Lewis and Clark history of Montana is fascinating and an interesting choice for your Montana Vacation. Not only will you discover the intriguing history of Montana and the West but you will also see some amazing landscape, animals, and meet interesting Montanans along the way.

Explore Lewis and Clark Country.

Originally Lewis and Clark’s goal was to find an easy passage from the Missouri River to the Columbia River and connect the two oceans. They were trained to document the flora, fauna, and Native Americans they were sure to meet along the way. What they didn’t imagine is that the landscape of Montana would be so rough and unforgiving.

It took Lewis and Clark five months to cross the state of Montana but you can do the expedition in a week or two.  You can break up the journey into three legs of Montana

First leg of the Lewis and Clark Montana Expedition:

The Missouri River is the most important part of the expedition. You can start at the Fort Union a re-creation of an 1840′s trading post. Travel on Highway 2 following to Missouri to Fort Peck and you might stay here for the night. Continue your journey along Highway 2 where you will meet the Milk River, and if you can make it you might go to Virgelle and stay for the night. After Virgell to Fort Benton you will come to the Missouri Breaks Backcountry Byway a scenic rugged view of the Missouri badlands.  In Great Falls you will find the Lewis and Clark national Historic Trail Interpretive Center.

Second leg of the Lewis and Clark Montana Expedition:

Upper Missouri Valley is a scenic drive from Great Falls to Helena on I-15. In Helena you can find the upper Missouri Lakes which are actually dams built along the Missouri creating a chain of lakes that have good camping and fishing.

Third leg of the Lewis and Clark Montana Expedition:

From Helena you will continue to Three Forks and there you can see the Missouri Headwaters State Park. You can understand Lewis and Clark’s confusion at this point as to which river to take. They chose the Jefferson River and followed it to the Continental Divide. Beaverhead Rock is the land-form that Sacgawea said she had grown-up near. Down the road on Highway 41 is Dillon, Montana a quaint town at the edge of the state boundary.

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Find the best camping vacations in Glacier National Park

If you’re looking to do some camping on your Montana vacation, Glacier National Park offers some of the best possible. This is perhaps one of the most beautiful parks in the world, with majestic, glacier-carved peaks, brilliant blue lakes, and bright shining glaciers.

Camping in Glacier gives you a chance to live full time in the park for a bit, and enjoy the quiet of night, see amazing stars, roast some marshmallows, and do some picnicking in a relaxing natural environment. All campground are regulated by the National Park Service. Campers should check in with a ranger before pounding any stakes.

Below are some of our picks for favorite campgrounds around Glacier. When you’re done, head to nearby towns such as Whitefish for a cozy Montana hotel or lodge.

Avalanche Campground: Situated in one of the most popular sections of Glacier National Park in an old growth forest of cedar and hemlock trees, that keep the area cool during the summer months, and give it a magical sort of feeling. The campground allows both tent and RV campers, however only 50 sites can accommodate vehicle lengths up to 26 feet. Drinking water is available, as are restrooms. You’ll find a couple of popular day hikes leaving from the campground, and evening programs at the Avalanche Amphitheater. Sites are on a first-come, first-serve basis, stays limited to 7 days.

Bowman Lake campground:

View from the Bowman Lake campground.

In the North Fork area of Glacier National Park about 32 miles from the west entrance. The campground is located close to the lake shore with camp sites are in the trees for shade. It’s a great place for peace, quiet and fishing, but be sure to bring some bug repellent (all those trout have to be eating something). Drinkable water is available through spigots on site, with pit toilets nearby. There is a picnic area here, and plenty of opportunities for day hiking, canoeing and kayaking. Motorized boats are allowed here, but are limited to 10 horsepower or less. Sites are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Stays limited to 7 days.

Many Glacier Campground: This is one of Glacier’s most popular campgrounds for a reason: it has access to many of the park’s best hikes, and is located in one of the areas with the best wildlife viewing. The campground nestled in the trees for tent and RV campers. Drinking water is accessible as are restroom facilities with flush toilets and sinks with running water. Besides all the hiking opportunities, Glaciers rangers nightly programs here. Please a ranger activity schedule for more info. Stays limited to 7 days. Camp sites are first come, first serve, and due to the popularity of this campground, it is suggested you arrive early.

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See some of Montana’s historic landmarks on your vacation

Besides having excellent outdoor activities, beautiful mountains, lakes and rivers, ski resorts, and wildlife, you’ll find that Montana has a rich and interesting old west history, that you can learn about at some of the fascinating landmarks you’ll find while traveling here. Here’s some of our favorite Montana landmarks.

Stumptown Historical Society and Whitefish Museum:

Whitefish's Stumptown Historical Society.

You’ll find this fascinating and beautiful restored Great Northern train depot in the heart of Whitefish, a short walk from local hotels and restaurants. Learn about the area’s railroad and logging past and how each industry has changed the Flathead Valley and the Northwest. No admission is charged.

Missoula’s Wilma Theatre:  This Historical Landmark in downtown Missoula, Montana. Has interesting historic architecture. William Simons built the theatre built in 1921 and named it after his wife, Edna Wilma Simons. The Wilma remains an Missoula icon, with its 1920′s-era box office, 1,067-seat theatre, which still hosts live events and films on a big curved silver screen, Montana’s largest indoor screen.

Mount Jumbo: A historical and beautiful peak outside of Missoula, Montana. Historians say the Salish Indians named Mount Jumbo “Sin Min Koos,” or “obstacle.” Not exactly the most flattering name for a mountain. Early European residents thought it looked like a sleeping elephant and eventually it got the name Mount Jumbo after the famous circus elephant. The mountain is under special protection, and is home to diverse Montana wildlife. Great trails will let you experience the beautiful views from ths Mountain. Trails here are closed from December 1 through March 15. And the northern portion is closed from Dec 1 through May 1.

Lake McDonald Lodge:

The Lake McDonald Lodge is an example of historic Montana architecture.

This historic lodge was built in 1914 on the shores of the largest lake in Glacier National Park. The lodge is made of huge timbers in an amazing lodge style. Whether you stay here or not, it’s worth having a walk around this historic building on park’s west side.

Blackfeet Warriors Sculpture: These amazing sculptures on Blackfeet Reservation on the east side of Glacier National Park are a great historic stop while driving in Montana. The sculptures are made from pieces of old vehicles, barbed wire and stones from a mission school. The artist, Jay Laber, used these materials to build statues of two Native American warriors upon their horses at the four entrances to the reservation. They’re easily spotted as you drive along the east side of Glacier National Park.

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Do some true Montana fly fishing in Big Sky

Montana is a great place for learning to fly fish.

Montana encompasses some of the best fly fishing on the planet, and Big Sky is a great place to stay while accessing some of Montana’s great rivers. In Big Sky you’ll find great Montana hotels, vacation rentals , lodges, restaurants and shopping and everything else you need to be comfortable when not out on the fishing trip of your life.

Here are a few of the great Montana rivers you can fish in the area around Big Sky, as well as some great fly fishing guides to help you get the Montana vacation you deserve.

The Madison River: One of Montna’s most famous fly fishing rivers. You’ll find some of the best fishing for rainbow and brown trout in the Madison along with some cutthroats and beautiful cutt-bows (rainbow/cutthroat hybrids). Add this to some spectacular scenery, wildlife and clear pristine waters, you can’t go wrong on the Madison.

The Missouri River: This huge river is known for spectacular fighting trout and excellent hatches. It is considered by many to be the best river for dry fly fishing in Montana. The brown and rainbow trout fly fishing is great, and it’s a good spot if you’re looking to catch you personal record fish.

The Yellowstone River: This river gets its start in Yellowstone National Park, before making its long journey across Montana. Depending on where you go, the type of trout you encounter vary. But whether it’s

Come catch a fat Montana brown trout.

cutthroats in one place, rainbows in another or brown trout in a third, the fishing here is spectacular, and so is the scenery. This is truly a not-to-miss fly fishing river in Montana.

• East Slope Outdoors East Slope Outdoors: This Big Sky fly fishing guide offers pro tours along with a fully stocked ORVIS fly shop to get you started, and keep you prepared. They do fly fishing tours year round, and offer several options to the fisherman/woman. Call 888-359-3974.
• Wild Trout Outfitters, Inc. This Big Sky fly fishing guide team offers trips on the Madison, Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers in drift boats, giving you great access to the best water, and a continually change view. They also offer wading/walking tour with fly fishers of all levels on many streams in Yellowstone Park. Call 406-995-4895.

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Make Missoula your Montana Fly Fishing base

Missoula makes an excellent base for your Montana fly fishing vacation. Here you’ll have quick access to some of the best fly fishing rivers in Montana, from a town that truly offers everything: great Montana hotels and lodging, breweries, restaurants and access to other activities such as mountain biking, hiking and rafting.

Montana brown trout ready and waiting for fly fishing vacations.

Here are four of the great Montana fly fishing rivers you can access from Missoula, as well as info on some of the best fly fishing guides in the area.

Rock Creek: Just south of Missoula you have this pristine fly fishing creek. Here you’ll have the chance to catch prize for brown, rainbow, cutthroat, and brook trout, and may occasionally hook an enormous bull trout (bull trout are illegal to fish intentionally, and must be carefully re-released). Besides excellent trout fishing, you’ll have a chance to see Moose and Bighorn Sheep to the Salmonflies and the trout that eat them.

The Blackfoot River: Yes, this is the classic fly fishing river made famous by A River Runs Through It. Here, just northeast of Missoula, you’ll find a river teeming with rainbow, brown, cutthroat, and the endangered bull trout. You’ll also find it a beautiful stretch of water as much fun to float as it is to fish.

Clark Fork River: This river is known for it’s hard-fighting rainbow trout, but contains populations of brown, cutthroat, and endangered bull trout. The average fish here measures about 15 inches, with a decent number reaching 20. It’s a great river to fish, and great way to experience the beautiful land northwest of Missoula.

The Bitterroot River: An excellent fly fishing river to the southwest of Missoula that offers up some enormous trout, reaching the 20 to 25 inch range. Here you’ll find cutthroat, brown, rainbow, and brook trout, as well as Montana wildlife such as elk, moose and deer.

Montana fishing guides help you get the most out of your trip.

For best results on your Montana fly fishing vacation, you’ll want to grab a local guide who knows these waters, and can advise you on where to go and what flies to tie, to ensure you get the most from your time here. Here’s a few suggestions.

• Blackfoot River Outfitters: Owned and operated by Terri Raugland and John Herzer, this fly fishing outfitting company based in Missoula has a staff with tens of thousands of hours of combine experience on the local rivers. The owners have guided here since 1990. Call (406) 542-7411.
• Carl Mann’s Montana Experience Outfitters: Carl Mann has outfitted in the Missoula area for 30 years, and has been featured on the fly fishing shows such as Fishing the West and Good Fishing. Call 406-777-1687.

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Attention all skiers and snowboarders! Come to Montana! Not only are the conditions great, but you won’t find a more affordable way to enjoy the slopes than skiing and snowboarding in Big Sky Country.

Everyone knows that the cost of lift tickets these days is practically prohibitive, but in Montana you’ll find that the average lift ticket costs under $40! During the week, passes can be even cheaper at some of the best state skiing and snowboarding areas. In many of the ski resort areas children under ten and seniors from 72 to 80 can take lifts for free – and this is on the weekends!

Winter vacation travelers have their pick of some great full-service Montana resorts such as Big Sky/Moonlight or Whitefish Mountain Resort (formerly Big Mountain), as well as more modest, blissfully attractive areas such as Blacktail, Showdown, and Lost Trail. With their charming, relaxed attitude, Montana ski resorts appeal to everyone who is in love with hitting the powder. Generous terrain, under populated slopes, some of the most exhilarating runs imaginable, and great prices to boot! Who knew!

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