Montana
9 Ideal Montana Destinations for a 3-Day Weekend in 2024
The majestic state of Montana, home to several national parks and a multitude of state, city, and county parks, is also home to a plethora of historical and cultural locales as well. Montana is known by some as the Land of Big Sky and others as the Treasure State, a premier location for some of the best weekend getaways in the United States. Discover nine of the most ideal three-day weekend retreats, from Glacier National Park and the Going-To-The-Sun road to Whitefish Lake and Whitefish Lake State Park, that will astound and excite every member of the family.
West Glacier
The pastoral town of West Glacier is home to the Glacier National Park, which offers a multitude of outdoor activities, like kayaking and fishing in Lake McDonald and taking a drive with the family along the Going-to-the-Sun road. It is also home to many restaurants and other establishments that are worth visiting, especially if you haven’t had the opportunity before. Belton Grill at the Historic Belton Chalet serves up a tasty Pappardelle and the Great Northern Railway Cafe has everything from frozen yogurt to a fresh Reuben sandwich. There are also a variety of shops in West Glacier, like Swan Mountain Outfitters, that are ready to provide anything you might need, on the trail or otherwise.
Big Timber
The town of Big Timber, home to Crazy Mountain Museum, Natural Bridge Falls, and the Big Timber Pro Rodeo, is also home to less than two thousand permanent residents. This does not prevent this quaint mountain town from having several attractions perfect for that 3-day weekend getaway. Many great eateries and lodging choices are in Big Timber, including Grand Hotel & Restaurant, offering a tasty meal as well as a comfy bed, the Big Timber Bakery, serving up a great Reuben sandwich, and Valley Guest House B&B, famous for its views of the scenic mountains. Plus, upon arriving in town, visitors can stop by the Sweet Grass County Visitor Center for an updated list of all the events taking place in town.
Kalispell
Scenic street view of shops and hotels in Kalispell, Montana. Editorial credit: Nick Fox / Shutterstock.com
The town of Kalispell, located in Flathead County, is a great place to spend a 3-day weekend, either with friends or family. Home to three state parks – Flathead Lake, Wild Horse Island, and Lone Pine – there is so much to do in this small town that it might take many weekends to be able to see it all. The Conrad Mansion, built in 1895, and the Northwest Montana History Museum provide a keen sense of history, while several fun parks, like Woodland Water Park, are available to entertain kids of all ages. For that home away from home feeling, the Lonesome Dove Guest Ranch offers guided horseback riding, free wifi, and free breakfast the next morning.
Ekalaka
Looking to get away from everything and still have fun? The quaint town of Ekalaka, located on the southeastern corner of Montana, might be the ideal choice for you. With four hundred permanent residents, this pastoral town is home to farms and ranches. Yet there are many outdoor attractions in Ekalaka that make it worth the visit. Known for offering up millions of years of Montana history, Carter County Museum is home to everything from dinosaur fossils to ancient military artifacts.
Medicine Rocks State Park, visited by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1884, showcases Medicine Rocks, which are sandstone pillars perforated with many holes. Some dining and lodging choices include eating at the Wagon Wheel Cafe and staying at the Guest House Hotel, both of which are only steps away from the museum.
West Yellowstone
On the western side of Yellowstone National Park, the town of West Yellowstone, hence the name, is known for several outdoor amenities that are excellent for getting all the family to commune with nature. Hebgen Lake, Yellowstone River, and Earthquake Lake are close enough to town for water adventures, like kayaking, swimming, boating, and fishing. Plus, the Diamond P. Ranch is right outside of town, offering guided horseback riding tours through the magnificence of the Gallatin National Forest.
There are also several activities available in town, the Museum of the Yellowstone and the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. You can also sleep comfortably at West Yellowstone Bed & Breakfast, located only five minutes from the western entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
Hungry Horse
Hungry Horse Reservoir view from Mount Doris 4-wheeling trail.
The quaint town of Hungry Horse, situated along the Flathead River, is best known for Hungry Horse Reservoir, Hornet Lookout, and the Huckleberry Patch, a great place to taste a delicious slice of Huckleberry Pie. Downtown Hungry Horse is also only fifteen minutes away from the western entrance of Glacier National Park and quite close to Lion Lake and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Reserve, which is more than a million acres of untamed wilderness named after Bob Marshall, who was one of the founders of the Wilderness Society. If you’re looking for an elk and buffalo burger, the Great Bear Cafe is famous for theirs. Glacier B&B offers a comfy bed and a delicious breakfast the next morning.
Anaconda
Possibly one of the best places to choose for that 3-day weekend getaway with the family, the town of Anaconda has many outdoor attractions that urge visitors to return year after year. Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park showcases the tallest free-standing brick structures in the world. Lost Creek State Park offers ample opportunities for hiking, biking, and fishing, along with stunning views at Lost Creek Falls. There are also several excellent dining choices in Anaconda.
Donivan’s is great for their crab legs and parmesan fries, O’Bella serves up fresh, made-from-scratch Italian cuisine, and Peppermint Patty’s makes a mean pork chop sandwich. Plus, the Hickory House Inn offers free parking, free wifi, and a free breakfast each morning.
Helena
The picturesque town of Helena, perhaps known best for being the capital city of Montana and home to the cathedral of Saint Helena, is also home to around thirty thousand people. This does not inhibit this magnificent town from being peaceful and quaint. Neither does it prohibit it from having a plethora of activities and attributes available to engage the attention of those who visit. Mount Helena City Park, over six hundred acres of trails and paths, awaits to challenge even the most intrepid of hiking enthusiasts. The Holter Museum of Art and the Montana Historical Society Museum are available to arouse even the strongest cynic, and the Tizer Botanic Gardens, ten miles south of Helena in Jefferson City, is ready to astound even the most passionate gardeners.
Whitefish
Twenty miles to the east of Hungry Horse and twenty miles north of Kalispell, the town of Whitefish is best known for being home to Whitefish Lake, a five square mile natural body of water, and Whitefish Lake State Park, providing an opportunity for outdoor water sports, including line fishing, boating, hiking, picnicking, and camping. Along with the recreational wonders of the lake and park, Whitefish is also home to Whitefish Depot, an example of Tudor Revival architecture showcasing the town’s history. There are also some great restaurants and lodging choices in town, including Loula’s Cafe for a tasty breakfast, the Craggy Range for a great burger and fries, and the Garden Wall Inn, in case you wish to sleep indoors.
Discover Montana’s Best Weekend Getaways
In conclusion, there are so many natural, historical, and cultural attributes in this majestic western state that it might be difficult to pick just one. The good thing is that you don’t have to. Whether you are in the southeast, up north, out west, or even somewhere in the center, there is something for every member of the family in Montana. Whether it is camping in Glacier National Park, learning the history of Medicine Rocks, or trying a tasty burger at the Great Bear Cafe, enjoy a great 3-day weekend this year.
MISSOULA — Sam Forstag edged out Ryan Busse to secure the Democratic nomination in Montana’s 1st Congressional District.
Busse conceded the race to Forstag on Wednesday morning. Forstag had trailed behind Busse Tuesday evening, but he made up ground as the votes were counted into the early hours of Wednesday morning. The other two candidates in the race, Russl Cleveland and Matt Rains, are sitting at third and fourth, respectively.
Forstag leads in close race for Montana’s 1st Congressional District
Forstag spent eight years as a wildland firefighter, including four as a smokejumper, and he’s been vice president of the local National Federation of Federal Employees union. Last week, U.S. House of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, held a rally in Missoula to support Forstag’s campaign.
He told MTN on Tuesday that his campaign has been for the working class.
“We got a whole lot of people here that have been working their tail off to finally get some working-class representation in Washington,” Forstag noted. “So proud of everything we’ve done and so grateful.”
Forstag further noted he wants Montanans to be able to afford groceries, have universal free childcare and restore and expand Affordable Health Care Act subsidies.
“Hearing people’s stories and struggles and commonalities in the ways that we’re all fighting in the system that does not serve us so often, and the government serves corporations and the richest people in this country more than working people. It has been frustrating and saddening, but it has also inspired so much hope in me, like the fixes we can actually make,” he told MTN.
The 1st Congressional District covers much of western Montana, including Kalispell, Missoula, Butte and Bozeman. It is currently held by Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Montana, who chose not to seek reelection.
By securing the nomination, Forstag is slated tol face off against Libertarian candidate Nick Sheedy and Republican candidate Aaron Flint in November.
Brian Miller won the Democratic primary Tuesday for the U.S. House seat in Montana’s eastern district.
The Associated Press called the race for Miller, an attorney in Helena, who fended off a challenge from state Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, a longtime legislator from Box Elder, and Sam Lux, a farrier from Great Falls.
In the Republican and rural eastern district, any Democrat will be an underdog, and Miller will face off against incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Troy Downing, who was unopposed Tuesday.
Libertarian Patrick McCracken is also running.
In the primary, Miller took 58% of the vote. Lux took 27% and Windy Boy took 16%, according to the Montana Secretary of State’s website.
In April, Windy Boy paused his campaign amid “serious sexual abuse” allegations raised by the Montana Democratic Party — but Windy Boy restarted his campaign and later called the allegations “political attacks.”
Miller is representing the victim of the alleged abuse and her mother, although he said he didn’t take on the role until after Windy Boy initially suspended his campaign.
The Western Montana Food and Farm Trail, a new agritourism initiative led by Farm Connect Montana, launches May 30, offering locals and visitors a new kind of food and farm adventure across Western Montana.
Running June 1 through October 31, the self-guided Trail spans more than 200 miles and features more than 100 farms, ranches, farmers markets, restaurants, breweries and food businesses across the Missoula, Bitterroot, Flathead and Mission Valleys. Along the way, participants are invited to meet growers and makers, taste what’s in season and experience the culture and care behind Western Montana’s local food community.
At the center of the experience is the passport-style Trail Field Guide, illustrated by Missoula-based artist Courtney Blazon. The guide features illustrated maps, curated itineraries, seasonal highlights and more than 100 local food destinations throughout the region. The guide also includes more than $130 in special offers from participating farms and businesses.
Participants can collect stamps at Trail stops along the way to qualify for prizes, giveaways, or simply as a way to document their journey. End-of-season prizes include raffles for three CSA memberships valued at over $600 each, as well as local food and farm gift certificates, product bundles and Courtney Blazon-designed market totes.
The Trail is a regional collaboration led by Farm Connect Montana in partnership with Land to Hand Montana, The O’Hara Commons and Sustainability Center and Abundant Montana, organizations working to strengthen local food systems across Western Montana. The project aims to support local farms and food businesses through expanded visibility and agritourism opportunities while reconnecting locals and visitors with the people, places and stories behind their food.
“In creating the Western Montana Food & Farm Trail, we hope to inspire both residents and travelers to discover the stories behind their food and connect with the people cultivating a more vibrant, resilient and locally rooted food community,” said Bonnie Buckingham, Executive Director of Farm Connect Montana. “Participation in the Trail is a win for everyone. It creates new opportunities for farms and local food businesses to reach wider audiences while encouraging participants to explore new places, support local producers and experience Western Montana in a more meaningful way.”
“Land to Hand is thrilled to partner with Farm Connect on the Food and Farm Trail to highlight the robust agricultural heritage of Western Montana,” said Gretchen Boyer, Executive Director of Land to Hand Montana. “This initiative is more than just a guide – it’s an invitation to celebrate and support the local farmers who nourish our communities every day. By connecting residents and visitors directly to the source, we’re strengthening our local food system and honoring the people and landscapes that sustain the Flathead Valley.”
To celebrate the launch, regional Trail launch parties will take place in Missoula, the Bitterroot Valley and the Flathead Valley throughout early June, featuring Field Guide distribution, local food vendors, giveaways and opportunities to learn more about the Trail.
Trail Field Guides ($10) will be available for purchase beginning May 30 both online and at participating businesses, farmers markets and community locations throughout the region. A full list of Field Guide purchase locations and details, as well as a digital map and Trail listings, special events and more information is available at farmconnectmontana.org/trail.
Funding for this project was made possible through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service.
Regional launch events
• Missoula Launch Party — LaLonde Ranch, Sun., June 7, 1-4 p.m.
• Bitterroot Launch Party — O’Hara Commons Market, Wed., June 10, 4-6 p.m.
• Flathead Launch Party — Backslope Brewing, Tue., June 16, 4-7:30 p.m.
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