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Want to know how to plan a trip to Montana, the winter country? Here’s a quick little guide for you.
Montana’s continent’s crown is a natural paradise with alpine lakes, old-growth forests, and snowcapped mountains. This winter country is a paradise yet to be explored fully. And with a population of just one million people, Montana is a great place for vacations.
You can make your travel plans, as you like. Montana has got everything you could wish for on a trip. If you like the wilderness setting, you can focus on the national parks. If you would like to enjoy the winters, then you can visit the ski resorts.
Quite a few places in Montana get the most attention from tourists, such as the Jackson Hole, West Yellowstone, Gallatin & Flathead Valleys. Even road trips to Montana are quite fascinating. You can consider taking a trip down sun road.
The most important question now is, how to plan a trip to Montana? There are so many things to know before planning a trip, which is why a trip planner is needed. We are here with a quick trip guide to help you understand how to plan a trip to Montana.
Here’s everything you need to know on how to plan a trip to Montana.
How To Plan a Trip To Montana: A Quick Trip Guide
1. Money In Montana
Money is a prime factor in any trip. Because if you don’t have the right currency, you won’t be able to enjoy your vacation. The official currency of Montana is the US Dollar (USD).
Credit cards are accepted widely. However, the exchange rates keep on fluctuating. So best advised, check websites as such to get the latest rates. You can use your credit cards in most places, including lodgings, restaurants, or many attractions.
You will even find ATMs in most small towns, but it is preferable to carry some cash with you at all times.
2. Best Time of The Year To Visit
While knowing how to plan a trip to Montana, one important thing to note is when is the best time of the year to visit the big sky country?
Montana is an all-year-round place in the United States. You can have a great vacation in both the summer and winter seasons. However, Montana is pretty much known worldwide for its winter activities and fun.
The summers are usually crowded, but Montana is all about outdoor adventures, so even the summers are fun. If you are a winter baby, the best time is to visit between December and March during the ski season.
The snowcapped mountains offer the best views you will ever see on any vacation. Montana’s endless wonders to explore, from the state parks, such as the Yellowstone & Glacier National Park, to the Continental Divide.
So basically, the best time to visit Montana depends on what you want to experience and explore.
3. How To Get To The Big Sky Country?
Getting to Montana is easy. There are various available options to get into Montana. You can travel via flights, or take a road trip, or even by train.
By Plane
Visitors traveling to Montana via a plane can land in any of the following six major airports: Missoula, Bozeman, Great Falls, Helena, Billings, or Kalispell. We suggest flying in and out of Missoula. The reason being, the outdoor recreational activities in Missoula are limitless.
By Car ( Roadtrip To Montana)
Travelers can book rental cars for their trip. The car rental outlets are available in the majority of the airports. The rates vary greatly, so be prepared to spend a little more (or a lot more, at times) than expected.
The rates usually depend on what size of car you need, the rental period, your drop-in and drop-off locations, and whether you are purchasing insurance or not.
Various national companies with Montana outlets you can choose from, including Alamo, Avis, Dollar.
By Train
If you are in Seattle or Chicago, then you can travel to Montana via trains too. Amtrak’s Empire Builder provides daily rail service from west of Chicago and East of Seattle.
4. Know About Your Entry Requirements & Customs
On how to plan a trip to Montana, so far, you have known about the traveling, the seasons, and the money to be used. The next thing to know is your entry requirements.
Every air traveler entering the United States at land and seaports is required to provide a valid passport. However, the U.S & Canadian citizens entering land & seaports must provide government-issued proof of citizenship. This includes a driver’s license, birth certificate, or photo ID.
The state department of the U.S offers a visa program, known as the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows the following countries to enter and stay in the U.S for around 90 days: United Kingdom, Newzealand, Czech Republic, Belgium, Austria, Australia, Norway, Japan, Italy, Germany, France, Finland, Switzerland, Spain, Sweden, Singapore, and Denmark.
5. What To Pack For The Trip?
Now that you know all about when to go to Montana, how to travel, the customs and requirements, the next important thing we will tell you on this ‘how to plan a trip to Montana’ guide is what to pack for the journey.
Although Montana is a great place, the weather is quite unpredictable. At times you can get to experience almost all four seasons on a single trip, so you need to pack wisely.
Warm Clothing
And if you’re visiting in the winters, and expect the weather to get harsh. Even in the summers, you might require some warm clothes as the temperatures are likely to get cold at night. So consider bringing big layers, such as jackets, sweaters, and pullovers.
Camping Equipment
Montana is a great place for outdoor adventures, and camping is one of them. If you think you will try camping out in the wild, then get your camping gear ready and other outdoor essentials.
6. Package Tours
You are almost done with planning a trip to Montana guide, and the next thing to know is about the escorted and packaged tours. If you want to explore Montana with a guide’s help, you can always book the packaged tours.
These are group tours managed by a group leader who will guide you throughout your trip. The tours are slightly costly, as it covers all your expenses, including flight fares, hotels, meals, transportation.
Although they are costly, they provide the best services. They will take you to the maximum number of attractions within a short period. So if you would like to experience just the major attractions, you can always go for an escorted tour.
7. Major Attractions To Visit
Now you know everything on how to plan a trip to Montana. The next thing we are helping you with within this guide is listing the top attractions in Montana you must visit.
There are plenty of things to do and see around Montana; you can go skiing in the Big Sky, tour the Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks, or visit some of the best hot springs, maybe spend some time bird watching. The list goes on.
If you are visiting in the winters, and want to soak it all up in the hot springs, click here to find the best ones.
i) Whitefish
Whitefish is one of the most popular vacation spots in Montana. This mountain resort town offers stunning views and some of the great food places to explore.
ii) Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is the real paradise on earth, and there’s no way one should miss visiting it. After all, Montana is known as a glacier country. If you love enjoying vast stretches of wilderness, this is the place to be in.
Glacier National Park is the most visited spot in Montana, and there is no way we could skip listing it in our how-to plan a trip to Montana guide. This park is what pulls you closer to nature.
While visiting national parks, you can also trip down Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park.
iii) The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Centre
If you love watching the wildlife in their natural habitat, this is your place. It is a non-profit wildlife park that features people-friendly animals.
This wildlife park has a visitor center and offers a great chance to see grizzly bears and wolves in their natural habitats, scavenging for food.
These 3 are a must-visit. However, you can explore various other places, such as the Big Sky Resort, Museum of the Rockies, Rock Creek, Paradise Valley.
So, this is all you need to know how to plan a trip to Montana. This little trip guide will help you plan everything better. Montana truly has a lot to offer. All you need is to take some time out and explore each corner.
Now that you know how to plan a trip to Montana, why wait. Plan a trip with your friends or family now, and experience the best of the Big Sky country.
Last Updated on by riyaspeaks
This article is a gem for anyone considering a journey to the breathtaking landscapes of Montana. The detailed insights provided on planning a trip to this enchanting state are both practical and informative. The seven key points outlined cover everything from essential logistics to must-know local tips, ensuring that travelers are well-prepared for their Montana adventure.