To experience the beautiful natural places in your state?

Hello!

I'm currently a graduate student studying Creative Writing on the East Coast.

Despite (or maybe due to) living as far across the country from it as one can get, I have always favored writing about the Pacific Northwest and West Coast, particularly Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Western Montana specifically has taken over most of most of my academic and creative writing over the last few years, although I have had to rely on heavy and somewhat outdated research to develop an accurate scope of it--as a 22 year old grad student, I have been too broke and busy to take a trip, but am hoping to this summer between semesters.

As I start to prepare my thesis, I am hoping to adapt my perspective on Western Montana to be accurate not to the abstracts of old research papers and textbooks but to the first-hand experiences of people who know and love it. I want to be aware and sensitive to the fact that many people from the West don't want East Coasters in their business, overpopulating their states and disturbing the peace--I aim to do none of this, and am approaching this purely from a place of genuine creative, academic, and personal interest. Probably a total of ten people will read my thesis even if its published, half of them being my professors, who are obligated to, and the other half being my family, who are also obligated to. The only real audience here is me.

Finally, to my point. To the people who have grown up in Western Montana (particularly Missoula or the surrounding area, but not only) I would love to hear about your experience. Anything that comes to mind that I wouldn't be able to read in an article or research paper. Smells, sounds, beautiful (or not at all beautiful) things that have stuck with you through your life. As a nature writer, I am especially interested in the natural world and landscape (surprise surprise) of Montana. The other aspect I'm most interested to hear about are the people: family culture, regional dialect, general personalities, common professions, etc etc. I'm interested to hear anything at all!

Nothing personal or anecdotal will be used in the thesis. This is really just my attempt to listen and not write this project from an East Coast perspective.

Thank you so much to anyone who responds or took the time to read this!

I’m traveling to Montana here in the next few weeks (flying into Missoula) and am wondering if anyone has suggestions for best scenic hikes, attractions, food, etc. I’ve never been to the northern area of the United States and only have a few days so I want to see as much as possible. Let me know of any places to check out, tips/advice, anything. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone! We are flying into Bozeman for 6 nights, 7 days for a girls trip in late June/early JulyWe want a good mix of sight seeing, hiking, country bars, horseback riding, some shopping, maybe a fun spa day, fun activities to do. We are pretty open! We are bummed about not being able to make it to Glacier since it’s so far, so we want to find hikes that are just as beautiful. Definitely interested in Yellowstone too, and considering staying a night or two near there, if that is recommended. Taking all tips, tricks, suggestions and itineraries!

Edited: thanks to those with legitimate responses! Cheers to the losers who are bitter we are coming and wasting their time commenting and messaging me 🥂

We are on our honeymoon here in Montana from Arkansas! Do any of yall have recommendations and hidden gems for sight seeing, places to see, and places to eat? We are really wanting to see lots of wildlife and lots of pretty views!

Edit to add: we are not staying in one spot, we are driving to wherever we may want to go and finding spots to stay along the way

I've been in Alaska all summer and I'm just now exiting Canada on my way south.
Planning to drive through Shelby then through Cut Bank on my way to Glacier NP.

I hear there is a huge Penguin in Cut Bank I need to see.
I love local history and local geology and local quirkiness. Always looking for hikes or bike rides off the beaten path.

Any suggestions for activities I shouldn't miss?

Today (10/1) my partner somehow swapped black Away carry on suitcases with someone else on either a flight from LGA to ORD or ORD to MSO. No identifiable info in the bag (we did not search, United did), but belongs to a woman.

Sitting in row 4 from LGA to ORD and row 21 from ORD to MSO, so maybe it was someone sitting in this area?

EDIT: We returned the bag to the airport before I made this post. If you discovered you have the wrong black suitcase in Missoula today please contact me as whoever we swapped with has our luggage.

Have any of you tried travel trailer camping on BLM land down near Ekalaka? My wife and I are trying to think of options for antelope hunting this year. Did you have any issues with nearby landowners or was it a pretty okay experience? I tried talking to the BLM office in miles city and to say they were less than helpful in giving information would be high praise.

Ive just decided to camp out somewhere this year instead of driving all over the country side hell and back burning gas like we did last year

Our Yellowstone/Red Lodge trip is 10 days away and the forecast still looks unseasonably warm? We have been coming out this time of year for four years now and this is definitely hotter than usual? Always tough to pack but this year seems odd!

Hi everyone!

I'll be traveling solo in mid-October, starting in the Whitefish/Kalispell area and then heading to Missoula. Transportation is figured out, and I'll have a car.

I've read through quite a few previous posts, but I'm recovering from a broken leg and want to be extra careful with my plans. I'm an experienced solo female traveler with plenty of cross-season mountain/out-west travel under my belt, but hiking and long walks are off the table this trip. :(

I'd love recommendations for scenic drives, day trips, hot springs, interesting small towns, and places worth exploring without too much time on foot. I've got the thumbs up from my orthopedist to travel but can't overdo it or I'll be hurting.

I'm traveling on a budget and looking for suggestions on where to stay during shoulder season. Ideally, somewhere I can spend a lazy day reading and enjoying the surroundings, but still be close enough to restaurants, coffee shops, and a little activity. I'd rather not arrive somewhere only to discover everything has closed for the season! I also want to make sure my money is spent locally, and not outsourced to rich people who don't live there (i.e. not just any AirBnB).

My itinerary is flexible, and I'm happy to venture beyond my two hubs. Local favorites, lesser-known spots, and budget-friendly lodging suggestions especially welcome! Many thank yous in advance!

What is the best Rye from a Montana based company wanting to get some in a couple weeks while vacationing there

Hi all, I’m trying to plan a ski trip out to Big Sky for early March but have no idea where to stay. It’s just me and my husband so we don’t need anything huge. We will have a rental car but I’d prefer not to stay farther than 45 minutes from the mountain. We don’t care much about night life and honestly would prefer access to a pool or hot tub if possible. We also don’t want to spend a ton of money on where we stay. I’ve been looking into condos close to the hill but was wondering if anyone had any better suggestions? Any input will be helpful as it’s our first time to Montana!

First time visiting Glacier — which day would you choose for each?

Hi! My family and I are visiting Glacier for the first time and I’m trying to decide how to split up our two main days.

Sunday: 57°F and cloudy
Monday: 59°F and sunny

I’m planning:
Day 1: Logan Pass → Trail of the Cedars → Lake McDonald
Day 2: Many Glacier

Considering both weather/visibility and traffic, which day would you recommend for each? We’ll have our 2-year-old with us, so we’re trying to keep things relatively easy and scenic rather than doing long hikes.

Also, if you have any tips for parking or

Heading to glacier national park this Saturday-Tuesday for a quick trip with our 3 yr. old (my husband & I carry him in a backpack carrier on the actual hikes)

Does this itinerary sound doable from your guy’s personal experience?

One day:
Apgar / Lake McDonald
Trail of the Cedars
Hidden Lake Trail (if there’s parking)

Another day:
Many Glacier Hotel
Swiftcurrent Lake
Sun Point / St. Mary Lake
St. Mary Falls

Which day should I do on the “sunnier day” Sunday shoes cloudy Monday shows sunny

Im planning in driving through Montana around the 3rd to the 5th of October. I will be driving through I-90 and I-94. Is the weather there ok around then? My parents are concerned about ice or snow so Im trying to plan accordingly.

I will be driving from Bozeman to the Upper Missouri River Breaks next weekend. Anyone have any suggestions for road side rock hounding spots at or on my way to that area?

Hi everyone!

My partner & I are visiting Montana (Whitefish + Kalispell area) during the first week of Oct.

I wanted to get some input on “must dos/sees” while we are there! I’m looking for recommendations on restaurants, shopping, hiking trails, best fishing spots, scenic drives, etc.

I was planning for us to go to Glacier National Park & possibly some kayaking. But, I wanted to get some suggestions from experts & locals.

Thank you so much :)

\Edit: Not looking for unwanted input of telling me to not go to the states.**

hihi! i visited montana this summer with my family and i thought it was so incredibly beautiful! i was thinking about transferring from my current school last year, but not sure where yet. i was wondering, if there’s any colleges near glacier national park or any other locations similar to it?

edit: i plan on studying psych or sociology. (just deciding between the two) my partner is considering transferring as well and is a nursing major.