Montana adventure vacations bring you to the heart of the wildlife and natural wonders Big Sky Country is known for
Montana is full of real-life cowboys, trout-filled rivers, snow-capped mountains, hot springs, mud pots, and geysers. The state of Montana has 77 named mountain ranges stretching from north to south so there’s plenty of wild places to explore. Elk and antelope outnumber people two to one, but that’s only part of why people choose to visit Montana, where nature holds the winning hand.
Explore Montana Adventure Vacations
Explore Montana Adventure Vacations
What guests are saying about their Montana Vacations
About Our Top-Rated Montana Adventures
For us, Montana is home. For visitors, it’s paradise. We live and breathe the land here in Big Sky Country, and on our guided Montana tours, you will too! Raft, ride, hike, and bike amid jaw-dropping scenery on your adventure vacation in Montana.
Top-Rated Montana Summer Vacations
Top-Rated Montana Summer Vacations
Montana Adventure Vacations in Glacier National Park
Montana Adventure Vacations in Glacier National Park
The Best Places to Visit in Montana
Many of the best places to visit in Montana are scattered throughout its wild spaces and national parks. There are acres of wild open country, wildlife, and incredible scenery. But the open frontiers of the American West aren’t the only beautiful places to visit in Montana. Montana’s cities keep one foot planted firmly in the past by celebrating their rich cultural history.
We’ve put together a list of the best places to visit in Montana that highlight the towns, landmarks, natural wonders, and hidden gems of the Big Sky State. We can't wait to hear which place tops your list!
When Is the Best Time to Visit Montana?
Summer in Montana is the best time of year to visit! Montana offers many exciting sights and activities all throughout the year, perfectly catering to many different interests. From white water rafting in the warmer months to skiing/snowboarding during the winter, there really isn’t a wrong time for a Montana vacation.
When is the best time to visit Glacier National Park?
The summer is considered to be the best time to visit Glacier Park. Summer is generally best for the weather, access to areas of the park, lodging, and seeing wildlife. Although winter has some great opportunities too.
Planning for a Montana Vacation
Planning what to do and what to pack for adventure vacations can be tricky. You want to make sure you’re prepared and experience everything on your list, but the lists can get lengthy and time short. But fear not – from our every-detail-planned trips to included packing lists well before you leave, we will have you well on your way to planning an incredible Montana vacation.
Pack for the Weather
Montana (Yellowstone National Park & Glacier National Park included) experiences distinct seasons – snowy, white winters and warm, sunny summers. The weather in Montana can vary significantly, even in a day – this means that you have to always be equipped with a diverse set of clothing options. The best way to do this is to plan on layers: a base layer, insulating mid-layers, and an additional shell. Learn more about layering for adventure travel.
Pack for Activity
When you book an adventure vacation with us, you’ll know what type of activities your trip will include. Use your itinerary to inform your packing decisions – if you’re cycling, bring padded shorts, if you’re hiking, bring proper hiking boots and wool socks, and so on.
Pack Sensible Footwear
Regardless of the amount of activity planned for your Montana trip, never underestimate the importance of solid footwear. Running sneakers, hiking boots and proper socks (including extras!), and river shoes or sandals are a staple on almost any adventure vacation. It’s all about comfort here in Big Sky Country.
Pack Skin Protection
Nothing ruins a vacation experience like painful or irritated skin. We always provide sunscreen, bug spray (though rarely needed) and the proper aid should you get a blister. We do, however, recommend bringing lotion for the dry climate. The dry air can take a toll on skin that is not used to the environment.
Additional Items for Your Trip
If there’s room in your bag, it never hurts to have a few additional items to make your adventure that much more enjoyable. These items include a camera, a backpack, binoculars, sunglasses, a bathing suit, and a hat and gloves.
Travel Tips for Your Montana Vacation
There’s a reason why our Montana adventure vacations are consistently some of our best sellers – not only is Montana a beautiful state ripe for adventure and exploration, but it’s also home to two of the most beloved national parks in the U.S. – Yellowstone and Glacier.Regardless of what time of year you choose to explore the wonders of Montana and the national parks, keep these travel tips in mind to ensure you have the best vacation possible:
Be Mindful of Wildlife
Montana (and especially the national parks) is a vibrant ecosystem home to many different species, ranging from bison to bears. Always keep your distance and never attempt to feed any animals.
Remember to Look Around
Known as Big Sky Country, the Montana skyline is just breathtaking. Be sure to take a few minutes out of your hiking, biking, and exploring to stand still and gaze up at the sky above. You won’t regret it, especially at night.
Choose Your Must-See and Dos
There’s so much to do in Montana and in both national parks. So much, in fact, that we have three separate itineraries that explore Yellowstone alone! Deciding which activities or sights are the highest priorities for you can help you choose your vacation.
Find the itinerary to suit you!
Montana offers incredible adventure opportunities outside of our itineraries, and whether you’re exploring Yellowstone or Glacier National Park, our Personal Adventure Consultants would be happy to help you add on a day or two of activities.
FAQs About Montana Adventure Vacations
Accommodation
We've spent years finding places to stay that are quaint, perfectly-located, and comfortable when we take you to the most amazing parts of North America. We offer a wide variety of accommodations on our trips ranging from locally run inns and first-class hotels to resorts, dude ranches and historic national park cabins. Accommodations are selected for their location, unique charm and history, and offer a true feel for the region. We strongly believe in the value of a good night's sleep and our accommodation reflects this. We also like to have somewhere comfortable to relax after the day's activities.
Transport
We're really focused on ensuring that we spend as little time as possible sitting in vehicles, and that we optimize your vacation for adventuring in the great outdoors. Our average driving time is just over two hours a day, and we make plenty of stops for bathroom breaks and sightseeing along the way. We use modern, comfortable 15-passenger vans for all of our transfers and a second van is added to most departures to provide more flexibility and more room to spread out while seeing the sights! Make no mistake - our trips are not typical bus tour vacation packages! Picture more of a road trip with family complete with good music, tasty snacks, and plenty of guide-supplied fun facts along the way to keep you entertained!
Meals
Just about all your meals are included when you travel with Austin Adventures in North America. We provide a wide variety of cuisine - breakfasts are typically eaten at your hotel on your own time in the morning before meeting up with the group. Lunches feature everything from elaborate picnics to roadside cafes to sandwiches trailside. Dinners are usually eaten at our hotel's dining room or a local restaurant with plenty of options to choose from. We easily cater to vegetarians, picky kids, and people with particular dietary needs. All our guides have food safety certificates and are well-practiced in the art of food prep and serving while on-the-move. You'll find the meals are a real highlight of your trip!
Guides
Our trips are all led by experienced guides who are very proud to work with us and often lead our trips for many years, for which we are very lucky and very grateful as it means we're able to consistently offer a fantastic level of service. Our guests are often drawn to North America by the beautiful scenic landscapes, promise of wilderness and clean air - and there's no doubt you'll find all that, though what you may not be expecting is to forge real, genuine friendships with your fellow tripmates, including our wonderful guides. They're hands-down the BEST guides you'll ever come across.
As an Austin Adventures traveler, it’s highly recommended you take out travel insurance to cover the likes of travel delays, missed connections, medical expenses or injury, or lost baggage for your travel with us. Please head to our Travel Protection page for more in-depth information and our recommended insurance provider.
We generally take up to 18 people per trip, although this can vary, and all our trips have at least two of our guides to look after you (apart from the occasions we have a small group). We have found that our trips tend to attract a particular kind of person and many people have commented that the social scene was one of the highlights of their trip!
Our adult-only departures require a minimum age of 16 years and our family departures require a minimum age of 6 years to join (7 years on our Alaska Family Adventure) and are a great way to meet other like-minded families who like to get outside.
Please note child rates apply to children 12 years and under.
You are allowed one piece of luggage on your trip, plus a daypack. Your main piece of luggage should not exceed 50 pounds (23 kilograms) and can be anything from a duffle bag to a sports bag with wheels or a suitcase. You’ll also want a good quality backpack sized 25-30 liters (2000 cubic inches) to use throughout the days.
We’re accustomed to catering to the following special diets:
- vegan (no meat or animal products)
- vegetarian (no meat products)
- pescatarian (vegetarian, and eat fish)
- no red meat (eat chicken & fish)
- no pork (eat chicken & fish)
- gluten intolerant (no wheat, rye, barley or oats)
- lactose intolerant (no dairy products)
- picky kids (send us a list of what your child will eat and we'll make sure to have it!)
You will get the opportunity to specify your particular requirements when you fill in your travel wallet. If you have any other dietary requirements please let us know well in advance, via email or in your Account.
Take 10% off the trip price when you book a trip and pay in full
By paying in full, we are able to pass on savings to our guests, but please note that by opting for this payment plan, your booking becomes non-refundable, non-cancellable, and non-changeable. This offer is only valid for reservations where the trip is no sooner than 180 days from the departure date at time of booking.
We highly recommend that you purchase Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. We recommend Redpoint Insurance – you can find details here.
T+Cs Apply. Read more here.
Why Travel With Us
Just-right group sizes allow you to get off the beaten path
With an average of 12 guests per departure and an industry-leading average 6:1 guest-to-guide ratio, you’ll enjoy a highly personalized experience.
Award-winning guides lead the way
It’s so much easier to relax and enjoy your adventure when you have fun, caring guides who know the land, sweat all the details and whip up incredible meals, too!
You’ll never need to sweat the details
When we say all inclusive, we mean it! Meals and snacks, activities, lodging, transportation, guiding services and more. All you need to do is show up!
Enjoy freedom to push your boundaries – safely
Every aspect of your trip is thoroughly considered for your safety, from highly vetted partners and well-maintained equipment to extensively trained guides.
Decades of expertise mean you’ll experience only the best
Family travel and North American National Parks are our specialty. We’ve perfected our itineraries for decades, ensuring you'll experience your destination to the fullest.
"Wow Moments” take your trip from enjoyable to extraordinary
For us, the extra mile is never extra, it’s part of the way! Count on special touches throughout your trip that will amplify your experience.








