Zoos, parks and amusement parks
ZooMontana in Billings
The ZooMontana is located in the city of Billings and was opened in 1995. The zoo or zoo and botanical garden cover an area of approximately 280,000 m². ZooMontana is the only zoo and also the only botanical garden in the entire state. So if you want to visit a zoo in Montana, you should do it here. ZooMontana currently has over 100 animals from 58 species. The zoo’s highlights certainly include grizzly bears and tigers.
| Contact | 2100 South Shiloh Road Billings, Montana 59106 |
Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone
The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is a wildlife park in the small town of West Yellowstone in southwest Montana. The wildlife park was founded in 1993 and the animal population is relatively small with only 24 animals. In the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, there are only wolves and bears and the primary goal is to demonstrate their effect or influence on an ecosystem.
| Contact | 201 South Canyon Street West Yellowstone, Montana 59758 www.grizzlydiscoveryctr.org |
Indian reservations
In Montana there are a total of 7 Indian reservations, which are spread over 12 tribes, but about 63% of all descendants of the indigenous people do not live within reservations.
Blackfeet Indian Reservation
The Blackfeet Indian Reservation is an Indian reservation belonging to the Blackfoot tribe in northeastern Montana. The reserve is located east of Glacier National Park and bordered by the Canadian province of Alberta to the north. The reserve covers an area of approximately 7,800 km² and approximately 11,000 people live here.
| Contact | www.blackfeetnation.com |
Crow Indian Reservation
The Crow Indian Reservation is an Indian reservation of the Absarokee tribe in the southern part of Montana, approx. 16 km southeast of Billings. To the south, the Wyoming Crow Indian Reservation is bordered. The reserve was established in 1868 and has a total area of approximately 9,341 km². This makes the Crow Indian Reservation the largest Indian reservation in Montana. Today, the Absarokee tribe has approximately 11,000 members, of whom approximately 7,900 live on the reserve. The area of the reserve includes parts of the Bighorn Mountains, Pryor Mountains and Wolf Mountains.
- Countryaah: Lists all towns and cities of Montana in alphabetical order. Also includes top 10 cities by population in Montana.
| Contact | www.blackfeetnation.com |
Crow Indian Reservation
The Crow Indian Reservation is an Indian reservation of the Absarokee tribe in the southern part of Montana, approx. 16 km southeast of Billings. To the south, the Wyoming Crow Indian Reservation is bordered. The reserve was established in 1868 and has a total area of approximately 9,341 km². This makes the Crow Indian Reservation the largest Indian reservation in Montana. Today, the Absarokee tribe has approximately 11,000 members, of whom approximately 7,900 live on the reserve. The area of the reserve includes parts of the Bighorn Mountains, Pryor Mountains and Wolf Mountains. Other attractions in the Crow Indian Reservation area include the Little Bighorn Battlefield Monument, the Custer National Forest, the Rosebud Battlefield State Park, the Chief Plenty Coups Memorial State Park and the Bighorn Canyon Recreation Area.
Flathead Indian Reservation
The Flathead Indian Reservation is an Indian reservation of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation in the northwestern part of Montana. The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation is made up of the tribes of the Flathead, Kootenai, Pend d’Oreille and Spokane. The Flathead Indian Reservation covers an area of approximately 5,058 km² and is located between Kalispell and Missoula. The reserve was founded in 1855 with the Treaty of Hellgate. The northern section of the reserve is dominated by Flathead Lake, which is well over half of the reserve. Flathead Lake is the largest lake in Montana and the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi. Other attractions of the reserve are Flathead Lake – Wild Horse Island State Park, Big Arm State Park,
Fort Belknap Indian Reservation
The Fort Belknap Indian Reservation is a semi-autonomously managed Indian area in the north of Montana. The area covers an area of approximately 2,626 km² and was established in 1888. Members of the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine tribes live in the area. A total of approximately 4,000 people live in the area. There are some interesting historical churches in the area, such as the church of Sacred Heart Cemetery, which is hard to beat in the evening sun in the middle of the prairie. The Fort Belknap Indian Community offers guided tours to various attractions in the region.
| Contact | Fort Belknap Agency 158 Tribal Way Harlem, Montana 59526 www.ftbelknap.org |
Fort Peck Indian Reservation
The Fort Peck Indian Reservation is an Indian reserve belonging to the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes in northeastern Montana. The Fort Peck Indian Reservation covers an area of approximately 8,519 km² and is the ninth largest Indian reservation in the USA. The Fort Peck Indian Reservation was officially founded in 1908 and today approximately 7,000 people live in the reserve.
Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation
The Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation is an Indian reservation of the northern Cheyenne in the southeast of Montana. The Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation covers an area of approximately 1,797 km² and is bordered by the Tongue River in the east and the Crow Indian Reservation in the west. Today around 5,000 people live in the area of the reserve.
Rocky Boy’s Reservation
The Rocky Boy’s Reservation is an Indian reservation belonging to the Anishinabe and Cree tribes in northern Montana. The reserve was founded in 1916 and today it covers an area of 444 km², making it the smallest reserve in Montana. About 3,300 people live in the reserve.
Road trips
Going-to-the-Sun Road
Going-to-the-Sun Road is an extremely beautiful road that runs through Glacier National Park. This was completed in 1932 and is the only street that runs completely through the park. It also leads over the approx. 2,026 m high Logan Pass, which earned her its name. If you are traveling by car in the area, you should not miss the trip or the nature to be marveled at. The street also appears in the films Shining and Forrest Gump. The street has also been a National Historic Landmark since 1997.
| Contact | www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/goingtothesunroad.htm |
Beartooth Highway
The Beartooth Highway is a National Scenic Byway with a length of approximately 111 km in the south of Montana and in the northwestern part of Wyoming. The name derives from the course of the highway through the Beartooth Mountain Range in Montana and Wyoming. The highway was opened in 1936 and ensures access to the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park. However, due to the climatic conditions, the Beartooth Highway is only open from mid-May to mid-October. Due to its location in the middle of the Rocky Mountains, the Beartooth Highway offers dramatic views of the mountainous landscape. Because of this course, the Beartooth Highway was also called “the most beautiful drive in America”. By the way, the Beartooth Highway has the status of an All-American Road, this status is still slightly higher than that of a National Scenic Byway. The Beartooth Highway basically runs between Red Lodge and Cooke City. From east to west, the Beartooth Highway first runs through the Custer National Forest (Montana), then through the Shostone National Forest (Wyoming) before continuing through the Gallatin National Forest in Montana. Yellowstone National Park begins at the end of Beartooth Highwayd. As a pure travel time you should plan at least 2 hours, but it is a better idea to plan at least 3 hours and really experience the route.
| Contact | www.beartoothhighway.com |
Big Sky Back Country Byway
The Big Sky Back Country Byway runs east of Montana through the Great Plains region, between Terry and Wolf Point, for approximately 170 km. The Big Sky Back Country Byway connects the two rivers Missouri River and Yellowstone River. The landscape along the way is very varied and you can wallow between badlands and prairies and whoever drives this route knows why the state of Montana is also known as the “Big Sky Country”. As a pure travel time you should plan at least 2 to 3 hours, but if you stop to enjoy it, it will take longer.
| Contact | www.byways.org/explore/byways/68956 |
National parks
Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone National Park
is located in Wyoming (96%), Montana (3%) and Idaho (1%) and is the oldest national park in the world (founded in 1872). With an area of approximately 9,000 km², it is one of the largest national parks in the USA and has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978.
You can find out more about Yellowstone National Park at Goruma here >>>.
Glacier National Park
The Glacier National Park, which covers an area of 4,047 km² in the northwest of Montana in the Rocky Mountains, is characterized by mountain, forest and lake landscapes. In 1995, Glacier National Park was added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
You can find out more about Glacier National Park at Goruma here >>>.
You can find all national parks in the USA at Goruma here >>>.
Nature reserves
Flathead National Forest
The Flathead National Forest extends over an area of approximately 9,732 km² in the western part of Montana. Of these, over 4,000 km² are advertised as a wilderness area. The national forest is named after the Flathead tribe. The Flathead National Forest is located in the Rocky Mountains at altitudes between 1,400 and 2,600 m. The Flathead National Forest is home to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area, the Great Bear Wilderness Area and the Mission Mountains Wilderness Area. The Flathead Wild and Scenic River, the Jewel Basin Hiking Area and the Coram Experimental Forest are also very interesting. In principle, camping in the Flathead National Forest is possible without a permit, but there are also 34 campsites in the Flathead National Forest. Hiking here is highly recommended. There are over 4,500 km of hiking trails in the Flathead National Forest. The Pacific Northwest Trail, a long distance hiking route and National Scenic Trail, also runs 61 km through the Flathead National Forest. If you go hiking here maybeMeet grizzly bears, lynxes, bald eagles or gray wolves.
| Contact | www.fs.usda.gov/flathead |
Lewis and Clark National Forest
The Lewis and Clark National Forest covers an area of over 7,300 km² in the western part of Montana, but is divided into two separate zones. It was established in 1897, making it one of the oldest national forests in the United States. The national forest is named after the Lewis and Clark expedition. The Lewis and Clark National Forest is located in the Rocky Mountains at altitudes between 1,400 and 2,900 m. There are 29 campsites in the Lewis and Clark National Forest, making it possible to go on longer hikes. In total there are over 2,400 km of hiking trails. If you go hiking here you might be able to see grizzly bears, lynxes, bald eagles, moose,Mountain lions, gray wolves meet. The area is also very suitable for fishing, especially fly fishing. If you want to do this, the Smith River is recommended.
| Contact | www.fs.usda.gov/lcnf |
Kootenai National Forest
The Kootenai National Forest is located in the far northwest of the state of Montana. In the north, the Kootenai National Forest is through Canada and in the west through the state of Idaholimited. A little less than 3% of the forest is also in the Idaho area. The Gebier was established as a national forest in 1907 and today the Kootenai National Forest covers an area of approx. 8,903 km². The national forest is named after the Kutenai tribe. The Cabinet Mountains Wilderness nature reserve is located in the forest and the highest elevation in the Kootenai National Forest is Snowshoe Peak with a height of 2,663 m. The Kootenai National Forest also runs about 145 km of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, which has a total length of 1,931 km.
| Contact | www.fs.usda.gov/kootenai |
Kaniksu National Forest
The Kaniksu National Forest is located in the border area of the 3 states of Washington, Idaho and Montana. The Kaniksu National Forest covers an area of approximately 6,588 km², of which approximately 55.7% are in Idaho, 27.9% in Montana and the remaining 16.4% in Washington. The name of the forest is borrowed from the language of the Kalispel tribe and means “black robe”. The area was established as a national forest in 1908. The Kanisku National Forest contains parts of the nature reserves Salmo-Priest Wilderness and Cabinet Mountains Wilderness.
| Contact | www.fs.usda.gov/ipnf |
Lolo National Forest
The Lolo National Forest is located in the western part of Montana around the city of Missoula and is bordered to the west by the state of Idaho. The Lolo National Forest covers an area of approximately 8,000 km², of which approximately 55.7% are in Idaho, 27.9% in Montana and the remaining 16.4% in Washington. The area was established as a national forest in 1906. The Lolo National Forest contains parts of the nature reserves Scapegoat Wilderness and Bob Marshall Wilderness as well as the nature reserves Welcome Creek Wilderness and Mission Mountains Wilderness. The area is particularly popular due to its high biodiversity. Here you will find over 1,500 plants and over 350 animal species. The highlights of the animal world includeGrizzly bears, black bears, elk and gray wolves. The Lolo National Forest has over 1,100 km of hiking trails and numerous campsites.
| Contact | www.fs.usda.gov/lolo |
Bitterroot National Forest
The Bitterroot National Forest is located in western Montana and eastern Idaho. The total area of the Bitterroot National Forest of approximately 6,423 km² is approximately 70% in Montana and approximately 30% in Idaho. The area was established as a national forest in 1898. The Bitterroot National Forest contains parts of the Anaconda-Pintler Wildernesses, Selway-Bitterroot Wildernesses and the Frank Church River of No Return Wildernesses. The Bitterroot National Forest is home to animal species such as grizzly bears, black bears, elk and gray wolves. The Bitterroot National Forest is over 2,500 km of hiking trails and there are a total of 18 campsites. A particularly beautiful part of the forest is the Blodgett Canyon, which is definitely worth a visit.
| Contact | www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot |
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is located in the southwestern part of Montana and is the largest national forest in Montana with a total area of 13,600 km². However, the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is divided into 9 separate areas. The area was established as a national forest in 1905. The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest contains parts of the Anaconda-Pintler Wildernesses and Lee Metcalf Wilderness as well as the Lemhi Pass, which is a National Historic Landmark. The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest area is home to over 2,400 km of hiking trails and over 50 campsites. Sections of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and Nez Perce National Historical Trail long-distance trails run through parts of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.
| Contact | www.fs.usda.gov/bdnf |
Helena National Forest
The Helena National Forest is located in the central western part of Montana and covers a total area of approximately 4,000 km². However, the Helena National Forest is divided into several smaller areas. The area was established as a national forest in 1906. Through the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest area there are over 1,100 km of hiking trails and there are approximately 12 campsites.
| Contact | www.fs.usda.gov/helena |
Galatin National Forest
The Galatin National Forest is located in the southwestern part of Montana and covers a total area of approximately 7,353 km². The Galatin National Forest is adjacent to, or is an extension of, Yellowstone National Park. Parts of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wildernesses and Lee Metcalf Wilderness are located in the Galatin National Forest. In the area of the Galatin National Forest is also the Granite Peak, the highest peak in Montana. Species such as grizzly bears, black bears, elk and gray wolves can be found in the Galatin National Forest. The area was established as a national forest in 1899. The area of the Galatin National Forest runs a total of 3,690 km of hiking trails, which often connect to trails that lead into Yellowstone Park. There are also over 40 campsites in the area.
| Contact | http://www.fs.usda.gov/gallatin |
Custer National Forest
The Custer National Forest is located in the southern part of Montana and in the north-eastern part of South Dakota and covers a total area of approximately 5,173 km². However, the Custer National Forest is divided into 10 smaller units and thus only about 6% are in the South Dakota area. In the Custer National Forest there are legacies of Native Americans such as burial sites, petroglyphs and pictograms. The area was established as a national forest in 1907. The area of the Galatin National Forest runs a total of 2,400 km of hiking trails and there are also over 30 campsites.
| Contact | www.fs.usda.gov/custer |
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness
The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Nature Reserve is located in the southern part of Montana and was established in 1978 by merging several National Forests. The wilderness area still extends over the 3 National Forests Custer, Gallatin and Shoshone National Forests on an area of approx. 3,820 km². In the south it borders on the Yellowstone National Prak. The area is quite alpine and the highest point is Francs Peak with a height of approx. 4,009 m. The area is recommended for anyone looking for scenic beauty.
| Contact | www.abwilderness.org |
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Located on the border of the two states of Montana and Wyoming, the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area has an excellent reputation. The approximately 487 km² area offers the scenic beauties around the Bighorn Canyon, at least with heights and depths of over 300 m the deepest canyon in the northern Rocky Mountains, also some historically interesting farms.
| Contact | www.nps.gov/bica/index.htm |
National Bison Range
The National Bison Range was established in 1908 to protect the American bison from extinction. Today there are between 350 and 500 bison in the 74 km² area. Those who want to experience bison in a “typical” prairie landscape can try their luck here in the west of Montana near the city of Missoula.
| Contact | www.fws.gov/refuge/national_bison_range |
Pablo National Wildlife Refuge
The Pablo National Wildlife Refuge is a nature reserve established in 1924 within the Flathead Indian Reservation in northwest Montana. The protected area covers a total area of approx. 10 km², of which approx. 7 km² is the water area of the reservoir. The Pablo National Wildlife Refuge is an excellent nesting area for various species of birds such as dommels, ducks, Canada geese and great blue herons due to the ban on hunting. However, there is also a pair of bald eagles in the Pablo National Wildlife Refuge. A real tip for bird watchers.
| Contact | www.fws.gov/bisonrange/pablo |
Hiking and biking trails
Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail
The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail is more than 1,900 km long and runs from the ridge of the North American continental divide in Montana via Idaho and Washington to the Pacific coast Olympic Peninsula in northwest Washington. The trail crosses 3 national parks and 7 national forests. The Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail was officially founded in 2009. The start of the trail is located in the central part of Montana on Chief Mountain. This is at the start or end point of the Continental Divide Trail. From there it runs through the Glacier National Park. In the state of Washington, it runs through the North Cascades National Park and the Olympic National Park.
| Contact | www.fs.usda.gov/pnt |
Continental Divide Trail
The Continental Divide Trail is nearly 5,000 km (4,989 km) long and crosses the entire USA from south to north. The start and end points of the trail are the Crazy Cook Monument in New Mexico near Columbus and the Chief Mountain in the central part of Montana, this is the start and end point of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail. Overall, the Continental Divide Trail runs through the states of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico along the North American continental divide. Along with the Appalachian Trail and Pacific Crest Trail, the Continental Divide Trail is part of the Triple Crown of Hiking, the 3 most prestigious long distance trails in the United States.
| Contact | www.cdtsociety.org |
Ski areas
Altogether there are 15 very well developed ski areas in Montana. The most interesting for tourists are certainly:
Big Sky Resort
The Big Sky Resort ski area is located in the southwest of Montana, about 1 hour south of the city of Bozeman. The ski area was opened in 1973 and today it is advertised as “Biggest Skiing in America”. The ski area offers visitors a total of 22 lifts and 150 slopes, the longest of which measures 6 km. The highest elevation is the Lone Peak Tram at 3,400 m.
| Contact | www.bigskyresort.com |
Bridger Bowl Ski Area
The Bridger Bowl Ski Area is located in the south of Montana, north of the city of Bozeman. The ski area covers a total area of approximately 8.1 km². The ski area offers visitors a total of 16 lifts and 71 slopes, the longest of which measures approximately 5 km. The highest elevation of the ski area is at 2650 m. The “The Ridge” descent, which can only be tackled by ski experts, is notorious and an avalanche signal is mandatory.
| Contact | www.bridgerbowl.com |
Discovery Ski Area
The Discovery Ski Area ski area is located in the southwest of Montana, near the former mining town of Anaconda. The ski area has an area of approx. 2.44 km² and is therefore one of the smaller ski areas. The ski area offers visitors a total of 6 lifts and 63 slopes, the longest of which is approximately 2.4 km long. The highest elevation of the ski area is 2,480 m high.
| Contact | www.skidiscovery.com |
Great Divide Snowsports
The Great Divide Snowsports ski area is located in the west of Montana, near the capital Helena. Due to the excellent climatic conditions in the area for winter sports, the Great Divide Snowsports is the ski area in Montana that opens first every year. The ski area has existed since 1941. The ski area offers visitors a total of 7 lifts and 140 slopes, the longest of which measures approximately 4.8 km. The highest elevation of the ski area is 2,205 m high.
| Contact | www.skigd.com |
Lost Trail Powder Mountain
The Lost Trail Powder Mountain ski resort is located in the far west of Montana, on the border with the state of Idaho. The Lost Trail Powder Mountain ski area has an area of approximately 3.6 km² to be traveled and is therefore one of the smaller ski areas. The ski area is known for its large amounts of snow, but is mainly used by the residents of the region. The ski area offers visitors a total of 8 lifts and 45 slopes, the longest of which measures approximately 2 km. The highest elevation of the ski area is 2,500 m high.
| Contact | www.losttrail.com |
Moonlight Basin
The Moonlight Basin ski area is located in the southwestern part of Montana, near the city of Bozeman. The ski area Moonlight Basin offers an area of approx. 8 km². The ski area was established in 2003 and is one of the younger ski areas in Montana. The ski area offers visitors a total of 7 lifts and 76 slopes, the longest of which measures approximately 4.5 km. The highest elevation of the ski area is 3,403 m high. The section “The Headwaters” is aimed at extreme athletes, as it is characterized by deep and steep gorges.
| Contact | www.moonlightbasin.com |
Red Lodge Mountain Resort
The Red Lodge Mountain Resorts ski resort is located in the south of Montana, near the town of Billings, in the Beartooth Mountains. The ski area has existed since 1960. The ski area has an area of approx. 0.6 km² and is therefore one of the smaller ski areas. The ski area offers visitors a total of 7 lifts and 71 slopes, the longest of which measures approx. 4 km. The highest elevation of the ski area is 2,870 m high.
| Contact | www.redlodgemountain.com |
Whitefish Mountain Resort
The Whitefish Mountain Resort ski resort is located in northwest Montana, near the city of Missoula. The Whitefish Mountain Resort ski area has a surface area of approximately 12.2 km². The ski area has existed since 1947. The ski area offers visitors a total of 11 lifts and 93 slopes, the longest of which measures approx. 5.3 km. The highest elevation of the ski area is 2.0785 m.
| Contact | skiwhitefish.com |
Other natural beauties
Pictograph Cave State Park at Billings
The Pictograph Cave State Park near the city of Billings comprises three cave systems that were archaeologically examined as early as 1937. Incidentally, this was the first professional archaeological investigation ever in Montana. The caves are the Pictograph cave, Middle cave and Ghost cave. To date, the investigations in the caves have brought to light more than 30,000 artifacts, the majority of which are animal remains. The remains of large animals such as bison or elk were found, but also those of smaller animals and birds. The Pictograph Cave is the only one of the 3 caves in which rock paintings, more precisely petroglyphs, can be found. Some are believed to be over 3,500 years old and depict animals, warriors, and rifles, which suggests that some of the drawings are fairly new.
