Montana is also referred to as Treasure State and for good reason. With Helena as its capital, Montana has many gems and treasures to offer. Not only for lovers of nature and wildlife, but also for those who want to know everything about the time when the gold rush flourished. Montana has more than 1 million inhabitants and borders Canada on the north side. The landscape of Montane alternates with dense forest and high mountains of which Granite Peak is the highest. Indian reserves are also still abundant here. The city also has many sights that give you a good insight into the times of yesteryear. You can visit for example Bannack or Grant-Kohrs Ranch. You can also indulge yourself in Montana as a nature and wildlife lover. This is best done in parks such as Glacier National Park or by following the route via the Beartooth Highway. See 800zipcodes for American cities that start with letter S.

Top 10 Things to Do in Montana

Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park is located in northwestern Montana. A large unspoilt nature reserve with an impressive flora and fauna. The variety of landscapes also makes the park very suitable for walks. You will find valleys, glaciers, lakes and sharp mountain edges that were created during the ice age. There is a lot of wildlife in the park, including mountain goats and moose. However, Glacier National Park is also the only nature reserve where Grizzly bears still exist in the wild. If you prefer not to walk, you can also traverse the park by car on the 50-mile going-to-the-sun road. This takes you from West to the St. Mary Entrance and takes you along steep slopes.

Beartooth Highway

In Montana you have the option to follow the Beartooth Highway which takes you from Red Lodge to Yellowstone. The Pass is a varied route in which you defy heights, mountains, lakes and tundra landscapes. There are plenty of places along the way where you can enjoy the view, or stop for a nice picnic. Highlights of the Beartooth Highway route are literally and figuratively Rock Creek Vista Point and Granite Peak. They both have an altitude of 2800 and 3900 meters respectively. The roads on the Beartooth Highway are easily accessible and easy to drive with a rental car. If you do want to stop along the way to stretch your legs, you can take a short walk at West Summit.

Virginia City and Nevada City

Virginia and Nevada City in Montana are small towns inextricably linked to the gold rush of yesteryear. In Virginia you can taste and see the atmosphere of old houses that are in exactly the same condition as they were during the Gold Rush. In addition to various houses and ranches, you can also visit small shops with an authentic interior. Although Virginia’s main street is quite short, a visit is well worth it if you combine it with a visit to Nevada City. In this adjacent town you can visit an old station, but also an open-air museum that takes you back to the golden times. Demonstrations are given on how guns were used during this time.

Makoshika State Park

Makoshika State Park is a special park where many fossils of dinosaurs were found at the time. With an area of ​​over 45 km2, this park is the largest in Montana. The so-called scenic drive is highly recommended. This will take you from the visitor center to the beautiful spots of the State Park. Some highlights of the route include Kinney Coulee and the view at Pine on Rocks Vista. You can also choose to visit Hell Creek and Fort Union Formation. These are the places where most dinosaur remains were found. Makoshika State Park offers a surprising variety between imposing rocks,

bannack

Bannack is an abandoned ghost town in the state of Montana, but was a “buzzing metropolis” during the gold rush. When John White found gold at nearby Grashopper Creek, Bannack was soon bombed into its capital by Montana. However, this success did not last long because not much later Virginia City took the honors. The gold rush lasted until about 1930. 20 years after the gold prospecting ended, the town was completely deserted. The buildings that Bannack was rich, however, have remained well maintained and preserved. It is therefore well worth visiting this small ghost town during a stay in Montana.

Gates of the Mountains

The Gates of the Mountains are located in Helena, the capital of Montana. This ancient area is a combination of immense mountains that rise up to 35 meters above the water surface. The area was named after Meriwether Lewis, an explorer who saw the formations appear from his boat in 1805. If you don’t want to miss anything of the Gates of the Mountains, you can choose to take a boat trip that takes you along the imposing rocks to the Rocky Mountains. Along the way you will enjoy the rugged landscapes which are full of various wild animals such as bears, pumas and eagles.

Flathead Lake

Flathead Lake is located between Missoula and Kalispell, near Montana. It is a large freshwater lake that has both an east and a west side. Both sides have their own climate. The lake is surrounded by beautiful and varied nature. In the center of Flathead Lake you can visit Wild Horse Island. The Indians released wild horses here in their time and they still graze here. Around Flathead Lake you can use one of the many plateaus and parking facilities. You can stop here to enjoy the view, take a short walk or take some nice pictures.

Grant-Kohrs Ranch

Grant-Kohrs Ranch is a gigantic ranching business that is still entirely traditional. Here you can still clearly recognize the Wild West. The ranch is located in the small village of Deer Lodge. In the heyday of Grant-Kohrs Ranch, the ranch was home to more than 50,000 animals. Half of them perished as a result of the extreme weather conditions between the year 1886 and 1887. The livestock farm was supported by the bank and partly because of this was able to grow into one of the most important players in livestock farming. In 1972, Conrad Kohrs Warren donated the land and outbuildings to the government and it was opened to the public 5 years later. On the ranch you can see the old buildings.

Museum of the Rockies

Learn all about paleontology and dinosaurs at the Museum of the Rockies. The museum also houses the largest collection of finds in America. The Museum of the Rockies is located in Bozeman. The museum features a full-size T-Rex skeleton, several interesting exhibits, and hosts regular educational programs. If you visit the Museum of the Rockies, you should definitely not miss a visit to the planetarium. In the museum shop you can also buy all kinds of nice souvenirs, books and handmade products. The Museum of The Rockies in Bozeman is a special attraction for the whole family and is well worth a visit.

Montana Auto Museum

The Montana Auto Museum is located in the old prison museum. Due to its large collection of old Chevrolets and other special examples, it rightly belongs to the top 10 car museums in the state. The museum takes you through the different years of the car industry. You can also admire one of the first air conditioning, the Thermador Car Cooler. The Montana Auto Museum also houses the Benz Replica from 1886. Basically no more than a coach with a Mercedes Benz engine, but well worth a look. The Montana Auto Museum is a great attraction, especially for car enthusiasts.