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Jun 7, 2018

One of the many gorgeous state parks in Montana | Taylor's Auto MaxLocated in central Montana, Great Falls is one of the largest cities in the state. While there’s plenty to do within the city limits, the city’s location makes it an ideal place for exploration. Whether you want to see the vast outdoor beauty of Montana, go for a hike, or snap a few pictures, Great Falls is the perfect base camp for your next road trip.

Glacier National Park

Two hours south of Great Falls lies the majestic Glacier National Park. Featuring landscapes that look like something out of a movie, the park has the highest concentration of glaciers in the contiguous 48 states, providing epic backdrops for photos or a picnic.

Grinnell Glacier, Hidden Lake, Iceberg Lake, Virginia Falls, and St. Mary’s Falls are the most-visited attractions in the park, although over 700 miles of hiking trails give you ample opportunity to find a gem of your own. Keep a look out for elks, foxes, mountain goats, mountain lions, and grizzly bears along your journey to round out this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Helena

Take the 90-mile trip on Interstate 15 South, and you’ll end up in Montana’s capital city of Helena. Founded as a base camp during the Montana gold rush of the 1860s, Helena was one of the world’s wealthiest cities and home to over 50 millionaires at its height. While the gold was all but gone by the 1880s, many residents remained in Helena because of its picturesque settings and short but warm summers.

Today, Helena is the center of government in Montana and an awesome place to visit. Take a tour of the capitol building, explore the Victorian-era architecture, enjoy a craft brew, or attend a minor league baseball game on your visit. Whatever your tastes or interests, you’ll find it in this surprisingly awesome city.

Mount Wright

Head 90 miles west of Great Falls on U.S. Route 89 to arrive at Mount Wright, one of the tallest hikeable mountains in the state. Standing at 8,875 feet, Mount Wright offers sweeping views of Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness — a view that few visitors ever see.

You’ll want to get in shape before tackling this hike as it ascends over 3,500 feet to the summit and covers 7 miles round-trip. However, it is one of the only mountains with a clearly marked trail, giving you an easier path to the top than other unmarked paths. Go on a weekday to avoid crowds and enjoy the views with a few of the resident mountain goats.

Missoula

A three-hour trip west on Montana Route 200 puts you in Missoula, one of the state’s largest and most intriguing cities. Home to the University of Montana, a preserved fort, art galleries, music venues, restaurants, and nightlife, Missoula is the most entertaining city in the state. Keep an eye for some of the city’s annual events such as the Big Sky Film Festival or the oddly named Maggotfest, which is a famous 36-team rugby tournament.

Wherever you decide to go on your next road trip, Great Falls is an awesome place to start your journey.

 

Image via diosthenese, Licensed via CC BY 2.0