Considering it can snow in Montana at any time (and often does, in fact, in early summer), we fully embrace the blissful few months when we can take a nice, scenic drive without worry. There’s something nostalgic about packing up some snacks and hitting the road for a relaxing Sunday drive, and these roads happen to be perfect for just that.
- Beartooth Highway
Tenn4ever / TripAdvisor This is the time of year where the Beartooth Highway is nice and clear. And considering it’s one of the most scenic drives in the entire country, if you live anywhere near Red Lodge, you should hit the road this summer.
- Highway 12 around Lolo Pass
dunadan / TripAdvisor The pass is the highest point of the historic Lolo Trail, between the Bitterroot Valley in Montana and the Weippe Prairie in Idaho. And this time of year, it’s absolutely beautiful.
- Highway 191 from Bozeman to West Yellowstone
Garen M. / Flickr The Gallatin River Canyon is an 89 mile drive with amazing views. And in the summertime, it’s especially spectacular.
- Bears Paw Mountains Scenic Drive
Troy Smith / Flickr This route takes you through the heart of the Bears Paw Mountains in north-central Montana. The 76-mile stretch is isolated and remote, so it’s the perfect place to enjoy some solitude.
- Highway 49, or Looking Glass Road
Jeff Hitchcock / Flickr If you’re spending some time at Glacier National Park this summer, the best scenic drive along the east side is Looking Glass Road. The windy drive takes you through part of the Blackfeet Reservation, with gorgeous vistas all along the way.
- Big Sheep Creek Back Country Byway
Mats Skölving / Flickr This scenic drive takes you through the Big Sheep Canyon in Southwest Montana, and summer is the perfect season to drive the 50-mile stretch.
- East Fork Road
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr Highway 238 between Lewistown and Judith Gap takes you to East Fork Dam, where it becomes Red Hill Road and parallels the East Fork Big Springs Creek. If you follow the route all the way to Judith Gap, you’ll be treated to great views of the Big Snowy Mountains.
- Bitterroot Valley Scenic Drive
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr Cruise through the Bitterroot Valley near Sula and you’ll see the Bitterroot Mountains, the Bitterroot River, large plains, historic towns, and probably some wildlife. This drive is gorgeous and unspoiled.
- Going-to-the-Sun Road
daveynin / Flickr Last but certainly not least, Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road is an iconic drive full of amazing beauty. Take your time with this one – you’ll want to stop a lot along the way.
Summer flies by here in the Treasure State. Have you made your bucket list yet?
Tenn4ever / TripAdvisor
This is the time of year where the Beartooth Highway is nice and clear. And considering it’s one of the most scenic drives in the entire country, if you live anywhere near Red Lodge, you should hit the road this summer.
dunadan / TripAdvisor
The pass is the highest point of the historic Lolo Trail, between the Bitterroot Valley in Montana and the Weippe Prairie in Idaho. And this time of year, it’s absolutely beautiful.
Garen M. / Flickr
The Gallatin River Canyon is an 89 mile drive with amazing views. And in the summertime, it’s especially spectacular.
Troy Smith / Flickr
This route takes you through the heart of the Bears Paw Mountains in north-central Montana. The 76-mile stretch is isolated and remote, so it’s the perfect place to enjoy some solitude.
Jeff Hitchcock / Flickr
If you’re spending some time at Glacier National Park this summer, the best scenic drive along the east side is Looking Glass Road. The windy drive takes you through part of the Blackfeet Reservation, with gorgeous vistas all along the way.
Mats Skölving / Flickr
This scenic drive takes you through the Big Sheep Canyon in Southwest Montana, and summer is the perfect season to drive the 50-mile stretch.
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr
Highway 238 between Lewistown and Judith Gap takes you to East Fork Dam, where it becomes Red Hill Road and parallels the East Fork Big Springs Creek. If you follow the route all the way to Judith Gap, you’ll be treated to great views of the Big Snowy Mountains.
Cruise through the Bitterroot Valley near Sula and you’ll see the Bitterroot Mountains, the Bitterroot River, large plains, historic towns, and probably some wildlife. This drive is gorgeous and unspoiled.
daveynin / Flickr
Last but certainly not least, Glacier National Park’s Going-to-the-Sun Road is an iconic drive full of amazing beauty. Take your time with this one – you’ll want to stop a lot along the way.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
