Montana stretches from the Great Plains to the rugged Rocky Mountains, with scenic landscapes and historic communities spread across the state. This road trip connects Billings, Great Falls, Glacier National Park, and Western Montana, with stops at historic mining towns and ghost towns along the way.
We provide a flexible itinerary with suggested time at each destination and links to our detailed guides that include maps for each destination.
2-Week Montana Road Trip Itinerary
This road trip links the best destinations in Montana. The time noted on each line is our suggestion to fully explore each destination(s). Choose what fits your interest and time frame.
- Billings – 2 to 3 Days
- Missouri Headwaters State Park and Helena – 1 day
- Great Falls – 2 to 3 Days
- Glacier National Park – 3 to 5 Days
- CSKT Bison Range and Missoula – 1 Day
- Garnet Ghost Town and Philipsburg – 1 Day
- Bannack Ghost Town and Earthquake Lake – 1 Day
Montana Road Trip Map
This map highlights all the Montana destinations covered in this guide.
Billings
Montana’s largest city, sitting between the dramatic Rimrocks and the winding Yellowstone River, Billings combines nature and a rich frontier heritage. Explore both the city’s and area’s stunning landscapes and fascinating historical sites.
The Four Dances Recreation Area provides some of Montana’s most spectacular views. Hiking trails wind through the sagebrush and Ponderosa pines on the plateau to Sacrifice Cliff, where you can look down on the meandering Yellowstone River below.
Explore historic Downtown Billings’ early 20th-century architecture and cultural attractions on a downtown walking tour. From the restored 1909 Billings Depot to the contemporary Yellowstone Art Museum, its an engaging blend of past and present.
The Old West History Driving Loop showcases several locations with rich cultural heritage. Visit ancient Native American pictographs, Chief Plenty Coups State Park, and the legendary Little Bighorn Battlefield, where Custer made his famous last stand.
Discover the full scope of Billings’ attractions in our comprehensive city guide.
Great Falls
At Great Falls, the Missouri River is on display in a series of spectacular waterfalls coupled with modern hydroelectric dams. This historic city, nicknamed the ‘Electric City’, combines natural wonders with rich cultural heritage, making it an essential stop on any Montana trip.
The waterfalls and dams of Great Falls showcase nature’s might. The five major falls and associated dams, including namesake Great Falls, combine for a 450-foot drop in just over 12 miles of the Missouri River. A network of viewing areas and parks provide stunning vantage points of these engineering marvels seamlessly integrated with natural wonders.
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center brings the famous expedition to life. There are interactive exhibits and an impressive two-story diorama explaining the expedition’s grueling 18-mile portage around the five local waterfalls.
At First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park explore one of North America’s largest buffalo jump sites. Walk above and below the mile-long sandstone cliff and learn the story of Native American hunting practices. The interpretive center provides insights into the relationship between Plains Indians and the bison.
Get detailed information for your Great Falls adventure in our complete travel guide.
Glacier National Park
Stretching across Montana’s rugged northern Rockies, Glacier National Park is home to some of America’s most dramatic alpine scenery. This pristine wilderness, part of the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, offers visitors an unforgettable journey through glacier-carved valleys amid towering peaks.
The park’s engineering marvel, Going-to-the-Sun Road, winds 50 miles through the heart of the park, connecting West Glacier to St. Mary. This spectacular route provides access to numerous viewpoints, many of which are trailheads for access further into the park. The road crosses the Continental Divide at Logan Pass. You might spot mountain goats and bighorn sheep amid wildflower-filled alpine meadows.
The park’s extensive network of hiking trails offers adventures for all skill levels. Popular routes, like the Trail of the Cedars and Avalanche Lake Trail, lead hikers through ancient cedar forests to pristine alpine lakes. Others reveal hidden waterfalls and stunning glacier views.
Experience the best of Glacier National Park with our in-depth hiking guide.
Western Montana
Western Montana offers a perfect blend of dramatic landscapes, rich history, and diverse attractions. This region stretches from the Canadian border to the edge of Yellowstone National Park, showcasing some of Montana’s best destinations for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
The CSKT Bison Range covers 18,800 acres of protected habitat. This refuge, managed by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, offers you the chance to observe free-roaming bison herds in native grasslands and Ponderosa pine forests.
Missoula, Montana’s second-largest city, pulses with energy along the Clark Fork River. Downtown Missoula blends outdoor recreation with cultural attractions, with riverside trails and white-water activities to historic sites and multiple museums.
The charming town of Philipsburg offers mining heritage and a well-preserved downtown with authentic 19th-century architecture. This historic gem is renowned for its sapphire mining opportunities. Try your luck at panning for precious stones.
The state capital of Helena showcases Montana’s golden past through its historic Last Chance Gulch main street. The city’s iconic Cathedral of Saint Helena has towering 230-foot twin spires and 59 stained-glass windows.
At Missouri Headwaters State Park, witness the convergence of the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers into the mighty Missouri. The 532-acre park offers pristine waters perfect for fishing and boating. Interpretive displays chronicle the area’s importance to Native American tribes and the Lewis & Clark Expedition.
Earthquake Lake, the five-mile-long lake created by a massive 1959 earthquake, is a reminder of one of Montana’s most significant geological events. It offers visitors both scenic beauty and evidence of nature’s raw power.
Explore the full scope of Western Montana’s attractions in our visitor’s guide.
Montana Ghost Towns
Montana’s rich mining heritage is on display in its ghost towns. From well-preserved structures to remote mountain ruins, these abandoned settlements offer authentic glimpses into frontier life of the late 1800s.
At Bannack Ghost Town, over 50 historic buildings line the main street of Montana’s first territorial capital and site of the state’s first gold rush. One of the state’s best-preserved ghost towns, the carefully maintained structures offers a glimpse into frontier life.
Garnet Ghost Town’s isolation helped preserve many original buildings and artifacts, making it one of Montana’s most authentic abandoned mining settlements. Many of its structures, including the iconic Kelly’s Saloon and Wells Hotel, are filled with items found on site.
High in the Elkhorn Mountains, Elkhorn Ghost Town showcases the striking Fraternity Hall and Gillian Hall. These architectural gems, now part of Montana’s smallest state park, represent the refined side of frontier mining communities and the area’s silver mining prosperity.
Uncover more fascinating stories in our detailed Ghost Towns guide to Montana’s mining heritage.
Explore All of our Montana Road Trip Guides
Discover our complete series of detailed Montana guides to help you plan your perfect road trip through Big Sky Country.
Main Article: Montana Road Trips (You’re reading this guide now!)
Part 1: Billings – Rimrock cliff trails and gateway to Yellowstone country
Part 2: Great Falls – Missouri River falls and Lewis and Clark history
Part 3: Glacier National Park – Going-to-the-Sun Road and alpine hikes
Part 4: Montana Ghost Towns – Gold rush ghost towns and mining heritage
Part 5: Western Montana – Mountain peaks, mining towns, and river valleys
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