Explore Blackfeet Country Along the Edge of the Park
Communities: East Glacier Park, Browning, Cut Bank, St. Mary, Babb
East of Glacier National Park, on the Blackfoot Indian Reservation, experience the culture and traditions of the Blackfeet Nation. In the area, you'll also find plenty of recreation, history, and small-town charm.
Warm welcomes await in the East Glacier Park area, and it's the perfect place to use as a base camp for a Glacier National Park adventure. Amtrak's historic Empire Builder train stops (seasonally) here, as well as in Browning and Cut Bank. The East Glacier Park train depot was built in 1913 and sits directly across from the historic and architecturally jaw-dropping Glacier Park Lodge surrounded by lush gardens and beautiful views of Dancing Lady Mountain. On the grounds you'll find a nine-hole golf course, which is the oldest grass greens course in Montana. While in the area, dine at Summit Mountain Lodge—taking in views of wildlife and the park—and take a trail ride with Glacier Gateway Outfitters.
Attend the annual North American Indian Days pow wow in Browning or the Heart Butte Indian Days pow wow. At the Museum of the Plains Indian in Browning view art and collections from Northern Plains Tribes including historic clothing, horse gear, weapons, household implements, baby carriers and toys. Also check out the Blackfeet Heritage Center & Art Gallery and shop at Faught's Blackfeet Trading Post and Western Curios. For an authentic Montana experience, spend the night in a teepee at the Lodgepole Gallery & Tipi Village, take a tour of the area and view the gallery.
In the St. Mary /Babb area, don't miss the St. Mary Overlook and fishing on Duck Lake (with a tribal permit). Your trip isn't complete without huckleberry dessert from Johnson's of St. Mary or Two Sisters Café.
Explore historically significant sites along the Lewis and Clark Trail—like Camp Disappointment, Cut Bank Camp and the Meriwether Lewis Fight Site—in Cut Bank —and hike or bike the town's extensive trail system. Cut Bank also holds the Lewis and Clark Days Festival annually in July. The Glacier County Historical Museum offers an extensive look at Montana through the ages—including an "Overnight in History" program allowing visitors to spend the night in a caboose, homesteader's cabin or oil worker's house. In addition to grabbing some finely crafted Montana beer at Cut Bank Creek Brewery.
Highlights: Two Medicine Valley; Glacier County Historical Museum; Museum of the Plains Indian; North American Indian Days; Heart Butte Indian Days; Cut Bank Trail System; golf; fishing; hunting; Mexican cuisine; museums
Length: 122 miles
Travel time: 2.5 hours
