Big Sky Country - A Trip You'll Never Forget
If you have been following along on my life in the desert for a bit, you probably have seen a trend that I live in the desert, but absolutely love the state of Montana! I know, just me and everyone else seems to love that state. Ha ha… Montana continues to be a big part of my life and I am so thankful for each opportunity to visit such a stunning part of our country.
I have rounded up my favorite things to do during our visits to southwestern Montana. Take some notes and start planning a getaway to Big Sky Country!
There is so much to see in Montana, that I highly suggest planning to visit a section of the state during one visit. Over the years we have driven and flown to Montana, both ways of travel are great. Consider how much time you have for the trip and that will help you determine if flying or driving is best. You’ll want a car to get around while you are visiting. Everything is spread out and if you want to get out and explore, plan on spending time in the car and taking in the scenic views. This post is great for visiting Bozeman, Ennis and the surrounding areas.
Bozeman, Montana
Where to Stay
I highly recommend The RSVP Motel. I must say, I loved the family owned motel and can’t wait to return. The decor was stunning, the beds were cozy and the customer service was wonderful. The hotel is centrally located, so you can get to all of your destinations quite quickly. An added bonus to staying at The RSVP Motel, is that you can visit the Farmer’s Daughters Cafe whenever you’d like. To find out even more about the family owned businesses, click here to listen to my podcast episode with one of the owners, Haylee Folkvord.
What to Do
If visiting during the summer months, float down the Madison River. You can schedule a trip through Madison River Tube Trips . Relax and enjoy your time on the river!
Yellowstone National Park - This is A MUST SEE! Yellowstone is an incredible national park with wildlife and geological features. You can expect to spend one full day in the park exploring, hiking and snapping photos. A “day trip” can be 12-15 hours round trip. When staying in Bozeman, I would enter the park through the north entrance in Gardiner, Montana and leave through the west entrance at West Yellowstone. Well worth every minute of the adventure!
Take a 30 minute drive from Bozeman to explore the Missouri Headwaters State Park and the Madison Buffalo Jump State Park. Each of these state parks are located in Three Forks, Montana. These are great stops for history lovers! The Lewis & Clark Expedition camped at the Missouri Headwaters State Park. The Madison Buffalo Jump State Park is perfect for learning about Native Americans and their use of leading herds of bison off cliffs in order to have food and supplies for their tribe. Count on talking a hike while visiting. Read more about this sweet town here.
Relax at the hot springs! This is a terrific way to unwind during your travels. There are several hot springs for you to enjoy. I recommend the Bozeman Hot Springs.
Explore downtown Bozeman by shopping, visiting Montana State University and check out local restaurants.
Visit the Museum of the Rockies - If you are traveling with kid, this is another stop that you’ll need to make time to visit. Learn about the dinosaurs that lived in the area, the western expansion and more are sure to keep everyone entertained.
Where to Eat
Bagelworks - Some mornings all you need is a quick breakfast before you head out to explore. Bagelworks is open at 6:30 am and offers tasty bagels to go.
Enjoy the local breweries in Montana!
Jam! - This was a great spot for brunch. I had the breakfast burrito and highly recommend it!
Mackenzie River Pizza Co. - This is a great option for family dining. The pizza and salad are wonderful and so is the kids menu.
Map Brewing - The brewery scene has exploded in Montana and a great spot to check out local brews is Map Brewing. My favorite Map Beer is the Midas Crush. The food, beer and views are all worth the visit!
Mountains Walking Brewery & Pub - This brewery is another spot to visit while in Bozeman. The beer pairs so well with the menu items. Definitely try the Roasted Cauliflower!
Roost Fried Chicken - I am not kidding, they have the best fried chicken that I have ever had! Make sure you stop in for a great meal. You won’t be disappointed!
Sidewinders- This is another family friendly restaurant that has a large menu full of options. Everyone in your group will be happy with this location, especially if you order dessert!
Tanglewood - This restaurant makes an effort to get as many of their products local. The food and service is terrific. The Pasta Kale Pesto was wonderful and so are all of the appetizers. Yes, we really tried them all!
Ted’s Montana Grill - An old favorite restaurant of mine. The bison burgers are delicious!
Ennis, Montana
Ennis, Montana is one of the Top 10 Cowboy Towns in America and is also a spectacular fly fishing town located on the Madison River. You can count on wonderful people that are so kind and landscapes that are straight out of a painting.
Where to Stay
The Rainbow Valley Lodge is located on the Madison River. This is great option during a visit to the area.
Sportsman’s Lodge - We just stayed at the Sportsmans during our recent visit to Ennis. The location is in walking distance of Main Street, the grocery store and anything else that you would need during your stay. There is a restaurant located in the lodge, so you can always count on grabbing a meal during your stay. These cabins are affordable and they offer 2 bedroom cabins, which works well when traveling with kids.
Where to Eat
Main Street has several bars and restaurants. Each one offers a unique experience. Ennis offers everything from quick to fine dining.
Burnt Tree Brewing- If you are in the mood for pizza and a beer, stop in at Burnt Tree Brewing.
Gravel Bar -This restaurant offers American Pub food and it definitely hits the spot after a day of adventure.
Sugar High - This is just the spot to visit when you’re craving a burger and some ice cream. This is open seasonally and is ran by the teachers in the area.
What to Do
You’ll want to make time to check out the shops and art galleries on Main Street. Once you’ve explored the town there are several places worth visiting in the area. Ennis is 1 hr 15 minutes to the west entrance of Yellowstone.
Earthquake Lake - Are you wondering why this lake is named Earthquake or Quake lake? The lake was formed after a tragic earthquake in 1957. The quake caused a 80 million ton landslide, which formed a dam to the Madison River. This is a great stop while traveling on HWY 287. Check out the Visitor Center and learn more about the lake.
Hike - If you are a hiker, then this is just the area for you. Just remember to take bear spray with you and travel in groups. Check out the trails that are close to Ennis.
Norris Hot Springs - Relax in the natural hot springs and enjoy great food while your at it.
Virginia City - This gem of a town is so much fun to visit! Visiting Virginia City takes you back in time. This town was founded in 1863 when gold was found. Virginia City is a true boom town that offers so much more than you can imagine. My favorite thing to do has to be the Vaudeville by the Virginia City Players. The talented performers are sure to entertain you!
Personally, I think Montana is great to visit any time of year. I have visited in October, February, June and July and have absolutely loved each trip. There is always more than enough to do! Planning a trip during the fall or late spring will allow you to see the sights with less visitors than the peak summer season. Drop any questions about visiting Montana in the comments below.