Hollywood has a big impact on where we travel. Countless tourists make their way to Paris, New York, or Los Angeles at least in part because they’re so frequently featured in our favorite movies and TV shows. After all, who wouldn’t want to stand in the same spots as some of their favorite fictional characters, or experience the city that served as a backdrop to their most beloved film?
However, that same tourism bump is now happening in a much more remote location: the US state of Montana. It’s all because of the smash hit TV show Yellowstone. All of the drama we see on our screens takes place amidst sweeping mountain backdrops with gorgeous cinematography that highlights the beauty of this amazing state.
And while you can visit the real version of the fictional Yellowstone Ranch owned by the Dutton family, as well as Yellowstone National Park in Montana and equally beautiful Wyoming, there are many more things you can do in Montana to scratch your itch to become a cowboy and experience Big Sky Country.
National Parks
World-famous Yellowstone National Park extends into Montana, but the bulk of the park is in Wyoming. Regardless, it’s absolutely worth a visit to see Old Faithful, dramatic canyons, bubbling hot springs, and wildlife including bears, wolves, and bison.
For a more remote experience entirely in Montana, head to Glacier National Park. This 1,500-square-mile wilderness runs to the Canadian border, and has countless dramatic mountain peaks, 700+ miles of hiking trails, and raw natural beauty to rival anywhere on earth.
Dude Ranches
If you want to try your hand at being a cowboy or rancher in Montana, the closest most people can get is by visiting a dude ranch. Also called guest ranches, these ranches allow you to experience a portion of ranch life by helping out on cattle drives, taking trail rides on horses, and other activities that vary depending on the ranch. There are dozens of dude ranches in Montana that range from rustic to luxurious. Just book your stay early. Yellowstone has made Montana dude ranch vacations incredibly popular.
Hiking and Biking
If you’d rather experience the dusty trail under your own power, Montana is perfect for you as well. There are thousands of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails that traverse the state’s 64 mountain ranges. How far you want to go and how difficult you want the journey to be is entirely up to you. Just make sure you do plenty of planning, and hire a guide if you don’t have plenty of experience.
Montana Tips to Keep in Mind
One thing you have to remember about Yellowstone is that it is fiction, and it only shows certain aspects of Montana. It’s important to realize that this state has brutally cold winters with lots of snow and ice that lasts for months. Also, much of the eastern portion of the state is endless prairie, which is beautiful in its own right, but very different from the views the Duttons have. Outdoor activities here are best planned for the summer months, and in the more mountainous portion of the state. Also keep in mind that Montana is bear country. Make sure you read up on and take all precautions to protect yourself from grizzly bears before heading out in the mountains.
Insurance is Essential
There are plenty of ways to get hurt while visiting Montana and horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, or just sightseeing. You can also unexpectedly get sick at any time. This is why international visitors must have visitors medical insurance. Without it, a single night in the hospital could leave you with an unaffordable bill.
Those traveling domestically to Montana should purchase travel insurance. It can guard you against additional expenses you may incur as a result of trip cancellation, interruption, or delay, as well as lost or delayed baggage. You can even choose cancel for any reason insurance to give you additional flexibility.