Montana is a state full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered by adventurous travelers.
With its stunning parks and many natural attractions, it’s an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise!
While it’s famous for attractions like the awe-inspiring Glacier National Park, there are many more sights to see for an intrepid traveler.
In this article, we take a deep dive into some of the lesser-known spots, sharing our top tips for having the best possible experience. We break down each location’s highlights, the best times to visit, and what you can expect. Let’s get started!
1. Bannack State Park
- Location: Southwestern Montana (OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS)
- Highlights: It features a well-preserved ghost town dating back to the Gold Rush era, as well as facilities for camping, bicycling, and fishing.
- Accessibility: Yes – it is ADA accessible
- Opening Hours: Open all year round, with summer hours 8 am – 8 pm and winter hours 8 am – 5 pm.
- The best time to visit: While it’s a great place to visit year-round, winter in Montana gets extremely cold, so bear that in mind when making your decision.
- Tips: If you want to camp at the park, book in plenty of time as it is very popular and sites are limited.
- Website
This hidden gem is ideal for history buffs as well as outdoor enthusiasts. The park covers 1,529 acres and has plenty of hiking and biking trails, as well as guided historical tours of the ghost town.
Visitors to the park can explore a variety of historical buildings and landmarks from the Gold Rush times, experiencing an authentic park of Old West History.
There are also a ton of seasonal activities available, including ice skating on the dredge pond between January and March.
If you choose to camp, the Park accommodates both tent camping and RV camping, with a variety of amenities including fire pits, public restrooms, and trash removal.
Make sure you check ahead of time for any special activities that might be on, such as the Halloween ghost walk around the deserted streets of Old Bannack City!
2. Makoshika State Park
- Location: Eastern Montana, near Glendive (OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS)
- Highlights: The biggest state park in Montana, famous for its stunning badland formations and dinosaur fossils!
- Accessibility: ADA accessible
- Opening Hours: The park itself is open year round 7 am – 10 pm. The visitor center is open daily in summer and Wednesday to Sunday during winter.
- The best time to visit: year-round, provided you have the appropriate gear.
- Tips: The park has strict rules about fossil protection, so ensure you don’t remove any fossils or artifacts.
- Website
This huge state park covers 11,538 acres of Montana’s badlands. With its eerie, almost otherworldly badlands formations and fascinating fossil displays, this hidden gem is packed with things to do.
Depending on your preferences, you can choose between a huge range of activities, including archeology, hiking, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing.
It’s a dinosaur enthusiast’s dream; over ten species of dinosaur have been discovered in the park, and you can even view the famous K-T boundary line, which is a record of where the Cretaceous period ended and the Tertiary period began.
You can also camp at the park, although make sure you book well in advance as spaces are limited! You definitely won’t regret a visit to this hidden gem.
3. Kootenai Falls & Swinging Bridge
- Location: 12 miles west of Libby in Northwest Montana (OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS)
- Highlights: One of the largest free-flowing waterfalls in the northwest, which can be viewed from a long swinging bridge that crosses the river.
- Accessibility: The first 500 ft of the trail to the swinging bridge is level, but beyond this, the trail is too rocky to allow wheelchair access.
- The best time to visit: All year round – the view will change with the seasons, but each season will be uniquely stunning.
- Tips: Make sure you wear sturdy shoes as the trail to the bridge is uneven and rocky.
- Website
The Kootenai Falls are truly stunning. From the swing bridge, you can watch as the calm river suddenly amps up its momentum, barrelling through the China rapids and then swiftly dropping 90 feet.
To access the swinging bridge, there is a ½ mile-long trail, but there’s a viewing area where you can get a great view of the falls after only ⅓ mile.
The bridge itself was first constructed in 1937 and has since been deconstructed and rebuilt to meet modern safety standards.
As it stands, it’s the perfect spot to view the falls, as well as take in the fascinating geology of the area.
It’s perfect for nature lovers and provides tons of opportunities for photography and wildlife viewing – ideal for anyone wanting to experience Montana’s hidden gems!
4. Holland Lake
- Location: Missoula County, Montana (OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS)
- Highlights: Gorgeous views of Swan Range, plus the Holland Falls National Recreation Trail
- Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible
- The best time to visit: Year-round – Summer has more activities, while spring and fall are better for those who plan to go fishing.
- Tips: Great for anglers – the lake includes rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, and bull trout.
- Website
Part of the stunning Flathead National Forest, Holland Lake is a must-see hidden gem for those visiting Montana. The lake is a haven for fishing enthusiasts, with boats available for hire.
If you love hiking, there are plenty of hiking trails, including a trail that takes you to the awe-inspiring Holland Falls. There’s also camping available – just make sure you book well in advance in peak season.
The lake sits at the base of the Swan Range and offers stunning views of craggy peaks and dense, evergreen forests.
This is an unmissable spot to visit if you love the outdoors, particularly boating and fishing!
5. The Gates of the Mountains
- Location: Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, Montana (OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS)
- Highlights: The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
- Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible – access on foot or boat only.
- The best time to visit: Trail conditions are best outside of the winter months.
- Tips: Ensure you’re well-equipped for hiking, as the trail can be tough. Consider a boat tour to get a different view of the area.
- Website
This stunning wilderness area is the perfect mixture of natural beauty and rich history. The Wilderness Mountains were named by Lewis and Clark on their famous expedition, who described them as ‘remarkable’!
The geology of the area is what sets it apart, with eye-catching gray cliffs formed from Madison Limestone.
You can access parts of the Lewis And Clark National Historic Trail, walking in the very footsteps of those famous explorers.
If you prefer, exploring the area by boat gives a unique view of the area’s beauty. Boat tours are available, which include historical facts about the Lewis and Clark expedition – ideal for history enthusiasts!
6. Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
- Location: Southwestern Montana (OPEN IN GOOGLE MAPS)
- Highlights: Diverse landscapes and many species of wildlife.
- Accessibility: The visitor center is wheelchair accessible, but none of the hikes are.
- The best time to visit: is May through September, as road conditions can vary in winter.
- Tips: Ensure you follow good wildlife viewing practices to avoid disturbing the wildlife.
- Website
This hidden gem is a must-visit for wildlife lovers; it’s famous for being the largest wetland complex in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
It features a combina