Western Montana and Glacier National Park
We’ve compiled a list of our favorite must-do Western Montana activities, like places to visit on and off the beaten path, can’t-miss attractions and fun things to do in and around Glacier National Park. Heads up…you’re not going to be able to fit all of these into one trip, so plan on coming back again real soon.
Year-Round Adventure Lives in Columbia Falls
Outside Glacier National Park, explore the great outdoors by horseback, ski or snowshoe, and enjoy small-town charm at local coffee shops, breweries and distilleries.
1. Bike in Missoula
Rent a bike in Missoula and explore the city's many biking trails.
2. Camp Under the Big Sky
Sleep under the big blue sky—and maybe catch a glimpse of the northern lights—at one of Western Montana's many campgrounds.
3. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Visit Missoula's Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and learn about the role the foundation plays in elk conservation.
4. Orchard Adventure
Pick your own sweet cherries from an orchard in Montana's Flathead Valley.
5. Whitefish Mountain Resort
Ski down the backside of Whitefish Mountain Resort. You'll feel like you have the mountain to yourself. Plus, the views of Glacier National Park are breathtaking.
6. Winter Fat Biking
Try fat biking through the snow in our wintry wonderland.
7. St. Ignatius Mission
Marvel in the 58 hand-painted murals adorning the walls and ceiling of the St. Ignatius Mission.
8. Bigfork Summer Playhouse
Experience the arts by catching a play at the Bigfork Summer Playhouse.
9. Fish Up a Blue Ribbon
Cast your line into one of Western Montana's blue-ribbon trout streams.
10. Centuries in the Making
Experience American Indian culture by spending the night in a tipi.
11. Kerr Dam Views
Admire the spectacular views from Kerr Dam. The dam is a short drive from Polson and is 54 feet higher than Niagara Falls.
12. Discover Ninepipes
Visit the unique habitat of the Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge. Follow it up with a visit to Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana.
13. Soak in a Hot Spring
Of all the ways to relax in Montana, soaking in a hot spring is at the very top of the list.
14. Antique Souvenirs
Find the perfect souvenir at one of Glacier Country's many antique stores.
15. Wildlife Watching
Montana is home to many species of wildlife—keep your eyes open and your camera ready.
16. Sledding
Rediscover your inner child by sledding down the snowy hills of Glacier Country.
17. Stand-Up Paddleboarding
Try stand-up paddleboarding on one of Montana’s pristine lakes.
18. The Glacier Institute
Visit the Glacier Institute for a hands-on educational adventure.
19. Meet the Smokejumpers
Meet Montana's heroes at the Smokejumper Visitor Center.20. A Downhill Haven
21. Canoe
Rent a canoe or kayak and paddle the Clearwater Canoe Trail near Seeley Lake.
22. Climb With a Guide
Plan a rock climbing trip with an experienced guide.
23. Mysterious Vortex
Check out the mysterious vortex along Highway 2 near Columbia Falls.
24. Experience Music in Missoula
Join Missoulians for lunch and live music at Caras Park every Wednesday from June – August.
25. Hike in the Bob
Hike in the Bob (aka the Bob Marshall Wilderness).
26. Bison Burger Break
Try a bison burger.
27. Recreational Lakes
Rent wave runners and head to a nearby lake.
28. Historical Walking Tours
Stop by a local chamber or visitor information center and ask about historical walking tour information.
29. Hot Air Balloon Ride
Hop aboard a hot air balloon in Kalispell for a once-in-a-lifetime ride and amazing views.
30. Cowboy Up
31. Skijoring Competition
Take in a skijoring competition (skiing behind a horse) in Whitefish.
32. A Day in Philipsburg
Mine for sapphires near Philipsburg. Complete your day with a visit to The Sweet Palace.
33. Night as a Forest Guard
Spend the night in a forest service lookout.
34. Take Advantage of the Snow
Take advantage of the region's noteworthy snowfall and go snowshoeing.
35. Cozy Cabin
Spend the night in a cozy cabin.
36. American Indian Pow Wow
Experience an American Indian pow wow.
37. Amphitheater on the River
Catch a live concert on the banks of the Blackfoot River.
38. Scenic Byway by Motorcycle
Rent a motorcycle and cruise the roads and byways of Western Montana.
40. Go With a Guide
41. Painted Rocks Reservior
Take your boat and fishing pole to Painted Rocks Reservoir near Darby in the Bitterroot Valley.
42. Go Carts on the Highway
Race go carts on Highway 2 in Coram.
43. See What's in Bloom
Admire our wildflowers: Indian paintbrush, bitterroot and beargrass (to name a few).
44. Hiawatha Rail Trail
Bike through 11 tunnels and over nine steel trestles along the Hiawatha Rail Trail.
45. Birding in our Wildlife Refuges
Meet a great horned owl at the National Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, a birder's paradise.
46. Water Parks
Cool off at a water park or splash pad in Columbia Falls or Missoula.
47. National Bison Range
Watch bison and stunning views at the National Bison Range in Moiese.
48. Walk Across a Swinging Bridge
Check out the view of Kootenai Falls (near Libby and Troy) from the swinging bridge.
49. Swim in a Lake
Take a dip in one of our pristine lakes.
50. Ride a Red Bus
51. Folf
Enjoy a game of folf at a local disc-golfing course.
52. Summer Gondola Ride
Take a gondola ride at Whitefish Mountain Resort and enjoy the spectacular surrounding views.
53. Shop Sales-Tax Free
The eclectic shops, funky boutiques, art galleries, book shops, second-hand stores, gift shops and old-fashioned candy stores that line our community main streets are a big part of our small-town charm.
54. Local Brewery Tasting
Savor an award-winning Montana beer at one of our local breweries.
55. Chief Mountain Sunrise
Watch the sunrise at Chief Mountain. You'll call it a perfect day even if you see nothing else.
56. Ronan Visitor Center
Stop by and say hi to the friendly volunteers at the Ronan Visitor Center. They'll probably give you pie.
57. International Wildlife Film Festival
Watch an epic wildlife film at the International Wildlife Film Festival.
59. Old West Wagon Ride
Experience the Old West again on a wagon train or cattle drive.60. Sail Flathead Lake
61. Downtown Art Walk
Stroll a downtown art walk in one of our charming small towns.
62. Explore Woods Bay
Grab a meal lakeside and watch the sun go down in Woods Bay.
63. Brave the Rapids
Go rafting (with a guide) on the Alberton Gorge.
64. Carved by History
Take a look back at the history of Glacial Lake Missoula and the Ice Age floods.
65. Sun Tours
Learn about Glacier National Park from an American Indian perspective with Sun Tours.
66. Winter Sleigh Ride
Cozy up to your sweetie on a winter sleigh ride.
67. Montana Farmers Markets
Fill up on wild huckleberries or morel mushrooms at a local farmers market.
68. Explore an Old Ghost Town
Explore a reminder of the past men and women who made a living working the mountains and streams here.
69. North American Indian Days
Participate in North American Indian Days—one of the largest gatherings of United States and Canadian tribes—and celebrate the American Indian Culture.
70. Go Green
71. Support a Hutterite Colony
Pick up some homemade rolls or fresh produce at a local Hutterite colony near Cut Bank.
72. Alpine Theatre Project Show
Experience Broadway in Montana at a performance from the Alpine Theatre Project in Whitefish.
73. Best Doughnuts in the West
Stop at the local bakery in Ravalli for one of the best doughnuts in the West.
74. Western Montana Nightlife
Kick up your heels and enjoy the nightlife in downtown Whitefish.
75. Be One of the Locals
Attend a local county fair or festival.76. Garden of One Thousand Buddhas
Visit the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas in Arlee.
77. St. Mary's Mission
Visit the St. Mary's Mission in Stevensville.
78. Tobacco Valley Historical Village
Keep history alive with a stroll through the Tobacco Valley Historical Village in Eureka—a collection of restored buildings and structures from the 1880s to 1920s.
79. Savenac Nursery Trails
Explore the interpretive trails at Savenac Nursery, a National Historic Site in Haugan.
80. Sail Above the Treeline
81. Lake Koocanusa Drive
Drive or cycle the Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway.
82. Huckleberry Festival
Celebrate Montana's much-loved purple berry at The Huckleberry Festival in Trout Creek.
83. Local Spirits
Taste the spirit of Montana at a local distillery.
84. Riverfront Blues Festival
Bask in the blues at the Riverfront Blues Festival in Libby.
85. Going-to-the-Sun Road
Drive or pedal the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park.
86. Winterfest
Take to the streets for Winterfest in Whitefish.
87. Annual Scarecrow Festival
View a collection of scarecrows at Stevensville's annual Scarecrow Festival.
88. Belton Chalet
Enjoy a delicious dinner and stunning views at the Belton Chalet in West Glacier.
89. Logan Pass
Stretch your legs on the boardwalk at Logan Pass in Glacier National Park.
90. Hike it Out
91. Scenic Yoga
Do yoga on the shores of Flathead Lake.
92. Travel by Rail
Ride Amtrak's Empire Builder from East Glacier to Whitefish.
93. Spa Time
Plan a girls' getaway and indulge in some Montana-themed spa treatments.
94. Grab a Scoop
Treat yourself to a uniquely-flavored ice cream at Sweet Peaks.
95. Historic Wilma Theater
Catch a show at the Wilma Theater in Missoula.
96. Hefty Hereford
Stop and pose with a hefty Hereford along Highway 200 at Clearwater Junction.
97. Looking Glass Highway
Drive the Looking Glass Highway (Hwy 49) along the eastern edge of Glacier National Park for incredible views of the park and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
98. Visit a Montana State Park
These protected natural wonders feature glacial-carved terrain, sparkling waters and a unique cultural history, and serve as monuments of our dedication to the preservation of our vast and beautiful wild places.
99. Downtown in Western Montana
Live like a local and wander around any of our charming, funky, welcoming downtowns.
100. Explore Polebridge and the North Fork
101. Winter on the Going-to-the-Sun Road
Cross-country ski or snowshoe along the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park.
102. See Fall in Glacier National Park
Take in the golden colors of our fall foliage. Try a drive along the southern border of Glacier National Park, through the Seeley-Swan Valley or down the Bitterroot Valley.
