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Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Secret Garden In Montana You’re Guaranteed To Love

Moss Mansion in Billings is a historic site with beautiful gardens perfect for events and photography.

Updated Jul 30, 2024

Written by 

Jessica Wick

If you grew up near Billings, you’ve probably heard of the Moss Mansion. In fact, you may have toured it a time or two. And while the mansion itself is a beautiful place that’s rich in local history, the best part of the entire property is the picturesque garden on the grounds. Moss Mansion is home to one of the best secret gardens in Montana. Continue reading and see for yourself.

The mansion was once the home of the family of Preston Boyd Moss, an entrepreneur.

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Moss Mansion/Facebook

Preston and his wife, Mattie, lived there with their six children (one of whom died very young). It’s now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and it’s rumored to be haunted. It’s a pretty fascinating place to visit.

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The three beautiful gardens are located in the back.

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Moss Mansion Facebook

You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a fairytale when you enter this quiet, magical space.

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Moss Mansion/TripAdvisor

It’s impossible not to feel a sense of serenity as you walk these grounds.

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CarrieEllen S / TripAdvisor

The property is meticulously cared for.

The gardens are available to rent for weddings, photo shoots, and private events.

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VanEsq12/TripAdvisor

There’s no better place in Billings to dance under the stars.

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If you’ve never been to the Moss Mansion, pay it a visit in the spring when the flowers start to bloom.

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Moss Mansion/Facebook

Take your camera. You'll need it.

While you’re there, take the tour of the perfectly preserved rooms and get a glimpse of what life was like at the turn of the 20th century. Self-paced and guided tours are available and either option will give you a glimpse into life back in time.

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It's easy to fall in love with Moss Mansion and one of the prettiest gardens in Montana. You'll love it here.

Have you ever been to the Moss Mansion in Montana? Have you ever toured this secret garden in Montana? What do you believe is the prettiest garden in Montana? Let us know in the comments and don't forget to share your Moss Mansion photos as well.

If you want to learn more about Moss Mansion and its tours, visit the Moss Mansion website and the Moss Mansion Facebook page.

If you love this gorgeous garden and historic building, make sure to check out these destinations that look straight out of a fairytale. And if your visit to Moss Mansion is part of a road trip (which we strongly recommend!), check out some of our favorite car-friendly snacks.

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Nature

The Completely Free Water Attraction Hiding in a Montana Park Is a Must-Visit

A hidden gem in downtown Missoula is Brennan's Wave. This man-made river wave in Montana is a free adventure just waiting for you.

Published Sep 16, 2024

Written by 

Courtnie Erickson

There is so much to love about Montana. From its natural wonders to its hidden gems, there are countless things to see and do. However, if you are like me, I often don’t want to spend a fortune on exploration and adventures throughout the state. I want to find something free to do. Caras Park in downtown Missoula is a true treasure with many incredible activities. One adventure that doesn’t cost a penny but provides an unforgettable experience is Brennan’s Wave.

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Caras Park is located in the heart of downtown Missoula. It sits right along the Clark Fork River and is a popular place for events of all sizes. It is also an excellent place for a little river surfing.

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Christian Woodward/AllTrails

Brennan’s Wave is a man-made wave located on the Clark Fork River. It was constructed in memory of a world-class kayaker from Missoula who died while paddling in Chile.

This river surfing destination in Montana has become quite popular for kayakers, paddleboarders, and surfers. If you are up for a little adventure, you may want to hop on in.

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Elizabeth Johnson/AllTrails

Brennan's Wave is a great place to practice your skills and spend some time on the water, especially if you love to surf. However, at this river surfing destination, you will not always receive prime water conditions. Fortunately, resources such as Magic Moss provide hourly water reports as well as daily forecast levels to help you more easily plan your water adventure.

But even if you aren’t up for some time on the water, you can still sit back and watch others who want a thrill. There are several areas near this Missoula wave where you can take a seat and watch all of the action. You can also take a walk along the Caras Park Trail. This is a short, 0.6-mile, out-and-back trail that is quite easy and takes you along the river's edge. This is one of our favorite ways to enjoy views of the man-made river wave.

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Elizabeth Johnson/AllTrails

Adventure and excitement doesn’t have to cost a fortune and you don’t have to travel far for a day of surfing. Brennan’s Wave in downtown Missoula is a true gem. It’s just one more thing to love about Missoula.

Have you ever spent time on Brennan’s Wave in Missoula? What was your experience like? What are some of your favorite free attractions in Montana? Let me know! And if you want to learn more about Caras Park and Brennan’s Wave, visit the Downtown Missoula Partnership website.

Of course, if you need any gear for some time in the water or even for a picnic in the park, head to REI or Backcountry for all of your must-have accessories.

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Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Best View Of Bozeman, Montana Is Found At This Tiny Park

Published Jul 31, 2024

Written by 

Jessica Moore

Bozeman is one of Montana's most beloved towns, and all it takes is one visit to understand why. It rests adjacent to the spectacular Bridger Mountain Range and is about as peaceful and welcoming as a place can be. The people who reside there offer all the warmth and hospitality that Montanans are known for. But it's the mountain views that will steal your heart, and there's one small park that offers the best views of Bozeman, Montana, and the distant mountains.

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Touted as having the best sunset views of Bozeman, Burke Park is a beloved trail that is well worth hiking if you plan to visit the area.

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pfefmeister / TripAdvisor

You may also hear it referred to as Peets Hill, and locals often use the names interchangeably. Burke Park is 45 acres in size, but it has a small feel to it, and you'll find that the trail is arguably the best in the area.

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Doc_Cody / TripAdvisor

This unpaved trail meanders through a hilly meadow and provides stunning 360-degree views. You can walk as much of the trail as you'd like, but the entire trail runs a distance of 2.3 miles if you travel via the Gallagator Linear Loop. I recommend downloading the AllTrails+ app to your phone so that you can download offline trail maps and record your hike.

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bmswanson / iStock / Getty Images Plus

For the best experience, I also suggest that you hike the trail during sunrise or sunset so that you can take in the vibrant hues of the surrounding landscape, as well as the illustrious Bridger Mountain Range in the distance.

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bmswanson / iStock / Getty Images Plus

During the spring and summer months, you'll likely encounter colorful wildflowers atop Peets Hill. Those mountain views simply never disappoint!

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bmswanson / iStock / Getty Images Plus

It's easy to see why people fall in love with Burke Park and these stunning views on Peets Hill!

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bmswanson / iStock / Getty Images Plus

This trail is accessible year-round and is beautiful all season long, so be sure to check out the views of Bozeman from Burke Park the next time you pass through the area.

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Have you ever witnessed these spectacular views of Bozeman from Peets Hill in Burke Park, Montana? We hope these images inspire you to add this beautiful trail to your hiking bucket list the next time you travel through the area.

If scenery is what you're after, check out our list of the 11 most beautiful places in Montana that surely belong on your travel bucket list. Which of these stunning destinations in Montana do you feel called to visit first?

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