Tag Archive for: montana

Discover Eastern Montana’s Breathtaking Badlands

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Vast, unspoiled and wild, Montana represents the very best of the American West. With over 147,000 square miles of jagged mountain peaks, sparkling waters, charming small towns and rich history, there is adventure around every corner.

Visitors that decide to travel east will have an unexpected and wholly different kind of Montana experience. Rugged badlands, winding rivers, quiet mountain ranges and vast prairies make up the tapestry of eastern Montana. Medicine Rocks State Park, filled with otherworldly rock formations, has been drawing visitors in for thousands of years. The park earned its name because it was a place of “big medicine” where Indian hunting parties conjured up magical spirits.

Or discover Montana’s largest state park, Makoshika State Park, named from the Lakota phrase meaning “bad land” or “bad spirits.” Today, the pine- and juniper-studded badlands formations are home to the fossil remains of such dinosaurs as tyrannosaurus rex and triceratops.

Whether you’re looking for wide-open roads, Old West cattle-trading towns, Native American battlefields or ethereal landscapes where dinosaurs once roamed, eastern Montana is the place to explore.

Makoshika State Park, named from the Lakota phrase meaning “bad land” or “bad spirits,” is home to the fossil remains of such dinosaurs as tyrannosaurus rex and triceratops. Photo courtesy of the Montana Office of Tourism

For more information on Montana, visit VISITMT.COM.

Thank Glacial Lake Missoula for Much of the West’s Landscape

 

Have you seen the magnificent, scoured rocks and cliffs that make the Columbia River Gorge in the Pacific Northwest? Or tasted the wines from the Willamette Valley wines in Oregon? Scientists say we can thank the massive floods from Glacial Lake Missoula in Western Montana for those landscapes and fine wines.

Glacial Lake Missoula and its catastrophic floods during the last ice age – roughly 12,000-18,000 years ago – are responsible for the amazing landscapes from Western Montana through Eastern Washington and the Columbia River Gorge out to the Pacific Ocean. Scientists believe Glacial Lake Missoula was formed by ice dams that held back what is now the Clark Fork River just before the Idaho border. These dams were 2,000 feet in depth and held back 600 cubic miles of water (as much as Lake Erie and Lake Ontario combined). When released, the flood waters’ force was equal to that of 60 Amazon Rivers. There is evidence that roughly 40 catastrophic floods originated from Glacial Lake Missoula, and giant current ripples can be seen in the hills throughout the region. Ice tore away soil, creating the scablands of Eastern Washington, and deposited mineral-rich sediment into the Willamette Valley.

Scientists say we can thank the massive floods from Glacial Lake Missoula in Western Montana for much of the landscape in the Western United States. Photo courtesy of Western Montana’s Glacier Country

For more information on Western Montana’s Glacier Country, visit GlacierMT.com.

Exploring Thrilling Landscapes in Billings is Just a Walk in the Parks

Within mere moments of arriving in Billings, visitors become acquainted with the sort of American West landscape that is depicted in classic films and literature. After all, it’s hard to miss ancient sandstone bluffs that stand nearly 500 feet ensconcing the bustling city below. The Rimrocks, as the locals call them, are a place where visitors can make a quick retreat from the modern conveniences of the state’s largest city to breathtaking wilderness and views of distant mountain ranges piercing big blue skies. Three parks – Swords Park, Zimmerman Park and Four Dances Recreation Area – each offer a unique perspective of Montana terrain from atop the rims, ranging from glimpses of the mighty Yellowstone River to distant, brush-covered prairies.

Adventure further out and visit Bighorn Canyon. Just a two-hour road trip brimming with picture-perfect vistas, Bighorn Canyon treats visitors to astounding diversity in ecosystems, wildlife and more than 10,000 years of human history. The North District of the park, which is the closest to Billings, features about 5 miles of trails among dazzling canyon walls and Bighorn Lake.

The Rimrocks, as the locals call them, allow visitors to make a quick retreat from the modern conveniences of the state’s largest city to breathtaking wilderness and views of distant mountain ranges piercing big blue skies. Photo courtesy of Visit Billings

For more information on Billings, visit VisitBillings.com.

The Great American West Has Many Claims To Fame

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Singer Jimmy Buffett’s Montana Connections

 

Popular American singer Jimmy Buffett, best known for songs “Margaritaville,” “Come Monday” and “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere” (with Alan Jackson), includes Montana locations in several of his songs.

In “Come Monday,” he sings about missing his girlfriend in Montana: “Remember that night in Montana when we said there’d be no room for doubt.” He refers to her “enjoying the scenery, I know that it’s pretty up there.”

Buffett has also written songs about the small town of Livingston because of his visits to family there. His sister married Livingston author Thomas McGuane, who asked him to write the music for his 1975 film “Rancho Deluxe.” Buffett performed the song “Livingston Saturday Night” in the film. It’s chorus includes “rocking and a rolling on a Livingston Saturday night“ and refers to this town’s wild bar scene.

Many believe “Cheeseburger in Paradise” refers to a small burger restaurant called The Pop Stand just south of Livingston near Paradise Valley. Mark’s In & Out Burgers, an iconic Livingston drive-in (still in existence), also might have been an inspiration.

Other Montana references include “Ringling,” about a small town of that name located north of Livingston, and Missoula in his song “Miss You So Badly.”

Did you know American singer Jimmy Buffett has Montana connections? Several of his songs reference the state, including “Livingston Saturday Night” from the 1975 film “Rancho Delux.” Photo courtesy of Montana Office of Tourism

For more information on Montana, visit VISITMT.COM.

Fulfill Your “Yellowstone” Fan Dreams in Western Montana

 

Fans of the Paramount TV series “Yellowstone,” starring Kevin Costner, Cole Hauser, Kelly Reilly, Luke Grimes and Wes Bentley, have been showing up in Western Montana trying to get a glimpse of the life of John Dutton and his – shall we say, complicated – family and their Yellowstone Ranch.

Before season four began filming, the entire production was relocated to Western Montana, where Dutton’s ranch resides – also known to the locals as Chief Joseph Ranch. Different locations and various businesses have been utilized for filming around Missoula and the Bitterroot Valley south of Missoula.

For those fans who have asked for locations to visit on their next trip to Western Montana, we’ve got you covered. Please be respectful of those who live and work at these establishments as you are fulfilling your Yellowstone fan dreams through the region. See the self-drive itinerary including the “Train Station” here. And for those who really want to take your Yellowstone fandom to the next level, overnight stays are allowed at Chief Joseph Ranch when they are not filming the show.

You can fulfill your “Yellowstone” fan dreams in Western Montana’s Glacier Country, where the entire filming production is currently located. Photo courtesy of Glacier Country Tourism

For more information on Western Montana’s Glacier Country, visit GlacierMT.com.

Billings Has Served As A Set For Many Hollywood Films

You wouldn’t ordinarily think of a historic railroad station as a source of fame for a destination, but in Billings, that’s precisely where Montana’s largest city made major appearances on the big screen.

In 1993, renowned producer Ron Howard filmed portions of “Far and Away” at the Historic Billings Depot. The film, starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman, is a story about Irish immigrants seeking fortune in 1890s America.

Then in 2013, Hollywood returned to the Historic Billings Depot for the filming of “Nebraska,” a comedy-drama starring “Saturday Night Live’s” Will Forte and Bob Odenkirk of “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.” The black and white picture follows an elderly Montana man and his son on a journey to claim a million-dollar sweepstakes prize.

While the Billings Depot has served as the set of major motion pictures, visitors today can enjoy classic and contemporary Hollywood hits at other historic locations in the city. The ArtHouse Cinema showcases movies every week in a quaint setting, and the Babcock Theatre – built in 1906 to address the high demand for entertainment resulting from the mining boom and an influx of rail travelers – is a unique venue that offers a modern take on a Western treasure.

Visitors to Billings can experience classic and contemporary Hollywood hits at the Babcock Theatre, built in 1906. Photo courtesy of Visit Billings

For more information on Billings, visit VisitBillings.com.

The 2023 Calendar Is Jam-Packed With Events in Montana

Montana Folk Festival is one of the largest free music festivals in the northwest USA. Held in Butte, it features spectacular views of the Northern Rocky Mountains and multiple stages with continual shows by top traditional performers, along with ethnic and festival foods, art markets and folklife demonstrations. July 14-16

Crow Fair, held on the Crow Reservation, features traditional regalia, a rodeo, artwork, craft and food vendors, and dancers competing from tribes from across the U.S. and Canada. Over 1,500 tipis are pitched on the riverbanks, creating the largest tipi encampment in the world. August 18-20

North American Indian Days, held on the Blackfeet Reservation, is one of the largest gatherings of U.S. and Canadian tribes with traditional dancing, stick games and horse relay races. July 7-9

Enjoy top musical acts in a cow pasture just outside White Sulphur Springs at Red Ants Pants Music Festival. The landscape, family-friendly atmosphere and variety of performances make it a must-attend. July 27-30

Miles City Bucking Horse Sale & Rodeo is a large rodeo, a major auction of rodeo stock, and a main social event for the community. It has evolved to include horse racing, rodeo and concerts. May 18-21

North American Indian Days, held on the Blackfeet Reservation, is one of the largest gatherings of U.S. and Canadian tribes with traditional dancing, stick games and horse relay races. Photo courtesy of Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development

For more information on Montana, visit VisitMT.com.

Celebrate Winter, Culture and More in Glacier Country

Western Montana’s Glacier Country has several annual signature events that will enhance any itinerary through the region.

For equestrian lovers, over five days in late July, Kalispell plays host to The Event at Rebecca Farm, featuring a horse competition of dressage, cross country and show jumping, along with food and a shopping fair. And it’s free.

Missoula hosts an annual River City Roots Festival the last weekend in August, bringing together exceptional music, food, libations and more at this two-day free event in the heart of the city.

Every February, Whitefish holds its annual Whitefish Winter Carnival and Skijoring World Invitational; or, if visiting in September, join the fun at the Great Northwest Oktoberfest.

North American Indian Days, held the second week in July over four days in Browning, is the signature celebration of the Blackfeet Nation and hosts Native Americans from every region of the U.S. and Canada. Featured events include a parade, powwow, stick games and horse relay races.

Delicious Flathead cherries are celebrated with their very own festival: The Flathead Cherry Festival takes place in Polson the last weekend in July on the southern shore of Flathead Lake – the largest freshwater lake in the western U.S.

Bundle up and join the fun at the Whitefish Winter Carnival, held each year in February. Photo courtesy of BrandMT

For more information on Western Montana’s Glacier Country, visit GlacierMT.com.

There’s a Lot to Celebrate This Year in Billings, Montana

There are many exciting trails in Billings, Montana. One of the most beloved among visitors and locals alike is the Billings Brew Trail. The only walkable craft beverage trail in Montana, the Billings Brew Trail treats hikers to 1.5 miles of custom libations from six breweries, two distilleries and a cider mill. And that’s just the downtown section of the trail.

Nothing goes better with a cool one than some seasonal celebration. As luck would have it, this year marks the 40th anniversary of Billings’ St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Join us at Montana’s Trailhead on March 17 to celebrate all things Irish. Honor St. Patty as dozens of floats march through historic downtown, and then sample some of the best the Billings Brew Trail has to offer (which may or may not be dyed green for the occasion).

In Billings, the party goes on all year. The Alive After 5 (AA5) outside concert series was started in 2003 by a group of downtown restaurant and property owners. Over the years, the idea grew from five concerts each summer to, at its biggest, 14 shows. In 2023 – to celebrate AA5’s 20th anniversary – there will be another amazing concert series through summer.

2023 marks the 40th anniversary of the Billings St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Watch as dozens of floats march through downtown, and then sample some seasonally dyed libations. PHoto courtesy of Visit Billings

For more information on Billings, visit VisitBillings.com.