Montana is amazing in any season, but it really does seem to come alive in the summertime. You could road trip across the Treasure State for two weeks and not see it all… but you might be surprised by how much you can see on a quick weekend drive. This weekend road trip in Montana takes you to five of the state’s greatest summer spots, allowing you plenty of time to explore each one.
Google Maps
- Bannack
Nicolas Henderson / Flickr Start your adventure at Montana’s most famous and well-preserved ghost town, Bannack State Park. This National Historic Landmark was actually Montana’s original territorial capital, as well as the site of our first major gold discovery in 1862. Allow a couple of hours here to explore all the buildings and read the signs.
- Virginia City
Jasperdo / Flickr If Bannack is Montana’s best-preserved ghost town, then Virginia City is our liveliest ghost town, at least in the summer. This charming little spot seems frozen in time, and you’ll be overwhelmed by nostalgia as soon as you walk down the boardwalk sidewalks. Do some shopping, grab some lunch, and check out the living history activities.
- Big Sky
Ann P / TripAdvisor End your day in beautiful Big Sky, which happens to be an amazing place to see the sunset. This resort town is best-known for being a world class ski destination, but it’s a fantastic place to be in the summer as well. Ousel Falls is a 1.6-mile waterfall trail that you can access right in town, so you can work up an appetite for dinner at one of the many award-winning restaurants.
- Earthquake Lake
James St. John / Flickr The next day, head to Earthquake Lake. This may look like an ordinary body of water, but it isn’t. The lake was formed by a 1959 earthquake in the Madison River Canyon Area, which largely caught everyone off guard and tragically took the lives of 28 people. As tragic as the story is, the lake itself is beautiful.
- West Yellowstone
Kevin Oliver / Flickr Yellowstone National Park is wonderful, but you can have a great time exploring West Yellowstone, one of the gateway towns. Check out the impressive Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, learn a few things at the Museum of the Yellowstone, and savor some huckleberry ice cream from The City Creamery.
This summer road trip in Montana may be short, but it allows you to see some of the Treasure State’s finest gems. If you were exploring this area, what would you add to the itinerary?
Google Maps
Nicolas Henderson / Flickr
Start your adventure at Montana’s most famous and well-preserved ghost town, Bannack State Park. This National Historic Landmark was actually Montana’s original territorial capital, as well as the site of our first major gold discovery in 1862. Allow a couple of hours here to explore all the buildings and read the signs.
Jasperdo / Flickr
If Bannack is Montana’s best-preserved ghost town, then Virginia City is our liveliest ghost town, at least in the summer. This charming little spot seems frozen in time, and you’ll be overwhelmed by nostalgia as soon as you walk down the boardwalk sidewalks. Do some shopping, grab some lunch, and check out the living history activities.
Ann P / TripAdvisor
End your day in beautiful Big Sky, which happens to be an amazing place to see the sunset. This resort town is best-known for being a world class ski destination, but it’s a fantastic place to be in the summer as well. Ousel Falls is a 1.6-mile waterfall trail that you can access right in town, so you can work up an appetite for dinner at one of the many award-winning restaurants.
James St. John / Flickr
The next day, head to Earthquake Lake. This may look like an ordinary body of water, but it isn’t. The lake was formed by a 1959 earthquake in the Madison River Canyon Area, which largely caught everyone off guard and tragically took the lives of 28 people. As tragic as the story is, the lake itself is beautiful.
Kevin Oliver / Flickr
Yellowstone National Park is wonderful, but you can have a great time exploring West Yellowstone, one of the gateway towns. Check out the impressive Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, learn a few things at the Museum of the Yellowstone, and savor some huckleberry ice cream from The City Creamery.
For another epic adventure in Montana, be sure to check out this enchanting fairy tale road trip!
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Address: Bannack, MT 59725, USAAddress: Virginia City, MT 59729, USAAddress: Big Sky, MT, USAAddress: Hebgen Lake, Montana 59758, USAAddress: West Yellowstone, MT 59758, USA
