Helena is the capital of Montana, the Treasure State, that many people call the Big Sky Country because of its clear beautiful blue skies and wide horizons. Visitors to Montana have to bring the wide-angle lens cameras to ensure that they capture their memories of the beautiful mountains and high plains. Eastern Montana is in the high plains and home of many ranches and Native American reservations. Because much of the State is designated as national forests and wilderness areas, little has changed since Lewis and Clark traversed its plains and mountains and crossed the Continental Divide in the Rocky Mountains. Montana has spectacular views and none more impressive than the scenic byway "Going-to-the-Sun Road" in Glacier National Park in northern Montana. In southern Montana, the Absaroko-Beartooth Wilderness Area touches the northern tip of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. Montana has copper mining, lumbering, railroad and industrial histories. Today, relics of the mining and railroading days are on display in Butte.

Many famous struggles in the western expansion occurred in Montana. Visitors can explore the Little Bighorn Battlefield east of Billings, which is a city nestled among the rimrocks. Additionally, auto-tourists can drive southwest of Billings on the scenic highway to historic Red Lodge near the highest peak in Montana.

River-rafting, kayaking, and canoeing on the swift streams and the scenic Flathead River provide beautiful venues for examining canyon walls and savoring wildflowers. However, on some areas of the Flathead River, staying in the boat takes concentration and full attention. Beaver Creek and Goat Lick places to paddle and view wildlife. Goats cannot resist the mineral excretions at Goat Lick. There are outfitters in all the rafting areas. The outfitters can help plan trips and offer supplies for the water adventures as well as backpacking, hiking, and camping. Some of the river trips are guided. Additionally, there are guided horseback-riding trips also. The camping trips can be overnight or longer. Anyone, who either saw or read The River Runs through It, knows that Montana is a paradise for fly fishermen. Avid fly fishermen can hike in to the wilderness with a guide and find some quiet fast moving streams that are loaded with trout. Hunting is interesting in Montana. Many hunting outfitters can provide guided trips.

Skiers, whether downhill or cross-country, can find many venues in Montana. Downhill skiers like to visit Red Lodge and Missoula. Cross-country skiers enjoy the six cross-country trails around Bozeman.

Anaconda, like Virginia City and Butte, has a mining history. Specifically, Anaconda had one of the world's richest copper deposits.

The Bigfork area is on a bay of Flathead Lake, which is the largest body of water west of the Mississippi River. Bigford is a commercial center for the orchardists and farmers in the region as well as a fishing village. Daily during the summer months, tourists can sail on a 51-foot sloop that tours Flathead Lake. Flathead Lake and Flathead National Forest stretches along the Rock Mountains and has everything that the outdoor adventurer wants. Kalispell is in the Flathead Valley between Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park and known for its sweet cherries.

Big Sky is a year-round recreation region surrounded by the forested hills of the Gallatin National Forests. Big Sky has something for everyone including, golfing, skiing, fly fishing, snow mobiling, horseback riding, hiking, white-water rafting, and paddling. Visitors to Big Sky can take guided interpretive tours of Yellowstone National Park and the Gallatin Pioneer Museum.

Missoula is a beautiful city on the Clark Fork River, a tributary of the Columbia River and at the mouth of the Hell Gate Canyon, which has historical significance to the Blackfoot Indians. Mountain biking and rock climbing are popular sports in the Missoula area. Missoula also has downhill skiing, and white-water rafting.

Three-state tour--Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana provide a natural triangle tour. Auto-tourists can visit Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Tetons, and Glacier National Park along with Coeur d' Alene.

Another side trip from Montana is going north from Glacier National Park to Waterton Lakes National Park in Alberta.