8 Most Scenic Drives in Montana
Ask anyone. The title of the Most Scenic Drive in Montana goes to the Going-to-the-Sun Road. It will not come as a surprise. This engineering marvel is 52 miles of unbelievable scenery. Yet, the "Big Sky Country" is vast — Montana is the fourth-largest state in the United States — and boasts starkly beautiful landscapes. While you will enjoy exploring one of its national parks, including the forbidding Yellowstone National Park, a carefully executed road trip is a clever way to have a bite at its cherry — aesthetically speaking. For this, discover below the eight most scenic drives in Montana.
Highway 12
Fall color change in Bitterroot Valley, Montana.
US Highway 12 is long and runs from Idaho to North Dakota. Even the entire Montana section can be humongous. If you want a brief but sweet taste of this road, the drive between Missoula to the east — and the Lolo Pass Visitor Center near the Idaho state line should suffice. It is a distance of about 44 miles. If coming from the Idaho side, stop by the Lolo Pass Visitor Center for information on the highlights to aim for. This road may not be chockful of hairpin turns, but the views are to die for. Important stops along the way include Lolo Hot Springs, Lolo Creek Campground and Picnic Area, where you can rest, and enjoy the entertaining noise of gently flowing water, Fort Fizzle Historic Site Picnic Area, a tranquil space to rest and imagine life in the 1800s, Bitterroot Trail (don't miss the stunning Bitterroot Range to the west and the Sapphire Mountains to the east) — and the historic Bitterroot River.
Going-to-the-Sun Road
On the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Montana.
Going-to-the-Sun Road is consistently ranked among the most picturesque drives in the United States. The 52-mile highway through Glacier National Park is also ranked #1 out of 18 things to do in Glacier National Park. The truth is, this road effortlessly lives up to its hype. Terror and beauty meet as one snakes through narrow shoulders, winding curves, and heart-sinking cliffs. There are up to 12 essential stops on the Going-To-The-Sun Road, meaning you will want to set aside a whole day for the adventure — not the 90 minutes that non-stop driving typically takes. You can stop at Apgar Village to glean useful information, especially at the visitor center and permit office; McDonald Creek Overlook; the historic Lake McDonald Lodge, which was built in 1913 — and Oberlin Bend, for landscapes that go as far as the Canadian border.
Highway 93
The Garden of One Thousand Buddhas, Arlee, Montana. By Flea8888, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Montana’s Highway 93 stretches nearly 290 miles from the elevated Chief Joseph Pass to the Canadian border at the Port of Roosville. Although you will enjoy cruising along the whole stretch, the 135-mile drive from Missoula to Whitefish is enough proof of the pudding. 30 to 40 minutes from Missoula, you will discover the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas, a magnificent spiritual site that features a huge prayer wheel and multiple beautiful statues. Even if you have zero religious inclinations, it is often nice to stop here and reflect. Your next pull-over should be at the St. Ignatius Mission on the Flathead Indian Reservation — whose walls and ceilings feature nearly 60 original paintings. From here, the view of Flathead Lake will warm your heart just as you edge toward the lakeside town of Polson. Of course, Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River in the contiguous United States.
Beartooth Highway
What does a bear’s tooth look like? Instead of experimenting with a live bear, get down to the All-American Road that nose-dives into Wyoming on its journey from Red Lodge, an old coal mining town known as the Gateway to Yellowstone National Park. The trip from Red Lodge to Cooke City is 68 miles of continuous bliss, especially as it ascends Beartooth Pass, 10,947 feet above sea level. No wonder this road is known as the Highway To The Sky. Custer Gallatin National Forest will be following you the entire journey — as you pass alpine lakes, tumbling rapids, sparkling waterfalls, and about 20 peaks. Look out for bears, moose, and elk since they often roam on the side of the highway. Stop at Rock Creek Vista, Beartooth Basin Summer Ski Area, and Clay Butte Lookout, where the Shoshone National Forest will electrify every fiber of your being.
The Missouri Breaks Backcountry Byway
This drive begins at Winnifred, which means you can start your adventure at the Winifred Museum, especially by having a look at the over three thousand Tonka Trucks on display. It terminates at the James Kipp Recreation Area on Highway 191 for a loop of about 73 miles. From being blown away by the ruggedness of Montana’s Missouri Breaks region, the ramblings of North America’s second-longest river, and the drama of widely contrasting scenery — this will be the adventure of a lifetime. Most of the landscape here is pastoral and pristine and features a variety of wildlife, including Pronghorn, deer, and shorebirds. Highlights include the Nez Perce National Historic Trail, which commemorates significant events of the Nez Perce War.
Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway
Broadway Street in Philipsburg, Montana. Editorial credit: Mihai_Andritoiu / Shutterstock.com
Pintler Veterans' Memorial Scenic Highway is 56 miles of heaven that starts from Anaconda, named after the Anaconda Copper Mining Company — and ends in Drummond, Montana’s ultimate cow town. At the end of your trip, therefore, you can eavesdrop on random conversations about calving, hay, and cow breeds. But first, follow Flint Creek as you run your eyes over sage-covered, historic towns and obscure streams. Stop at Philipsburg and take shots of its candy-colored architecture. Georgetown Lake is also a small mountain lake whose shores are dotted with rustic cabins.
U.S. Highway 89 From Livingston to Gardiner
Emigrant Peak seen from Paradise Valley, Montana. By Tim Gage - Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
U.S. Highway 89 is long — about 400 miles. The portion we highlight is the 53-mile stretch from Livingston to Gardiner, loved for its breathtaking mountain views. It is a 2-lane road with low but variable speed limits. As you cruise through the aptly named Paradise Valley, you will not encounter many overlooks. However, the scenery along the Yellowstone River will seem like one continuous overlook. From the grandeur of the Gallatin and Absaroka-Beartooth mountain ranges to the elk and mules that skip by the sides of the road, you will want to take in everything here slowly and deliberately. Don’t miss the Yankee Jim Canyon and the Gardiner Basin, known for its rugged landscape.
Seeley-Swan Scenic Byway (Highway 83)
Seeley Lake in Montana during fall.
It is not just about its glass-smooth natural lakes. You will be driving through the Bob Marshall Wilderness, an endless expanse loved for its untouched beauty. It is the third-largest wilderness area in the Lower 48. Featuring massive mountains, this dramatic byway runs from Clearwater to Swan Lake, a distance of roughly 84 miles. Mission Mountains will be following you — as will the Swan Mountain range, whose peaks rise to about 9,000 feet. Plus, expect more than 20 mountain lakes, especially along the beautiful Clearwater River. These include the trout-filled Seeley Lake and Holland Lake, about halfway up Highway 83.
Why Montana's Scenic Drives Should Top Your Bucket List
Road trips in Montana are unlike anything you have experienced. The landscape is stark and vast; sometimes with terrifying gloom, sometimes with swanky showmanship. You can explore world-famous parks, float down tumbling rapids, or swim in beautiful mountain lakes. You can also choose to give your adventure a slightly different approach — a scenic drive. The truth is, a road trip is among the best ways to take in Montana’s incredible beauty. Remember, this state is home to many scenic drives, not just the deservedly popular Going-to-the-Sun Road.
