As a lover of all things fall and Montana...
7 THINGS TO DO IN MONTANA THIS FALL
https://glaciermt.com/blog/7-things-to-do-in-montana-this-fall/
We all know it’s coming. It’s been sneaking up on us
like a thief in the night, taking a few minutes of daylight in the morning and
leaving a crispness in the air every night. You know what I’m talking about…fall.
Fall colors along the Clark Fork River in Missoula.
Around here, if you ask a Montana local, chances are
they’ll tell you that fall is one of
their favorite seasons. And to be honest, fall is one of the best times to
visit Big Sky Country. The weather is gorgeous (always pack layers, just in case)
and September offers some of the most consistently nice temperatures of the
year, the changing foliage is stunning and there’s still so much to do. But
there’s also a catch when it comes to fall travel to Western Montana: sometimes
you don’t know where to start when it comes to planning your travel. To which I
say, let’s remedy that.
As a lover of all things fall and Montana, I’ve
rounded up the best things to do and see this autumn under our big blue sky.
1. Take a drive.
Montana’s a scenic place, which means many of our roadways are perfect routes
for seeing stunning colors, complete with snow-capped peaks and
wildlife-watching opportunities. Some of my favorite drives include the
Bitterroot Valley, the Seeley-Swan Valley and Highway 200. Sidenote: read more about my top three fall drives here.
This view is located just off Highway 93 at Ninepipes Lodge near Charlo.
2. Visit Glacier National Park. I’m going to be very honest with you here: fall might
be THE BEST time to visit Glacier National Park. Plus, the Going-to-the-Sun
Road is open in its entirety through mid-October (weather dependent) making it
easy to explore the trails along the road. Plus, you can take a boat tour with
Glacier Park Boat Company through late September, a red bus tour through
mid-October or a guided hike with Glacier Guides. Sun Tours also offers tours
through September 30. Some of my favorite hikes include Hidden Lake and Scenic
Point.
ICYMI: read about last fall’s
trip to Glacier National Park here.
Kayaking on Lake McDonald.
3. Play at Whitefish Mountain Resort. Located 15 minutes from downtown Whitefish, Whitefish
Mountain Resort offers on-mountain activities on the weekends (Friday, Saturday
and Sunday) through late September.
Biking the trails on Big Mountain.
4. Tour the Daly Mansion. Located on 46 acres outside of Hamilton, the Daly Mansion is one of the
best places to visit during fall. Drive (or walk) down the tree-lined drive
just to look at the colors before taking a guided tour at the mansion. Daily
tours are offered on the hour through the first week of October.
The lane at the Daly Mansion.
5. Visit the Blackfeet Nation. You’ve heard me say it before (and let’s face it,
this isn’t the last time I’ll say it), but I love the Blackfeet Nation. Located
on the east side of Glacier National Park, fall on the Rocky Mountain Front is
pretty incredible. Plus, there’s year-round lodging and attractions in Browning
that include The Museum of the Plains Indian and Faught’s Blackfeet Trading
Post. Visitors can also take the self-guided Blackfeet Trail Tour or a guided
tours with Blackfeet Outfitters.
A guided tour on the Blackfeet Nation with Blackfeet Outfitters.
6. Bike the Hiawatha Trail. Located in Montana and Idaho, the Route of the Hiawatha is a blast to ride
during fall. They’re open daily through the last full weekend in September and
the trails offers great views of the Bitterroot Mountains. Plus, you get to
ride through tunnels and across high steel trestles.
Riding through one of the tunnels on the Route of the Hiawatha.
7. Paddle the Clearwater Canoe Trail. There are several reasons to paddle this canoe trail
(located just a few miles north of Seeley Lake) in fall, including the fact
that the Seeley-Swan Valley is a gorgeous destination for viewing fall foliage.
Plus, it’s even quieter in autumn.
Insider tip: you don’t have to
bring your own canoe. Rocky Mountain Adventure Gear rents canoes and kayaks in
downtown Seeley Lake.
Paddling the canoe trail.
And if that’s not enough, be sure to check out more
fall travel ideas here.