Things to do & places to visit in Montana, United States

No matter where you look in Montana, you’ll find unspoiled nature, charming small towns and relaxing hospitality. Explore Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, then hit the road to discover more natural wonders. You can hike, bike or horseback ride through rugged mountain landscapes, fly-fish blue ribbon trout streams, paddle scenic rivers and lakes, or spend winter days carving fresh powder at ski resorts — then end your day wandering a vibrant main street or relaxing in a cozy lodge.

Montana #36 destination in United States 2023. The average rating score is 4.71 based on 96.7k traveler reviews, of 1.384 attractions. Timezone: America/Denver, current date and time: Thursday, April 25, 2024, 1:02.

Top things to do (39)

Top destinations in Montana 100

See more 88 destinations »

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Glacier Raft Company (4.710 reviews)
- Beautiful Scenery, Fantastic Guide
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing • Boat Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Kayaking & Canoeing

Our family had a wonderful time on our half day whitewater adventure. The scenery was beautiful and we saw a bald eagle during the trip. The rapids were exciting for both my 14 and 9 year old sons. The best part of our day was our guide Dom. He kept the ride interesting with his knowledge of the area and funny stories of past rafting experiences. Dom engaged with every person on the boat and made sure every one was comfortable and safe. My son fell out of the raft at one point and Dom had him back in the boat before I realized he had gone over! Overall, a great day and I would highly recommend Glacier Raft to anyone looking for a fun experience on the water. See more..
5.0 Going-to-the-Sun Road (3.240 reviews)
- A Glorious Day Along the Going to the Sun Road on the First Day of Fall 2022!
Scenic Drives

A spectacular and scenic 52-mile highway through Glacier National Park, which crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass in Montana. See more..
5.0 Montana Whitewater (2.576 reviews)
- Fun full day
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing • Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks • Nature & Wildlife Tours • Horseback Riding Tours • Kayaking & Canoeing

Family of 5 adult siblings, spouses & significant other. “Yellowstone” vacation! We did zip & dip pkg. & were with Anna & Cassidy in the 10:00 zip line. Then hung out & had a sandwich waityfoe the raft trip with Jaysie(4 of us) & Clara(5). The water level was low so it was very rocky making it even more exciting! All of our guides made it a super fun experience. They had 3 bus loads going at 1:00 & did a pretty good job of getting us all on a raft in a timely manner. The trip was lots of fun & highly recommended! See more..
5.0 Glacier Guides and Montana Raft (2.438 reviews)
- Fun, safe and very memorable!
Thursday: 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing • Bike Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Gear Rentals • Hiking & Camping Tours

Montana is one of the smaller rafting companies and it shows in their personalized service. We had Greyson as our guide for both a half day scenic and half day whitewater and he was outstanding. He connected with both the kids and the adults, to the point we requested him for our second outing. The gear is good and the process is efficient. The whitewater is the better of the tours for our family but both were fun. I recommend springing for the private tour if you have 6 or more people. For 8 people it’s a no brained to do the private tour. See more..
5.0 Geyser Whitewater Expeditions (1.843 reviews)
- Fun and well run!
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing

Great experience. I was a 1st-timer and they were very clear with verbal instructions about the process, from signing in/paying to getting our gear and on the bus to get to the launch site. Our "on-ramper" had a great sense of humor, but was also very organized with his delivery...took most of the anxiety out of the process, making it a much more enjoyable experience. Our guide was very experienced and also very clear with his instructions, once we boarded the raft. I would highly recommend Geyser...my only wish would be that the Gallatin River was running a bit faster, but of course, they have no control over that. Otherwise, this is your place! See more..
5.0 Wild West Rafting (1.533 reviews)
- Excellent experience!
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 9:30 PM River Rafting & Tubing • Horseback Riding Tours

My wife and I booked a half day whitewater rafting trip as part of our weekend anniversary trip to Yellowstone National Park. Absolutely zero complains from us! The guys and gals of Wild West Rafting know exactly how to show you an awesome time on the river. Professional and experienced guides is what you pay for, but they also throw in some jokes and stories throughout the day to keep you entertained lol. Big shout out to our guide, Andrew, for making this part of our trip so memorable for my wife and I; you were awesome my man! Another shoutout to the photographer working there, I never caught your name, but our pictures turned out great, so thank you for that! If you're planing a trip to Yellowstone and whitewater rafting is on the agenda, I highly recommend Wild West Rafting, you won't regret booking with them. See more..
5.0 Flying Pig Adventure Company (1.452 reviews)
- Great adventure in Montana
Thursday: 7:30 AM - 7:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing • Fishing Charters & Tours • Horseback Riding Tours

My husband and I booked the one hour horseback ride followed by an 8 mile river raft tour down the Yellowstone river. Both were Fantastic! The horseback ride offered gorgeous views and very easy well trained horses. We had Leen for the rafting guide, she was very fun and knowledgeable about the area, again stunning views of this gorgeous area, I would highly recommend both adventures. See more..
5.0 Montana Whitewater (1.262 reviews)
- Rafting A Blast!
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing • Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks

Our family of 10 enjoyed an adventure of a lifetime on a raft guided by Sophie on the Yellowstone River in Gardiner. We laughed, sang songs, rode the “bull” we later renamed as the hood ornament, and deepened our family bonding. The price was reasonable and the level of rapids was perfect for beginners as well as those more adventurous. See more..
5.0 Wild River Adventures - Day Tours (1.250 reviews)
- A great experience
Thursday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM River Rafting & Tubing • Boat Tours • Fishing Charters & Tours • Kayaking & Canoeing • Day Trips

Our guide was Ethan. Despite our large family of six, most of whom are over 6 feet tall, he handled the boat with confidence and great knowledge! He was patient, and shared knowledge of around every bend. We even had one child it was slightly anxious about white water rafting, and she had no fear whatsoever; instead had the time of her life! We would definitely recommend this outfitter for white water rafting and hope that one day will be able to return to Glacier to go once again! See more..
5.0 Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center (888 reviews)
- Great History Lesson
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Historic Walking Areas • Theaters

Located on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River in Giant Springs Heritage State Park, this visitors center provides information and exhibits about Lewis and Clark's famous journey and the historical significance of the United States' westward expansion. See more..
5.0 Yellowstone River (735 reviews)
- Beauty every where you looked
Bodies of Water

I'm not sure there is any part of Yellowstone that doesn't give visitors a beautiful vista. Stops at both the Lower and Upper falls is awesome. Words can not fully describe the beauty. You have to see it in person! Great photo opportunities. See more..
5.0 Hidden Lake (733 reviews)
- Great hike complete with a fun swim!
Bodies of Water

A superb fishing lake where catching 20-inch fish is common. See more..
5.0 Yellowstone Wolf Tracker (686 reviews)
- Best group to watch wolves with in Yellowstone
Multi-day Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

This is an amazing group of people with a long history with wolves in Yellowstone. We did the 6-day Autumn Wolf Watch Premium vacation with them, and it was fantastic. Be prepared to get up very early (well before sunrise) to be in the park for the best wolf activity viewing. Note: in the park you must remain at lest 100 yards from wolves and grizzly bears. Most watching occurs at distances at least 1/2 mile. YWT provides really good, quality spotting scopes so you can see the wolves very clearly even at great distances. They also provide you afterwards with videos taken through the scopes. See more..
5.0 Grinnell Glacier (675 reviews)
- Grinnell Glacier via Highline Trail (Logan Pass)
Hiking Trails • Geologic Formations

A large glacier offering 300 acres of beauty. See more..
5.0 Playmill Theatre (654 reviews)
- A "Can't Miss" while in West Yellowstone!
Thursday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM Theaters

After nearly fifty years of the "Finest in Family Entertainment," the Playmill continues the tradition with three popular hits. Join us for a night of great theatre in our rustic home in beautiful West Yellowstone, Montana, gateway to Yellowstone. See more..
5.0 Cathedral of St. Helena (612 reviews)
- Wow - great church
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM Architectural Buildings • Religious Sites

We had visited thenStatenCapitol so walked to see the Cathedral. And it was definitely worth it. The cathedral is large (certainly by US standards) and picturesque outside, but it’s the inside that’s really impressive. Sadly so many churches remain locked when not in use these days, but this one was open. The altar is stunning as is the vaulted roof but the most breathtaking part is the stained glass. Well worth a visit. See more..
5.0 Paradise Adventure Company (576 reviews)
- Exciting Raft Trip down Yellowstone River. (Rafting has recovered in area; the road to Gardiner repaired)
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing • Hiking & Camping Tours • Horseback Riding Tours

Kelsey (also known as "Wonder Beard") was our guide on this class II and class III adventure just north of Yellowstone. His knowledge of rafting, safety and the river were excellent -- he showed us a great time! He was also there during the record flooding that closed Yellowstone and destroyed houses in the area a few weeks earlier. Luckily the town of Gardiner MT is in solid shape, and rafting is open and running. Please support the local Gardiner area, which also has great food (the "Wonderland Cafe and Lodge" was the best food of our whole MT trip!), lodging, the Roosevelt Arch (albeit Yellowstone's north entrance still closed atm), and lots of rafting. At the end of June, which is normally peak season (but was interrupted by the earlier flooding), this treasure of a town has availability of lodging, short wait times for restaurants, and open slots for rafting. We were easily able to travel to Gardiner via roads from Livingston MT. See more..
5.0 Glacier National Park (574 reviews)
- Beautiful Park
Spent More than 3 hours National Parks

Everyone needs to see this National park. Even after all the glaciers melt within the next 30 years, there is still so much beauty. The glaciers are only the tip of the iceberg (no pun intended). You will see sweeping views 360 degrees all around you everywhere you go. It’s hard to take a bad picture here! I would recommend staying in the park if you can, but make sure to get reservations way in advance (at least a year) as places fill up fast. There aren’t too many roads here so it’s relatively easy to see all the top spots in the park in one trip. See more..
5.0 The Diamond P Ranch (568 reviews)
- Wonderful Experience for Entire Group!
Thursday: 7:00 AM - 7:30 PM Horseback Riding Tours

Guided horseback riding on beautiful mountain trails through the Gallatin National Forest in Yellowstone Country. Ride to the Continental Divide trail and see views of 3 states, Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming and Yellowstone National Park. Rides for all ages and sizes on sure footed and well mannered horses. Open Memorial Day weekend to Sept. 30 each year. 3 ride choices Monday-Saturday. We have been guiding rides since 1953. It will be the highlight of your Yellowstone vacation. See more..
5.0 Ousel Falls Trail (559 reviews)
- Pretty Hike
Hiking Trails

The Ousel Falls Trail is a short 1.8 mile mostly paved hike on the outskirts of Big Sky Village in Montana. The hike is pretty and features a path that meanders along a stream ending at the Ousel Falls. Having seen some large waterfalls prior to this hike, the falls themselves were a little underwhelming. But the hike was still enjoyable and worth doing. It is easily accessible and can be done by people of virtually any ability level. Its location near Big Sky makes it very accessible and easy to get to. On the whole, I recommend hiking out to Ousel Falls for anyone who just enjoys going on peaceful walks or just being outside. There are some picnic benches available for those who want to enjoy a meal out in nature. See more..
5.0 Glacier National Park Whitewater Rafting Trips (552 reviews)
- Rafting Trip - Spring 2021
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing

My husband and I booked a rafting trip in the off season just before summer. Friendly staff when checking in and the company provided wetsuits, PFD’s, and booties with a waterproof jacket. Our guide Justin, was knowledgeable about Glacier National Park and other historic places in the US. He went over safety instructions and procedures before starting the trip. It was like a personal tour, since it was a small group, only 3 of us and Justin on the river. Would recommend Glacier Park Rafting to anyone who loves to enjoy nature!! See more..
5.0 Yellowstone Raft Company (523 reviews)
- Highlight of our vacation!
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing

Our guides Sawyer and Kelsie were great! Not knowing how to swim, they made this experience enjoyable and safe for me. Our kids, ages 12 and 16, were entertained with the guides stories about the mountains and the community of Garnier and helping paddle. This trip was just the right mix of thrill and excitement for first time rafters. See more..
5.0 Highline Trail (520 reviews)
- Go early!
Hiking Trails

A popular hiking trail with phenomenal views. See more..
5.0 Glacier ZipLines (489 reviews)
- Good time in a ZIP
Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks

Was a BLAST!!! Had so much fun!! It was hilarious, fun, exciting, breath-taking, scary, safe, and the staff feels like long lost friends. The atmosphere is welcoming as soon as you walk in with the staff greeting you, joking, and just having a good time. They make sure you get all the information to be safe and they are right with you the whole way. The guides are very knowledgeable and will assist at every course. I WILL BE BACK!!! See more..
5.0 Yellowstone Wild (485 reviews)
- Outstanding guide and Yellowstone tour
Thursday: 5:00 AM - 8:00 PM Hiking & Camping Tours • Nature & Wildlife Tours

I want to thank Yellowstone Wild for the wonderful day we spent touring the park. We are a family of four (two teenagers) that visited the park about a month after the awful floods. We had booked our stay at the North end of the park and were delighted to find this company that was using the still restricted North entrance for tours. Our tour guide - Travis - is a Navy veteran who was absolutely fantastic. Our day started at six am and ended at six pm, and throughout the day Travis regaled us with stories on the history, geology, flora and fauna of the park. He showed us nooks and crannies on the tour that we would never have found on our own. He even changed the itinerary slightly so we could see more wildlife. We learned so much and my two teenagers will leave the park with so many nuggets of information to bring on future trips. Thank you Travis!! I also want to commend the company for being so understanding of food allergies. My daughter has multiple food allergies and I was touched to see that the company had carefully packed a separate lunch for her. These little details mean a lot when you are traveling on the road with family. I would happily come back to these folks! See more..
5.0 Montana River Guides (480 reviews)
- Clark Fork with TJ
Thursday: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM River Rafting & Tubing

What a beautiful stretch of the Clark Fork River we were able to experience! We went for the more mellow float trip as we had young children and their Grandma on board. TJ was our river guide, and he made the trip so much fun for everyone! He was informative, engaged with the kids, articulate, and safety-focused. We had such a great trip thanks to his leadership and will never forget this day on the river in beautiful Montana! See more..
5.0 Iceberg Lake Trail (478 reviews)
- Great views but with a bit of a walk
Hiking Trails

Hikers often wear bells and strike up loud conversations, so as not to startle the bears on this back country trail. See more..
5.0 Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park (466 reviews)
- Wonderful mini vacation
National Parks • Parks

A park symbolizing the long-standing friendship between Glacier National Park and its neighbor, Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada. See more..
4.5 Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center (3.250 reviews)
- Great Up Close Experience Seeing and Learning about Wolves, Bears and Otters
Thursday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Nature & Wildlife Areas

Watch the bears forage for food, play in their ponds and with each other. Early morning and evening visitors may witness active wolf packs howling. Come nose to nose with otters while getting a complete understanding of the intricacies of the Yellowstone ecosystem in the River Otter Exhibit. Other activities include: Keeper Kid’s (hide food for the bears), Wolf Enrichment, Bird of Prey presentations, Safety in Bear Country Programs, Yellowstone Ranger talks, intriguing films and presentations. Explore Bears: Imagination & Reality, an interactive museum. Visit the Naturalist Cabin to see exceptional views of two separate wolf packs through floor-to-ceiling windows. Highlights are: daily “Pack Chats”, a National Geographic film on wolves and a life-sized wolf model. Activities and viewing both inside and out. Open 365 days (GWDC bears DO NOT hibernate). Admission is good for two consecutive days. One block from Yellowstone National Park. See more..
4.5 Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (1.901 reviews)
- Second visit - excellent slice of history and well told
Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites • Battlefields • Monuments & Statues

The soldiers who died in Custer's Last Stand, now known as the Battle of Little Bighorn, are memorialized at this monument, featuring a statue of the legendary Custer, whose men were outnumbered and slaughtered in a battle against the Plains Indians. See more..