10 Amazing Montana Day Trips That Are Worth The Drive In 2025
Popularly known as the Treasure State, Montana has an endless string of gems along its highways. The wide, clear skies, vast open spaces, and fresh countryside air open doors for a satisfying road trip on the less-traveled path. If you are seeking a break from the city, Big Sky Country is home to an untamed wilderness full of lush forests, glacial lakes, colorful canyons, imposing mountain ranges, and other visual spectacles worth experiencing. Whether you're a thrill-seeker in search of outdoor adventure, a history buff chasing echoes of the Old West, or a wanderer craving a peaceful drive through postcard-worthy scenery, Montana delivers.
Bozeman to Museum Of The Rockies (20 minutes)
Situated about 20 minutes from the Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, this world-class natural history and cultural facility welcomes families for an immersive dive into the Northern Rocky Mountains. It boasts a fascinating collection of interactive exhibits that leave the young and old in awe, including elaborate dinosaur skeletons, archeological fossils, Native American relics, and a cool planetarium. The fully mounted T. Rex is among the highlights for first-timers at the museum and offers an unmissable photo-op.
The changing exhibits are divided into curated sections focusing on a number of subjects, from natural history and human history to the evolution of transportation and modern myths. The Taylor Planetarium is also a hit with kids, providing a breathtaking view of the cosmos inside a 40-foot dome.
Whitefish to Glacier National Park (30 minutes)
About half an hour's drive from Glacier Park International Airport near Whitefish brings you to western Montana's natural gem, known for breathtaking landscapes like waterfalls, meadows, peaks, lakes, and rivers in one of the most intact ecosystems in the region. Glacier National Park is an outdoor lover's dream come true, promising boundless opportunities to discover its over 1 million acres of pristine wilderness. The iconic Red Buses serve as a popular way to discover the park, taking passengers on delightful sightseeing excursions along scenic routes, such as the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Numerous campgrounds allow visitors to get in tune with their primal side and be one with Mother Nature, while the designated Dark Sky Park is perfect for watching meteor showers in the clear skies. The park offers more than 700 miles of trails criss-crossing its vast territory, while a scenic float on the Flathead River presents a unique way of exploring Glacier National Park.
Bozeman to The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center (1 hour 40 minutes)
A short day trip from Bozeman makes for a perfect getaway, promising rare encounters with some of Montana's majestic wildlife species. This beautiful animal refuge welcomes guests for face-to-face interactions with grizzly bears, gray wolves, and various birds of prey from behind their glass enclosures. The state-of-the-art museum offers eye-opening lessons about the nature of grizzlies, their feeding habits, and their natural habitat through films and presentations.
You can also listen to rangers talk about the wolves and grizzlies, featuring resourceful information and little-known facts. The Keeper Kids program allows visitors to hide food for the bears and watch them forage for it during a popular interactive session with the animals, while the raptor exhibit highlights different birds of prey from the Yellowstone region.
Bozeman to Bannack State Park (2 hours, 15 minutes)
This day trip from Bozeman takes visitors on an interesting journey back in time to the Old West in one of the state's most impressively preserved ghost towns. Bannack State Park is the site of Montana's earliest major gold discovery in 1862, leading to a gold rush that exploded the town's population to about 3,000. Although it has since been abandoned and remains a ghost town, you can explore over 50 historical buildings, including dilapidated log cabins and frame structures lining its Main Street.
In July, the site hosts the annual Bannack Days, where costumed reenactors, historical displays, and other events bring the Old West back to life. Meanwhile, multiple hiking and biking trails let you discover much of the historic settlement and get a feel for life during the peak gold mining days, and there are even a couple of campgrounds if you decide to extend your day trip.
Billings to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (1 hour)
Located about an hour outside Billings, the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is a tribute to the 19th-century battle where several Native American tribes defended their rights and traditional ways of life under attack from the United States Army led by Lt. Col. George Custer. It has a museum and visitor center with hundreds of exhibits from the battle in which over 900 cavalrymen and warriors perished, chronicling the genesis of the fight, weapons used, and several interpretive markers that transport you back in time.
The facility adjoins the Custer National Cemetery, where you can pay your last respects. Meanwhile, a 4.5-mile route winds through the property, inviting guests for a self-guided tour of the Reno-Benteen Battlefield and Custer Battlefield sites. Alternatively, you can opt to take a bus tour for a more comfortable way of exploring the park.
Bozeman to Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park (45 minutes)
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park is a 3,000-acre natural preservation and public recreation area known for its geological wonders. Situated less than an hour from Bozeman, it offers unique underground activities, where explorers get to discover breathtaking limestone caverns with distinct crystalline formations. Over 10 miles of trails wind through the park, treating visitors to an underground hike, while several picnic areas and a campground provide alternative recreations to try out while there.
The brief Greer Gulch Loop Trail is an excellent option for those seeking a light adventure, featuring well-displayed flora native to the region. Elsewhere, the Fishing Access Trail leads 1.3 miles to the banks of the historic Jefferson River, where you can isolate yourself to revel in the tranquil scenery and maybe even cast a line.
Flathead Lake Alpine Coaster (30 minutes)
Only a half-hour drive from Glacier Park International Airport near Whitefish and less than 2 hours from Missoula, the Flathead Lake Alpine Coaster offers one of the most family-friendly Montana day trips worth the drive in 2025. Montana's only alpine coaster promises to get your adrenaline pumping during a heart-stopping ride, with breathtaking panoramas of Flathead Lake and surrounding mountain scenery. The coaster can reach a top speed of 27mph as it descends the mountain, but you can take a less intimidating and more relaxed ride by using the brakes.
Besides the action-packed ride, there is a gem mining station where families can have a wholesome experience with loved ones as they search for hidden gems under the earth. The park also hosts a number of fun events and is open throughout the year.
Great Falls to C.M. Russell Museum (15 minutes)
A short,15-minute drive from Great Falls International Airport provides access to this cultural attraction in downtown Great Falls, which pays tribute to the life and career of celebrated cowboy artist C.M. Russell. The facility showcases one of the largest collections in the country, boasting thousands of paintings, drawings, sculptures, and illustrated letters that offer a unique window into Western culture, landscapes, and wildlife from the 1800s.
The museum also features a permanent exhibit highlighting the important role of bison in the culture of the people in the Northern Plains. Guests can also check out Russell's historical home and log studio during self-guided tours, offering an authentic feel for how life really was in the Old West.
Billings to Moss Mansion Museum (10 minutes)
History lovers and architectural enthusiasts can take this short trip from the Billings airport to explore a beautiful landmark in the downtown district. This architectural masterpiece was designed by the famous New York architect, Henry Hardenbergh, and completed at the turn of the 20th century. Today, its grandiose and opulent facade is a true testament to his architectural genius and a tribute to his unmatched legacy. Visitors can tour the home to admire its rustic decor and exquisite craftsmanship applied throughout.
The museum also hosts an array of events, workshops, and fundraisers that provide social opportunities. For instance, the annual Moss Mansion SpringFest attracts hundreds of juried artists and craftsmen for a popular outdoor festival. Attendees enjoy live music from local entertainers, craft demos, great food, and kids' activities.
Bozeman to Montana Grizzly Encounter (30 minutes)
The Montana Grizzly Encounter welcomes wildlife enthusiasts for intimate encounters with one of the state's top predators. This pleasant sanctuary is a short drive from downtown Bozeman and provides a home for rescued grizzlies who were abandoned at birth, orphaned, or born into other unfortunate situations. Thousands of visitors come to see the beautiful beasts and learn about different conservation efforts to preserve their habitats and overall well-being. You can also listen to informative keeper talks shedding light on the animals' natural instincts and behavior.
Apart from the bears, the refuge has a petting zoo, where you can feed and pet cute Nigerian dwarf goats. Lastly, don't leave without stopping by the gift shop and buying a unique souvenir to remind you of the visit.
Montana Is More Than Mountains
These terrific Montana day trips are worth the drive in 2025, exposing you to the different colors of the Treasure State. Whether you're exploring ghost towns frozen in time, getting up close and personal with wolves and grizzlies, or digging up gems and marveling at fossils, Big Sky Country offers unforgettable escapes just a tank of gas away. Perfect for nature lovers, history buffs, and road trip enthusiasts alike, these adventures showcase the wild beauty and rugged charm that make Montana a true treasure in the United States.
