The best things in life are free, especially in Montana. Many of our abundant hiking trails, waterfalls, parks, rivers, and lakes don’t cost a dime to enjoy, other than some nominal travel expenses if you live in a different part of the state than your destination. And while some of the Treasure State’s activities do come with a hefty price tag, it’s also very easy to have some affordable fun here.
Each of these activities costs $10 or less to enjoy, and they’re all genuinely fun. So save your big spending for special occasions and try one of these cheap activities today.
- Pay a visit to Montana’s quirkiest museum.
Miracle of America Museum / Google The Miracle of America Museum is located in Polson, and it’s fantastic. Admission is just $10 for adults and $5 for children. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Miracle of America Museum, 36094 Memory Ln, Polson, MT 59860, USA
- Enjoy some mini-golf at Geyser Park in Billings.
Geyser Park / Facebook A round of mini-golf here is just $7 per person, and kids under 5 can play free with a paying adult. The mini-golf course opens daily at 11 a.m. from spring through fall. 7250 Entryway Dr, Billings, MT 59101, USA
- Stroll the Ewam Garden of One Thousand Buddhas in Arlee.
Ewam Garden of One Thousand Buddhas / Facebook There’s no cost to enter these beautiful, peaceful gardens, but donations are always appreciated. 34574 White Coyote Rd, Arlee, MT 59821, USA
- Visit any of our wonderful state parks.
Fitri Powatu / Google This is Giant Spring State Park in Great Falls, home to the world’s smallest river. Giant Springs State Park, 4803 Giant Springs Rd, Great Falls, MT 59405, USA
- Catch a drive-in movie.
Silver Bow Drive In / Facebook Obviously this one is a summer-only activity, but recently, Montana was listed as having the second cheapest drive-in theaters in the country. At Silver Bow Drive-In Theater in Butte, a movie is just $6 per person, and kids 3 and under can get in free. Silver Bow Twin Drive-in, Butte, MT 59750, USA
- Ride the Whitefish Mountain Resort’s epic alpine slide.
Whitefish Mountain Resort / Facebook The alpine slides are a blast, and Montanans of all ages can enjoy them. Each ride costs $10 – but stopping at just one ride isn’t easy. Whitefish Mountain Resort, 1015 Glades Dr, Whitefish, MT 59937, USA
- Walk through one of our many fantastic ghost towns.
Bureau of Land Management / Flickr Montana has some incredibly well-preserved ghost towns, and most of them are free or extremely affordable to explore. Admission to Garnet Ghost Town is $3.00 per person. Garnet Ghost Town, Drummond, MT 59832, USA
What’s your favorite budget-friendly activity to enjoy in Montana?
Miracle of America Museum / Google
The Miracle of America Museum is located in Polson, and it’s fantastic. Admission is just $10 for adults and $5 for children. The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Miracle of America Museum, 36094 Memory Ln, Polson, MT 59860, USA
Geyser Park / Facebook
A round of mini-golf here is just $7 per person, and kids under 5 can play free with a paying adult. The mini-golf course opens daily at 11 a.m. from spring through fall.
7250 Entryway Dr, Billings, MT 59101, USA
Ewam Garden of One Thousand Buddhas / Facebook
There’s no cost to enter these beautiful, peaceful gardens, but donations are always appreciated.
34574 White Coyote Rd, Arlee, MT 59821, USA
Fitri Powatu / Google
This is Giant Spring State Park in Great Falls, home to the world’s smallest river.
Giant Springs State Park, 4803 Giant Springs Rd, Great Falls, MT 59405, USA
Silver Bow Drive In / Facebook
Obviously this one is a summer-only activity, but recently, Montana was listed as having the second cheapest drive-in theaters in the country. At Silver Bow Drive-In Theater in Butte, a movie is just $6 per person, and kids 3 and under can get in free.
Silver Bow Twin Drive-in, Butte, MT 59750, USA
Whitefish Mountain Resort / Facebook
The alpine slides are a blast, and Montanans of all ages can enjoy them. Each ride costs $10 – but stopping at just one ride isn’t easy.
Whitefish Mountain Resort, 1015 Glades Dr, Whitefish, MT 59937, USA
Bureau of Land Management / Flickr
Montana has some incredibly well-preserved ghost towns, and most of them are free or extremely affordable to explore. Admission to Garnet Ghost Town is $3.00 per person.
Garnet Ghost Town, Drummond, MT 59832, USA
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