Top 10 Things to do Adventurous in Montana, United States

March 10, 2022 Flossie Demartino

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.
Restaurants in Montana

1. Hidden Lake

Near Logan Pass, West Glacier, MT http://www.hikinginglacier.com/hidden-lake.htm
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 713 reviews

Hidden Lake

A superb fishing lake where catching 20-inch fish is common.

Reviewed By dilly4j

This is a very crowded hike but the views and wildlife make this trail worth it. Most of the hike is uphill on boardwalks and the views, streams, snow, mountain goats, bighorn sheep and occasionally a grizzly make this hike really cool.

2. Two Top

West Yellowstone, MT 4068236961 https://www.visitmt.com/listings/general/national-forest-trail/two-top-loop-snowmobile-trail.html
Excellent
85%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 114 reviews

Two Top

A hilltop area with a perfect setting for a wedding.

Reviewed By rondal530 - Troy, United States

My son and I did both tours. The Canyon tour gives you more riding and the roads are a little narrower, which we liked. We saw more wildlife on the canyon tour including 2 coyotes, a fox, a bald eagle and lots of bison. On the Old Faithful tour, we only saw bison - but still enjoyed that tour. We used Two Tops clothing and paid for upgraded machines with heated seats, which was worth it. Stayed warm all day. Big trunk on machine that let you stow all your stuff. Our guides were Cameron and Owen - both were friendly, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic.

3. Upper Geyser Basin

Center Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190 +1 307-344-7381 http://www.yellowstonenationalpark.com/uppergeyser.htm
Excellent
84%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,302 reviews

Upper Geyser Basin

Most of the geysers in Yellowstone Park can be found here.

Reviewed By I5101IEjayd - Bloomsburg, United States

We were lucky enough to have the timing fall for us to see three eruptions during our walk on the trail, plus the morning Glory pool at the end is a mini grand prismatic that you can get within feet of, if you are lucky enough to time this trail, it will be one of the best trails you are on, but if the timing doesn't line up, 90% of the geysers on the path are nothing special to see.

4. Lower Yellowstone River Falls

Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park, WY http://www.yellowstonenationalpark.com/roadsidewaterfalls.htm
Excellent
85%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,417 reviews

Lower Yellowstone River Falls

A spectacular waterfall located in Canyon Country.

Reviewed By Tommy599 - Two Rivers, United States

We crossed Chittenden bridge across the Yellowstone river; stopping first at Uncle Toms to view the smaller upper Falls, then on to Artist Point to view the MAGNIFICENT lower falls and the unbelievable colors of the canyon. It is IMPOSSIBLE to describe the majesty of this waterfall and canyon colors, so we will not even try,

5. Highline Trail

Along Garden Wall, Glacier National Park, MT http://www.hikinginglacier.com/haystack-pass.htm
Excellent
86%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 509 reviews

Highline Trail

A popular hiking trail with phenomenal views.

Reviewed By BigtimeAllthetime

With Grinnell Glacier access restricted (Covid), we accessed via the Highline trail (Logan Pass visitor center), climbed to the Grinnell Overlook (via Garden Wall trail), and returned via the Loop trail (to the Loop parking lot for pickup). Highly recommend this route as Highline going back out is not only longer but harder and the loop is mostly downhill. The views on Highline after rain yesterday were amazing and perfectly clear. We saw a group of mountain goats, multiple bighorn sheep (on the trail), and a few marmot. The climb to the glacier was tough but definitely worth it. Recommend continuing climb to the saddle (see recording) to see all four lakes at the bottom rather than just looking into the glacier. Exiting via the Loop trail was great as it was mostly downhill. Would definitely do this again and highly recommend if wanting to see the glacier.

6. Grinnell Glacier

Glacier National Park, MT http://nps.gov
Excellent
91%
Good
7%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 651 reviews

Grinnell Glacier

A large glacier offering 300 acres of beauty.

Reviewed By BigtimeAllthetime

With Grinnell Glacier access restricted (Covid), we accessed via the Highline trail (Logan Pass visitor center), climbed to the Grinnell Overlook (via Garden Wall trail), and returned via the Loop trail (to the Loop parking lot for pickup). Highly recommend this route as Highline going back out is not only longer but harder and the loop is mostly downhill. The views on Highline after rain yesterday were amazing and perfectly clear. We saw a group of mountain goats, multiple bighorn sheep (on the trail), and a few marmot. The climb to the glacier was tough but definitely worth it. Recommend continuing climb to the saddle (see recording) to see all four lakes at the bottom rather than just looking into the glacier. Exiting via the Loop trail was great as it was mostly downhill. Would definitely do this again and highly recommend if wanting to see the glacier.

7. Going-to-the-Sun Road

Glacier National Park, MT 59936 +1 406-888-7800 http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/goingtothesunroad.htm
Excellent
87%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 3,120 reviews

Going-to-the-Sun Road

A spectacular and scenic 52-mile highway through Glacier National Park, which crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass in Montana.

Reviewed By rdburrows

Every part of this drive is beautiful and breathtaking!!! Take your time and enjoy it!! Way to many people get in a hurry!! Enjoy the pull offs and take in the views!! Get out of the vehicle and take it all in!! We chose to drive on our own that way we could go at our own pace!!! We went the end of June and it was the first week that the full road had been open!! So glad we got to experience it!! We decided to drive east to west to avoid all the traffic coming into from the West!!

8. Iceberg Lake Trail

Glacier National Park, MT http://www.nps.gov/glac/planyourvisit/hikingthetrails.htm
Excellent
90%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 470 reviews

Iceberg Lake Trail

Hikers often wear bells and strike up loud conversations, so as not to startle the bears on this back country trail.

Reviewed By DRT135 - St. Marys, United States

We joined one of the park rangers for this hike who was very good guide. We learned about the plants along the trail as well as about the animals living in the area. The hike up was pleasant and Iceberg Lake reflects the changes in our climate. On our hike down we had rain, wind, hail and wintery mix so definitely plan to have layers of clothes as well as a good rain jacket and hat.

9. Yellowstone River

North Rim Drive, Yellowstone National Park, WY, West Yellowstone, MT http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 716 reviews

Yellowstone River

Reviewed By Scelly_P - Maple Grove, United States

The Yellowstone River is absolutely breathtaking you have to take time to go to the upper and lower Falls of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to see the Yellowstone falls.

10. Beartooth Highway

U.S. Highway 212, MT 59068 http://www.beartoothhighway.com
Excellent
94%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 834 reviews

Beartooth Highway

Spectacular high mountain road with sweeping views is a favorite scenic drive for sightseers.

Reviewed By 866TaylorB - Chicago, United States

My wife and I will never forget Beartooth Highway. We had decided to take the most scenic (northeast) entrance to Yellowstone National Park, via Red Lodge and Cooke City and the Beartooth Highway, or U.S. Highway 212 in Montana and Wyoming. It was mid-July and we were wearing shorts. We began to climb the winding road. A little above the tree line, we were surprised to see it was beginning to snow. And snow. And snow. Finally, we reached the summit, Beartooth Pass, the very top of the mountain at 10,947 feet above sea level. But the road was snowbound and it was foggy. We couldn't see anything on either side of the road but snow. From what we had read in the Yellowstone periodicals, this part of the drive should offering spectacular and scenic views of Yellowstone and the Yellowstone River, lots of photo ops from lookouts. All we could see was snow. We couldn't even see the highway. We stopped. What should we do? Go forward? Go back? Wait for someone else to arrive on the scene? We didn't have a cellphone. Or a snow shovel. Only shorts. It's mid-July, remember? At that moment, in our moment of indecision, a snowplow came over the horizon from the opposite direction. What a relief! The driver pointed to a spot where we could turn around and go back down the mountain to Red Lodge. We followed him all the way. It has been called "the most beautiful drive in America" but because of heavy snowfall at the top, the pass is usually open each year only from mid-May through mid-October. Nobody said anything about heavy snowfall in mid-July. Later, I saw colorful pictures of where we were and what we were supposed to see when we reached Beartooth Pass. Historically, the pass was crossed in August, 1872, by Civil War General Philip Sheridan and 120 men returning from an inspection tour of Yellowstone National Park. When the road was opened to the public in 1936, it essentially followed Sheridan's route over the pass. Fortunately, he didn't need a snowplow to get through.

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