Category Archives: Montana

Wyoming’s Iconic Moulton Barns Are One Of The Most Photographed Landmarks In The Country

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Grand Teton National Park is home to so much more than remarkable mountains, alpine lakes, and gorgeous, rocky trails. If you spend some time exploring the outskirts of the park, you’ll find historic homesteads, buildings, cabins, and even a beautiful chapel! Of all of the landmarks in the area, though, the most photographed spot in Wyoming is likely down on Mormon Row. The T.A. Moulton and John Moulton barns, which you can find along the Antelope Flats section of the Jackson Hole valley, are the most photographed barns in the entire country.

When Thomas Alma Moulton first created a homestead in an area now known as Antelope Flats, it was 1908 and he was looking for a spot for his brother to settle with him after moving along from Idaho.
Flickr / Tumbling Run
The Moultons didn’t stay here full time, though, and continued to head back to their family in Idaho for the first few years, to escape the brutal winters. In 1912, he married, and his wife Lucille settled with him on Mormon Row for the rest of their lives.

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Few People Know The Ptarmigan Tunnel In Montana’s Glacier National Park Even Exists

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Glacier National Park is full of famous landmarks. Between the iconic Lake McDonald and the legendary Going-to-the-Sun Road, the park is home to some of the most recognizable spots in the state. But unless you’ve explored our state to its fullest, you may not realize that some of the most beautiful places in Montana are actually hidden away from the crowds! Even when it comes to the spectacular and much-loved GNP. Few Montanans and even fewer visitors are aware of the Ptarmigan Tunnel in Glacier National Park… but this is one tucked-away hidden gem you won’t want to miss.

The 240-foot Ptarmigan Tunnel was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s for horses and some early park tours.
GlacierGuyMT / Flickr
Breaking through the mountain took about three months, with workers using steel jackhammers to drill from either side of the tunnel.
These days, a trek to the tunnel involves a bit of a hike.

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6 Mountain Lookouts/Fire Towers In Montana Where You Can Stay Overnight And Feel A Million Miles Away From It All

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In the 1930s, the government began a project of creating a network of lookout cabins throughout the western part of the country to help the Forest Service identify wildfires more quickly. While there are still a few that are active, most were decommissioned by 1990. Today, they’re a unique place for adventure seekers and nature lovers to spend a night or two, enjoying incredible views in complete solitude. Now, these towers may lack the modern conveniences of running water and electricity (you really will be “roughing it”) but what you lack in modern comfort, you gain in 360-degree views of some of the most stunning scenery in Montana. Here are some of our favorite fire lookouts in Montana where you can stay overnight.

1. Yaak Mountain Lookout
Nizo Sutton/Google
Yaak Mountain Lookout, NF-4407, Troy, MT 59935, USA

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There’s A Hobbit Themed Vrbo In Montana And It’s Just Like Spending The Night In The Shire

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Whether you live in Montana or just love to visit, any time spent here is memorable. From fun hiking adventures to beautiful trips at a snowy resort, you’ll undoubtedly leave with memories to call upon for years to come. While it’s certainly easy to enjoy time here, it’s not always easy to find the perfect overnight accommodation. That’s why we love the idea of vacation rentals versus hotels. This one, located in Sanders County, is one of our favorites. The Hobbit-themed vacation rental in Montana provides the perfect background for memories you’ll keep forever.

Welcome to The Shire in Trout Creek. This undoubtedly unique, themed vacation rental in Montana is one of the most delightful places in the state.
Cottage Trout Creek / VRBO.com
The beautiful adults-only cabin is modeled after the houses featured in The Hobbit.
The small town of Trout Creek is nestled in the far reaches of northwest Montana. It’s an idyllic place to calm your mind and get away from the daily grind.

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Have A Rustic Slumber Party At This Cozy Wilderness Retreat In Montana

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Hotel stays certainly have their time and place, but Montana has so many out-of-the-box vacation rentals that it’s usually worth it to venture off the beaten path when it comes to your accommodations. If you’re traveling to Gallatin County anytime soon, spend a couple of nights at this cozy wilderness retreat just outside of Bozeman. It’s secluded enough to feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere but you’ll be close to all kinds of adventures. Book your stay here and have one of the best getaways in Montana.

This charming little retreat is one of the most unique places to stay in Montana. It’s located in Gallatin Gateway.
VRBO
You’ll be treated to views of the Spanish Peaks at every turn, and you’ll enjoy plenty of peace and quiet.
This Montana VRBO vacation rental is a studio space, but you’ll find everything you need inside.

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7 Natural Wonders Unique To The Treasure State That Should Be On Everyone’s Montana Bucket List

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Montana is a state for nature lovers. With land like ours, you can’t help but appreciate it and enjoy it to the fullest. And there are some natural wonders here that you simply won’t find anywhere else.

Whether you’re a lifelong Montanan or you’re just trying to explore as much of the state as possible, there are a few natural wonders you really shouldn’t miss.

7. Lewis & Clark Caverns
Doug ZWick / Flickr
Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park was Montana’s first state park, and it’s well known for having one of the largest limestone caverns in the Northwest. Take a seasonal guided tour and learn about its history as you travel to the depths of the cavern.
Lewis & Clark Caverns
6. Flathead Lake

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The Abandoned Town In Montana That Most People Stay Far, Far Away From

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While the Treasure State lists several ghost towns among its top attractions, some of our abandoned towns are actually a little eerie. Castle Town Montana is no exception; in fact, most Montanans tend to forget it even exists. This beautiful ghost town in Montana is a bit difficult to find and located on private land, so permission is needed to explore it. Luckily, we have some exclusive video content of this abandoned town in Montana, courtesy of YouTube’s SkyworksHD. Let’s take a look…

SkyworksHD / YouTube
Castle is one of many towns created and ruined by the silver rush of the late 1800s. At its peak, it was home to 2,000 residents, a great school, a jail, seven brothels and, of course, several saloons.

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These Beautiful Bed & Breakfasts In Montana Are Overflowing With Charm

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A change of scenery now and then is good for the soul. Sleeping in luxurious quarters and awakening to a freshly prepared breakfast you didn’t have to make and coffee you didn’t have to brew is also good for the soul, we’ve heard. There are some seriously charming bed and breakfasts in Montana, and we find the following accommodations to be especially delightful for rest and relaxation.

1. Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast, Missoula
Blue Mountain Bed & Breakfast / Google
Blue Mountain Bed and Breakfast, 6980 Dead Man Gulch Rd, Missoula, MT 59804, USA

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The One Montana Cave That’s Filled With Ancient Mysteries

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If there’s one state that’s all about preserving its history, it’s Montana. From our excellent museums to our famous Dinosaur Trail, you’ll find pieces of our past all over the state. But one Eastern Montana cave remains a bit of a prehistoric mystery.

Pictograph Cave State Park is located out on Coburn Road in Billings.
AllAroundTheWest / Flickr
The Pictograph Cave site was designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1964 because of its archaeological significance. It’s a place to go to get up close and personal with the ancient past.
The Pictograph, Middle, and Ghost caves (pictured here) were once home to generations of prehistoric hunters.

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Big Sky, Montana Was Named One Of The 50 Most Beautiful Small Towns In America

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We might be biased, but we happen to think every small town in Montana is beautiful. In a state where the largest city is less populated than most states’ mid-sized spots, it’s safe to say that small town living is what we prefer.

But we’re always happy when someone from outside the Treasure State agrees with us, which is why we were so excited to see Big Sky on a list of the 50 Most Beautiful Towns in America. Naturally, we agree with this assessment.

Big Sky is a small mountain town that sits in both Gallatin and Madison Counties, surrounded by the Rocky Mountains.

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