Originally published in Pride Journeys December 14, 2023
Lonely Planet, a leader in the travel industry best known for its guidebooks, just released its annual “Best in Travel” report. The expansive analysis ranked the best cities, regions and countries to visit next year, as well as the best places to go based on factors like sustainability and value. Montana was named one of the best places to travel to in 2024. Here are five unique ways to see the Treasure State, ranging from exploring Yellowstone National Park by luxury RV to skiing the fresh powder of Big Sky Resort to whitewater rafting the Yellowstone River.
Yellowstone River Whitewater Rafting: Looking for exciting Yellowstone whitewater rafting, breathtaking scenery and awesome Yellowstone River rafting guides? Choose from a half-day whitewater trip, full-day whitewater trip, scenic float or overnight Montana whitewater trip for thrilling and exhilarating rafting adventures. Flying Pig Adventures’ river experts ensure each trip is safe and enjoyable for all ages and experience levels. Its Yellowstone whitewater rafting trips start at the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park in Gardiner, Montana, and are designed to provide the perfect blend of adventure, adrenaline and natural beauty. Whether you’re a seasoned rafter or a first-timer, expert guides will ensure that you have a safe and unforgettable trip.
Cycling Glacier National Park: The Big Sky meets six days of big smiles on Escape Adventures’ epic Glacier National Park/Going-to-the-Sun Road bike trip. Based in Montana’s 1,583-square-mile Glacier National Park, with its 375 historic properties plus six historic landmarks, riders will cycle into some of North America’s most breathtaking landscapes, including Going-to-the-Sun Road. At each stop, each slow pass, guests will learn a little more about the “Crown of the Continent” ecosystem.
Explore Montana by RV: Discover the natural beauty of Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier and more with an RV rental from Bozeman, Montana-based Blacksford. With the comfort and convenience of a new Winnebago RV, guests will have the freedom to travel at their own pace and experience the great outdoors like never before. Blackford’s brand-new, luxury RVs and campervans are low-mileage and impeccably maintained, ensuring a safe and worry-free trip. They offer flexible pickup and dropoff times, all the amenities you’ll need for a fantastic vacation and support to ensure a seamless rental experience. Blacksford utilizes AdventureGenie, the easiest, fastest, most intuitive AI-powered RV trip planner on the market.
Dude Ranch Vacation: Play cowboy or cowgirl on a summer vacation at the historic Circle Bar Guest Ranch in central Montana. Set along the Judith River and at the foot of the Little Belt Mountains, the Circle Bar dates to the 1800s and offers adventures like horseback riding to a ridgetop breakfast, hiking the ranch’s 520 acres and nearby national forest, fly fishing a restored trout river, a 3-D archery course, target and clay pigeon shooting, and UTV tours to a prospector’s cabin and sapphire mine. Accommodations are in historic cabins, a ranch house or lodge rooms.
Big Sky Adventures: In Big Sky, Montana, The Wilson Hotel serves as a basecamp for adventure whether it’s winter or summer. Guests can ski and snowboard Big Sky Resort’s expansive 5,850 acres of terrain in winter, and hike nearby shaded forests and wildflower-filled meadows, raft or fly fish the clear waters of the Gallatin River, and experience the adrenaline rush of lift-served mountain biking in summer. At the end of the day, The Wilson offers spacious, sophisticated accommodations steps from on-site amenities and Big Sky Town Center.
