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Montana Sightseeing Vacation Outside the National Parks
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items We spent a week in SW Montana. We previously visited Yellowstone and Glacier so we were interested to see what Montana had to offer outside the National Parks. The beauty all around was a sight to behold. There are so many scenic drives and we did some short hikes as well. It was an amazing vacation! We wrapped up our trip in Coeur d'Alene, ID and Spokane, WA.
Sections
7
Billings
Big Sky
Livingston
Bozeman
Butte
Missoula
Billings
In Billings we hiked the Rimrocks, ate Wilcoxson's Ice Cream and drove the Beartooth Hwy an All American Scenic Byway.
In Billings we hiked the Rimrocks, ate Wilcoxson's Ice Cream and drove the Beartooth Hwy an All American Scenic Byway.
Visitors | City of Billings, MT - Official Website
The view of the city below is outstanding from the top of the Rims. We visited the Four Dances area and hiked the 1 ½ mile Rim Loop Trail. If you only have time to walk up and see the scenic overlook it is well worth it. It is all exposed in the sun, with no shade. so make sure you wear sunscreen! There are benches around to enjoy the view of the city and the Yellowstone River below.
The Rimrocks (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)
Beautiful 360 degree views of the city of Billings and surrounding areas. The Yellowstone River is below. It is a short hike to the scenic overlook and there are other hikes as well. There is no shade. There are benches to enjoy the views.
Four Dances Recreation Area
The longest undammed river in the country. It flows right through the city of Billings, MT. Views from above can be found from The Rimrocks.
Yellowstone River
Delicious Homemade Ice Cream. Lots of flavors to choose from. My favorite was the Huckleberry. It actually has whole huckleberries throughout the deliciously flavored ice cream.
Wilcoxson's Ice Cream
A stunningly beautiful drive. The scenery is outstanding. You climb so high to go over the Beartooth Pass. There are plenty of guardrails along the road and it felt very safe. There are lots of curves and switchbacks. The drive from Red Lodge to Cooke City takes at least two hours. There are alpine lakes visible (and even snow in August) once you are above the tree line.
Beartooth Highway Yellowstone Park Highway to the Sky
A nice scenic drive with mountain views. There are lots of homes, ranches and farms along the route. Park of the road is gravel and travel is slow. Only plan to drive the loop if you have plenty of time.
The Absarokee Loop Scenic Drive in Montana
Nice hotel. A little older, but rooms are updated, clean and comfortable. Good location close to the Rimrocks.
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Billings, MT
Big Sky
A lovely little mountain town with lots of outdoor activities.
Great Town Center, Lots of Outdoor Activities, Fun Place to Visit, Beautiful Scenic Drive to and from the town.
THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Big Sky (2025) - Must-See Attractions
Beautiful Falls! Bigger than it looks in photos. Nice 1.6 mile round trip hike to the falls. Trail is not hard, but there are steady hills to climb. There are benches to take rests. Views from above and at the foot of the falls. Heavily traveled trail. Bathrooms with pit toilets available at trailhead.
Ousel Falls Park Trail
Delicious Coffee and Pastries. Right in the Town Center. The Bacon Cheddar Scone is to die for! I have been craving another one ever since. The Chocolate Almond Coffee Cake is also absolutely delicious! I wish I had recipes for both!
Cowboy Coffee Co.
Nice to see driving into Big Sky. There is a gondola ride, but we did not do it due to a fear of heights.
Lone Peak Expedition | Summer Activities
Livingston
Nice downtown area. Mountain views all around.
A beautiful drive through the valley that leads to Yellowstone. It truly feels like paradise. 360 degree views of the mountains. We made it a loop drive with highways 89 and 540.
Paradise Valley (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (w/ Reviews & ...
The best deli sandwiches loaded with meat. One large sandwich can easily feed 4. There are two of us and we made 2 meals out of it. It was absolutely delicious!
Pickle Barrel
Such a nice downtown to browse shops and dine. Mountain views. Charming!
Eat & Drink in Livingston Montana
Delicious sandwiches! Along the interstate. The meats all looked so good too. They serve pizza as well.
Matt's Old Fashioned Butcher Shop and Deli
Bozeman
I think this is my favorite Montana town. We wished we had t-shirts saying “Just Passing Through” So many people are moving to Bozeman. There is a nice downtown with shops and restaurants. Mountain views everywhere. A college. Nice town outside of downtown too.
The best burger and fries downtown! And the homemade ranch dressing I could have drank it up it was so delicious! Several burgers to choose from. Good prices too.
Burger Bob's
Short climb to top of the hill. There is a steep route and an easier route. Good views of Main Street and downtown. Lots of walkers and people exercising.
Peets Hill/Burke Park
Beautiful Photo Opp at Golden Hour. Mountain Views in the background. Gorgeous scenery.
Cherry River Fishing Access
Great watershed for Bozeman. Lovely lake/reservoir with beach and mountain views. Nice hike to Palisade Falls. Nice river. Lots of outdoor activities.
Hyalite Canyon Recreation Area
Nice easy hike along mostly paved trail. 1 mile round trip. Heavily traveled. Beautiful rock face and waterfall. Hike right up to the base of the falls. Trail is wooded and shady. Bathroom with pit toilets at trailhead.
Palisade Falls
A great loop scenic drive. Goes along the Gallatin River. See lots of fly fishing, rafting, etc. Goes through the top corner of Yellowstone, but not a paid entrance. Passes by lakes, rivers, mountains and so much beauty all around. We ate in West Yellowstone at Firehole BBQ featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives.
Bozeman Scenic Drives: Gallatin Canyon to Madison Valley
Lakes along the Gallatin Canyon Scenic Drive. Watch out for Eagles Nests. Nice Visitor Center at Earthquake Lake with real bathrooms.
Hebgen Lake Earthquake and Quake Lake
West Yellowstone restaurant featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives. Great barbecue. Delicious Mac and Cheese and Corn Salad.
Firehole Bar-B-Que Co.
Ted Turner's Ranch has a public road going through it. It is so awesome to see his free range bison herd. They literally are on the road in areas and there are so many of them. Please stay in your car and do not go off of the road. This is private property except for the road. Part of the road is gravel and part is paved. There is not an exit, just in and out the same way you came in.
Flying D Ranch
Nice hotel. Clean and comfortable. Nice mountain views. Good breakfast.
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Bozeman, MT
Butte
A neat town to visit. Interesting to learn about all the copper mined from there. The homes and architecture are so neat to see. There are so many mines around as well.
This copper mine is visible from many areas in Butte. It is beautiful to see the colors of the rock. You can pay a small fee to go to the viewing platform to see inside the pit.
Berkeley Pit Viewing Stand
We drove the street in uptown Butte throughout the historic district. There are lots of mines and many homes with beautiful architecture. There is also the main street and downtown business that are fun to look at. So much to see and take in. It was once the richest hill in America.
Mainstreet Uptown Butte – Rejuvenating Uptown Butte, Montana
A lovely building in uptown Butte. We drove by viewing the buildings and architecture.
Historic Clark Chateau Museum & Gallery
Visible from many areas in Butte. We did not take the tour up to see her close.
Our Lady of the Rockies
Our hotel recommended this restaurant to us. All the pasty places close at 5 pm or earlier. But, the Oasis serves a delicious pasty so we were not disappointed. It was so yummy and filling.
Oasis Casino & Restaurant
Very nice place to stay! Clean, comfortable, convenient to sightseeing. Hotel seems fairly new. Helpful staff. Great breakfast!
Affordable Hotel in Butte, MT with Pool | Holiday Inn Express & Suites Butte
Missoula
A great small town to visit. Scenery all around. Looks like a great place to go to college. Lots of outdoor activities.
We drove through the campus and it looks very nice. Close to town. Accessible to the riverwalk.
University of Montana
A nice walkway with access to the river in downtown. So beautiful with the river and mountain views. Right in the downtown area.
Clark Fork River, Downtown Missoula
Delicious smash burgers and burger sauce. In the downtown area. More like a permanent food truck with tables outside.
Gary's Local Burgers
Delicious barbecue in downtown Missoula. Big servings. We split a plate and had plenty.
The Notorious P.I.G. BBQ
The huckleberry ice cream is so delicious. We split a pre-packed pint and it was so good, but they have hand dipped options as well.
Big Dipper Ice Cream
A beautiful scenic drive with many mountain views and some views of the river. We went into the Bass Creek Recreation area for a view of the valley. Stop at the overlook and turn around. No need to go to the end of the road. With the trees the view is very minimal there. The overlook is much better.
Bitterroot Valley Scenic Drive
Nice overlook. Do not drive to the end of the gravel road, views are limited there due to the trees. Waste of time. But, the overlook of the valley soon as you start to climb is so pretty and worth the side trip.
Bitterroot National Forest : Recreation Site - Bass Creek Trailhead
Very nice place to stay. Clean and comfortable. Fabulous breakfast! Close to the highway. Seems fairly new.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Missoula Northwest
Coeur d'Alene, ID and Spokane WA
We visited these two on our way out instead of backtracking to the airport we came in to and we were so glad we did. Beautiful scenery! Love the lake and waterfalls!
Beautiful lake with mountain views. We took the boat tour and loved it.
Lake Coeur d'Alene | CDA Lake in Northern Idaho
Two hour narrated boat tour with stunning views. We loved it! Our boat had a covered top with tables to sit at as well as a closed in first floor.
Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises
A charming downtown to walk and shop.
Downtown Coeur d'Alene
So many falls to see along the river walk downtown. Beautiful to see! You can take a gondola ride as well, but we did not have time. The falls are massive and impressive!
Spokane Falls (2025) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Reviews)
Delicious pizza downtown Spokane. We had the N. 4 Howard and it was a great choice. Leftovers were so yummy too. Great service. Helpful employees with info about the falls and downtown.
David's Pizza
Very nice hotel. Close to airport. In a secluded area. Clean and comfortable. Felt very safe in this area. Good breakfast.
Hampton Inn Spokane