Southwest Montana is an outdoor lover’s dream! It is a region where mountain ranges, national forests, caverns, and historic sites intersect. This part of Big Sky Country offers something for every type of adventurer. If you’re looking for scenic drives, wildlife watching, hiking trails, or immersing yourself in frontier history, you’ll find it here. Wondering where to start? In this article, we list six must-visit Southwest Montana national and state parks and forests.
When you stay at a Mountain Home Montana Vacation Rentals property, you’ll have a home away from home on all your national and state park excursions.
In This Blog
- Yellowstone National Park
- Custer Gallatin National Forest
- Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
- Painted Rocks State Park
- Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park
- Bannack State Park
Yellowstone National Park
While most of Yellowstone National Park lies in Wyoming, its northern edge extends into southwestern Montana, offering some of the park’s most breathtaking scenery, and often with fewer crowds. The town of Gardiner, Montana sits at the park’s only year-round open entrance and leads directly to Mammoth Hot Springs just over the border in Wyoming, which happens to be one of Yellowstone’s most iconic sights. The Yellowstone River also winds through this region, creating rich habitats for wildlife and providing peaceful, scenic vistas. For travelers entering from Montana, the legendary Beartooth Highway near Red Lodge offers a spectacular approach, connecting to Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance near Cooke City. While driving, you can see all kinds of animals, from bears to elk, and much more. All in all, Montana’s side of Yellowstone feels open and untamed, and is an experience you don’t want to miss.
- Entrance Fees: $20-$35 for US Citizens for a standard entrance pass; $100 per person for non-US citizens, plus the standard entrance pass fee
Custer Gallatin National Forest
Stretching over 3 million acres across southwestern Montana, the Custer Gallatin National Forest is an expansive public land managed by the U.S. Forest Service that borders Yellowstone National Park and extends east toward South Dakota. This forest showcases diverse ecosystems, from lush river valleys and dense forests to high alpine peaks and sweeping grasslands, all of which are ideal for outdoor recreation. Within its boundaries are several mountain ranges offering alpine lakes and rugged backcountry. For visitors, Custer Gallatin means adventures in hiking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, off-highway vehicle trails, and scenic drives through areas like the Gallatin River Canyon or near Hebgen Lake. Winter transforms the forest into a snowy playground for snowshoeing, skiing, and wildlife tracking. With so much wilderness to explore, it’s the perfect destination for solitude and adventure.
- Entrance Fees: No entrance fee. Permits are required for certain activities.
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest
The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is Montana’s largest national forest, covering over 3.3 million acres of rugged terrain, valleys, and mountain landscapes. Outdoor enthusiasts will find endless ways to connect with nature. With more than 1,500 miles of hiking trails, dozens of campgrounds, and countless boat and access points, this forest is ideal for long treks, wildlife watching, and experiencing Montana’s unspoiled landscapes. Wildlife here includes grizzly and black bears, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, wolves, and many other species.
- Entrance Fees: No entrance fee. Permits are required for certain activities.
Painted Rocks State Park
Located in the scenic West Fork Valley of the Bitterroot Mountains, Painted Rocks State Park is a smaller but beautiful destination. It is named for the lichen-coveredcliffs that frame the Painted Rocks Reservoir. The rock faces display vibrant orange, green, and yellow hues that shimmer in sunlight. Visitors enjoy camping, picnicking, hiking, boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing amid abundant elk, deer, moose, and waterfowl. The reservoir offers quiet paddling opportunities, swimming, and scenic boat rides in summer, while the surrounding trails lead through forested landscapes rich in birdlife. At night, Painted Rocks is celebrated for its exceptionally dark skies perfect for stargazing and photography, far from city lights.
- Address: 8809 West Fork Road Darby, MT 59829
- Entrance Fees: If you are a Montana resident who pays the $9 state park fee with their vehicle registration, there is no daily entrance fee. Day use entrance fee with a vehicle is $8. Day use entrance fee on foot, on bicycle, or on bus is $4. If you have a nonresident entrance pass it is free.
Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park
Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is home to some of the most spectacular limestone caverns in the Northwest and was Montana’s first state park. Located near Whitehall, this park features underground passages formed over millions of years by dissolving limestone. Guided tours of the caverns allow visitors to step deep into a hidden underworld.
On the surface, the park also offers hiking trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and opportunities for bird watching and wildlife photography. It’s a year-round destination, though the cave tours primarily operate in warmer months, and the cooler underground temperatures provide a refreshing escape during summer. Interpretive programs and visitor centers help place the caverns in geological and historical context, making this both an educational and unforgettable adventure.
- Address: 25 Lewis & Clark Caverns Rd, Whitehall, MT 59759
- Entrance Fees: There is a wide range of fees, from $8 to a vehicle to entrance fees to $15-$25 for a guided cave tour. Check website for full schedule of fees. https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/lewis-and-clark-caverns
Bannack State Park
For a taste of history, Bannack State Park is a must-visit. This well-preserved ghost town was once a booming gold-rush settlement and offers a fascinating glimpse into frontier life of the 1860s. Wander through original buildings, cabins, saloons, and relics of the Old West set against open prairie and rolling hills. In addition to the historic structures, the park provides interpretive exhibits, walking tours, picnic areas, and a chance to reflect on Montana’s mining heritage. It’s a perfect destination for history buffs, photographers, and families who want to step into the past.
- Address: 721 Bannack Rd, Dillon, MT 59725
- Entrance Fees: If you are a Montana resident who pays the $9 state park fee with their vehicle registration, there is no daily entrance fee. Day use entrance fee with a vehicle is $8; day use entrance fee on foot, on bicycle, or on bus is $4. If you have a nonresident entrance pass, it is free.
Book Your Southwest Montana Vacation
Featured Rental: Beaver Creek Lodge
From wide open spaces to towering forests to hidden caverns and historic ghost towns, southwest Montana’s national and state parks and forests offer unforgettable experiences year-round. While you’re exploring, you’ll need a home away from home, and that’s where Mountain Home Montana Vacation Rentals comes in. Our wonderful properties provide a home base for all your adventures. Choose from locations in Big Sky and West Yellowstone, properties on the river, and pet-friendly rentals, all awaiting your arrival.
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