Montana

USA

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2026

Shop

Get even more with a Lonely Planet guide.

Shop Book

© Evgeny Vasenev / Getty Images

Why visit Montana

Welcome to Big Sky Country, where the Great Plains hit the Rockies and just about anything seems possible. Wilderness areas rule out here, whether it's the pre-Yellowstone valleys of Montana's south to Absaroka Beartooth, Bob Marshall or the American Prairie Reserve and the horizons-without-end in Montana's rural heartland. Not far away, Missoula and Bozeman are hip urban centers rich in brewpubs, great restaurants and scenes of emerging culinary excellence. Montana is also home to Little Big Horn Battlefield and, the state's major drawcard, the sculpted peaks of Glacier National Park, one of the most dramatically beautiful corners of the continent.

Lonely planet’s trusted travel insurance provider

Dreaming of Montana? Protect your trip

Travel with confidence. Protect your trip and your wallet.

LEARN MORE

We don’t represent World Nomads, we receive a fee from quotes using this link. This is not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

Go to United States (USA) with Lonely Planet Journeys

Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.

bookable trip

From Bayside to Coastside: California's San Francisco Peninsula in 10 Days

10 days / 9 nights

highlights

  1. 1Scouring for offshore whales at one of the world’s tallest lighthouses
  2. 2Hiking Monterey Bay’s sprawling coastal trails for dramatic waterfront views
  3. 3Touring an organic farm with a local farmer specializing in sustainable, small-scale agriculture
from $4,940

per person

book this tripsee trip details

Explore more trips

  • Maine's Marvelous Coastline: 10 Days in Acadia, Bath, Bethel, and Camden
    The USA

    10 days / 9 nights

    Maine's Marvelous Coastline: 10 Days in Acadia, Bath, Bethel, and Camden

    FROM $3,795

    per person

    See Trip Details

Top places to visit in Montana

Discover the best attractions in Montana from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.

Explore all

Travel Guides

Montana travel tips from Lonely Planet experts

Find practical guidance from our team of contributors around the world who bring their decades of first-hand travel experience to your next trip.

Best Things to Do

Winter is a harsh but magical time to visit Montana. Here are the best things to do in the Big Sky Country in winter.

Read full article

Best Time to Visit

With so much wilderness right on the doorstep, there's always something to do in Montana at any time of year. Here are the best times to come.

Read full article

Things to Know

From car to train, find your way around Montana with our guide to transportation across the state.

Read full article

Transportation

From car to train, find your way around Montana with our guide to transportation across the state.

Read full article

Free Things to Do

Montana is the gateway to Yellowstone and Glacier National Park, but there's plenty to do that doesn’t cost a cent. Here are the top things to do for free.

Read full article

Best Road Trips

The United States is renowned for its plethora of jaw-droppingly beautiful stretches of highway. In fact, for many travelers, the very word "America" conjures…

Read full article

Money and Costs

Montana is the gateway to Yellowstone and Glacier National Park, but there's plenty to do that doesn’t cost a cent. Here are the top things to do for free.

Read full article

Traveling with Kids

Montana's supreme nature sets the stage for a family holiday full of unforgettable childhood experiences.

Read full article

Accessibility

From car to train, find your way around Montana with our guide to transportation across the state.

Read full article

Montana and beyond

View all