The Best Kept Secrets in Montana

Named for the Spanish word for mountains (montañas), it’s no surprise that a large portion of Montana has diverse terrain that includes its namesake. Many of the state’s hidden gems feature its natural beauty. While many travelers might be familiar with spots such as Glacier National Park or Yellowstone National Park, there are many less crowded sites to explore as well.

If you love nature and finding unique places, Montana has countless options to choose from — and booking your trip through BusTickets.com can make it easier to get there. Keep reading to discover just a few of the best-kept secrets in Montana.

Boiling River

Located in Yellowstone National Park, many visitors may miss this unique spot if they’re not looking for it. Near the park’s northern entrance, you can hike to a place where the water is the perfect temperature to dip in and enjoy the natural surroundings. You’ll have a short hike of about half a mile, but it’s worth it!

Our Lady of the Rockies

The fourth-tallest statue in the United States, Our Lady of the Rockies is a 90-foot tall statue that stands atop the Continental Divide, overlooking the city of Butte, Montana. The statue is built in the likeness of Mary, the Mother of Jesus, and regardless of your religion or beliefs, this is truly a sight to see! You can even take a bus tour up to the statue and see the views from right beside the statue or stay below — either way, you’ll leave with a unique experience and excellent photos.

Garden of One Thousand Buddhas

Another unique spot that visitors should add to their list is the Garden of One Thousand Buddhas near Arlee. Don’t try to count all the buddhas to see if there really are a thousand, simply because there aren’t— at least not yet. The park is working on installing the rest of the statues to eventually reach the claimed thousand buddhas. The garden aims to spread the teachings and ideals of Buddhism, such as compassion, wisdom, forbearance, tolerance, and joy.

Yaak Valley

Perhaps unlike any other place in Montana, Yaak Valley is in the northwest part of the state, close to Canada. With more biological diversity than any other part of the state, visitors can camp, hike, fish, and bike. There are also several creatures such as black bears, grizzly bears, mountain lions, wolves, deer, lynx, and mountain goats — although you understandably may not want to run into most of these creatures during your trip.

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Sometimes called Montana’s Grand Canyon, you can visit the Bighorn Canyon and take in over 120,000 acres and 10,000 years of history. Beyond gorgeous views, you can choose from many activities to explore this area, from boat rentals on the canyon lake to kayaking and hiking.

The Ringing Rocks

Located in Butte, Montana, these unique rocks produce a melodic sound when tapped gently with a hammer. It’s believed that the ringing is produced from the combination of the composition of the rock and the joining patterns that have developed as the rocks erode. In fact, if a rock is removed from the pile, it no longer rings!

The Underground Town of Havre

For a truly unique experience, visit the town of Havre. In 1904, the town was damaged by a large fire that destroyed many buildings and homes. After the fire, rather than simply giving up, many businesses operated from the basement of their buildings while the streets above were being reconstructed. Covering six blocks, the tunnels connect these businesses, which also served to facilitate the opium trade and contributed to liquor being transported to speakeasies during the prohibition era.

The Ghost Town of Garnet

About 20 miles from Missoula, the town of Garnet offers another unique experience for visitors who decide to travel here. A former mining town that began in the 1860s, the population quickly dwindled as the mining stocks ran out. However, now travelers have the chance to visit an eerie place surrounded by forests and mountains with many dwellings, inns, hotels, and stores still standing, but vacant.

Tippet Rise Art Center

Finally, for travelers drawn to the arts, consider attending an event at the Tippet Rise Art Center, located north of Yellowstone National Park. The center is on a 12,000-acre working ranch and presents concerts by world-renowned classical musicians and exhibits large-scale contemporary outdoor sculptures.

Discover the Best Kept Secrets in Montana

Are you ready to discover some of the best-kept secrets in Montana? Easily plan your trip there by booking a ticket through BusTickets.com. Our affordable options can take you to your destination of choice, and you’ll also find that we offer the best routes, lowest costs, and simple booking. Don’t wait to plan your next trip!

References

https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/montana/articles/10-most-beautiful-towns-in-montana/

www.thecrazytourist.com/28-amazing-hidden-gems-in-montana

https://www.tripping.com/guides/hidden-gems-in-montana

https://www.ourladyoftherockies.net/

https://www.visitmt.com/listings/general/landmark/ringing-rocks-point-of-interest.html

https://tippetrise.org/