老澳门六合彩开奖记录

When it comes to natural beauty in the USA, Montana sets the gold standard.

The Treasure State鈥檚 rugged mountains, endless forests and rich wildlife remain largely pristine thanks to wilderness preservation programs, low population density and the state鈥檚 sheer size, which allows outdoorsy types to enjoy all that Montana has to offer. Given Montana鈥檚 unparalleled natural attractions, it鈥檚 no surprise that the first national park in the United States was established here.

While it鈥檚 true that Yellowstone National Park is shared with neighboring Wyoming and Idaho, Montana is the primary gateway to this slice of America鈥檚 natural history, with thermal features and wild animals you鈥檒l find nowhere else in the country (or the world). While Yellowstone showcases the wild landscapes as they鈥檝e always been, Glacier National Park 鈥 entirely within Montana, even if its geologic features extend into Canada 鈥 offers some of the state鈥檚 best hikes, with endless trails, towering cliffs and sparkling lakes galore to explore.

Read on to learn why both of Montana鈥檚 iconic national parks should be part of any itinerary to the Rocky Mountains and the American West.

Hikers on Logan Pass trail to Hidden Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
Any hiker in Glacier National Park can count on magnificent views. Justin Foulkes / 老澳门六合彩开奖记录

Glacier National Park

Montana鈥檚 best national park for hiking

In Glacier National Park, towering mountain peaks overlook crystal blue lakes surrounded by dense pine forest, all home to the largest concentration of grizzly bears in the world.

While hiking trails are the star attractions here, there is a lot to see even for non-hikers. A kayak ride across Lake McDonald immerses you in the scenery, and photographing the multicolored river stones beneath the shockingly clear (and cold) water provides a closer-in view. Driving Going-to-the-Sun Rd, an east-west drive transecting the park, is so in demand that it can lead to traffic jams during busier times (generally July and August).

If you want to hike, you鈥檒l be spoiled for choice: more than 700 miles of trails are accessible, most leading to stunning views you鈥檒l find nowhere else in the country. The most popular routes include the hike to Avalanche Lake, a relatively flat and easy trek. A 10-mile out-and-back with 2000ft of elevation gain, the Grinnell Glacier hike leads to a stunning glacier and its lake on the eastern side of the park. Along the way, you鈥檒l enjoy expansive views of the park鈥檚 characteristic cliffs and the green valleys below them. Reachable from the parking lot at Logan Pass, the Highline Trail is another must, as is the Hidden Lake Trail.

People leaving into water at Glacier National Park Montana NPS
After a long day of hiking, consider a dip in a pristine (and rather cold) alpine lake. Jacob Frank / NPS

Visiting Glacier National Park

Visiting Glacier National Park requires serious advance planning. Its roads, hotels and trails are all seasonal, and the park鈥檚 popularity has skyrocketed in recent years as the frenzy for road trips and has swept the country.

Glacier National Park has seven entrances in total, three of which connect to Going-to-the-Sun Rd. The most used entrances are at West Glacier on the western side of the park and the east entrance at St Mary. Both of these are open year-round but may have closures due to snow; the east entrance, on tribal land, is sometimes closed by decree of the .

Several hotel options lie within the park鈥檚 boundaries, including the historic Many Glacier Hotel and Lake McDonald Lodge. There are , too, some of which take reservations, others being first come, first served. You can also apply for a if wilderness camping is your thing.

A jeep with kayaks on its roof drives along Going-to-the-Sun Rd, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA
The drive along Going-to-the-Sun Rd is an essential experience in Glacier National Park. Just be sure to reserve well in advance. YinYang / Getty Images

Outside the park, several gateway towns with hotels and campgrounds cluster by the park鈥檚 west side. West Glacier is the closest town to the park鈥檚 border, with offering cozy cabins and an RV park that are perfect starting points for a Glacier adventure. Thirty miles west is the ski resort town of Whitefish, south of which is Kalispell, a (relatively) larger city that hosts Glacier Park International Airport (FCA). On the east side, the offer a unique option for accommodations.

As with Yellowstone, booking far in advance is recommended for trips from June to September. takes place in Whitefish in mid-July, causing serious competition for even the least desirable campsites.

Entering Glacier in a standard vehicle (except on ), unless you have the $80 annual National Park Pass or are a military veteran or 4th grader with the respective annual pass. In 2021, a was implemented to access Going-to-the-Sun Rd between 6am and 5pm during the summer months. Getting the permit was competitive and not always guaranteed, and while it鈥檚 possible to see parts of the park while avoiding GTTSR, it鈥檚 not easy or recommended.

A field of Bison in Yellowstone National Park
Majestic bison are fairly difficult to miss anywhere in Yellowstone National Park. JREden / Getty Images

Yellowstone National Park

Montana鈥檚 best national park for natural history

It鈥檚 easy to see how Yellowstone National Park helped lead officials in the expanding United States to conserve huge swathes of the American wilderness. In 1872, at a time when westward expansion was on a tear, it was Yellowstone鈥檚 iconic, unique and now world-famous features that inspired forward-thinking planners to designate this treasure as a federally protected area.

Today, the park is not just one of the best places to visit in Montana 鈥 it regularly tops the list of attractions across the 50 states. Visitors today are captivated by the same sights that amazed in the 1800s, in particular dazzling hydrothermal features and unparalleled wildlife.

The 3471-sq-mile park is packed with bubbling hot pots and more than 500 bursting geysers; the best known is Old Faithful, a relatively predictable spewer. Scattered among the waterworks are herds and packs of some of America鈥檚 most recognizable animals, including bison, gray wolves, grizzly bears, elk and bald eagles. All-but-guaranteed sightings of such abundant wildlife is a main reason more than 4 million visitors come here annually, predominantly during the summer.

The Grand Prismatic Spring viewed from above, Yellowstone National Park, USA
The best view of the Grand Prismatic Spring is from above, along the Fairy Falls Trail. kwiktor / Getty Images

Yellowstone鈥檚 most memorable attractions begin outside the park in Gardiner, the gateway to the park鈥檚 north entrance and the site of the famous Roosevelt Arch. (A line of cars winding beneath the gate is standard any time of day in the summer, so getting a photo isn鈥檛 too hard.) Just inside the west entrance is the town of Mammoth, including the spires of Mammoth Hot Springs, another popular photo spot. Elk frequently wander around Mammoth 鈥 but be sure not to approach, feed or touch them. Also, take care never to walk between a bull and any of his cows, as he鈥檒l take that as an act of aggression.

Other popular attractions include the multicolored Grand Prismatic Spring, the largest hot spring in the United States. (Note that the best view of its otherworldly orange-blue colors is not from the boardwalk winding through the spring, but from a nearby elevated platform along the .) Yellowstone Canyon (also called the 鈥淕rand Canyon of Yellowstone鈥) is another photo op most visitors won鈥檛 want to miss. Park at Artist Point to view the canyon and Lower Falls in all their glory.

In addition to geological features, the park is also known for Old Faithful Inn, a historic wood-and-stone landmark next to the geyser of the same name. It鈥檚 a great place to stop for lunch or just poke in to admire the antique architecture (if you want to spend the night, count on reserving 12 to 24 months in advance). Hayden and Lamar Valleys are the most reliable spots to find Yellowstone鈥檚 wildlife, particularly the predator species. Bison are fairly difficult to miss anywhere in the park.

Wild gray wolf (Canis lupis) trotting through winter snow in Yellowstone National Park, Montana, USA
Visiting Yellowstone in winter can be a challenge 鈥 but brings a higher likelihood of spotting predators like the gray wolf. KenCanning / Getty Images

Visiting Yellowstone National Park

As at Glacier, taking a trip to Yellowstone will require some planning, especially during July and August when it鈥檚 busiest. Old Faithful Inn and Roosevelt Lodge offer in-park accommodation, and there are also with over 500 sites within the park. The gateway towns of Gardiner at the north entrance and West Yellowstone at the west entrance offer abundant accommodations just outside the park鈥檚 borders; Bozeman, with the nearest airport, is equidistant from both entrances. Livingston, Big Sky and Paradise Valley also offer accommodations with relatively close access to the park. In every case, booking ahead will be essential during the high season.

In winter, only the road from the north entrance in Gardiner to Cooke City stays open. Some accommodations may be closed during this time, but there are enough available rooms to sustain the minimal crowds. This is the best time to see wolves and other wildlife that have congregated in the Lamar Valley for the winter. Cooke City is also a very common spot to find snowmobilers, though winter travelers are unlikely to encounter them within the vast park. In any case, come prepared for freezing temperatures and suboptimal driving conditions.

Entering Yellowstone is not free (except on fee-free days): each standard vehicle must pay $35 at the gate 鈥 which we highly recommend so you can explore the park on your own schedule. Alternatively, consider a for $80, which provides a year鈥檚 access to every national park in the country. Military personnel (including veterans) and 4th graders may acquire annual passes for free. Once in the park, no site is fee-restricted.

This article was first published Oct 12, 2021 and updated Jul 15, 2024.

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