Real Montana Stories
A good Montana story isn’t just about what happened. It’s about what it meant.
Montana isn't just a place to visit. It's about the people who live it every day.
Recent Stories
The Off-Roads Less Traveled
Adventure comes easily in the terrain near Great Falls in Central Montana. Here, where wide-open prairie meets dramatic mountains, a trove of outdoor experiences awaits.
Cabins at Blacktail
The Cabins at Blacktail in Lakeside, Montana, are more than just a collection of places to sleep in the Montana forest — something you sense the moment you set foot on the grounds. This is not simply a happy accident, but the result of special people finding a special place.
Finding Inspiration in Montana’s Prairie
Kelsey Rae Morris might see things a little differently from most other people. She’s an artist, so that’s to be expected.
Uptown Hearth
Welcome to Uptown Hearth. You expect to find words like this on an establishment open for business.
Fiber Yarn
“It keeps you warm even when it’s wet, and it doesn’t get stinky and smelly.”If you’re not sold on wool as the ultimate fiber with those two simple facts, Cindy Ruprecht will be happy to give you plenty more.
Out in the Open
The last time Luke Boswell and Doug heard the muffled crunch of the frost-covered grasses was late last fall. It’s a sound they welcome almost as much as the adrenaline-inducing whoosh of flushed birds taking to the air.
Showdown Montana
Showdown is Montana’s oldest continuously operating ski area, serving the Little Belt Mountains and beyond for almost 90 years.“Traditionally, we were farmers and ranchers from Central Montana and our slopes would be covered with people skiing in Carhartts and jeans,” says Avery Patrick, vice president and marketing director for Showdown Montana.
Lost Trail Ski Area
Lost Trail Ski Area, tucked away in the Bitterroot Mountains on the border of Idaho and Montana, is known for abundant stashes, wide-open groomed runs and glade skiing, and incredible cold smoke powder. But beyond the great skiing, Lost Trail’s strong family vibe makes it a favorite with skiers from Montana, Idaho and beyond.
Freezout Lake
Each spring, hundreds of thousands of snow geese, tundra swans and other waterfowl fly from the southwestern United States on their migratory journey north. Along the way, these birds make a pit stop at Freezout Lake in the heart of central Montana — the halfway point on their flight.
The Voice That Carries
Someone has to put all this into words.You see a rodeo a little differently from the announcer’s booth.
Belt Rodeo
Tucked away in the Little Belt Mountains is a town called Belt. This small town lies within a few city blocks, just off of Highway 89.
A Day of Montana Fishing
For fishing guide John Sindland, making the move to Montana in 1990 to pursue his love of fishing was pretty much inevitable.“At that point in my life, all rivers led to Montana,” says John.
Carlburg Pottery
Pick up a ceramic mug or growler in the small towns dotting the Flathead Valley and there’s a good chance it’s been crafted by Tim Carlburg. Tim is a Montana transplant who has made a home for himself — and his work — in this corner of northwest Montana.
Honoring the Spirit of Montana Agriculture
Tyrrell Hibbard has his feet in two worlds. One foot is up in the Boulder Mountains, where he works as a fifth-generation rancher who tends to yearling cattle, grazing them on a parcel of family ranch land as they prepare for a long, unforgiving winter.
Canty Boots
Southwestern Montana has a slower-paced way of life. Here, you can step back in time and experience the rich Western history that is still an important aspect of life for this part of the state.
National Park Service Sites in Montana
The National Park Service has created an accessible way for people around the world to not only experience the beauty and grandeur of our country, but also for people to learn about the stories that have shaped us as Americans.
Blackfeet Campgrounds
“It’s a great place to be able to come here and relax and get away." - Jenna Skunkcap .
Lodgepole Gallery And Blackfeet Culture Camp
“The life [here] is very much in accordance with nature.” - Angelika Harden-Norman.
Life in Missouri River Country
Anyone who knows Missouri River Country, the northeastern corner of Montana, knows unlocking its magic requires one simple act: slowing down. This place is simply not what it seems when you race by at 80 mph.
Other Stories
Off-Roading in Montana
Load up your motorcycles and dirtbikes and gas up your ATVs: It’s time to hit the trails in Montana. Hoping to race through Montana’s endless rolling plains or navigate exciting mountain terrain this summer? Here’s everything you need to know before you set out on your OHVing adventure in Montana:.
OHV Permits in Montana
Before setting out on your off-highway vehicle this summer, it’s important to make sure you’ve got the proper permits to traverse the terrain. Not sure where to start? Here are a few tips to make sure you’re properly registered when you take your OHV out on Montana’s public lands: What Is an OHV Permit and Who Needs One?Before you hit public land or trails in Montana on your OHV, it’s required that you have a permit through Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
OHV Camping in Montana
From riding through dry riverbeds to climbing mountainous, technical terrain, the OHV trails that snake through Montana’s diverse landscapes are endless. And there’s no better way to enjoy an off-roading adventure than ending the day at a scenic campsite just minutes from the trail.
Eastern Montana Camping Adventure
Your adventure begins with setting up camp at Brush Lake State Park. The park and its scenic, namesake lake lie just about 25 miles from the Montana-North Dakota border in the northeasternmost corner of the state.
Navigating the Rut: Slippery Ann Wildlife Viewing Area
Montana’s Missouri River Country, a region encompassing the northeastern corner of the state, offers a trove of eye-opening wildlife opportunities and Slippery Ann Wildlife Viewing Area is no exception. One of the most popular elk viewing areas in the country, this particular spot is a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts.
Top Spots To Snowmobile in Montana
Montana is home to more than 4,000 miles of groomed snowmobile trails, offering plenty of opportunities for adventure in the heart of some of the state’s most stunning landscapes. With so many options for exploration, the hardest part is choosing where to start.
Snowmobiling in Montana: Know Before You Go
There’s no better way to explore the untouched corners of Montana in winter than by snowmobile. Ripping over fresh powder to the furthest reaches of the mountains makes for a solid day of adventure and some epic stories.
Montana Fall Must Do’s
Fall in Montana is something to be savored. It’s a long exhale after a busy summer, and we soak up every second of its golden days.
Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede
The Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede is a celebration of Western culture that has graced the community for 102 years. Montana’s oldest rodeo — affectionately called the “granddaddy of Montana rodeo” — brings world-class talent to the small town of Wolf Point, located on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, and features all the best parts of a quintessential Montana rodeo.
Top Spots to Ice Fish in Montana
Montana’s lakes are chock-full of amazing catches. From diverse varieties of trout, to trophy walleye and pike, there are plenty of fish waiting to be caught.
Montana Ghost Town Tour
A Historic — And a Little Haunted — Montana Ghost Town Tour. Many of Montana’s first towns were established as mining communities, and as the gold and silver rushes boomed — and busted — a handful of those towns didn’t survive.
Ready, Set, Fish
Montanans take their fishing seriously. We navigate waters whether they’re calm or choppy, and we’ll drop that line rain or shine, all in pursuit of the perfect catch.
Spooky Southwest Montana
Southwest Montana is full of history, from the expedition of Lewis and Clark to the boom and bust of the gold rush. There are plenty of stories to be told about how this region came to be, which means there are more than a few skeletons in its closet.
Bynum to Great Falls
Leave the hustle and bustle of the city behind and escape to nature for some much needed quiet with this three-day itinerary. The route takes you from the Rocky Mountain Front in Bynum to a migratory hub that experiences a unique natural phenomenon near Choteau, and ends by exploring Indigenous history at what’s thought to be North America’s largest buffalo jump near Great Falls.
7 State Parks to Explore Across Montana in Winter
Montana is a state for every season. No matter the time of year, there’s always somewhere to explore, and with 56 state parks to discover, you’re never too far from your next outdoor adventure.
Hoot Owl Restrictions
As the air outside gets warmer, so do the water temperatures in Montana’s rivers. While summertime is prime for casting a line, fishing during the heat of the day can be detrimental to the fish.
THE Montana Fish
Montana is proud of its trout. With the blackspotted cutthroat trout designated as the state fish, and more than six other kinds of trout swimming through the rivers and lakes, there is no shortage of the fish around here.
On the Water in Montana
Montana is the best place to spend a summer, and there’s nothing quite like a hot day spent out on the water. With lakes, rivers, streams and ponds in abundance throughout the state, the options for recreation are endless.
Conservation Licenses: Do You Need One?
Montana has over 30 million acres of public lands for its residents and visitors to utilize. Enjoying the outdoors here is easy and accessible — it just takes a little planning before you head out.
20 Ways to Enjoy the Montana Dinosaur Trail
2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the Montana Dinosaur Trail. This statewide expedition allows visitors and locals alike to explore the prehistoric history of Montana.
Rockhounding
Have you ever heard of rockhounding? If not, you’re not alone! This Montana pastime is a great way to explore the outdoors and find some treasures along the way.
Your First Rodeo
Rodeos are a quintessential aspect of Montana’s Western culture, and recently it was officially adopted as our state sport. Action-packed rodeo events grew from skills that cattle herders and ranchers traditionally used in their work — making rodeo both a thrilling spectacle and a celebration of heritage.
Native-Led Experiences
The best way to experience Indian Country is from the Indigenous perspective. Through experiences with a cultural expert at the helm, visitors can explore significant tribal landmarks and traditions, and hear the Native American stories behind them in the way they were meant to be told.
Buffalo Jumps
Evidence of centuries-old Native American life and culture can be found across the state, and one example that's part of the landscape itself are buffalo jumps. These topographic features played a key role in the hunt for bison — an important aspect in the life of the first peoples of Montana.
7 State Parks to Explore Across Montana
Whether it’s a lakeside camping weekend or a day of Nordic skiing across badlands you’re after, a range of options — including 56 state parks — means you can find your ideal outdoor escape.
Explore Four Road Trip Adventures Through Eastern Montana
A Whole New Side of Adventure .
7 Montana Lakes With Great Ways to Spend Time In and Around the Water
As temperatures rise and days grow longer, Montana’s waterways once more draw folks looking to spend time in, on and around the water engaging in favorite warm-weather recreational activities. From world-class fishing to kayaking to lakefront camping, there are so many ways to enjoy a getaway to a Montana lake or reservoir.