The Best Views in Montana - Discovering Montana

Montana is otherwise known as Big Sky Country and with good reason. It has a landscape that is as diverse as it is rugged, encompassing everything from vast mountain ranges to dense and pristine evergreen forests. Along with that, there are wide-open plains and roads – all underneath a seemingly endless sky. Whether you’re heading to one of the national parks or a small town, the unparalleled beauty of this state will leave its mark on you.

In Montana, you’ll encounter more than your fair share of big, bountiful views with a feeling of magnitude that is a photographer’s dream. From the big mountain peaks to the badlands and rolling hills, not forgetting the part the region’s amazing water features play in the scenery. This comes by way of the many lakes, rivers, and waterfalls that help to provide some of the best views in Montana.

In fact, to say that Montana is a beautiful place is something of an understatement. This home to a vast and pristine wilderness preserve is undoubtedly home to some of the best views in the world.

The clear lakes sparkle and shimmer, the towering peaks usually have at least a dusting of snow, and it’s actually a tall order deciding on which are the best views in Montana. Pretty much all of the scenery here is impressive, if not jaw-dropping. You could easily lose a few months exploring Big Sky Country without even touching on some of the best views it has to offer. Nevertheless, here is an attempt at giving some insights into some amazing views and beauty in Montana.

1. Grinnell Lake

Grinnell Lake and its surrounding glaciers are one of the most scenic hikes in Glacier National Park. Around the region of the emerald-looking lake is alpine scenery, wildflowers, and waterfalls.

It is an area of outstanding natural beauty typical of Montana’s national parks and is rife with wildlife. There is a 10-mile trailhead around the lake that gives ample opportunity to take in the views.

You can get to the lake via Many Glacier Road, and there are clearly marked signs for the Grinnell Glacier Trail. When the trail starts to gain some proper elevation you will be able to bear witness to some amazing views of Grinnell Lake, as well as Grinnell Falls and the Continental Divide.

2. St. Mary Falls (and St. Mary Lake)

Sunset at these double-tiered, 50ft Montana waterfalls is a sight to behold. The falls are located in Glacier National Park on a trail that also includes a few other less well-known falls on Virginia Creek. You’ll encounter scenic mountains surrounding the trail, which allows distant views of another one of the best views in Montana – St. Mary Lake.

You can reach the sign-posted trailhead from Going-to-the-Sun Road. The trail takes you across the bridge over St. Mary River, from which you will get some top views of the falls. If you wish you can then continue along and up to Virginia Creek where there are more waterfalls leading up to Virginia Falls.

3. Bighorn Canyon

In southern Montana and Reaching all the way into Wyoming from southern Montana, the Bighorn Canyon is a sight to behold from various aspects. The canyon came about when the Bighorn River was dammed, creating a dramatic surrounding area. The National Recreation Area covers 70,000 acres and has much to offer by way of exploring, fishing, camping, and of course, photography.

This is a vast, wild landscape that is visually stunning and offers opportunities to be inspired by nature.

4. Grand Prismatic Spring

In Montana’s Yellowstone National Park there are many hot springs, but non-as other-worldly as the largest in the country – the Grand Prismatic. The spring is 370-ft across and looks more like something from a Star Trek scenario. It is nevertheless truly striking with its multitude of striking and bright, natural colors.

The center of the spring is a mesmerizing and intense azure blue, and as the hot water produces algae, this results in a spectrum of colors somewhere between orange and green.

5. Lake McDonald

Lakes are a big part of the stunning scenery in Montana, and the 10-mile long Lake McDonald is the largest one within Glacier National Park. The huge body of water is one of the first of the park’s stunning features that anyone can see when they first go in.

It is accessible from the main Going-to-the-Sun road running through the park and is surrounded by various trails and viewing points. This is a Montana lake typical of the glacial regions, with its fjord-like appearance surrounded by mountains. The mild and damp climate that results from trapped precipitation in the area is apparent from the abundance of western red cedar and hemlock that add to the picturesque scenario of the lake area.