Planning a trip to Montana?  Take it from a local, these are the places you need to see that aren't the usual tourist fare.

Quake Lake (as Montanan's Call it) or Earthquake Lake

On August 17th, 1959 an earthquake hit near Yellowstone Park and it formed what's called Quake Lake.  80 million tons of rock fell blocking the Madison River and forming the lake.  The earthquake caused 11 million dollars in damage and killed 28 people.  My dad always told me he was knocked out of his bed in Choteau by that earthquake and that a lot of people who were living or camping there were buried in the landslide.  It's a neat place to visit with the trees in the lake, but you can kind of feel the sorrow when you're there. It does have some great fishing.

Google Maps
Google Maps
loading...

Quake Lake

Earthquake Lake, Montana

Havre Beneath The Streets

In 1904 a fire took out most of Havre.  Instead of moving to another town, most of Havre's businesses moved underground while the town above was being rebuilt.  You can explore Havre beneath the streets and be taken back in time with a saloon, opium den, Chinese laundry, restaurant, bordello, pharmacy, barber shop and more.

Google Maps
Google Maps
loading...

Havre underground

Soda Shop underground Havre
Google Maps
Google Maps
loading...

Havre underground

Havre Underground Saloon

 

Little Big Horn Battlefield National Monument

Also known as the Battle of the Greasy Grass and Custer's last Stand, The Battle of the Little Bighorn was fought on the Crow Indian Reservation June 25 and 26, 1876.  The 7th Calvary suffered a crushing defeat killing Custer, 2 of his brothers, his nephew and his brother-in-law.  The US casualty count that day was 268 with 5 men dying later of wounds they received in the battle.

Google Maps
Google Maps
loading...

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

Little Bighorn Battlefield

Garden of One Thousand Buddhas

The Garden of One Thousand Buddhas is located 2 miles out of Arlee in the Flathead Valley.  Each buddha represents the thousand buddhas that will be born in our religious age.

Google Maps
Google Maps
loading...

Garden of One Thousand Buddhas

Garden of One Thousand buddhas
loading...

Pictograph Cave State Park

Southeast of Billings, Pictograph Cave State Park is a walk back 2,000 years. Prehistoric hunters left their mark while camping in the cave with over 100 pictographs and even some artifacts.  The oldest rock art in the cave is over 2,000 years old.

Google Maps
Google Maps
loading...

Pictograph Cave State Park

Pictograph Cave State Park, Billings

 

Google Maps
Google Maps
loading...

Pictograph Cave State Park

Pictograph

Bison Range

On the Flathead Indian Reservation, North of Missoula, this Bison Range is home to around 350 Bison. It was designated as a nature reserve in 1908.  This is a drive only tour with 2 roads taking you to viewing areas.

Google Maps
Google Maps
loading...

Bison Range

Bison Range, Flathead Indian Reservation
Google Maps
Google Maps
loading...

Bison Range

Bison Range, Flathead Indian Reservation

Virginia City

Ok, so you'll see this on websites.  It's a must-see when you're in Montana.  Virginia City was the first Territorial Capitol of Montana from 1865-1875 when it was moved to Helena. Gold was discovered in Alder Gulch in 1863, and within a month, Virginia City became a boom town.  Virginia City was also the cultural and transportation hub of the state as well as the melting pot.  Residents moved to Virginia City from all kinds of places like Europe, China and Mexico. Don't forget to check out Boot Hill while you're there.  It's very close to Nevada City. In Montana terms, it's also pretty close to Quake Lake.  I've seen them both in the same day.

Google Maps
Google Maps
loading...

Virginia City, Montana

City street, Virginia City, Montana
Google Maps
Google Maps
loading...

Virginia City

Boot Hill, Virginia City Montana