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Montana Travel

Although most of Montana belongs to the Great Plains, it is mountains that give the state its extraordinary beauty. More than 50 majestic ranges — among them the colorfully named Beaverhead, Big Belt, Crazy, Flathead, and Tobacco Root — make up Montana’s share of the Rocky Mountains, strung down the western third of the state. Some were formed long ago by violent up-thrust and volcanic eruption, others in more recent geologic time by glacial activity Faults continue to grind away in western Montana today, carrying on the age-long work of creating new mountains and demolishing old ones.

The mountains also helped give Montana its Wild West image, for this was the territory of rough-and-ready prospectors and opulent copper barons. A gold strike in 1862 at Grasshopper Creek first drew the miners, who eventually found silver, coal, and copper as well — and called Butte, the town they founded on one of the world’s largest copper deposits, “the richest hill on earth.”

Northern Lights Saloon, Montana

Numerous folks suggested we eat dinner at the rustic Northern Lights Saloon in tiny Polebridge, Montana, by the western border of Glacier National Park.

Giant Springs State Park, Montana

My family always enjoys stopping at Giant Springs State Park in Great Falls, Montana.

The park is named for the huge spring discovered in 1805 by the Lewis & Clark expedition. Giant Springs is one of the world's largest freshwater springs, with a daily flow of 338 million gallons of water a day! The crystal-clear spring (above right) is beautiful, as is this entire area.

Blackfeet Indian Reservation of Montana

I happily paid a second visit to the Museum of the Plains Indian on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Montana, near Glacier National Park. My husband and I squeezed in a quick tour several years ago when we were in the area. But I really wanted more time to explore this outstanding collection of historic arts created by 11 tribes of the North Plains.

Polebridge Mercantile, Montana

If you're visiting Glacier National Park, don't miss a scenic side trip to Polebridge and its social hub, the Polebridge Mercantile, a 1914 general store/post office that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Virginia City & Nevada City, Montana

During a trip through the Rocky Mountains in Montana, my husband and I stumbled onto two of the most exciting ghost towns we'd ever seen--Virginia City and Nevada City.

Located in a remote area of southwest Montana, Virginia City sprang to life after gold was discovered in nearby Alder Gulch in 1863. The gold ran out a few years later, leaving Virginia City frozen in time. It's virtually unchanged since its days as Montana's territorial capital.

Yesterday's Calf-A Restaurant, Montana

When my family takes a drive through southwestern Montana, we like to eat at Yesterday's Calf-A, located in an old schoolhouse in tiny Dell (population 7 to 19!).

Run by Linda and Richard Marxer, the cafe serves up good home cooking. It's known for its roast beef, but my favorite is the chicken-fried steak.

Parker Homestead State Park, Montana

While traveling through beautiful southwest Montana, my husband and I came across little-known Parker Homestead State Park, located outside Three Forks in the scenic Jefferson River Valley.