Five reasons why you should visit Montana on your next vacation
With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic putting necessary travel restrictions in place, you might have had to put off any vacation plans this year. However, for a bit of escapism, now is the time to start planning any future trips you might take, and there is no better place to visit than the state of Montana, with its stunning natural beauty and historic locations. To give you some ideas, here are five reasons why you should visit Montana on your next vacation.
1. Experience the great AmericanWest
The Great American West’s idea has captured imaginations ever since European settlers first set foot in the region. There’s no better place to indulge your cowboy, or cowgirl fantasy, than in Montana, where the tradition of ranches and cattle herding still draw crowds from far and wide. For an even more immersive wild west experience, you could stay at a ranch, help out on the ranch and go horse riding through the state’s stunning vistas.
2. Visit ghost towns
The gold rush and lure of the West in the 1800s brought with it prosperity, and many small towns sprang up to accommodate the new residents seeking their fortunes. However, such places quickly fell into poverty, some of which eventually becoming ghost towns. Bannock, dubbed ‘the toughest town in the West,’ is a prime example, and you can still visit its 60 remaining structures.
3. Awe-inspiring national parks
Perhaps Montana’s biggest draw is the unspoiled natural beauty found in its national parks and designated wilderness areas. The state boasts a contrast in landscape, from the towering peaks of the Rocky Mountains in the West to rolling plains and Badlands in the east, making it a must-visit for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Make sure you form a Glacier National Park itinerary to ensure that you don’t miss out on Montana’s exemplary park, in which you may be lucky enough to have an encounter with a grizzly bear, mountain goat, or moose.
4. Must-visit for dinosaur lovers
Montana is a must-visit destination for dinosaur lovers, with many important paleontological discoveries having been made in the region. Don’t miss the Museum of the Rockies, where you will be greeted by Big Mike, an imposing statue of a t-rex modeled on fossils discovered in eastern Montana in 1988. For an immersive dinosaur experience, the Montana Dinosaur Trail, consisting of 14 museums, state parks, and field digs, will leave you feeling like you’ve wandering into a real-life Jurassic Park.
5. Learn about Native American culture and history
Montana is home to 12 Native American tribes, with Native American people representing 6.3 percent of the state’s population. As such, the state is one of the best places in the US in which to learn about the culture and history of country’s indigenous tribes. For instance, at Lodgepole Gallery and Tipi Village, you can experience the life of Blackfeet Indians firsthand by enjoying traditional Blackfeet Indian cuisine and spending the night in a tipi.
