Now that the peak of Yellowstone’s fandom has come to an end, Montana can get back to its roots rather than film set tourists known as set jetters.
That’s Fort Worth’s mantle to take.
While Bozeman is undoubtedly Montana’s trendiest getaway, especially with many Californians opting to move here during the dark days of COVID, there’s far more than meets the eye in one of America’s most jaw-dropping states.
In fact, many locals scoff at Bozeman just like Texans view Austin as the black sheep of the family.
Your weird uncle might say some crazy stuff at Thanksgiving, but you love him anyway…
That’s Bozeman to Montanans.
But even as much of a draw as Bozeman has become with help from Taylor Sheridan’s hit TV show Yellowstone, there are far more authentic destinations to visit, exuding the pristine beauty you’d imagine when venturing away from rustic townscapes.
According to Travel + Leisure, 2 of those places are gorgeous lakes that are an absolute must-visit when visiting Montana.
Flathead Lake: The Largest Freshwater Lake West Of The Mississippi
Montana got me. After all our Mississippi articles here at Travel Off Path, here I am still having to count my S’s and P’s for another state…
Flathead Lake couldn’t be more under-hyped. It’s one of those places that would be a household name if only more people knew it existed.
Its crystalline waters are remarkable. Despite its size, its sprawling expanse doesn’t feel overwhelming as if you can’t tackle it by paddleboard or kayak — a popular activity for many who visit.
Cradled between a set of dramatic mountain ranges (Mission Mountains to the east and the Salish Mountains to the west), there are few places this side of the States with a more mesmerizing backdrop.
Better yet, even in the throes of winter, Flathead can be a meteorologist’s headache. The lake’s ‘mild climate’ often keeps temperatures more tolerable than surrounding areas — forcing weathermen to actually earn their paycheck.
But Flathead is no one-trick pony either. It’s not a roadside stop to admire its beauty and hit the road again…
As Travel + Leisure stated, there are ‘fruit orchards and vineyards on its east side’. But you don’t think of fruit baskets and high-end wine when you envision Montana, right?
Not that I’d would pass it up…
But we believe Wild Horse Island State Park is Flathead’s must-see to believe, unless you believe in the legend of Flathead’s own “Lochness Monster”…
Just as it sounds, this island on the lake is home to wild horses wandering its untouched shoreline and dense forestry.
This boat-accessible island only costs $8 for non-residents to visit and is worth every penny, according to numerous rave reviews. You may never visit a petting zoo again.
Old McDonald Had A Lake?
You won’t find golden arches in Glacier National Park, nor perfectly crisp fries I need to stop eating…
What you will find is Lake McDonald, described by Travel + Leisure as Glacier’s “crown jewel”.
This 10-mile-long lake is truly a stunner with glassy water mirroring surrounding mountains and smooth rainbow pebbles that won’t cut your feet should you want to take a dip (but maybe wait ’til winter is over).
If you’re the type of traveler who craves a breath of fresh air, this is literally the place.
Far removed from city life, you may occasionally spot one of Montana’s famous wildlife species, such as moose or bears.
This particular lake makes a perfect base to explore the rest of Glacier, too, considering you can start your day along the waterfront.
Travel +Leisure touts Lake McDonald Lodge, which runs the banks of this crystal-clear lake formed by — you guessed it — glaciers.
Waters tend to be calm year-round, making for a safe family getaway. Well, as long as there are no bears or moose in sight, but they’re not common on the hotel side.
While rooms at the lodge are cozy, Lake McDonald will have you craving to be outside as much as possible.
There are tons of activities to do, from seasonal boat tours, kayaking, canoeing, and picnicking with stellar natural curtains of snowcapped summits.
Take the quiz below to see which Lake is perfect for your next trip!
