MONTANA

Beartooth Scenic Byway, Montana
This beautiful high country byway climbs to nearly 11,000 feet with stunning views of snowcapped peaks, glaciers, and lakes. See the landscape change from lush forests to alpine tundra in a matter of miles, and watch for bears, mountain goats, moose and deer. Stop for cross-country skiing—even in summer, or hike, horseback ride, and fish.

Flathead Lake and Bigfork, Montana
This watery paradise is ringed by mountains, loaded with islands, and leaping with fish. Picnic with grazing deer and sheep on Wildhorse Island, boat over to Painted Rocks to see Blackfoot petroglyphs, hike Holland Falls Nature Trail in Flathead National Forest, hop on a sailboat, whitewater raft, even dog sled—but whatever you do, get wet!

Glacier National Park, Montana
This pristine natural wonderland is blanketed in lakes, glaciers, trails, and too many waterfalls to count. Cross the park (and the Continental Divide) on one of the world’s most spectacular scenic highways, the Going-to-the-Sun Road. Pull over for a walk to McDonald Falls. Stop again at Avalanche Creek and breathe pine-scented air on the Trail of the Cedars. For a gorgeous lake vista, hike the Hidden Lake Nature Trail. And get an icy eyeful at Jackson Glacier turnoff. There are boat cruises and swimming in Lake McDonald, horseback riding, canoe tours, campfire programs, even nature courses.

Little Bighorn Battlefield, Crow Agency, Montana
This National Monument memorializes the site of the 1876 battle between the U.S. cavalry regiment led by Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and Lakota and Cheyenne warriors. Families can take a self-guided walking tour of the national cemetery and battle-related sites, drive a five-mile tour road, or join bus tours led by Native Americans. Talks on the battle and related themes are presented on the Visitor Center patio.

Missoula, Montana
Hundreds of miles of trails weave in and around Missoula; and kayakers maneuver whitewater right through the center of town. Hike under the big sky at Blue Mountain Recreation area, swim at family-friendly Sacajewea Park beach, or cross into Idaho for a soothing soak at Jerry Johnson Hot Springs. For a fun day trip, visit the National Bison Range at Moiese where kids can see hundreds of bison, elk, antelope and deer.