“Montana can offer a wide variety of experiences, so a tour operator can customize a trip to a variety of interests,” says Kim Birrell, travel trade coordinator for the Montana Office of Tourism, “A group can focus on historical events, such as Lewis and Clark’s exploration, early settlers, Native American heritage, mining or ghost towns.”
There’s the state’s immense natural beauty, too.
“Although we have two very popular national parks—Glacier and Yellowstone—our state parks also offer many unique cultural, historical and recreational experiences,” says Birrell. The state’s system of 55 parks will celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2019.
“Some of our most popular state parks are Lewis and Clark Caverns, where you can take a two-hour underground tour in one of the most highly decorated limestone caverns in the Northwest.”
Pictograph Cave State Park also prominently features painted images, with some drawings that date back 2,000 years. Other popular options include exploring Montana’s best-preserved ghost town—at Bannack State Park—and the eastern Badlands of Makoshika State Park.
“Montana is big,” Birrell emphasizes, “but so easy to travel around. Our roads are uncrowded and offer expansive, scenic views. No wonder it’s referred to as Big Sky Country.”
For more information, contact Birrell or go to visitmt.com.
Top photo: Makoshika State Park
Photo by Montana Office of Tourism
Support for Courier articles provided by:
Black Hills & Badlands Tourism Association
Cody Country Visitors & Convention Council
Colorado Springs Convention & Visitors Bureau
Explore Logan, Utah
History Colorado
Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
