Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Montana. While many travel blogs will tell you the fun things to see in Montana, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do on your Montana trip.
Don’t Be Put Off by the Size
Montana is huge! It is the fourth-largest state by area in the United States. It’s also in the bottom ten states in terms of population. Yes, it’s a very long state to drive through, but it’s totally worth it. There are some great towns in Montana, so you can easily break up the drive and spend time in different areas of Montana.
Don’t Forget About Wildlife
There are a lot of wild animals in Montana, and with a lower population of people, the animals are everywhere. You really have to keep an eye out when you’re driving in Montana as you never know what’s going to dart into the road. When you’re hiking or camping, make sure you are maintaining a safe distance and keeping a clean camp to avoid any surprise visitors.
Don’t Forget to Fill Up
There is a lot of space between towns in Montana, so make sure you fill up your gas tank every chance you get, as you never know when the next gas station will be. We always fill up before leaving a major town, just in case we don’t run across another station for a while. It can be quite a distance between cell towers, too, so don’t always expect to have cell phone service!
Visit The Official Montana Tourism Website: CLICK HERE
Don’t Worry About the Locals Bothering You
The locals are friendly, but they tend to keep to themselves. They aren’t going to go out of their way to strike up a conversation, so you don’t have to worry about that. But, if you need help with anything or have any questions, they are more than happy to be of help.
Don’t Miss Glacier National Park
Montana is remote, but Glacier National Park is even more remote! You have to go almost all the way to Canada, but it’s totally worth it. It’s a great destination for traveling families who enjoy hiking and wildlife. Just beware of bears as there are a lot of them in Glacier National Park!
Don’t Think Montana is Just Glacier National Park
Without a doubt, Glacier National Park is one of the best places to visit in Montana. But, there are also a lot of other things to see in Montana. Bozeman is a super cool town to explore, and it’s a great place to stay when exploring Yellowstone National Park. The gateway town of Gardiner is even closer to Yellowstone and is an adventure hub for booking excursions and activities in the Yellowstone Basin. Fly fishing was a favorite of ours; just don’t forget to get a fishing license!
Don’t Miss Out on the Pickle Barrel
The Pickle Barrel is a chain of sandwich shops that are local to Montana. The sandwiches are huge and super tasty! It’s an easy stop to pick up fast food without hitting up a chain that you can get at home. They aren’t everywhere in Montana, but if you see one, make sure you pop in for a sandwich.
Simply Jocelyn shares the best things to Eat in Montana
Don’t Be Surprised at Meat-Heavy Menus
This is ranching country, so meat and especially beef, are a large part of the cuisine in Montana. The steak in Montana is fantastic, and so is the bison. If you are a vegetarian in Montana, you’ll have options to choose from. But if you do eat meat, you’ll want to try every variety that you can in Montana!
Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Big Sky
Montana is the Big Sky State, so don’t forget to look up and enjoy that big sky while you are here. It’s beautiful in the daytime, but even more so at night. With very low population and light pollution, you won’t believe the stars you can see in the Montana Big Sky.
Don’t Miss the Museum of the Rockies
When you visit Bozeman, this is a must-see for everyone passing through. It’s a really excellent natural history museum, with tons of cool dinosaurs and fossils. Even if you’re staying in Yellowstone, it’s worth the short drive to Bozeman just to check out this museum.
Don’t Miss the Rodeo
Rodeos are a pretty big deal in Montana and Wyoming; nearly every town has its own rodeo. If you get the chance, make sure you catch a rodeo while you’re in town. They are really fun and a great way to see Western American culture up close. Like a state fair, you can usually get some great regional specialty foods, enjoy live performances and just have a good time.
Don’t Miss out on Montana Beer
The alcohol laws in Montana are a bit strict; you do have to go to a state-run liquor store to buy hard alcohol. But if you are a beer drinker, you’ll be in heaven in Montana. They have a great microbrew culture.
Don’t Miss Out on Native Culture
There are a lot of opportunities to learn about Native American history and culture. Nearly 10% of Montana’s population today is Native American. Visiting places like the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument really gives you a new perspective on Native Americans and the differences among them; there are so many unique tribes that once called Montana home. It’s a great educational opportunity for anyone visiting Montana.
Grab Some Wolters World Travel Gear!
Don’t let these “don’ts” keep you from planning a trip to Montana. It’s a gorgeous state and well worth the travel to get there! From cool national parks to quirky college towns, Montana has a little bit of everything! Want more travel tips for the Western US? Check out some of our other blog posts: