Montana is an outdoor lover’s paradise, home to some of the most pristine wilderness and stunning landscapes in the United States. Within the state, outdoor enthusiasts can explore 10 incredible national parks that protect Montana’s natural beauty and wildlife.
This guide covers the top 10 national parks in Montana from north to south, detailing the highlights and attractions of each. Keep reading to start planning your Montana national park adventure.
Glacier National Park
Perched on the Canadian border, Glacier National Park presents alpine scenery, glittering lakes, and remote wilderness perfect for hiking and backpacking. Don’t miss Going-to-the-Sun Road, an engineering marvel spanning the park, with scenic overlooks of rugged peaks and valleys. The park also protects 700 grizzly bears and epic glaciers.
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
This historical park preserves the site of Custer’s Last Stand during the Battle of Little Bighorn. Walk the interpretive trail through the battlefield and visit the memorials honoring fallen soldiers. Ranger talks and audio tours enrich the history. The on-site museum displays authentic artifacts and Native American memorials.
Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Straddling the Montana-Wyoming border, the powerful Bighorn River carved massive Bighorn Canyon up to 1,000 feet deep. Highlights include horseback riding, boating on the reservoir, trout fishing, and hiking rim trails with canyon views. Don’t miss wild mustang sightings.
Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
Step back in time at this open-air ranch museum preserving frontier cattle ranching history. Tour the main ranch house, barns, and outbuildings once owned by famous rancher Conrad Kohrs while costumed guides share stories of the Old West.
Big Hole National Battlefield
This somber battlefield memorializes the Nez Perce War of 1877 when the U.S. Army fought the Nez Perce tribe. A scenic loop drive with interpretive stops tours the battlefield where Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce took refuge. The visitor center shares exhibits and perspectives from both sides.
City of Rocks National Reserve
An otherworldly landscape emerges in the City of Rocks, with granite spires, pinnacles, and monoliths towering above the prairie. The park offers hiking, biking, and driving through the sculpted rock formations best seen at sunrise and sunset when they glow.
Craters of the Moon National Monument
For a moonscape on Earth, witness Craters of the Moon’s lava fields, craters, and volcanic cinder cones left by eruptions along the Great Rift. Hike through rippled lava flows and below twisty lava tubes.
Nez Perce National Historical Park
This park with over 30 sites preserves the history, life, and culture of the Nez Perce tribe. Highlights include Chief Joseph’s homeland, a scenic driving tour through the valley, and the Big Hole battlefield where the Nez Perce fought for their freedom.
Pompeys Pillar National Monument
See where William Clark of the Lewis & Clark expedition carved his name into the sandstone pillar overlooking the Yellowstone River. The pillar is one of the only remaining physical evidence of the famed cross-country journey. A visitor center and mile-long trail tell the story.
Yellowstone National Park
Straddling three states, America’s first national park is a true natural wonderland. Yellowstone dazzles with its geysers like Old Faithful, mudpots, steam vents, wildlife like bison and bears, the stunning Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and abundant recreation.
Conclusion
With stunning mountains, desert badlands, volcanic oddities, and rich history, Montana’s 10 national parks offer incredible diversity. Outdoor lovers could spend weeks exploring Glacier’s peaks, Yellowstone’s geysers, little-visited treasures like Pompeys Pillar, and more. Use this guide to start planning your national park trip to Big Sky Country.
