Recreate Responsibly in Western Montana
Montana is a state of adventure and, first and foremost, a state to treasure. Glacier Country's sparkling waters, unspoiled nature, rich history, arts and culture, 75+ charming communities and nine scenic travel corridors make for one exceptional place.
As winter turns to spring, residents and visitors alike switch gears from snow sports to quiet hikes, rushing waterfalls, fly-fishing, wildlife watching, wildflower-filled meadows, and their chance to bike the Going-to-the-Sun Road before it's open to vehicular traffic.
And while we love sharing our big blue skies, breathtaking landscapes and fresh mountain air with dreamers and doers, we ask that you be thoughtful when planning your Montana adventure and while you're here with us. This vast playground is not only some of the most pristine and cherished land on the planet, it's our home. It's also home to vulnerable flora and fauna that depend on everyone following Recreate Responsibly, Leave No Trace, and Tread Lightly principles. So please plan ahead, play it safe and be prepared; be respectful, be kind, and be patient.
Thank you for treasuring the Treasure State.
Enter here for a chance to win up to $500 + prizes, and then get ready to enjoy your season ticket to warm-weather adventures in Western Montana's Glacier Country.
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THE PEAK OF ADVENTURE: MONTANA’S YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY
Yellowstone is more than a park. In Montana, it’s a whole country—an entire ecosystem that doesn’t stop where the park ends. The majestic landscape spills north into Montana’s Yellowstone Country, where adventure is wide open. Experience world-class outdoor recreation and captivating mountain towns.
Fly-fish a blue-ribbon trout stream or stargaze the clearest night sky you’ll ever see. Drive the spellbinding switchbacks of one of the most scenic roadways in America—the dramatic Beartooth Highway—and be stopped in your tracks by the sheer beauty of Paradise Valley.
With three entrances into Yellowstone National Park, Montana is the perfect place to set up base camp. You’ll be met with friendly local vibes and honest-to-goodness hospitality. Explore downtown streets lined with cafés, coffee shops, food trucks, breweries and distilleries, plus museums and galleries, theaters and live music. A Montana getaway is the Yellowstone you had in mind.
There’s this place where solitude and wilderness are minutes from big-city art and amenities. This place is Missoula, Montana and it has the unparalleled natural beauty and cultural vibrancy to make your experience unforgettable.
Surrounded by seven wilderness areas and three rivers, Missoula is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream. On any given day you’ll see anglers casting, river surfers tackling the man-made Brennan’s Wave and tubers riding the river right through town. Off the water, they hit never-ending trail systems and cycle the country’s friendliest streets.
Missoula is a hive of cultural activities. Catch live music in award-winning music venues and spontaneous concerts in the park, mingle with artists in downtown galleries and farmers markets, and savor locally sourced eats from food trucks and renowned restaurants alike.
Adventure meets variety in Missoula. It is a place of small-town values and urban amenities—where you can paddle or hike all day and catch a concert at night. So make like a Missoulian and get moving—call 1.800.526.3465 or visit the Destination Missoula website to set your next adventure in motion.
Considered the heartbeat of Missoula, Downtown is the epicenter of Missoula’s arts and culture scene. With dozens of unique shops, restaurants, cafes, art galleries, community events and even a river running through its core, Downtown Missoula is a place where everyone can find something to connect with.
The Downtown Missoula Partnership works to promote, support and enhance the vitality of downtown Missoula. They produce downtown events, such as Garden City BrewFest, Out to Lunch, Downtown ToNight and River City Roots Festival. They also provide the Unseen Missoula Historic Walking Tours.
The Holiday Inn Missoula Downtown is the ideal choice to experience all Missoula has to offer. Located in the heart of downtown in a gracious park-like setting along the Clark Fork River, this hotel is just steps from vibrant shopping, dining, live-music, outdoor recreation, festivals, farmers markets and more!
Missoula's largest full-service hotel has 198 newly refreshed guest rooms, including a 4th floor Executive Level, 20,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, a park-like outdoor venue, a full-service restaurant and bar, a lobby bar, and a grab-and-go market featuring local favorites and espresso. With the best location and superior conference service, groups are guaranteed a distinctive Missoula experience. Complimentary features include an indoor swimming pool, state-of-the-art fitness center, 24-hour business center, Wi-Fi, on-site guest parking (a rarity in downtown), airport and area-wide transportation. This a nonsmoking hotel with pet-friendly rooms.
Makers of Montana's iconic Cold Smoke® Scotch Ale, KettleHouse Brewing Co. has two brewery and taproom locations in and around Missoula. The newest location in Bonner is nestled on the banks of the Blackfoot River, offers stunning mountain views where wildlife sightings are not unusual, and is home to the KettleHouse Amphitheater, Montana’s premier music venue. The original KettleHouse location is a favorite hangout among locals and has been a Missoula staple for 25 years. Both KettleHouse taprooms host events and private parties and offer a variety of beers on tap, so there is always something for everyone.
KettleHouse’s mission is to match the quality of their beers to the quality of the Montana outdoor experience. Independently owned and innovating since 1995.
A visit to one of the KettleHouse taprooms is the perfect stop for those In Search of Cooler Times®
Missoula Taphouse
602 Myrtle St. Missoula, MT 59801
Bonner
605 Cold Smoke Ave. Bonner, MT 59823
Instagram: @kettlehouse
Facebook: facebook.com/kettlehousebrewingcompany
At Missoula Montana Airport (MSO), fly direct to Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Oakland, Orange County, Phoenix/Mesa, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose and Seattle/Tacoma or connect with thousands of destinations worldwide. Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines and United Airlines all offer flights into and out of Missoula. Airfares continue to drop as the airport expands services.
Seven rental car company courtesy counters—Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz and Thrifty—are located in the main passenger terminal directly across from baggage claim, making it easy for arriving passengers to grab their luggage and go.
Food and beverage options at MSO include the Liquid Planet Drive Thru (pre-security) and the Liquid Planet Grille (post-security). You’ll also fine local art on display, shopping, conference rooms, free Wi-Fi, and places to unwind—like massage chairs—and charge your devices. Whether heading out to explore the world or visiting Montana for the first time, the Missoula Airport is your starting point for adventure.
In Missouri River Country, less always means more—because less traffic, less noise and less stress means more time for authentic Montana experiences. The frontier lives on in our region's expansive landscape and small-town charm, and open space is our greatest commodity. It harbors unique landforms and seemingly endless night skies, where stargazers can experience the darkest skies and brightest cosmos in the lower 48.
This unspoiled land offers an unbeatable getaway for those who truly enjoy the outdoors and all it has to offer. Antelope, elk, turkey and other game keep hunters busy while fishers go casting in rivers, lakes and reservoirs such as the enormous Fort Peck Reservoir, boasting more miles of shoreline than the California coast. Hunt for prehistoric discoveries with a real dinosaur dig, or visit a museum on the Montana Dinosaur Trail. Your options are endless in the land of more room to roam.
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK IS OUR FRONT DOOR
If you’re exploring the rugged beauty of Glacier National Park or the town of Whitefish, The Pine Lodge offers the perfect accommodations on par with Montana’s great outdoors.
Featuring 76 hotel rooms ranging from standard rooms to executive suites, they’re known for their family-friendly nature and easy access to Glacier National Park and Whitefish Mountain Resort.
This comfortable Whitefish hotel is located just 26 miles from the park and only minutes from the vibrant downtown Whitefish scene. With kayaks and paddleboards available to sign out at no cost, the fun starts at The Pine Lodge.
The Pine Lodge also provides numerous ways to relax and have fun right on the property. Roast s’mores over the firepits and soak in the indoor/outdoor heated pool and hot tub. It’s all right there. Plan your Glacier getaway today.
Open year-round, Quinn's Hot Springs Resort is nestled in a majestic canyon on the Clark Fork River in Sanders County on State Highway 135. We have a full-service restaurant, tavern, gift and coffee shop, seven natural hot springs pools, massage and 83 rentals. All lodging is new since 2001 forward and includes standard and luxury accommodations with options for both couples and families or groups. Our Luxury River-View Cabins are the ultimate experience in relaxation and comfort with stunning river and mountain views. Quinn's Paradise Hall Event Center opened in 2015 and is a great location for weddings, business events, celebrations and more. Quinn's River Lodge opened in November of 2017 and offers luxury rooms with views of Quinn's Canyon and the Clark Fork River.
Named a “Top 10 Pick” by USA Today, the Route of the Hiawatha mountain bike or hike trail is 15 miles long with 10 train tunnels and 7 sky-high trestles. This crown jewel of the Rails to Trails system starts with a ride through the 1.661-mile-long St. Paul Pass Tunnel, also known as the Taft Tunnel. It is a highlight of the trail that follows the crest of the Bitterroot Mountains near Lookout Pass Ski Area. The best part of the trail is....it's all downhill. Shuttle buses are available to transport you and your bike back to the top. This family-friendly trail is easily enjoyed by anyone who can ride a bike!
Southgate Mall is your most convenient and best Missoula shopping destination. With more than 100 stores and 10,000 brands, you'll find something for everyone in the family and for every occasion. The largest mall in Western Montana, Southgate Mall stores offer women's apparel, shoes, children's and teens' clothing, jewelry, sporting goods, home décor, electronics and more. Browse department stores, specialty shops and boutiques. When you're ready for a break, choose from some of the most popular Missoula dining options, all under the same roof.
With tax-free shopping, Southgate Mall is home to Scheels, Dillard’s (women’s), Dillard’s (men’s + kids’), AMC-9 Dine-In Theater, Cost Plus World Market, Lululemon, Athleta, H&M, Chico’s, Bath & Body Works and more.
Southgate Mall offers some of the top-rated restaurants in Missoula, including Mustard Seed, Hoagieville, Sushi Palace, #1 Greek Gyros, Noodle Express, Auntie Anne’s, Cinnabon, Double K Ranch Deli & Meats, and, coming in October 2023, Texas Roadhouse.
Out here, big space is in our nature. Flowing rivers, prairies and badlands make up the big landscape of Southeast Montana with each mile as unique as the last.
Visit badlands with dinosaur fossils just below the surface waiting to be discovered while following the Montana Dinosaur Trail. Kayak the waters of the Yellowstone River or Bighorn Lake for views worthy of that picture-perfect moment. And don’t forget about the cities and small towns. Stop in Billings, Montana’s Trailhead, for shopping and dining galore. Explore the Billings Brew Trail, a walkable brewery trail in historic downtown Billings. Don’t forget to get off the interstate and experience true western hospitality at its finest while learning about each town’s history with locals over a drink.
Plan your big getaway at SoutheastMontana.com and order your free travel guide, download maps and view curated road trip itineraries. We can’t wait to see you out here.
GHOST TOWNS, ROAD TRIPS, AND HIKING TRAILS. THE REST IS HISTORY.
A visit to Southwest Montana is more than just a trip—it’s a chance to explore the state’s robust history and vibrant landscape. Explore authentic and well-preserved ghost towns from Bannack to Virginia City and Nevada City. Visit the Big Hole National Battlefield, including the Nez Perce Camp. After a day of adventure, unwind in the soothing mineral waters of a hot springs resort.
You’re bound for adventure here in the extraordinary space between Yellowstone and Glacier national parks, where the Old West lives on.
Whitefish Marine offers boat rentals, sales, service and storage for all your Whitefish Lake boating adventures. Choose from multiple boat types—pontoon, wake/surf/ski, jet and bowrider. You can also rent fifth-wheel and travel trailer RVs for your Montana camping excursions. Whitefish Marine is locally owned and operated by a third-generation boater who grew up on the water and offers a wealth of knowledge about boats and boating in the area. Let Whitefish Marine help you make memories to last a lifetime.
Experience the Wilderness Club Resort, home to the #1 ranked golf course in Montana, crafted by the renowned Sir Nick Faldo. Discover the beauty of fairways bordered by majestic ponderosa pines and breathtaking mountain panoramas. Nestled within 550 acres of pristine wilderness, Wilderness Club is surrounded by the vast Kootenai National Forest an hour's drive north of Whitefish. This mountain retreat, purpose-built for families, features a 21-acre lake for fishing and various recreational activities, surrounded by a collection of luxurious cottages that offer a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor living. Wilderness Club provides a diverse range of outdoor activities throughout the year, and at its heart lies the Clubhouse with a Grille and Golf Shop, a family sports park, and an extraordinary water park with hot tubs and pools that overlook the serene Wilderness Lake and beach.