Visitors love Montana. Spectacular snow-covered mountains, vast prairie lands, and beautiful forests make Montana a special place. Wild rivers and streams are filled with rainbow trout and other fishes. Elk, bear and other wildlife are bountiful in Montana.

Montana's early history is a story of Indians, mountain men, and prospectors. Until the mid-1800s, thousands of buffalo grazed the short-grass prairies. In the 1870s, large cattle ranches developed thoughout many areas in Montana Territory.

Later, homesteaders arrived to settle the land and build towns. Home was often a log cabin. Statehood was achieved in 1889. Today, agriculture, manufacturing, and service-related industries (such as tourism), dominate Montana's economy.

With a population of 902,195 people in a land area of 147,000 square miles, Montana is a sparsely populated state. So there's plenty of room to roam, in the countryside and in the cities.

Eastern Montana is a vast region of rolling plains. Grasslands with few trees dominate the landscape. Huge wheat farms and cattle ranches are common in eastern Montana.

In central Montana, the plains are dotted with small mountain ranges. Cattle ranching is a way of life. Mule deer and antelope roam the prairies throughout eastern and central Montana.

Western Montana is a region of magnificent mountains. Welcome to the Rocky Mountains. The Absaroka Range near Billings is snow covered much of the year and reaches over 12,000 feet in elevation.

The wild and pristine landscape of western Montana is home to mountain lions, and grizzly bears. Gray wolves are common in Yellowstone Park.

Montana has exciting historical places. Wonderful museums are found in cities, big and small. Fishing, hunting, camping, and skiing are popular activities.

"Old West" traditions live on in Montana. Cowboys drive cattle high up into the mountains to feed on lush summer grasses. Indians, in full native dress, gather to celebrate their customs at the Lewis and Clark County fairgrounds in Helena and other cities around the state.

Montana is the "Treasure State." This slogan symbolizes wealth derived from the state's rich gold and silver deposits. True to its history, Montana is a genuine treasure, with its abundant natural resources and friendly people.

Montana Traveler Tweets Directions to Yellowstone National Park from NPS Photo gallery of mountainous western Montana	Travel Regions Map Yellowstone Country Gold Country Ranchland Discoveryland Wilderness Country	Bargain Hotels, Motels, and Bed & Breakfast Lodging in Montana Enjoy the great Montana Outdoors Wilderness Walks Photo gallery of plains of eastern Montana
View a physical map of Montana.	Many grizzly bears call Yellowstone Park home	Yellowstone Park

THE BEST OF MONTANA

Scenic Area

• Gates of the Mountains near Helena

Scenic Highway

• Beartooth Highway, U.S. Hwy. 212 near Red Lodge

Natural Site

• Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone Park

Lake

• Flathead Lake near Kalispell

Museum

• Montana Historical Society Museum in Helena

 Restaurant

• The Granary in Billings

Western Store

• Hoglund's Work and Western Wear in Great Falls

Sports Store

• Big Bear Sports Center in Billings

Scenic Drive

• I-15, Helena to Great Falls 

Small Towns

• Lewistown

• Red Lodge

• Hamilton

Historical Site

• Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument near Hardin

Nightlife

• Missoula

Mountains

• Bitterroot Mountains along U.S. Highway 93 south of Missoula

Wildlife

• Grizzly Bear

Montana: Campgrounds | Guest Ranches | Outfitters and Guides
State Parks | Golf Courses  | Art Galleries/Museums | Churches
Start: Travel Planning

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Copyright © 2012 by John Sandy

MONTANA TRAVELER