Montana is made for exploring. The University of Montana and Missoula are the ideal basecamp for adventuring into the unknown, discovering new and old places, and making travel memories that last a lifetime. There's plenty to explore on campus and across our charming mountain town, but if you want more of a taste of the gems and jewels of the Treasure State, check out these 12 epic Montana road trips from Missoula:
The Garden of One Thousand Buddhas is a botanical garden near Arlee, Montana. There are Buddha statues placed throughout the grounds along with other buildings. These statues represent the enlightened mind. The Garden is home to the Ewam Buddhist Institute, which offers activities such as teachings, ceremonies, and the annual Peace Festival in August.
Must-Do’s in the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas:
1) Garden tours
2) Ancient shopping
3) Cultural exhibits
Glacier National Park covers over 1 million acres in northwest Montana, edging up against the Canadian border. With beautiful glacial lakes, alpine meadows and mountains galore, Glacier National Park is a perfect weekend getaway and premier destination within the state. At Glacier, you can take boat tours, go day hiking, stay overnight at one of the many campsites or lodges, and see some of Montana's most epic wildlife (bears, elk, and bighorn sheep, oh my!).
Must-Do’s in Glacier National Park:
1) Going-to-the-sun Road
2) Trail of Cedars
3) Glacier Park Red Bus Tours
The CSKT Bison Range is a nature reserve on the Flathead Reservation that is committed to conserving American bison. There are about 350 adult bison in the herd, and they have about 50-60 calves each year. The bison have 18,524 acres to roam around the Montana valley and foothill grasslands preserved for them. The National Bison Range is operated by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and encourages visitors throughout the year. Check out the museum and gift shop at the entrance and then drive the looped park roads to spot some bison.
Must-Do’s in the CSKT Bison Range:
1) Red Sleep Drive
2) Buffalo Prairie Drive
Tip: Call the range ahead at least an hour before arrival time for road and weather updates: BisonRange.org
Flathead Lake is the largest natural lake in northwest Montana, sitting at a surface area of 197 square miles and is surrounded by numerous state parks and hiking trails. If you’re looking for a getaway, no matter what time of the year, Flathead Lake is your answer. It has many spots for swimming and fishing and is close to the Blacktail Mountain Ski Area.
Must-Do’s in Flathead Lake:
1) Flathead Lake Bio Station
2) The People’s Center
3) Selis Ksanka Qlispe Dam (formerly Kerr Dam)
Butte, a city of about 36,000 people, is filled with hillside views and historical charm. Home of the Berkely Pit, Butte is a Montanan treasure with its rustic architecture, tight-knit community and fascinating historical background. Butte is known for its copper mining and its role in American electricity, once giving its nickname of the "Richest Hill on Earth". Go visit the electric city of Butte!
Must-Do’s in Butte Montana:
1) The Berkeley Pit
2) Copper King Mansion
3) World Museum of Mining
The Garnet Ghost Town is rich in history that has shaped it into the town it is today. The population declined as the town aged and a fire in 1912 destroyed much of the town. However, Garnet is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in Montana, remaining in its early 1900s state. Visitors are welcome to tour the old buildings and are encouraged to keep an eye out for special events that take place throughout the year.
Must-Do’s in Garnet:
1) Visit the Visitors Center
2) Visit the Wells Hotel
3) Visit the General Store
Anaconda and Phillipsburg or two historical towns located on the Pintler-Veterans Memorial Scenic Byway east of Missoula. Each are surrounded by several ways to explore outside, as well as several historic points of interest, like the giant smelter stack still looming on the horizon. Each town has its own unique charm and places to explore, including old-fashioned candy shops, hot spings, sapphire mines, breweries and places like Discovery Basin Ski Area (Ski Disco).
Must-Do’s in Philipsburg and Anaconda:
1) Sweet Palace
2) Montana Zipline Adventures
3) Disco Bike Park
Marcus Daly was one of the three Copper Kings of Montana, and he bought the 22,000 acres and buildings, including a farmhouse, that made up the Anthony Chaffin Property. He then remodeled the farmhouse and upgraded it in 1897 to a Queen Anne-style Victorian Mansion. The Daly Mansion is in the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula and is now open for tours.
Must-Do’s at the Daly Mansion:
1) Guided tours
2) Murder mystery dinners
3) Yoga
Helena is the capital city of Montana and is just the right place to go for a weekend visit. The historic downtown area has bookstores, gift shops and art galleries galore. Close hiking opportunities and mountains surrounding Helena create a nature-lover's dream. Helena is also home to a world-famous Ceramic Arts Studio and Institution, the Archie Bray Foundation (aka The Bray).
Must-Do’s in Helena:
1) Gates of the Mountains boat ride
2) Cathedral of Saint Helena
3) Original Governor’s Mansion
Yellowstone National Park was the first national park to be established in America in 1872. Yellowstone consists of unique experiences like hydrothermal and geologic features, such as geysers and the Yellowstone River. At Yellowstone, there are many loops for you to explore to see the great wildlife of Montana, Wyoming and Idaho.
Must-Do’s in Yellowstone:
1) Tour of Grand Prismatic and Old Faithful
2) Yellowstone River 8-Mile Paradise Whitewater Raft Trip
3) Lamar Wildlife Safari
Great Falls is named after five stunning waterfalls located on the Missouri River and border the city of Great Falls. This city also gains its power from the five main dams in the area and is also known for its storied history connected to Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery. It has several fascinating museums, places to eat and numerous places to play outside.
Must-Do’s in Great Falls:
1) Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center
2) C.M. Russell Museum
3) Giant Springs State Park
The Route of the Hiawatha Trail is a scenic bike ride that crosses the Bitterroot Mountains between Montana and Idaho. There are 10 Dark Tunnels and 7 Sky-High Steel RR bridges that the route takes you through. The route is 15 miles long and is downhill the whole way, making it accessible and great for kids.
Must-Do’s on the Hiawatha Trail:
1) Enjoy the ride!