10 Things to Do in Montana in Summer Beyond National Parks!

Looking for things to do in Montana in summer beyond the state’s beloved national parks? Many vacationers rush from the airport in cities like Billings, Bozeman, or Missoula to explore Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks. But there is much more for the whole family to explore in the Treasure State. Summer is an ideal time of year to visit, with an abundance of exciting outdoor adventures, lively music festivals, and charming small towns. Here are 10 fun summer activities in Montana not to miss!

This story is brought to you in partnership with Visit Montana. It is based on my family’s adventures in the Big Sky State.

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1. Horseback Riding

As a former equestrian, I have been on plenty of trail rides in my life, but none prettier than our horseback ride with Sweet Grass Ranch in Montana. Most riders come to this horse ranch in Big Timber for a full week (or more), but you can do as we did and sign up for a full-day or half-day ride instead.

Saddle up to climb the Crazy Mountains and ride through the countryside, soaking up Big Sky Country views along the way. Our trusty Sweet Grass Ranch guide was patient and helpful, pausing to snap photos of our crew on horseback with the beautiful Montana scenery. Riders of all skill levels are welcome. (This was only my son’s second time on a horse!)

2. Fly Fishing

Montana’s residents are particularly smitten with fly fishing. You’ll feel lured to give it a go, too, to take in the Big Sky State’s gorgeous scenery and an abundance of river fish like rainbow trout, brown trout, and Rocky Mountain white fish. Choose from boat fishing (a float, as the locals say) or don waders and cast while standing in the water. Non-resident fly fishing licenses are required.

Gen X-ers like me fell in love with the beauty of fly fishing when Brad Pitt cast his line in the movie A River Runs Through It in the 90s. I’ve long wanted to give this summer sport a go and finally got my chance on the Madison River in Ennis. You need not have seen the film to enjoy this summer sport (but a movie night would be a great way to prepare for your Montana summer vacation!).

My family learned the art of fly casting from patient and hard-working Riverborn Outfitters guides with Rainbow Valley Lodge. They provided thoughtful instruction and rowed our small boats along the river so we could focus on fishing. Our wonderful half-day boat tour included a picnic lunch of sandwiches, snacks, and sodas on the water, which we chose from menus in advance. My husband, our teenage son, and I all caught multiple fish, too!

3. Hot Springs

As one of the most seismically active places in the United States, it’s no surprise that Montana has dozens of hot springs and geothermal pools heated by magma close to the Earth’s crust.

Vacationers seeking a hot soak can take a dip in places like Norris Hot Springs in Norris, about 30 miles from Bozeman. Also called The Water of the Gods, this small geothermal pool is known for its mineral-rich waters and beautiful garden setting surrounded by the Gallatin Mountain Range.

The family-friendly Norris Hot Springs serves food (like salads, nachos, and organic pizzas) and drinks (like lemonade, kombucha, beer, and wine). Come on Friday and Saturday nights in summer to listen to live music played from inside a geodesic poolside dome while you swim.

4. Summer Music Festivals

Montana is home to several summer music festivals featuring live performances of rock, country, folk, and more. One of the biggest and best-known is the annual Red Ants Pants Music Festival, a non-profit event that supports rural prosperity, agriculture, and women’s leadership work. (The Red Ants Pants Company, an American manufacturer of sturdy workwear for women, organizes this volunteer-run festival.)

Red Ants Pants Music Festival jams out over three days in White Sulphur Springs each July. Besides an eclectic mix of live bands, you can expect food trucks, a beer garden, and local vendors selling artwork, jewelry, and cowboy gear. This event offers simple activities like hula hooping and crafts for kids, plus friendly competitions for all ages. (Who can hammer nails into boards the fastest?) Come for a day of play, or bring your camping gear and spend the night.

5. Nature Trails

You know Montana is home to Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. But did you know it also contains an impressive 55 state parks? This makes it one of the best places in the United States for nature lovers to lace up their boots and hit the hiking trails (over 1,000 of them!).

If mountain biking is more your jam, then hop on a bicycle and ride through the wilderness on one of Montana’s biking trails. Road trippers can bring their own gear, but outdoor outfitters are plentiful in Montana, as are guided bike treks.

In addition to breathtaking scenery, you may spot wildlife during your excursion, such as mule deer, elk, wild horses, bighorn sheep, eagles, and black or brown bears. Speaking of grizzly bears, pick up a can of bear spray at a local shop before setting off (and read the directions!). I recommend purchasing insect repellant, too, to ward off mosquitos and black flies.

6. Cave Exploration

Due to Montana’s unique topography of limestone earth and water erosion over thousands of years, over 300 known caves exist in the state. Many of these are wild caves that novice spelunkers should not visit, but several offer guided tours to regular everyday folks. One of the most famous of these is Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park.

Montana’s first-ever state park exceeded my expectations. Our park guide was not only knowledgeable but also hilarious in his explanations of the science of speleology, the history of the caverns, and anecdotes about the state of Montana. Plus, the limestone caverns were more vast and interesting inside than I anticipated. Various naturally formed “rooms” are filled with interesting rock formations created by millennia of slow-dripping mineral-rich water.

There is much natural beauty to explore beyond the caverns. In fact, the park encompasses over 3,000 acres of land! Choose from five hiking trails with varying levels of difficulty. We hiked up Tobacco Root Mountain Vista and were treated to sprawling views of Montana’s landscape at the top. We also bought lunch from the onsite café, which we ate at a picnic table while taking in the surrounding scenery.

There’s much more to do in summer at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park beyond what we experienced, including camping, canoeing, bicycling, hunting, and fishing. The star attraction, though, is the caverns themselves.

Lewis & Clark Caverns Tips

• The only way to gain entrance to the caverns is as part of a paid, guided tour.
• The time-stamped tours last two hours.
• Wear sturdy shoes with tread because the cave floors can be slippery.
• You cannot bring any bags or food inside the caverns, so leave those in the car.
• Carry water to drink as you explore.
• Bring a light jacket in summer because the caverns are much cooler than the outside air.
• Avoid wearing a brimmed hat inside because you’ll be more likely to hit your head if you do (because you can’t see how close you are to overhead rock formations).
• You must climb uphill 3/4 miles to reach the cavern entrance.
• There are no bathrooms inside the caves, so use the restroom before you enter.
• Strollers are not permitted inside, but parents can wear front baby carriers.
• The caverns are lit by electricity making them easy to navigate.
• There are a couple of times when you need to crawl or scoot on your bottom during the tour.
• Sign up for a Lewis & Clark Caverns tour online in advance because they do sell out.

7. Huckleberry Season

Summer in Montana is huckleberry season. These small dark purple berries taste similar to blueberries but are a bit bigger and more tangy. Look for Montana’s state fruit on restaurant menus in salad dressings, meat glazes, cocktails, pies, and ice creams. You’ll see lots of packaged huckleberry treats in local stores, too, so pick up some huckleberry jam, pancake syrup, or muffin mix to bring the flavor of Montana home. Discover additional popular Montana foods to try!

8. Waterfall Chasing

There are over 120 named waterfalls in the state of Montana, including Kootenai Falls, Florence Falls, Virginia Falls and St. Mary’s Falls.

My family was blown away by the beauty of Natural Bridge Falls in Custer Gallatin National Forest near McLeod. These falls are so named for a natural rock bridge that collapsed in 1988 but the spectacular 100-foot falls here remain.

The easiest trail at Natural Bridge Falls at Natural Bridge Falls is the Upper Trail. This paved .7-mile path is accessible by strollers and wheelchairs, making it a good option for all travelers. From this trail, you can see the Boulder River cascading over rocks. You can also see the falls themselves when the water flow is high in late spring and summer.

To get up close to the rush of the falls, hike down Canyon Bottom Access Trail. Hiking shoes with significant tread are an absolute must for this trail, with some steep and slippery portions. Signs warn not to cut switchbacks and you should heed them for safety’s sake. You may want to bring trekking poles, too. For your bravery, you’ll be treated to the mesmerizing beauty of the sight and thundering sound of the waterfall plunging into the pool before you.

9. Local Museums

On a rainy or hot Montana summer day, escape the weather with a visit to a museum. According to the Museums Association of Montana, there are over 200 museums in the Bonanza State. The biggest one, Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, is known for its extensive dinosaur fossil collection. Many of Montana’s museums are smaller, local offerings worthy of a visit.

Crazy Mountain Museum

Located in Big Timber, Crazy Mountain Museum is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of Montana’s Sweet Grass County. Wander through exhibits showcasing the area’s Norwegian settlers, sheep and ranching industries, and a one-room schoolhouse.

Most interesting to me was a miniature reproduction of Big Timber as it appeared in 1907 before a major fire in the town in 1908. This Cobblestone City exhibit was painstakingly created by a local artist and historian named Jack Hines. The attention to detail is amazing.

Madison Valley History Museum

The Madison Valley History Museum in Ennis features artifacts, photographs, and information about the Madison Valley region of southwest Montana. Look for a working blacksmith forge and a display of historical firearms.

Most notable is “The Beast” — a taxidermied creature that befuddles visitors. It looks like a small wolf crossed with a hyena, but its origins remain a mystery.

10. Small Towns in Montana

Montana overflows with charming small towns, each with its own character and things to do. Even the state’s largest city, Billings, has a population of under 120,000 people. My family visited several sweet small towns in the central/southwest regions of Montana, like Ennis, Townsend, and Big Timber. Each offered delicious restaurants, darling shops, and welcoming locals happy to suggest nearby things to do or simply chat about life in Montana.

Montana’s national parks may lure you in, but be sure to get off the beaten path and explore further. You’ll be happy you did!

Learn More

Explore the 20 best national parks for kids in the U.S., recommended by family travel experts.

A River Runs Through It and Other Stories, a book by Norman Maclean, focuses on the rough and tumble way of Montana life in the early 1900s and is one of our picks for the best travel memoirs.

Set off on a western adventure with this road trip itinerary from Phoenix to the Grand Canyon, Utah national parks, and Las Vegas.

Outdoor lovers will enjoy these things to do in Talkeetna, Alaska (gateway to Denali National Park).

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Which of these things to do in Montana in summer would you add to your vacation itinerary? Let us know in the comments below!

A Note from The Travel Mama: Visit Montana sponsored this blog post. Follow @visitmontana on Instagram for more inspiration. All opinions are mine, as always.

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