 Montana Information
Places to visit in “Big Sky” Country
Montana has some spectacular places that are not to be missed if you have the time to look around a bit while you’re here. The Circle Bar Staff is happy to arrange a visit to many of the attractions listed here during your stay at the Circle Bar Guest Ranch – or you may want to travel around before or after your visit with us. Either way, Montana is an amazing place with a long history and plenty to do – get out there and see some of the best of the Wild, Wild West!
Bear Paw Battlefield
Bear Paw Battlefield commemorates the final battle of the Nez Perce War of 1877. This is a self guided trail that winds 1.25 miles through the battlefield.
For more information: (406) 357-3130 nps.gov/nepe
Charlie Russell Chew-Choo
Experience a spectacular evening as you travel by train through the mountains and prairies of central Montana. The scenic 56 mile round trip journey begins 10 miles northwest of Lewistown. Wildlife viewing features a plentiful supply of Eagles, Deer, Hawks, and Coyotes. The three-and-a-half hour trip in climate controlled coaches includes a prime rib dinner and live music.
For more information: (406) 535-5436 montanacharlierussellchewchoo.com
C.M. Russell Museum Complex
Take a look at the art and soul of the real West at this amazing Great Falls museum, which features 2,000 Charlie Russell works of art, personal items and artifacts. The museum also shows art work from various American artists bringing the collection to a total of 12,000 pieces.
For more information: (406) 727-8787 cmrussell.org
First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park
See for yourself how the Native Americans hunted for bison at this prehistoric bison kill site, just South of Great Falls. Today the top of the jump gives you panoramic views of the Rocky Mountain Front and the Missouri River valley as well as the buttes and grasslands that characterize this Great Plains setting.
For more information: (406) 866-2217 fwp.mt.gov/parks
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center
This spectacular center in Great Falls features interactive exhibits that give you and your family the opportunity to test your strength against canoe-carrying explorers, hear the languages used in the sometimes complicated translations between the explorers and the Native Americans and much more.
For more information: (406) 727-8733 fs.fed.us/r1/lewisclark/lcic
Two Medicine Dinosaur Center
Do some hands-on dinosaur research just 13 miles north of Choteau on US Highway 89. The center features the world’s largest full sized skeletal model of Seismosaurus Halli.
For more information: (406) 469-2211 tmdinosaur.org
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument & Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River
Experience this gorgeous area that covers 375,000 acres that holds a spectacular array of plant life, wildlife, and unique geological wonders. This 149 mile stretch features amazing canyons and sandstone formations.
For more information: (406) 538-1900 or (406) 622-4000
blm.gov/mt/st/en/fo/lewistown_field_office.html
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area
This wilderness area adjoins Yellowstone National Park on its northern edge and offers more than 640 alpine lakes and hundreds of miles of hiking trails. More access points are from Billings, Big Timber, Livingston, Red Lodge, and Cooke City.
For more information: (406) 446-2103
Livingston Depot Center
All aboard for fun in this railroad museum housed in a renovated railroad depot. Find out how railroads played a major role in the growth of the American West and much more.
For more information: (406) 222-2300 livingstonmuseums.org
Beartooth Scenic Byway
This is one of America’s most spectacular alpine highways, between Red Lodge and Cooke City. View sweeping vistas of snow-covered mountains and enjoy unlimited outdoor recreation opportunities, unparalleled wildlife watching and panoramic views of hundreds of high alpine lakes.
For more information: (406) 446-1718 or (406) 838-2495
byways.org/explore/byways/2134
Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center
The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in west Yellowstone offers visitors the opportunity to experience the world of Grizzly Bears and Gray Wolves. All animals at the center are no longer able to survive in the wild.
For more information: (406) 646-7001 grizzlydiscoveryctr.org
Museum of the Rockies
Travel through four billion years of Earth’s history at this entertaining and fascinating Bozeman museum. “One Day 80 Million Years Ago” is a re-creation of the dinosaur nesting colonies discovered by Jack Horner, the museum’s world famous curator of paleontology. This museum also features the world class Taylor Planetarium.
For more information: (406) 994-3466 museumoftherockies.org
Yellowstone National Park
Experience the most active geothermal region on Earth. There are 10,000thermal features and more than 300 geysers within the park’s 2.2 million acres. See Old Faithful, the most popular geyser in the world. Look for Bears, Wolves, Elk and Buffalo in the Lamar and Hayden Valleys. Go hiking, camping, fishing and enjoy exhibits and ranger-led programs throughout the park.
For more information: (307) 344-7381 nps.gov/yell
Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west on the Mississippi and a perfect destination for anyone who enjoys boating, swimming, fishing, waterskiing and outdoor fun.
For more information: (406) 752-5501 fwp.mt.gov/parks
Glacier National Park
Called “North America’s Crown Jewel”, this natural haven open year round, has more than 700 miles of maintained trails, sparkling lakes, alpine glaciers and deep forests. The spectacular Going-To-The-Sun Road crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass.
For more information: (406) 888-7800 nps.gov/glac
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Take a peek into the life of one of the world’s most celebrated military figures, Lt. Col. General George Armstrong Custer. When visiting the lonely War Memorial, visitors swear they can almost hear the chaotic sounds of war and feel the sheer terror of that 1876 battle.
For more information: (406) 638-2621 nps.gov/libi
Big Sky Water Park
Feel the excitement as you slide down the Shredder Extreme, one of the 10 slides at Montana’s largest water park, just a mile east of Columbia Falls.
For more information: (406) 892-5026 bigskywp.com
Bob Marshall Wilderness
This wilderness, which totals a million-plus acres near Great Falls, Kalispell and Missoula, is a fantastic way to camp, view wildlife, hike, pick berries and more. One of the most completely preserved mountain ecosystems in the world, “The Bob” features rugged peaks, cascading waterfalls, shimmering streams, a towering coniferous forest and big river valleys. The area contains varying elevations of more than 9,000 feet.
For more information: (406) 458-5200 fs.fed.us/r1/flathead/wilderness/Wilderness.htm
National Bison Range
Enjoy a self-guided auto tour of the National Bison Range. The refuge, North of Missoula, is home to about 350 to 500 of these majestic animals. Other wildlife found at the National Bison Range include elk, white-tailed and mule deer, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep and black bears.
For more information: (406) 644-2211 fws.gov/bisonrange/nbr
Virginia City / Nevada City
Experience the very much alive ghost town of Virginia City, a well-preserved Victorian gold mining town just 90 miles by road from Yellowstone National Park that will fascinate the whole family. This is a true Montana gem within an incredibly rich area of beauty, recreation, and history. Nevada City, a mile and a half away, offers more than 100 buildings, a museum, restaurant, gift shop, music hall, hotel, cabins and train rides.
For more information: (406) 843-5555 virginiacitychamber.com
Judith Gap Wind Farm
Check out the 90 giant windmill towers on the wind farm that occupies both sides of the U.S. Highway 191 between Harlowton and Judith Gap. The towers rise 262 feet above the prairie, supporting General Electric turbines that are powered by three 126-foot blades. Each turbine is capable of producing 1,500 kilowatts of power.
For more information: (406) 632-4540 harlowtonchamber.com
Pompey’s Pillar National Monument
Pompey’s Pillar is a sandstone history book 28 miles east of Billings on I-94 that reads like a who’s who of Western frontier history. In 1806, Captain William Clark carved his signature and the date, the only remaining physical evidence along the trail of the Lewsi & Clark Expedition.
For more information: (406) 875-2400 pompeyspillar.org
Information gathered from:
The Montana Vacation Planner
Travel Montana, Department Of Commerce
301 South Park Ave
PO Box 200533
Helena, MT. 59620
800-VISITMT (800-847-4868)
visitmt.com
|
