so many scenic viewpoints, pull-offs and short hikes you want to take some snacks and plan to spend a full day driving it! The Road is usually open in Mid to late June to early October so plan accordingly and check the National Park website as they may require pre-purchasing a ticket to drive it in your own car. There are some fun old multi seated open top cars that you may also look into that will include a driver and you would be able to photograph all the heart stopping views along the way! Check nps.org for all the current conditions and details.
Jennifer also pointed out the Cities of Bozeman, Kalispell, Helena and Missoula.
Pick up a map from your local AAA office or go to the AAA website and get information mailed directly to you!
Montana is full of Ghost Towns, History of Lewis and Clark, ranches and so much more! Definitely a place worth a visit.
For other episodes on Montana
Meet Jake who shared a unique place in Montana where he worked.
Sharon who has visited Glacier National Park multiple times.