October is the time of year in Montana when folks begin to prepare for winter. Lodges close to get ready for ski season, and communities enjoy the spoils of the harvest. The end of the month is Halloween – which Montanans take pretty seriously – and all over the state, you’ll find a variety of celebrations for kids and adults, replete with costumes, music, and plenty of Halloween candy.
If you’re planning a trip to Yellowstone, note that the remainder of in-park lodges close in October. Beginning with Grant Village, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, and the Old Faithful Lodge at the very beginning of the month, and culminating with the Old Faithful Snow Lodge which closes the morning of Halloween.
But don’t let this deter you from visiting Yellowstone. October in the park is a fascinating time: mating season continues for the park’s animals and the leaves on all the aspen trees have turned bright gold.
Most roads and trails should still be open with a couple of exceptions. Dunraven Pass – the road that connects Canyon Village to Tower Fall – and Beartooth Highway both close annually for the season in mid-month.
And by October, Universities are back in session which means young people have returned, especially in Bozeman, Billings, and Missoula. You can expect the bars to be lively, with fun tournaments and games that students enjoy, and more small events like live music and other performances pop up around town.
Read on to find out all you need to know about Montana weather in October as well as suggestions of what to do in the fall.
What’s The Weather In Montana Like In October?
Across Big Sky Country the temperature starts to drop by approximately 14°F, and temperatures range between a high 60°F and lows of 33°F. Weather in Montana in October also sees the first few in-town snowfalls. Combine this mild weather with the many activities around Halloween (including corn mazes and haunted houses), and October is the best time to visit Montana in the Fall.
Travel to Montana in October
In October, prices for mid-week flights between Seattle and Los Angeles to Bozeman drop considerably, while flights originating in the south get much more expensive. Flights from the east coast and New England can be hit or miss depending on what day you fly, but some vigilant searching well in advance could provide some excellent deals.
Roads will still be open and accessible, so a road trip to Montana in October is far from out of the question. This is also a great time to bring your RV, as most facilities that accommodate them will still be open, and most likely have plenty of room to host you as the high season has already ended.
Events In Montana in October?
The Pacific Northwest has a vast agriculture industry, and though the logistics of the annual harvest aren’t near as quaint as they used to be, Montanans still find ways to celebrate. Probably the most interesting harvest festival in the state is the McIntosh Apple Day Festival.
Held annually on the first Saturday in October, this daytime festival features a vast farmers market, a silent auction, live music, and all things apple, especially apple pie. It’s immediately followed by Liquid Apple Night, where hard cider brewers from all over the northwest gather on the lawn in front of the Ravalli County Museum for a night of cider sampling, live music, and food.
Markets are pretty popular this time of year, and Montanans treat them like a last hurrah of sorts for this type of event until the spring. Of them, both the Prairie Sisters Fall Vintage Market in Great Falls and the Big Sky Autumn Art and Craft Show in Helena are perfect places to find unique souvenirs. While the former occurs at the beginning of the month, the latter occurs annually closer to the end.
Bookending the month is Halloween, and there are tons of ways to celebrate in Montana. Whether you’re into costume contests, haunted houses, or trick-or-treating, you’ll be spoiled for choice in Montana around Halloween, particularly in its biggest cities like Missoula, Billings, and Bozeman.
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