Montana

 

Big Sky Resort, Montana (Jim, Wikimedia CCA 2.0)

Let’s Visit Montana

Highlights

Let’s learn more about some fascinating places worth seeing in Montana.

  1. Glacier National Park (Northern Montana): Known as the Crown of the Continent, Glacier National Park is famous for its rugged mountains, pristine lakes, and over 700 miles of hiking trails. The park is also home to the scenic Going-to-the-Sun Road, which offers breathtaking views of glaciers and alpine landscapes.
  2. Yellowstone National Park (Southern Montana): While most of the park is in Wyoming, Yellowstone’s northern entrance is in Montana. It’s famous for geothermal features like Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and its abundant wildlife, including bison, bears, and wolves.
  3. Flathead Lake (Northwestern Montana): The largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River, Flathead Lake is a popular destination for boating, fishing, and swimming. The surrounding areas offer stunning views of the Rocky Mountains.
  4. Big Sky Resort (Southwestern Montana): One of the largest ski resorts in the United States, Big Sky is famous for its world-class skiing and snowboarding in winter, as well as hiking, mountain biking, and zip-lining in the summer.
  5. Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park (Whitehall): This park is home to one of the most impressive limestone caverns in the Northwest. Visitors can take guided tours to explore the stunning stalactites and stalagmites inside the caverns.
  6. Museum of the Rockies (Bozeman): Known for its extensive collection of dinosaur fossils, including a full Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton, the Museum of the Rockies is a top destination for history and paleontology enthusiasts. The museum also features exhibits on Montana’s Native American and pioneer history.
  7. Virginia City (Southwestern Montana): A well-preserved ghost town, Virginia City was once a booming gold rush town in the 1860s. Today, it offers visitors a chance to step back in time and explore its historic buildings, stagecoach rides, and old-time saloons.
  8. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (Southern Montana): This canyon offers stunning red rock cliffs and the Bighorn River for boating and fishing. It’s also home to wild mustangs and beautiful hiking trails that overlook the dramatic landscape.
  9. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (Crow Agency): This historic site marks the location of the Battle of Little Bighorn, also known as Custer’s Last Stand. Visitors can explore the battlefield, learn about the famous conflict, and honor the Native Americans and soldiers who fought there.
  10. Missoula Carousel (Missoula): Known as one of the most beautiful hand-carved carousels in the U.S., the Missoula Carousel is a charming attraction for families. It’s located in Caras Park and has become a symbol of community spirit in Missoula.

Intriguing mysteries and weird facts

Here are 10 famous men and women from Montana.

  1. Montana is home to the largest snowflake ever recorded: In 1887, in Fort Keogh, Montana, a snowflake measuring 15 inches in diameter was reportedly observed, making it the largest snowflake on record.
  2. Montana has the shortest river in the world: The Roe River, located near Great Falls, is just 201 feet long. It holds the title as the shortest river in the world according to the Guinness Book of World Records.
  3. Montana’s state animal is the grizzly bear: Montana has one of the largest populations of grizzly bears in the lower 48 states. They’re often spotted in Glacier National Park and the surrounding wilderness areas.
  4. There are more elk, deer, and antelope than people (1 million) in Montana: Montana’s wildlife population is massive compared to its human population, making it a paradise for nature and wildlife enthusiasts.
  5. Montana is called Big Sky Country for a reason: The state’s wide-open spaces and lack of tall buildings make the sky seem enormous, earning it the nickname Big Sky Country. The expansive skies are perfect for stargazing.
  6. Montana’s official state gem is the sapphire: Sapphire mining is a big deal in Montana, and some of the world’s finest sapphires are found here. Visitors can even pan for their own gemstones in places like Philipsburg.
  7. You can’t drive with a sheep in your truck in Montana unless you have a chaperone: This quirky law in Montana requires drivers transporting sheep in the back of a truck to have a second person along for the ride.
  8. Montana has a Yarn Bombing festival: In Billings, there’s an annual event where people knit colorful yarn pieces and decorate the city’s trees, lampposts, and public spaces. It’s a creative way to bring art into the community.
  9. The Ring of Fire is a unique natural wonder in Montana: This rare atmospheric phenomenon occurs when the sun is blocked by clouds or mountains, creating a ring of light. It’s best viewed in parts of Montana during the winter.
  10. Montana has one of the highest per capita beer breweries: With over 90 breweries across the state, Montana has one of the highest numbers of breweries per capita in the U.S. Many are small, locally owned craft breweries offering unique, locally sourced flavors.

Notable People

Here are 10 famous men and women from Montana.

Famous Men

  1. Gary Cooper (1901–1961): Born in Helena, Montana, Gary Cooper was a legendary actor known for his roles in classic films like High Noon and Sergeant York. He won two Academy Awards for Best Actor and is remembered as one of Hollywood’s greatest stars.
  2. David Lynch (1946–): Born in Missoula, Montana, David Lynch is a renowned filmmaker and artist known for his surreal and often disturbing films like Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, and the TV series Twin Peaks. He is considered a master of modern surrealist cinema.
  3. Brad Bird (1957–): Born in Kalispell, Montana, Brad Bird is an Academy Award-winning director and animator. He directed animated films like The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and The Iron Giant, as well as the live-action film Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.
  4. Phil Jackson (1945–): Born in Deer Lodge, Montana, Phil Jackson is a legendary NBA coach and former player. He is best known for coaching the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers to a combined 11 NBA championships.
  5. John Dahl (1956–): Born in Billings, Montana, John Dahl is a film director and screenwriter known for his work on neo-noir films like Red Rock West and The Last Seduction. He also directed episodes of popular TV shows like Breaking Bad and Dexter.

Famous Women

  1. Jeannette Rankin (1880–1973): Born near Missoula, Montana, Jeannette Rankin was the first woman elected to the U.S. Congress. A suffragist and pacifist, she was elected twice and is known for her anti-war stance, including her vote against entering both World Wars.
  2. Myrna Loy (1905–1993): Born in Helena, Montana, Myrna Loy was a famous actress best known for her roles in The Thin Man series and The Best Years of Our Lives. She was one of Hollywood’s top stars in the 1930s and 1940s.
  3. Michele Hicks (1973–): Born in Bozeman, Montana, Michele Hicks is an actress and model known for her roles in TV series like The Shield and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. She has also worked as a model for various fashion brands.
  4. Martha Raye (1916–1994): Born in Butte, Montana, Martha Raye was a comedian, actress, and singer known for her work in films and television. She was also a beloved performer for U.S. troops during World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
  5. Dian Fossey (1932–1985): While born in San Francisco, California, Dian Fossey spent significant time in Montana for her education and research. She was a world-renowned primatologist and conservationist, best known for her work with gorillas in Rwanda and the book Gorillas in the Mist.

Date of Ratification of the Articles of Confederation/
Admission to the Union

November 8, 1889 (41st)

State Capital and Government

Montana State Capitol Building in Helena (Martin Kraft, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Area and Total Population

Area: 145,545 square miles Total Population: 1,024,000

Major cities and their population

City Population
Billings 121,000
Missoula 78,000
Great Falls 60,000
Bozeman 57,000
Bute 36,000
Helena 34,000
Whitefish 9,000

Education

Educational Resources

Twinkl. Montana

Fairs and festivals

Flag

Geography

Location

Montana (Tubs, Wikimedia CCA 3.0)

Glimpses Into History

National Landmarks and Historic Sites

Breathtaking Landscapes

Check out these amazing landscapes and wildlife of Montana.

National Monuments

  1. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (National Park Service)
  2. Pompeys Pillar National Monument (Bureau of Land Management)
  3. Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument (Bureau of Land Management)

National and State Parks

Sports

NCAA (National Collegiate Athletics Association) Division I Teams

State Motto

“Oro y Plata,”  Spanish for “Gold and Silver.

State Nicknames

  • The Treasure State
  • Big Sky Country

State Symbols

See: Montana State Symbols
Also see: State Symbols of Montana

Seal

See: About the State Seal of Montana

License Plate

State Animal

Grizzly bear (National Park Service ,Wikimedia Commons)

State Bird

Montana Western Meadowlark (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Wikimedia Commons)

State Flower

Bitterroot (Stan Shebs, Wikimedia CCA 2.5)

Tourism: Enjoy some incredible vacations

Watch a video

Weather

More Resources For The Best Things To Do

Billings

Bozeman

Bute

Helena

Missoula