Touring Along the North-South Interstate
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(city) on the map for a detaliled daily itinerary.
- Shelby
- Conrad
- Great Falls
- Ulm Pishkun State Monument
- Gates of the Mountains
- Helena
- Butte
- Dillon
- Monida Pass
Day One
Enter Montana on I-15, heading south. The first stop is Shelby, site of the Dempsey-Gibbons fight in 1923, and a look at early pioneer life displayed at the Marias Museum of History and Art. Continue on to Great Falls, and picnic at Giant Springs Heritage State Park along the banks of the Missouri River, where a reenactment of the Lewis and Clark Expedition can be arranged with the Lewis and Clark Honor Guard. Also stop in at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center located adjacent to Giant Springs Heritage State Park. Enjoy an afternoon of arts and Old West history at Paris Gibson Square, the Charles M. Russell Museum Complex, and the Montana Cowboy's Association Museum.
Overnight in Great Falls.
Day Two
Heading southwest, visit the Ulm Pishkun State Park and Visitor Center. This buffalo jump was used by Indians for nearly a thousand years. Follow the Missouri River south to the Gates of the Mountains and board a scenic cruiser for a tour of the Missouri River and a picnic lunch. After a short drive to Helena, take a ride on the Last Chancer Tour Train for a comprehensive tour of Helena, sampling some of her history and beauty. Later, there is time to visit other area attractions such as the Montana Historical Society Museum, the Original Governor's Mansion, the pedestrian mall on Last Chance Gulch, and the Capitol Building.
Overnight in Helena.
Day Three
Again, head south on I-15, taking in the scenic beauty of the Rocky Mountains and crossing the Continental Divide before reaching Butte—"the richest hill on earth." There, choose from the Copper King Mansion, the Mineral Museum, World Museum of Mining, and Hell Roarin' Gulch.
Overnight in Butte.
Day Four
Travel south to the Beaverhead County Museum in Dillon and lunch. Just southwest of Dillon, detour from the interstate to visit Bannack, a ghost town from the gold rush days and Montana's first territorial capital. Stretch your legs on the easy walking tour and catch a glimpse of the Old West. Head back to the interstate and travel south along the Beaverhead River, following part of Lewis and Clark's route. The interstate crosses the Continental Divide at scenic Monida Pass, Montana's southernmost border crossing.
Touring Along the East-West Interstate
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(city) on the map for a detaliled daily itinerary.
Note: Interstate travelers will enter Montana from the east on either I-94 from North Dakota, or on I-90 from Wyoming.
- Glendive
- Makoshika State Park
- Miles City
- Pompeys Pillar
- Billings
- Bozeman
- Butte
- Missoula
- Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
- Hardin
Day One I-94
Enter eastern Montana on I-94, traveling west through a land of huge ranches and extensive vistas. Plan a stop at Makoshika State Park just outside Glendive. Makoshika is a Sioux Indian word meaning "bad earth." The park has fascinating badlands formations and active digs for fossil remains of such dinosaurs as Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops. Then follow the Yellowstone River to Miles City—"cow capital of the west." History comes to life at the Range Riders Museum. Visitors may also enjoy the changing exhibits at the Custer County Art Center.
Overnight in Miles City.
Day Two I-94 to I-90
Follow the Yellowstone River west toward the Rocky Mountains. The highway follows the route taken by Lewis and Clark on their return trip from the Pacific in 1806. At Pompeys Pillar, you'll find the only graffiti left by the expedition. Co-captain William Clark carved his signature on a huge sandstone pillar, which he named after Sacajawea's baby, Pomp. Shortly after I-94 merges with I-90, stop in Billings for lunch and a tour of the city. Continuing west, cross Bozeman Pass and descend into the Gallatin Valley and the city of Bozeman. There, catch the excellent exhibits and planetarium show at the Museum of the Rockies.
Overnight in Bozeman. (See "Alternate Route" for Day Three I-90)
Alternate Route for Travelers Entering Montana from SE on I-90
Day One I-90
Entering Montana from the southeast, I-90 follows the Little Bighorn River through the Crow Indian Reservation. Plan to spend much of the day at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. Ranger-led programs are fascinating, and there are gentle walking trails and a pleasant picnic area. A little farther along the interstate, in Hardin, Big Horn County Historical Museum displays turn-of-the-century farm and community life.
Overnight in Billings.
Day Two I-90
Start the morning with a tour of historic Billings, then tour the Moss Mansion. Get some fresh air while viewing the ancient rock paintings at Pictograph Cave State Monument, then reboard the motorcoach to Livingston, and a possible stop at the Park County Museum or the Livingston Depot Center. Continue west to Bozeman and the Museum of the Rockies' acclaimed exhibits and planetarium show.
Overnight in Bozeman.
Day Three I-90
The interstate passes near the headwaters of the Missouri River and travels west to Butte. Visit the World Museum of Mining, ride the Neversweat and Washoe Railroad, and view the interesting mineral exhibit at the Mineral Museum on the Montana Tech campus. The display includes about 1,300 specimens from all over the world. After lunch, continue west to Missoula. Visit the downtown carousel, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Wildlife Visitors Center, Smokejumper Visitor Center to learn about the rigorous life of smokejumpers.
Overnight in Missoula.
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