7 Beautiful Small Towns In Montana With Easy National Park Access

From majestic mountains to glaciers and icefields to lush forests and alpine meadows to scenic lakes and numerous wildlife, Montana gives countless breathtaking landscapes and alternatives for outside recreation.

The state is most acknowledged for its two nationwide parks, Yellowstone and Glacier, that are two of the most beautiful national parks in the US, and supply one thing for everybody, whether or not you have an interest in paddling waterways, climbing scenic trails, or exploring its nice number of ski areas.

Whereas the world-famous nationwide parks stay bucket-list-worthy gadgets, visiting the small cities close by, that are an integral a part of what makes Montana so nice, is usually a deal with. These small communities uniquely mix breathtaking surroundings and outside recreation with improbable historic, cultural, artwork, and culinary choices. Listed here are a few of the most stunning small cities in Montana with straightforward nationwide park entry.

7

Columbia Falls

Close to Glacier Nationwide Park, 17.5 miles from the doorway

Though Columbia Falls, nestled alongside the Flathead River, was settled within the 1800s, it wasn’t till 1909 that it was formally included. It’s recognized for being a year-round outside hub near Glacier Nationwide Park, one of many most popular national parks in the USA.

Due to its central location, it additionally offers quick access to Flathead Lake and Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort. Its cozy and stress-free really feel makes it one of many good weekend trip spots to correctly unwind.

Do you know Glacier Nationwide Park is among the many places that might not exist in ten years? That is due to the opportunity of all of the glaciers melting by 2030, due to the elevated price of world warming.

6

Cooke Metropolis

Close to Yellowstone, 4 miles from the doorway

Probably the most underrated small cities close to Yellowstone, Cooke Metropolis, is without doubt one of the good weekend getaways you don’t need to miss in Montana. Solely 4 miles from Yellowstone’s northeast entrance, the city gives countless scenic views and outside recreation year-round, due to the encompassing pure wonders, together with Custer Gallatin and Shoshone Nationwide Forests.

Cooke Metropolis has a vibrant downtown with loads of enjoyable alternatives, together with the Cooke City General Store, which was inbuilt 1886 and is on the Nationwide Historic Register. Get an perception into the city’s fascinating historical past on the Cooke City Mountain Museum.

5

Gardiner

Close to Yellowstone Nationwide Park, 0.8 miles from the doorway

Gardiner has been a serious gateway to Yellowstone Nationwide Park because the park was established in 1872 and is at present the one year-round entrance to the park. The city has loads of scenic pure options, together with the Yellowstone River, which flows by way of it and gives unimaginable fly-fishing alternatives, and quite a lot of wildlife.

Soak within the geothermal swimming pools of Chico Hot Spring Resort, proper exterior the city. Discover Gardiner Market, which has quite a lot of merchandise, together with outside gear, alcoholic drinks, baked items, and extra.

4

West Glacier

Close to Glacier Nationwide Park, 0.6 miles from the doorway

West Glacier is easily the best small town just minutes from Glacier National Park; its location is barely 0.6 miles from the West Entrance of Glacier Nationwide Park, and its gorgeous surroundings and countless choices for outside adventures make it some of the stunning cities in Montana with straightforward nationwide park entry.

Aside from being a basecamp for exploring Glacier, this group is dwelling to its personal distinctive choices, together with Glacier View Golf Course, which gives a wonderful {golfing} expertise with gorgeous views of the environment. You’ll additionally take pleasure in nice culinary and eating adventures in West Glacier.

3

West Yellowstone

Close to Yellowstone Nationwide Park, 1.1 miles from the doorway

One of many best small towns near Yellowstone National Park, West Yellowstone is true exterior the West Entrance of America’s first nationwide park. It’s the most well-liked entrance to Yellowstone and gives a few of the most unimaginable journey alternatives obtainable throughout the park.

Past being the gateway to Yellowstone, West Yellowstone is dwelling to its personal points of interest, together with the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, the place you’ll be able to take pleasure in fascinating displays of grizzlies, wolves, otters, raptors, and extra. Be taught in regards to the historical past of Yellowstone Nationwide Park and Yellowstone on the Yellowstone Historic Middle.

2

Silver Gate

Close to Yellowstone Nationwide Park, 1.1 miles from the doorway

Based in 1932, Silver Gate is without doubt one of the stunning small cities in Montana with nationwide park entry on its doorstep. It’s just one.1 miles from Yellowstone Nationwide Park’s northeast entrance and is value exploring for scenic views, proximity to loads of outside actions, and the simple small-town attraction.

From scenic driving alongside the Beartooth Scenic Highway, the most scenic highway in the U.S., to admiring its rustic structure and distinctive eating experiences, just like the Log Cabin Café, which serves a few of the most scrumptious meals, proper from a historic cabin, Silver Gate simply earns its place amongst Montana’s most stunning nationwide park cities.

1

St. Mary

Close to Glacier Nationwide Park, 0.1 mile from the doorway

Positioned on Glacier’s east entrance and America’s most scenic route, Going-to-the-Sun Road, St. Mary is one more some of the stunning cities in Montana close to Glacier Nationwide Park. It makes the right basecamp for exploring Glacier, due to its number of lodging alternatives, from rustic cabins and motels to luxurious accommodations.

St. Mary itself, which is easily the most adorable town on Glacier’s doorstep, additionally gives loads of enjoyable issues to do, from rafting on the scenic St. Mary River and cruising the St. Mary Lake to exploring interactive displays on the customer heart. This city is without doubt one of the greatest spots close to Glacier Nationwide Park to go to for spectacular views, which you’ll be able to take pleasure in from all instructions.