Montana is home to scenic routes that travel through immense, varied landscapes that span from rugged mountains and deep forests to vast open prairies and badlands. Take your road trip to the next level with these unique scenic routes:
- Beartooth Highway: The Beartooth Highway is a stunning 68-mile scenic byway that stretches through Montana and Wyoming. Known for its alpine peaks , switchbacks and access to Yellowstone National Park, this picturesque route connects Red Lodge to Cooke City, making it the perfect addition to your road trip. Reaching nearly 11,000 feet in elevation, the drive offers views of glacial lakes, mountains and plenty of wildlife.
- Paradise Valley Loop: Running along the Yellowstone River, the Paradise Valley Loop is nestled between the Absaroka and Gallatin mountain ranges and offers amazing views. The loop passes through Pray, where visitors can stop for a soak at the historic Chico Hot Springs.
- Kings Hill Scenic Byway: Located in the Little Belt Mountains and part of the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest, the Kings Hill Scenic Byway winds its way through mountains, high country lakes, campgrounds and old mines, and is home to a variety of wildlife.
- Lake Koocanusa Scenic Byway: Following the Kootenai River and Lake Koocanusa, the 67-mile route connects the towns of Libby and Eureka. Those traveling on the byway are able to watch for wildlife, stop to camp on the lake, check out one of the best land-locked salmon fisheries in the Northwest, Lake Koocanusa, and fish the Kootenai River — a blue-ribbon trout stream with trophy-size rainbow trout.
- Hi-Line (U.S. Highway 2): The Hi-Line is a northern Montana region that stretches across the state and encompasses small towns connected by the railroad. Running parallel to the Canadian border and along the Milk River, Highway 2 will take you through Havre, Shelby, Glasgow, Wolf Point, Malta and Chinook. This route is rich in Native American history and Lewis and Clark Expedition sites.
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