Big Sky Country

Yellowstone National Park | Glacier National Park

ontana’s big sky country. Just the mention of it conjures up images of magnificent mountain ranges, trout filled rivers, an abundance of wildlife, and life on the open range.

Montana’s big sky country encompasses more than 147,000 square miles from the great Clark Fork river in the west to where the mighty Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers converge on the eastern plains. Found centered within the state are the majestic peaks of Glacier Park and Absaroka-Beartooth range.

Montana's main industries include agriculture, mining, timber and recreation, but one of its biggest draws is the hunting. Montana's big game animals include the nation’s largest herds of migratory elk and Rocky Mountain big horn sheep, mule deer, white-tail deer, antelope, mountain goat, mountain lion, Shiras moose and black bear.

Avid bird hunters will find Blue grouse, Ruffed grouse, Franklin grouse, Sharptail grouse, Sage grouse, Hungarian partridge, Chukur, Ringneck pheasant and turkeys. Add the many migratory birds to the listing and you soon have a bunch of wildlife represented with the Big Sky State.

If you are looking for something different, then try beautiful Montana. The State is so distinct, politically, culturally, geographically and economically from the rest of the country that the typical tourist attractions just don’t apply. When you visit this part of the country you will immerse yourself in the sights and culture of the west.

Montana is home to sixteen Native American tribes, who’s people still play a great part in the cultural identity of the state. A visit to one of the reservations is well worth it, and the experience you will take away with you will last a lifetime.

Yellowstone National Park (South Montana)

Pristine forests, sky-high waterfalls, magnificent geysers and vast carpets of wild flowers. Yellowstone boasts all that and more. The park is massive, impressive and spectacular. Yellowstone also has one of the largest concentration of free-roaming wildlife in America including significant populations of grizzly bear, bald eagle and other endangered species. (Take head of the warnings of contact with bears.)

The park can be seen in a couple of days if you stay in your car and stick to the highways. But the true majesty of the place is best seen on foot.

Yellowstone is accessible for anyone in average shape that owns a pair of walking shoes and can walk about a mile without tiring. For those a little more energetic there are countless routes to follow. And if you are feeling very adventurous you can pitch a tent and at night listen to the coyotes singing.

Glacier National Park (Northwest Montana)

Named to describe the 48 slow moving glaciers that carved awe-inspiring valleys throughout this expanse of nearly one million acres!

Glacier Park is conspicuously different from Yellowstone - yes it is has equally stunning vistas and is majestic and wild, but man has not trod such a heavy path as in Yellowstone. This area is tucked away and is not so easily accessible but this gives it an added attraction.

Unless you are into serious winter sports your visiting period is restricted due to the winter conditions. But a visit to the area in late spring, summer or early autumn is worth the effort. No visit would be complete without a drive along the Going To The Sun Highway, which must be one of the most beautiful scenic drives in the world.

To truly experience Glacier requires slightly more effort and interest than you’d expend at say a drive through Yellowstone but abandon the car for even the easiest of hikes and you’’ll find a window to the Park’s soul.

The weather in Montana varies greatly according to which part of the state you are visiting and the time of year. Each season has it’s own special appeal and it would be difficult to pick a best time. No matter what season remember that the daily temperatures can vary wildly. So always pack a jacket and jumpers and sweatshirts even in the summer.

Home to rugged mountains, wondrous stretching prairies, deep forests, wide river systems, and blue ribbon trout streams. Wildlife as never seen before - antelope, deer, coyote, mountain lion, big horn sheep, eagles, and yes, powered parachutes!