Montana is known for its stunning natural landscapes, and the national parks in Montana are among the most breathtaking in the country. From the rugged mountains to the vast prairies, these protected areas offer visitors a chance to explore some of the most beautiful and unique ecosystems in the world.
List of 8 Historic National Parks in Montana
Below are the choicest national parks in Montana that you don’t want to miss:
1. Glacier National Park
Located in the northwest corner of Montana, Glacier National Park is a true gem of the national park system. This is one of the national parks in Montana that is home to more than 700 miles of trails, pristine lakes, and glacier-carved valleys.
The Glacier national park’s most famous feature is the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a scenic drive that offers stunning views of the park’s peaks and valleys. Visitors can enjoy this view as they walk or hike through the park.
2. Yellowstone National Park
While Yellowstone spans across multiple states, a significant portion of the park is located in Montana. Known for its geysers, hot springs, and diverse wildlife, Yellowstone is a must-see destination among the several national parks in Montana.
For any nature lover, this park brings alive all of nature’s true beauty and it is indeed a wonder to behold. Visitors can take in the park’s famous Old Faithful geyser or explore the Lamar Valley, which is home to a large population of bison and wolves.
3. Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
Located in Deer Lodge, Montana, Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site is a working cattle ranch that preserves the history of ranching in the American West. Visitors can tour the historic buildings and learn about the ranch’s history and the role it played in the development of the cattle industry in the region. Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site is a national park in Montana with rich history and you can enjoy this by taking a walk within the park.
4. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Located on the Montana-Wyoming border, the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is a stunning landscape of rugged canyons and towering cliffs. This is one of the national parks in Montana where visitors can explore the park’s hiking trails, take a boat tour of the canyon, or go fishing in the Bighorn River. There are lots of fun activities to enjoy within this park.
5. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
Located in southeastern Montana, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is one of the national parks in Montana that preserves the site of the 1876 Battle of the Little Bighorn.
Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the battlefield inside the park and learn about the battle that marked the end of the Sioux and Cheyenne’s traditional way of life. Other fun activities like hiking can also be done within the park.
6. Big Hole National Battlefield
Big Hole National Battlefield is the famous national park in Montana that houses the resting sites of the Nez Perce, soldiers and volunteers who died and were buried here. The Big Hole National Battlefield is indeed big as it has up to 1,010 acres of land. Unlike other national parks in Montana, the Big Hole National Battlefield is a memorial site and regarded with much reverence than other parks.
This is one of the reasons you won’t find tourists hiking or participating in other fun activities here often. The battle took place on August 9 and 10, 1877 and was recorded as the largest battle fought between the Nez Perce and the U.S. Government.
7. Fort Union Trading Post National Historical Site
Fort Union Trading Post is a national park in Montana with great historic sites. In this park, there are stories of the different tribes including, Blackfeet, Crow, Ojibwa and others of how they traded buffalo robes and furs for clay pipes, cookware, alcohol and guns.
Tourists can visit the famous trade house inside the park; they can also go for hiking or a walk to enjoy the ambience of the environment.
8. Nez Perce National Historical Park
This is one of the national parks in Montana that has different sites which have strong cultural and historical importance to the Native American tribes. These tribes were only those who are the original inhabitants of the area before the Europeans settled in.
Tourists can visit this national park to take historical tours and also learn about the past history of the inhabitants of the land before they were conquered. The Nez Perce National Historical Park was officially established in 1965 and it was later expanded with the inclusion of a museum in 1983.
In conclusion, the national parks Montana offer visitors a chance to explore some of the most stunning landscapes in the country. Whether you are interested in hiking, wildlife watching, or learning about the history of the American West, these parks are a must-see for anyone visiting the state.
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