Montana National Parks Montana National Parks

14 Best Montana National Parks in United States You Must Visit

Stowed away among its wild and far-off domains are staggering natural life species, with moose, wild bears, and mountain goats all occupying its various public stops and state parks.

Montana is part of the West Coast Region. Montana National Parks shares its border with Idaho to the west; North Dakota and South Dakota to the east; Wyoming to the south; and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan to the north.

Montana national parks
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Visitors can enjoy the many everyday miracles that this state has to offer. Yellowstone National Park, America’s earliest and most well-known national park, is one of the state’s blessings.

In addition to this, Montana also keeps an eye on a number of real places that were significant to early Native American settlers, sharing American history, cattle rustler culture, horseback riding, and much more.

There is no shortage of worthwhile objections for any tourists, as the state still contains remnants of its past from the ice era.

You can enjoy a lively adventure or just appreciate the scenery at Montana National Park ranges.

1. Big Hole National Battlefield in Montana National Parks Ranges

Big Hole National Battlefield was established to memorialize the Nez Perce Tribe and commemorate a tragic chapter in American history. The Nez Perce clan’s resting camp was located by American government forces on August 9, 1877, and by dawn, they had already killed about 90 Nez Perce people.

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Photo by Bruce Ellis from Shutterstock

The Nez Perce lived in what is now Washington, Oregon, and Idaho before European settlers arrived in the Americas. The clan decided to relocate to Canada to seek refuge with a neighboring clan after experiencing multiple extended periods of persecution from the government and other European pilgrims and a few brutal commitments.

They were permitted by Chief Joseph, took many of their relatives, and moved north. Unfortunately, American forces discovered their camp while on their expedition and lured them into a particularly brutal, absurd war.

More than 90 Nez Perce people, mostly women and children died due to the fight. The U.S. powers suffered from over forty reverses. This is one of the best among many Montana National Parks ranges.

2. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

A respite from the bustle of metropolitan life is provided by Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Visitors can explore and enjoy more than 120,000 acres of land with typical scenes, unexpected perspectives, and a profusion of natural life.

Bighorn Canyon. Montana

The Yellowtail Dam, the Bighorn River, the Lake, and a portion of the Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range are all included in the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, which sits on the border between Wyoming and Montana.

Visitors come to the area to take in the beauty of nature and learn about the area’s 10,000-year history. Fishermen from all over the world visit Afterbay Lake and the Bighorn River to catch the famed and plentiful trout there.

There are also a few ways for explorers to respect and learn about the experiences of earlier aboriginal people. A few Bighorn Rams, donkey deer, and, unexpectedly, grizzly bears neighboring Montana National Parks ranges can be seen as you ascend.

3. Fort Union Trading – Post National Historic Site

In the 1800s, this region of America was utterly dependent on trading to conduct business and obtain necessities for the daily lives of the people who lived in the Montana National Parks ranges.

One of the prominent fur trading locations of the time is the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site.

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Photo by Jacob Boomsma from Shutterstock

This was officially used by the American Fur Company, and it is estimated that each year, the post traded upwards of 25,000 bison robes and about $10,000 worth of goods.

The National Park Service anticipated reconstructing areas to show how the stronghold would have appeared in the 1800s, as suggested by artifacts and sketches from that era.

Discover a brief overview of how the industry operated at the time and observe the trade life of European and Native American settlers in the 1800s in the ranges of the Montana National Parks.

The National Park Service of Montana National Parks ranges guided the design of the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site in 1961.

4. Glacier National Parks in Montana National Parks Ranges

Glacier National Park receives the most visitors out of all the parks in the Montana National Parks system. In every way, the park surpasses your expectations.

Alpine forests, glaciated meadows, and the most breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains are all present in the park.

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Photo by Karthik Sreenivas from Unsplash

This national park offers a range of natural charms for adventurers and hikers who want to dive deeper into the woods and experience this region’s splendor.

The park, which spans more than a million acres and is located on the border between Canada and the United States, invites tourists to explore its mountain ranges, more than a hundred lakes, various meadows, and numerous kinds of wood.

Because of the region’s enormous fauna, which is brought about by the optimum ecology and climate in the area, the area is frequently referred to as the “Crown of the Continent Ecosystem.”

Some tourists can still see some of the rare creatures that once roamed the area, like the lynx and the wild bear.

5. Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Parks in Montana

A small glimpse into the life of a real cowpoke in the American West is provided by Grant Kohrs Ranch National.

The park honors and preserves the thriving dairy cow industry of the 1850s. Grant Kohrs examines the cattlemen’s presence in the period and acknowledges their positive influence on modern America.

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Photo by Zack Frank from Shutterstock

Canadian fur trader Johnny Grant built the first farm. After spending multiple extended times as a broker, he looked for another open door when the trading business started to decline.

He had the choice to start his dairy cattle enterprise after having the chance to trade a reliable cow for a few worn-out steers. He would take care of these cattle until they were healthy again and then trade them the following year.

He ultimately decided to offer this home farm to Conrad Kohrs in 1866 after doing some work on it. Khors, also known as “Montana’s Cattle King,” toiled and prospered on the family farm.

Here, he and his sibling had the chance to create novel farming methods, introduce brushing into a new era, and amass enormous wealth and achievements at the time.

After a brutal winter in 1886 killed over half of their animals and forced them to give up the business, their success surge came to a startling halt.

Today, visitors may learn more about this thriving industry and the past triumphs and struggles of ranchers. 1972 saw the creation of the Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site.

6. Nez Perce National Historical Park

38 distinctive locations make up the Nez Perce National Historical Park, which spans four states: Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Montana.

This park protects many locations that were crucial both socially and generally to the numerous Native American clans that inhabited the area before the arrival of European settlers.

Visitors can travel to the area to learn more about the people’s way of life before European conquerors arrived, their struggle to maintain that way of life when pilgrims took control of their territory, and the harrowing effects this had on their relatives.

Nez Perce National Historic Park - Across Northern Idaho

The Nimiipuu public was one of the prominent clans. This clan was a self-governing nation with the ability to support its control over its territory by signing ceasefire agreements with the American government.

The Nez Perce Reservation, which has more than 3,500 enlisted residents and roughly 770,000 sections of land, is where they currently reside.

The recreation area is related to three locations in Montana. Especially the Big Hole National Battlefield, Canyon Creek, and Bear Paw National Battlefield. These locations honor the wars fought by these indigenous tribes to protect their way of life and their relatives.

The Nez Perce National Historical Park was formally established in 1965 with the addition of a gallery.

7. Yellowstone National Parks

According to some accounts, Yellowstone National Park may possibly be considered the first public park in the entire world. This park spans Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and parts of two more states.

With its expansive climbing trails, stunning vistas, incredible untamed life, and other frequent wonders, Yellowstone National Park is one of Montana’s most visited national parks.

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The Old Faithful spring in Wyoming, which has been erupting every two hours since 2000, may be the most famous geothermal feature in the area.

In addition, there are a few lakes, streams, ravines, and mountain ranges in Yellowstone National Park for visitors to explore.

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, which is merely the principal gorge along the Yellowstone River, is where the popular golden variety that gives the region its name may be found.

The Madison River, Gardner River, and Gardner River Canyon are in Montana. On March 1, 1872, this location was planned as a public park and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

8. Makoshika State Park

The biggest of Montana’s state parks, Makoshika spreads over an immense region, with unimaginable wild for guests to investigate. Other than flaunting stunning climbing trails, it additionally has a few grand drives to appreciate. Vultures, hawks, and bald eagles can once in a while be spotted whirling over the shocking scene.

Set right beyond Glendive in the furthest east of Montana are the grim yet gorgeous barren wasteland of Makoshika State Park.

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Photo by Laurens Hoddenbagh from Shutterstock

Signifying a place that is known for awful spirits’ in the nearby Lakota language, its tormented territory is home to layered scenes and attractive stone arrangements.

Throughout the long term, various dinosaur fossils have been uncovered inside the recreation area’s ruined limits.

These astounding remaining parts are currently on show at its incredible guest place, where you’ll likewise track down fascinating intuitive displays on the set of experiences and topography of the locale.

9. Bannack State Park

While a prospering mining town, Bannack was continuously abandoned as the wrinkles of shimmering gold ran out, and diggers progressed forward. Set in a picturesque yet disconnected spot in the southwest of the express, the frightful yet tempting phantom town is currently safeguarded as a component of a Montana National state park.

Settled away among Montana national parks’ great mountains are more than 50 rotting structures for guests to investigate, with log lodges lying close by a school, inn, and Methodist church.

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Photo by melissamn from Shutterstock

In spite of the fact that they have for quite some time been deserted to the components, a large portion of them is in surprisingly great shape. Thus, it makes for an agitating encounter meandering around the vacant roads.

One of the most amazing times to visit Montana national parks is in July when the ‘Bannack Days’ are held; re-enactors change the town into what it would have been similar to during the gold rush. For the remainder of the year, guests can take voyages through Bannack or lease bicycles and set off climbing from the close by the camping area.

In Bannack state park of Montana national parks range is gold panning, ice skating on the dredge pond, taking a guided tour, attend a special event.

10. Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument

Home to wonderful barren wilderness and stunning feigns Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument lies in a remote and rough district of north-focal Montana. Laid out in 2001 by President Bill Clinton, it will charm nature sweethearts and open-air aficionados with its tranquil and detached view.

Alluded to as ‘The Breaks’ by local people, because of the emotional precipices and rough outcrops coating, the waterway, has heaps of exquisite scenes for guests to investigate.

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Photo by Presley Roozenburg from Unsplash

Practically unaltered since the Lewis and Clark Expedition went through multiple quite a while back, it is home to all that from fields and grasslands to beguiling brooks and rock development.

There is one spot in northcentral and focal Montana where grizzly bears could find success with it, and that is the Missouri River Breaks.

11. Lewis & Clark Expedition (Caverns State Park)

Bragging parcels enormous limestone sinkholes and shocking tapered rocks and stalagmites, Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park make for a terrific sight.

Found simply under an hour’s drive toward the northwest of Bozeman, it is one of the most popular United States National parks to visit.

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Photo by sam-loyd from unsplash

First recorded by the Lewis and Clark Expedition after which it is named, the caverns cover a significant underground region, with enlightening visits taking you around their most entrancing highlights.

Illuminated by flashing candles and pixie lights, its underground models and developments are worth investigating.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition traveled through eight distinct locations in Montana. The Great Falls was one of the noteworthy locations. It is the largest city in north-central Montana along the River’s Edge Trail.

The project team spent more than a month studying these falls in the nineteenth century. Giant Springs, five cascades, four campgrounds, and open spaces for the vast majority of sporting activities, including running and climbing, are just a few of the highlights of this region.

The express park’s beautiful woods and sparkling streams lend themselves perfectly to climbing, mountain trekking, and setting up camp, with fishing and kayaking also on the menu. Above ground is equally beautiful.

12. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

 Little Bighorn Battlefield
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Lying about an hour’s drive toward the east of Billings, this moving public landmark and remembrance celebrates the well-known Battle of Little Bighorn.

It was here on June 25 and 26, 1876, that General Custer made his ‘last stand’ and lost his life close to a larger number of people of his cavalry because of the neighborhood Native Americans.

At the rambling fight site, guests can realize the incredible experience that came to represent the conflict of societies.

Battling to safeguard their traveling lifestyle and prevent themselves from being constrained onto reservations, it was a pivotal yet fleeting triumph for the Native Americans against the consistently growing advances of the US Army.

Through intriguing and useful visits, you’ll realize about the fight and its repercussions, as well as the unbelievable Lakota pioneers Wild Horses and Sitting Bull.

Furthermore, you can visit the various markers and dedications dissipated about what is currently important for the Crow Indian Reservation.

13. Ice Age Floods Geologic Trail

The National Geologic Trail was created due to the Glacial Lake Missoula floods during the most recent extremely cold period.

This incident led to interesting geographic developments in several route networks across the four distinct provinces of Oregon, Idaho, Washington, and Montana.

Glacial Lake Missoula
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These current states were divided by an ice dam between 18,000 and a long time ago. The area went through numerous liquefaction and flooding cycles before forming what is presently known as the Pacific Northwest.

Glacial Lake Missoula was the name of this ice dam. The area in Montana where the water first pooled was eventually what overwhelmed the neighboring states.

Travelers can now stop by the Montana Natural History Center, which aims to promote an understanding of and caring for nature via education.

Here they can look further into the normal occasions that made the scenes that we can see today. This was the very first National Geological Trail laid out in America. This was assigned in 2009.

14. Lone Pine State Park

Lying just toward the southwest of Kalispell is the beautiful Lone Pine State Park, which looms over the city and Flathead Valley.

Lone Pine State Park 2018!

As it is home to magnificent nature and grand paths, it is exceptionally well known with local people and vacationers, with a lot of entertainment exercises on offer. Established in 1941, the recreation area flaunts brilliant scenes, with blossom-filled glades and rich backwoods covering its bumpy limits.

Arriving at 1,110 meters in level, it has in excess of ten kilometers of trails to investigate, with spectacular vistas to be delighted in from its upper spans. Other than climbing, mountain trekking, and horseback riding along its serene ways, guests can go untamed life-watching and birdwatching.

Moreover, there is an arrow-based weaponry reach and volleyball court to test. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are on offer in the cold weather months.

Last Thoughts on the National Parks of Montana

Travelers who want to explore these amazing Montana National Parks will find our guide to the National Parks of the ranges helpful. Montana National Parks’ officials assisted the 1,222 National Register of Historic Places listings and Wild and Scenic Rivers.

Montana National Parks
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The Montana National Parks Museum Collections contain more than 1.68 million artifacts in addition to 28 National Historic Landmarks, 10 National Natural Landmarks, 558 Places listed by the Heritage Documentation Program, and more. The National Parks of Montana contains 1,118 archaeological sites. There are 170 State Parks within the range of Montana National Parks.

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Last Updated on March 12, 2023 by Steffy Michael