In Montana, you’ll find stunning views on our lakeshores, from the tops of our trails, and across our valleys and fields. But sometimes, you’ll see the best scenery while staring out your windshields. Our country roads and scenic byways are second to none, and these nine offer some of the best windshield views in the Treasure State.
- National Bison Range
f4ranch / TripAdvisor The 26 mile drive through the National Bison Range (also known as Red Sleep Mountain Drive) is restricted to day use, but you’ll want to go during daylight hours so you can get a good glimpse of all the wildlife in the area.
- Mt. Haggin Scenic Drive
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr Stretching from Anaconda to Wise River, this 31-mile drive features views of sweeping grasslands and mountain peaks. If you need to stop and stretch your legs, you’ll find great hiking trails in the Beaverhead National Forest.
- Looking Glass Hill Road
Wikipedia Highway 49 is a winding 24-mile road that takes you through some of Glacier National Park’s finest spots. Summer is obviously the best time to drive it, but you’ll also see spectacular colors in the fall.
- Going-to-the-Sun Road
daveynin / Flickr Speaking of Glacier National Park drives, everyone should take Going-to-the-Sun Road at least once in a lifetime. If you’d rather not make the drive yourself, you can always take a Red Bus Tour and take in the views from their windshields instead.
- Bridger Canyon (Highway 86)
LunchboxLarry / Flickr Bozeman’s Bridger Canyon Road follows the Bridger Mountain Range to the west and the Bangtail Mountains to the east. Every bit of this 38-mile drive is breathtaking.
- Big Sky Back Country Byway
Bureau of Land Management / Flickr Eastern Montana has such a unique and understated beauty. The Big Sky Byway connects the Yellowstone and the Missouri Rivers, taking you past the Terry Badlands, Circle, and Wolf Point.
- Garnet Back Country Byway
Kelli Koob / Flickr The Garnet Byway is a 12-mile drive through the Garnet Mountain Range. You’ll climb 2,000 feet into the mountains, taking in views of the Blackfoot River Valley and the Swan Range.
- Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway
CrankingChick / TripAdvisor The scenery in Northwest Montana is unparalleled, and this 67-mile drive that connects Libby and Eureka is simply magical. If you can, go with someone else and take turns behind the wheel.
- Highway 191 from Bozeman to West Yellowstone
Garen M. / Flickr If you’ve ever taken this route to Yellowstone National Park, you already know how amazing it is. From rivers to mountains and forest land, you’ll see a little bit of everything on the drive.
Montana has some incredibly picturesque routes. In fact, we’re home to one of the most scenic drives in America.
f4ranch / TripAdvisor
The 26 mile drive through the National Bison Range (also known as Red Sleep Mountain Drive) is restricted to day use, but you’ll want to go during daylight hours so you can get a good glimpse of all the wildlife in the area.
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr
Stretching from Anaconda to Wise River, this 31-mile drive features views of sweeping grasslands and mountain peaks. If you need to stop and stretch your legs, you’ll find great hiking trails in the Beaverhead National Forest.
Wikipedia
Highway 49 is a winding 24-mile road that takes you through some of Glacier National Park’s finest spots. Summer is obviously the best time to drive it, but you’ll also see spectacular colors in the fall.
daveynin / Flickr
Speaking of Glacier National Park drives, everyone should take Going-to-the-Sun Road at least once in a lifetime. If you’d rather not make the drive yourself, you can always take a Red Bus Tour and take in the views from their windshields instead.
LunchboxLarry / Flickr
Bozeman’s Bridger Canyon Road follows the Bridger Mountain Range to the west and the Bangtail Mountains to the east. Every bit of this 38-mile drive is breathtaking.
Bureau of Land Management / Flickr
Eastern Montana has such a unique and understated beauty. The Big Sky Byway connects the Yellowstone and the Missouri Rivers, taking you past the Terry Badlands, Circle, and Wolf Point.
Kelli Koob / Flickr
The Garnet Byway is a 12-mile drive through the Garnet Mountain Range. You’ll climb 2,000 feet into the mountains, taking in views of the Blackfoot River Valley and the Swan Range.
CrankingChick / TripAdvisor
The scenery in Northwest Montana is unparalleled, and this 67-mile drive that connects Libby and Eureka is simply magical. If you can, go with someone else and take turns behind the wheel.
Garen M. / Flickr
If you’ve ever taken this route to Yellowstone National Park, you already know how amazing it is. From rivers to mountains and forest land, you’ll see a little bit of everything on the drive.
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