Top Montana Tours: Sightseeing & Cruises You Should Know
Montana, also called the Treasure State, has stunning scenery, that’s for sure. Think towering mountains, seemingly endless plains, and shimmering lakes. When you get the urge to see some top-notch sights and explore, you need options, right? So, finding the ideal tour, sightseeing trip, or maybe a cruise can really make all the difference. It can change a nice trip into a super memorable experience. From wildlife tours, that’s right, to historical trips and peaceful cruises, there truly is something out there for every kind of traveler. I mean, isn’t that very exciting?
1. Glacier National Park Tours
Glacier National Park, in northwest Montana, boasts big mountains, and, too it’s almost as if they’re mirror images in its beautiful lakes. Exploring this place, it’s often called the “Crown of the Continent,” arguably calls for expert help. Why? Because Glacier is huge. Guided tours are available for hikes, bus trips, and even boat rides. Rangers can also, too it’s almost, provide insights into the area’s geology, the plant life you’ll see, and the furry residents you’re likely to encounter. Tours typically usually range from short day trips to adventures, maybe several days that allow you to immerse yourself totally in the park’s gorgeous landscape. Anyway, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for bears, mountain goats, and other creatures that call this place home! Is that fun or what? Read our full review: Glacier National Park Tours Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Glacier National Park Tours)
Popular Options
- Going-to-the-Sun Road Tours: This is a great scenic drive that goes right through the heart of the park. Bus tours give awesome views and also a history lesson, that’s correct.
- Hiking Tours: Led by very experienced guides, they can really help you see the hidden parts and, arguably, spots in the park and show you what makes it special.
- Boat Tours: Take one on Lake McDonald or St. Mary Lake to experience amazing views and find out things, you know, that the average person doesn’t.
2. Yellowstone National Park Tours from Montana
Did you know Yellowstone straddles a little bit of Montana? Very few people know. Even though most of Yellowstone sits in Wyoming, accessing it from Montana can actually, anyway, be pretty convenient. That said, day trips are a great way to see main sights like Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and the Yellowstone Grand Canyon without needing to deal with where you’re staying in the park. And, as a matter of fact, tour guides, might be, offer insight into Yellowstone’s special geothermal activity, the wildlife that lives there, and how it all started. What an adventure that will be! Read our full review: Yellowstone National Park Tours from Montana Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Yellowstone Tours from Montana)
What to Expect
- Wildlife Watching: Many Yellowstone tours focus closely on seeing creatures, for example, bison, elk, bears, and wolves.
- Geothermal Wonders: These tours highlight spots that are hot springs, geysers, and mud pots; just incredible sights to see.
- Educational Experiences: Guides will usually, often, tell you things about Yellowstone’s volcanic past and explain what makes its ecology unique.
3. Missouri River Cruises
The Missouri River, being that it’s the longest river, seems to cut across Montana. Now that would be an adventure. A lot of people don’t realize that it offers chances for peaceful and historical river trips. Taking a cruise really is a great way to get away from it all, appreciate Montana’s riversides, and explore parts that others really, really, just don’t see as often. Some cruises concentrate closely on the Lewis and Clark Trail, and that’s a lot to focus on, highlighting points that had an effect on that famous expedition. Read our full review: Missouri River Cruises Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Missouri River Cruises)
Cruise Highlights
- Lewis and Clark History: Spot significant historical locations and hear tales of exploration from the Lewis and Clark trip.
- Scenic Views: Relax out on the water, and be ready to enjoy really picturesque bluffs, prairies, and spots for watching critters.
- Relaxation: These cruises offer a more peaceful travel pace; it’s a chance to unwind and appreciate the serene atmosphere.
4. Virginia City and Nevada City Tours
Go back into Montana’s wild days in these, kind of, wonderfully preserved gold rush towns. Both cities are living museums that let us see what things were really like back when Montana was first being made. Guided tours go a little bit over the histories of the towns, pointing out sites where outlaws hung out, big fortunes were created, and legends were definitely born. What do you think? I wonder what treasures we can discover there? These tours tend to bring the Old West back to life and give you an engaging glimpse into Montana’s gold mining story. Anyway, let me tell you: It’s pretty impressive to experience! Read our full review: Virginia City and Nevada City Tours Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Virginia & Nevada City Tours)
What You’ll Discover
- Historical Sites: Explore original buildings, saloons, and the old-time opera house.
- Living History: Experience reenactments and demonstrations that show what life was like back in the 1800s.
- Ghost Tours: Those brave at heart are more than welcome to go to places considered haunted with guides, that way they might find all the unknown details.
5. Wildlife Watching Tours
Montana has the greatest, really diverse wildlife. So, you can see some amazing furry things in the state’s rough backcountry. Many tours focus closely on tracking and seeing creatures in natural habitats. Guides really understand where you might, actually, get to see things such as bears, wolves, elk, deer, and bighorn sheep. This adventure is not just about watching creatures. Also, too it’s almost, all the guides are super informed, so it’s like getting a class in ecology and saving places for the animals, too. I mean, that seems pretty important, too. Read our full review: Wildlife Watching Tours Montana Full Review and Details. See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Wildlife Tours Montana)
Where to Find Them
- National Parks: Look for tour programs inside Glacier and Yellowstone for some great opportunities for safe viewing.
- Private Ranches and Preserves: Quite a few private lands have really top-notch guided excursions with way fewer folks around and an amazing perspective on animals in their areas.
- Guided Hikes: You could choose foot trips through parks with specialists showing you which critters hang in certain parts.
