We're wrapping up another beautiful summer in Montana, and whether you dread it or embrace it, autumn is fast approaching. Bidding adieu to long, warm, sunny days is never easy, but it may help to know that Montana's fall foliage will be especially vibrant this year.
Montana may not be as famous for fall foliage as New England, but our autumns are still spectacular.
Basically, it all comes down to the weather. A cooler than normal spring can the leaves dormant longer than usual, but that means brighter leaves when they do start to turn.
If you live in Western Montana, you can expect to see the most vibrant leaves between October 5 and October 21 this year, according to the Farmers' Almanac.
I love the feel of paper in my hands and actually turning the page when I read a book. In an era when there is almost nothing we can’t receive instantly on a screen, I find that opening a book is like a little luxury and a way to back out of the digital world and slow down. Are you a fellow book lover? Let’s take a little road trip to discover a few of Montana’s wonderful treasure troves of the written word. To give you time to wander and browse (as all true book lovers must do,) I have laid this out as a two-day road trip, perfect for a quick weekend getaway.
The trip covers about 375 miles and requires just over six hours of actual driving. I’ve included a comfy place to stay the night and a couple of great places to grab a bite along the way but click on the map to customize your trip, add or remove stops, etc.
Close up hand search for book on bookshelves in the library. Select a book on shelf. Studying knowledge education in bookstore
Book destination number one is the Missoula Public Library in downtown Missoula. In 2022, it was named Public Library of the Year in a worldwide competition by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions. Even before you enter, this building’s stunning contemporary architecture makes it stand out. Inside, four floors contain a massive collection of books and media, as well as comfy seating areas and beautiful views through the large windows. It even has a luxurious rooftop lounge!
Our second stop is just up the street, a local bookshop with an ornate facade and a loyal local following, Fact & Fiction. With a wide selection and a focus on specialty and out-of-print literature, this two-story shop offers the space and resources of bigger chain stores but with the character of small independents.
After a morning of browsing bookshelves, grab a coffee, lunch, or maybe a few road trip snacks at Market on Front before heading out on the road to our next stop. We’re off to Helena!
Aunt Bonnie’s Books is Helena’s oldest bookstore. Its charming brick storefront draws you in, and its huge collection of new and used books invites you to stay and browse. You’ll find books on nearly any subject you’re interested in, including a specific Native American section. The shop has frequent half-off sales, so you are very likely to find some great bargains (find out what the latest deal is on the shop’s Facebook page!) Aunt Bonnie’s is also a gift shop with a wide selection of cards, trinkets, imported items, and more. You can easily spend the rest of the day perusing.
Relax for the evening with a delicious dinner at The Union, located in a historic pub downtown, then check into a cozy room at Helena’s incredibly charming bed and breakfast, The Sanders. A gourmet breakfast is included in the morning to fuel you up for another day of bookshop adventures. When you’re ready, grab the keys and make your way to Bozeman.
Established in 1957, the women-led Country Bookshelf has developed a reputation as one of the best bookstores, not only in Bozeman but in the entire state. Founded in 1957, this is the largest Indie bookstore in Montana. It is known for its hand-picked collection of volumes, including a wonderfully eclectic selection of specialty and out-of-print books you may not find elsewhere. Whether you’re looking for something specific or hoping to stumble on something unexpected that you simply must have, the friendly, knowledgeable staff is ready and able to help.
Next, we are headed to the town of Livingston, a charming haven for bibliophiles, to visit its largest bookstore, Elk River Books. This antiquarian bookstore specializes in “rare and collectible outdoor literature, including Native American and Western history, adventure and exploration, sporting books, natural history, works by the Montana Gang, poetry, and literary archives.” You’ll also discover children’s literature, regional authors, arts and science, etc., at Elk River Books.
Before taking a drive to our next — and last — stop, head to Gil’s Goods (about three blocks from Elk River Books) for a grass-fed burger, a wood-fired pizza, or any of their other delicious offerings.
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Our last destination is the stately Carnegie Library in Lewistown. This beautiful building combines history, stunning architecture, and learning. Opened to the public in 1908, the structure itself was built with local sandstone by Lewistown’s renowned Croatian stonemasons. The library offers computer access to everyone and over 40,000 catalog items, including newspapers, magazines, and historical photos of the area from the 1880s through the 1920s. Bringing together the old and the new, this library is both a civic monument and a wonderful community resource.
And that's it — a two-day tour full of books! Have you been to any of these delightful bookstores and libraries in Montana? If you know someone who loves books as much as we do, share this article with them! And, for more road trip inspiration, check out this list of some of our favorite Montana road trip ideas.
One of the best ways to explore the landscape is by embarking upon a road trip across the country. For many, Montana is a bucket-list destination, but some may be unsure where to begin when planning their next road trip. We've done the hard work for you by selecting the 11 best road trips in Montana that are sure to capture the hearts of travelers of all ages. Browse the list below for the best road trips in Montana to get your adventure started.
This scenic road trip is the perfect option for those that can only spend a day or perhaps only an afternoon exploring but still want to soak in Montana's natural beauty. You'll begin your journey along the Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway in the town of Libby in northwestern Montana. You'll travel along a nicely paved 67-mile scenic highway that winds along the shores of Lake Koocanusa. Take your time, soak in the views, and be sure to stop for pictures along the way. You'll end your journey in the little town of Eureka, which is charming in and of itself and well worth exploring and stopping for a bite to eat.
Route: Bannack State Park > Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park > Lost Creek State Park
Distance: 165 miles
Trip Time: 2 hours 55 minutes driving time
Pack up and head out for a weekend away exploring 3 of Montana's most unique and beautiful state parks. This road trip starts you off in the well-preserved ghost town of Bannock. In fact, it's Montana's best-preserved ghost town, and you'll enjoy being able to step back to its founding days in 1862 in the midst of a gold rush in the area. Next, you'll make a visit to Montana's first state park, Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park. Explore labyrinths of limestone cave systems underground on one of the guided cave tours (when in season from May through September). Lastly, you'll wrap up your weekend road trip adventure at Lost Creek State Park. This beautiful state park is a nature lover's paradise; explore endless hiking trails, waterfalls (such as Lost Creek Falls), beautiful scenery, and more to bring your weekend adventure to a close.
Route: Whitefish Lake > Flathead Lake > Swan Lake > Seeley Lake
Distance: 114 miles
Trip Time: 2 hours 13 minutes driving time
If you have a love for the water, whether it be for fishing, boating, water sports, or just relaxing by the water, we've got the road trip for you. This best lakes in Montana road trip takes you to some of the most beautiful lakes in the state. You'll begin by exploring one of Montanan's most beloved lakes, Whitefish Lake, which is popular for fishing, water skiing, boating, paddle boarding, and more. Whitefish Lake State Park also has a great swimming beach. You'll then make your way to the famous Flathead Lake, which is arguably the most beautiful lake in Montana. Next, head over to the peaceful Swan Lake (an amazing fishing spot) before finishing your adventure with Seeley Lake, a very popular vacation spot with some adorable cabins for those who'd like to take a little more time to rest and relax in nature.
Route: Flathead Lake > Lake McDonald > Logan Pass > Going-to-the-Sun Road > Running Eagle Falls > Lake Five > Whitefish Lake
Distance: 217 miles
Trip Time: 5 hours 34 minutes
Glacier National Park is Montana's most iconic national landmark with over 700 miles of trails through some of the most majestic mountain landscapes you'll ever witness. This Glacier National Park road trip takes you through the most beloved and picturesque vistas in the park. You'll start your journey at the beautiful Flathead Lake, one of the most beautiful lakes in the Treasure State, before heading into the park. You'll make your way to Lake McDonald, which is arguably the most iconic and beautiful lake in the park. Drive up the high-elevation Logan Pass to see some truly jaw-dropping viewpoints of the park. Next, drive along Going-to-the-Sun Road, which has a reputation for being the most beautiful drive in the country. You'll then take a hike to view Running Eagle Falls, then visit beautiful Lake Five before wrapping up this incredible road trip at Whitefish Lake, another stunning Montana lake.
Route: Missoula > Blackfoot River > Garnet Ghost Town > Beavertail Hill State Park > Missoula
Distance: 89.4 miles
Trip Time: 2 hours 23 minutes driving time
This charming road trip is the perfect day trip to take during springtime. You'll begin your day of adventure in the adorable town of Missoula in far western Montana. You'll meander along the flank of the picturesque Blackfoot River, made famous by the book "A River Runs Through It". Continue toward the ghost town of Garnet, named after the mineral found there. Explore the town itself or hike one of the many trails in the area before heading back toward Missoula. We highly recommend exploring Beavertail Hill State Park in Clinton before you get back to town for a full day of exploration.
Montana has 120 gorgeous waterfalls scattered across the state, and this road trip will take you to explore some of the best of them. You'll begin your waterfall adventure with a visit to Crow Creek Falls, which you'll find at the end of a 5-mile hike: it's well worth the journey. Then you'll drive 2.5 hours to Palisade Falls and enjoy a mile-long nature walk round-trip to the falls. Next, you'll head to Emigrant, where you'll reach Grotto Falls after another 2.4-mile trail. Champagne Falls is next, and finally, you'll conclude your journey at Ousel Falls, arguably the pretty waterfalls on this road trip near the charming town of Big Sky.
Route: Missoula > Jewel Basin > Glacier National Park > Glacier > Libby > Thompson Falls
Distance: 476 miles
Trip Time:9 hours 18 minutes driving time
Autumn in Montana is a magical time of year when red and golden hues bathe the landscape. For those wanting to do some leaf peeping, this fall colors road trip
will take you to some of the most beautiful locations in the state for fall colors. You'll start your journey in the charming town of Missoula, which offers plenty of fall foliage to get your journey started. Navigate to Jewel Basin for some hiking and exploring among the leaves before heading to Glacier National Park. maples, aspen, and larch trees cover the mountainous landscape, creating spectacular scenes everywhere you look. Head to the town of Glacier, then continue your journey along Highway 2 to Libby and enjoy all the colors along the way. Wrap up your trip riverside in Thompson Falls and immerse yourself in nature as you close out the day.
One of the best traditions for those looking to get into the Christmas spirit is embarking upon a Christmas lights road trip. This road trip
through Montana is the perfect winter adventure that is sure to delight the whole family. Begin your holiday-themed adventure in Big Sky, also known as Montana's Christmas Village. Head out for the Christmas Stroll if you time your visit just right, or just enjoy the lights and the surrounding snowy mountains that make this town so majestic. Next, head to Bozeman where you'll be swept away by Christmas charm. Lastly, end your merry journey with the Holiday Nights experience at Zoo Montana in Billings for a truly magical Christmas adventure.
Route: The Montana Dinosaur Center > Museum of the Rockies > Great Plains Dinosaur Museum > Frontier Gateway Museum > Makoshika State Park
Distance: 736 miles
Trip Time: 11 hours 41 minutes driving time
Who doesn't love the idea of a dinosaur-themed road trip? Kids and adults alike will be mesmerized by this journey back through time. Begin with the Montana Dinosaur Center where you can dig for fossils and explore their museum. Then, check out the largest collection of dinosaur remains in the country at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman. You'll explore a few more dinosaur-themed museums in Montana before ending your journey at Makoshika State Park, where many fossil discoveries have been made. You'll want to carve out a couple of days to fully enjoy all the fun sights on this trip, but it'll be well worth it.
Route: Lolo Hot Springs > Skalkaho Falls > Humbug Spires Wilderness Area > Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park > Seeley Lake > Holland Lake > Flathead Lake
Distance: 491 miles
Trip Time: 8 hours 56 minutes driving time
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This road trip takes you through some of Montana's most unique and beautiful natural wonders. You'll begin with a relaxing soak in Lolo Hot Springs before heading out to admire waterfalls, limestone caves, and several picturesque lakes. What's great about this scenic road trip is that you'll be exploring lesser-known parts of the state, so your likelihood of encountering large crowds will be decreased. Relax and take in the sights and experiences of Montana.
The Treasure State is home to many charming and adorable small towns, and this road trip takes you on a magical journey to explore the best of them. You'll begin your journey in Philipsburg, which has one of the most adorable historic downtown areas you'll ever see. You'll then make your way through other quaint little towns such as Darby, Hamilton, and Stevensville before you wind up your journey in Deer Lodge. You'll love this small-town road trip in Montana.
Which of these road trips or destinations are you most excited to add to your Montana road trip itinerary? Let us know and tag a travel buddy in the comments below!
If you're looking for more road trip ideas in Montana, check out our road trip hub to discover our hand-curated selection of the best travel adventures you can possibly experience on the road. For road trip planning and packing tips, check out OnlyInYourState's Ultimate Road Trip Packing List. Whether you're leaving for a single day or a week-long road trip, you can't forget the snacks: here are 50 on-the-go snack ideas perfect for traveling.
Looking for even more to explore? Check out this list of some of the very best hikes in Montana:
