Adventures in Montana You Don't Want to Miss This Fall
While Montana is primarily known for wide-open spaces and bitter, cold winters, there is still time to enjoy the gorgeous greenery of Big Sky Country before the flurries start to fall. Whether you prefer fly fishing, scenic road trips, or soaking up the natural hot springs, the fourth-largest state in the union supplies adventures for travelers of all types.
Here is Gayot’s guide to the best of Montana, so you may plan your late-season vacation accordingly:
Take a Drive on “Going-to-the-Sun Road”
Fifth miles of jaw-dropping scenery on the Going-to-the-Sun Road. (Photo: Loco Steve/Flickr)
With six mountains towering above 10,000 feet, 25 active glaciers and more than 700 lakes, Glacier National Park is a nature lover’s paradise. Before the snow arrives, the best way to experience the park’s many points of interest is by cruising on Going-to-the-Sun Road – a 50-mile, two-lane highway that carries travelers through some of the state’s most spectacular and rugged scenery. For anyone looking to enjoy the amazing views without having to keep their eyes on the winding road, guided tours allow guests the opportunity to relax and take in the sites stress-free.
Feel the Lure of Fall Fly Fishing
Flathead Lake, surrounded by the Mission Mountains. (Photo: Jaix Chaix/Flickr)
If you can predict anything in fly fishing, it’s that the fish will always be jumping in Western Montana come fall. That’s according to one operator, Endless Drift Outfitters, who operates guided fishing trips along Western Montana’s blue-ribbon trout streams at Blackfoot River, the Bitterroot River, Rock Creek and the Missouri. Some of the best trout fishing in Montana spikes through the middle of October, making now the perfect time to grab a rod and get away when the air is clear and the fish are starving. If you prefer cooler climes and fat trout lured in by a variety of flies, fall fishing in Montana is designed just for you.
Related: The Rising Toxic Lake in Montana You’ll Want to Visit, But Not for Swimming
Experience Fall Foliage and Fantastic Views
Glacier National Park (Photo: Loco Steve/Flickr)
This time of year, leaves are turning golden and scarlet, the fishing is good, and temperatures still tend to be balmy during the day — with a slight evening chill. It’s still possible to get out for canoeing, mountain-biking or horseback riding, and to drink in the fantastic views from the Missouri River, along the 24-mile River’s Edge Trail. In-line skaters and bird watchers still enjoy the Benton Lake Wildlife Refuge for its wide array of game, and overnight camping in nearby mountain ranges is available for two more months.
Related: A Scenic Trip Through Montana’s Big Sky Country
Chill Out at Chico Hot Springs
(Photo: Spencer Blake/Flickr)
After you finish exploring the rugged Montana wilderness, Chico’s open-air mineral hot springs are the perfect place to unwind. When the pools opened in the late 1890s, people came from all over the country to soak in the “healing waters,” thought to cure everything from kidney trouble to blood disease and skin disorders. Discover the springs’ restorative properties with poolside drinks and a dip in one of the two naturally heated pools, and then indulge in a hot-rock massage that uses hand-picked stones from nearby Yellowstone River.
Eat the Local Wagyu Beef
Montana’s answer to Kobe beef. (Courtesy: Montana Wagyu Cattle Company)
The Montana Wagyu Cattle Company is a family-owned-and-operated business run from the ranch in the Gallatin Valley of southwestern Montana. The family prides itself on raising the very finest USDA prime American-style Wagyu beef, which is an offshoot of the prized Japanese Kobe version. All of their cuts are dry-aged for 28 to 30 days, USDA-inspected and cryo-vac wrapped and cut to order. When you’re dining in Montana at one of the finest steakhouses in the country, look for the Montana Wagyu Cattle Company beef label — it’s a sure sign you’ll be eating well. Of course, you can also order steaks by mail, which are available for mail order at market prices.
Related: From Argentina to Montana, The Camper Clan Gives New Meaning to Family Road Trip
Sample Montana’s Finest Microbrews
(Courtesy: Montana Brewing Company)
Despite being Montana’s biggest and busiest town, Billings is still comparatively small, with a population of just over 100,000. A great way to explore the city’s historic core is on a walking brewery tour, which takes 30 visitors to six craft breweries and a micro-distillery. The 1.5-mile route starts at Angry Hank’s Micro Brewery and then continues on to include historic points such as the Billings Depot and the Western Heritage Center. The tour ends at the Montana Brewing Company, where guests are encouraged to try one of several award-winning beers.
More on Gayot.com
WATCH: The Story Behind Glacier National Park
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