Typically, by mid-October, much of Montana has already seen its first snowfall. But if you get that traveling jones before the winter weather really gets in the way, you can get a jump on any winter cabin fever by going on one final scenic drive of the season. And the almost 400-mile Montana Scenic Loop is a perfect choice for your journey.

Google Maps
This loop circles the largest stretch of wilderness in the continental United States.
Jocelyn Catterson / Flickr
That includes four national forests: the Bob Marshall Wilderness, Great Bear Wilderness, Scapegoat Wilderness and the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
The route was designed to promote sustainable tourism through Montana’s wild country.
Robert Lz / Flickr
You’ll see 15 rural Montana communities along the way, each of them off the beaten path.

Related Stories

The Highest Road In Montana Will Lead You On An Unforgettable Journey

The Highest Road In Montana Will Lead You On An Unforgettable Journey

 This Weekend Road Trip Shows Off The Underrated Beauty Of Southeast Montana

This Weekend Road Trip Shows Off The Underrated Beauty Of Southeast Montana

 The 2.5-Hour Road Trip Around The Blackfoot River Is A Glorious Spring Adventure In Montana

The 2.5-Hour Road Trip Around The Blackfoot River Is A Glorious Spring Adventure In Montana
The scenery simply can’t be beat.
Michael Lusk / Flickr
You’ll see sweeping mountains, rolling hills, dense forests and shimmering Montana lakes.
You can start your journey in Helena, Great Falls or Missoula.
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
To get the full loop in, try starting and ending your trip in Lincoln, Montana.
You’ll see Augusta, Choteau, Bynum, Dupuyer, Browning, East Glacier...
Micah Sheldon / Flickr
... Essex, Hungry Horse, Columbia Falls, Bigfork, Condon, Seeley Lake (pictured here) and Ovando on your way. Stop in as many of these charming communities as you’d like.
Many stretches of the loop are wide open, and you may not see another car for miles.
Harshil Shah/Flickr
But you’re also never far from another Montana small town.

Montana’s scenic loop is a beautiful drive. It takes about seven hours from beginning to end, so you may want to allow a full weekend for it so you can explore. Be sure to pack all the road trip essentials and snacks for your journey. Got the bug now? Here are some other beautiful scenic byways in the Treasure State.

Which do you think are the best drives in Montana overall? How about which you consider to be the best scenic drives in Montana? We’d love to read about your experiences in the comments section below!

If you’d like to explore hikes around any of these scenic drives you can find some great trails by going to the overall AllTrails website.

If you’re still in the mood for more Montana adventures, take a look at this video:

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

More Fun In Montana

Lysa Allman-Baldwin | December 01, 2023

Where can we find small towns in Montana?

  • Fort Benton is the Birthplace of Montana and home to the Bridge to Nowhere as well as numerous museums.
  • Philipsburg is a popular former 19th-century mining town with great hikes nearby.
  • Choteau has maintained a great deal of its historic French roots and offers a wide array of great shopping, dining establishments, and inviting accommodations.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other charming small towns in Montana.

Where can we find the best steakhouses in Montana?

  • The McAllister Inn, located in its namesake town of McAllister, serves elegant steaks, burgers and occasional prime rib specials.
  • The Land of Magic in Logan serves up great steaks and other fare in an old-fashioned log building.
  • The Mint Cafe and Bar in Belgrade is an upscale, circa-1904 steakhouse and one of the best in the state.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other delicious steakhouses in Montana.

Where can we find short hiking trails in Montana?

  • The Sacagawea Peak Trail near Bozeman is short but does have some steep inclines and switchbacks.
  • The Triple Tree Trail in Gallatin National Forest is one of the easiest hikes in Montana and particularly popular during wildflower season.
  • The Redrock Falls Trail in Glacier National Park is a 3.5-mile hike and features a waterfall along the way.

Read on to learn more about some of the many other short hiking trails in Montana.

Related Articles