The Montana hills are alive… with the blazing colors of fall. And in Big Sky Country, the autumn season takes on a life of its own. Here, you can enjoy the popping oranges, yellows, and reds while touring Yellowstone or taking a boat ride on Whitefish Lake. During the fall, the temperatures are perfect, making it fun to hike, picnic, and camp. The animals come out to play, so if you have a good pair of binoculars, you may just hear elk bugling in the distance as twilight descends.

　　Montana is a picture-perfect destination, so if you’re into rusty colors and outdoor scenery, the following places are the best starting points for a fall trip.

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Flathead Lake

Autumn in Flathead Lake, Montana, By Foto: Martina Nolte, Lizenz: Creative Commons by-sa-3.0 de, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, File:Flathead Lake bei Lakeside (Pano).JPG - Wikimedia Commons As the air starts to cool and the Flathead Valley embraces the fall, the crowds dissipate around Flathead Lake. This time of the year is perfect for visiting the ‘gateway to Glacier National Park. The yellow trees intermingle with the ever-green ones as the lake's clear water flows over the gorgeous landscape.

　　Flathead Lake is the largest natural water body west of the Continental Divide. Here you can camp, or go for a boat ride. While in your boat, you can head over to Wild Horse Island on the west shore. The island is a protected state park and a stunning backdrop for waterfowl, bighorn sheep, bald eagles, and mule deer. If you take one of the trails leading through the Ponderosa pine forest, you may spot one or two wild horses too.

　　Back at the lake, fishing spots, open water beaches, and swimming holes await. If you’re interested in high-energy activities, you can rent a Kayak and paddle around the Flathead Lake Marine Trail as you take in the fall colors around you.  

　　

Glacier National Park

Autumn in Glacier National Park, Montana A mere 40 miles from the lake, you’ll find the much-loved Glacier National Park. Touted as one of the most beautiful parks in the US, if not the world, this ‘crown of the continent offers a fascinating look at ancient and native history. If you plan your trip to the park from mid-September to the beginning of October, you’ll be just in time for some dramatic foliage color changes. The trees in the park turn bright gold as October approaches, illuminating its western side.

　　Glacier National Park is an ultimate wildlife viewing destination in the fall, especially for bears. These majestic creatures are out and about, preparing for winter. You’ll also spot hawks and golden eagles migrating south.

　　Until the end of September, you can go on a fall float with a raft as the golden trees look on. If you want to set up camp, remember that camping is allowed on a first-come, first-served basis as no reservations can be made after Labor Day.

　　And don’t miss out on the Going-To-The-Sun Road, which is less crowded during the cooler seasons. The scenic mountain road is the only road within the park and crosses the Continental Divide through Logan Pass.

　　

Kootenai Falls

Small cascades on the Kootenai river by the Kootenai Falls near Libby, Montana A breathtaking two-hour drive from the park lies the magnificent Kootenai Falls. Dropping down 300 feet over rockfalls within the Kootenai National Forest, this natural wonder is even more beautiful in the fall. The Kootenai Falls is the largest undammed falls in Montana and a must-visit destination. A swinging bridge takes you to the other side of the Kootenai River and provides more panoramic views of the water.

　　The rocks above the falls are topped with green and orange-leafed trees during autumn, creating the perfect Big Sky Country postcard picture. The forest is surrounded by color-streaked mountains and offers fun hiking trails in the Ten Lakes Scenic area. If you love the water, you can go fishing or boat riding.

　　The forest is also home to the Libby Creek Recreational Gold Panning Area. If you’re interested in panning for gold, this is the place to go. You’re allowed to keep any gold you find (terms and conditions apply).

　　

Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway

Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway, via Backyard Montana Six hours from the spectacular Ross Creek Cedars, you’ll come across the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway. This 49-mile is perfect for a mini Montana road trip. The byway is closed between December and May, which makes the beginning of fall the best time to drive here.

　　As you drive along, you’ll notice the trees shedding their green summer colors for fall-appropriate shades. You’ll pass Grouse Lakes and Bobcat Lakes, both of which offer hiking opportunities. You can also go RV or tent camping in the area.

　　Halfway down the byway, mountain views color the rest of the fall picture. As you take in the distant peaks, don’t forget to focus on the road ahead that leads to a mining ghost town known as Coolidge. Onwards from the abandoned town, the byway will take you to Crystal Park where you can dig and search for quartz crystals.

　　If you’re into skiing, you’ll be happy to know that the byway also reaches the Maverick Mountain Ski Area with its 2400-foot rise and 250-inch snowfall average.

　　

Bitterroot Valley

Drone view of the Bitterroot mountain range in Hamilton Montana Not too far from the Pioneers byway, lies the Bitterroot Valley in southwestern Montana. It is a place of traditional ranches, and small towns, and also the location where the hugely popular show Yellowstone is filmed.

　　During the fall season, the tall Douglases and spruces turn varying shades of gold, orange, red, and yellow. Several trees sporting these colors frame the driveway of the Daly Mansion Museum where daily tours are offered at the beginning of October. The museum was once the summer mansion of one Marcus Daly, one of Montana’s Copper Kings.

　　When you’re done with your museum tour, you have the rest of the day to go fishing along the Bitterroot River or hike the Bitterroot Mountains. The most popular hiking trails include Blodgett Canyon, Lake Como Loop, and Kootenai Creek.

　　Bitterroot Valley loves autumn and holds an annual Scarecrow Festival and McIntosh Apple Day to celebrate the start of this beautiful season.

　　

Makoshika State Park

Hoodoos at Makoshika State Park at sunset, Montana On the opposite side of the state, eight hours away from Bitterroot Valley, you’ll find Montana’s largest state park. Below an autumn night sky, the badland formations rise towards the stars, and fossils of long-gone dinosaurs await discovery. The yellow and orange-leafed junipers dotting the badlands invite the curious to see what lies beneath them.

　　If you’re interested in all things dinosaurs, don’t miss out on a visit to one of Montana’s best fall destinations. After exploring the dirt trails, you can view the fossil remains of a massive T-Rex as well as a Triceratops in the Visitor Center. You’ll also learn more about the Montana Dinosaur Trail which consists of 14 locations where dinosaur fossils have been discovered.

　　At Makoshika, you can also enjoy full moon hikes, trivia challenges, and the popular National Fossil Day event where you can meet real-life paleontologists. The best hiking trails include Bluebird, Gunners Ridge, and Buccaneer, while the southern side of the park offers ample camping space.

　　

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park in fall No Montana fall trip is complete without a visit to the glorious Yellowstone National Park. With bright yellows and oranges as far as the eye can see, the landscape within this famous park is an autumn delight.

　　Fall is the best time to see elk in Yellowstone. You may also spot bears, moose, pronghorn, and eagles. If you’re an avid bicycler, you can explore various sections of the Grand Loop Road in Yellowstone, including Mammoth Hot Springs to West Yellowstone, Tower Junction to Chittenden Road, and Madison Junction to Old Faithful.

　　This is also the best season to catch brown trout in the park, as most of the trout spawn between the end of October and mid-November.

　　If you stretch your visit to the end of November, you can also enjoy snowshoeing, skiing, and snowmobile rides. The snow transport becomes the main way to get around the park during this time and can take you to all the main attractions.

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　　Montana offers one of the most scenic fall landscapes in the US every year. Along with gazing in wonder at the shifting colors, there is no shortage of national parks and fall festivals where you can ring in the new season. And, since fall is also the Halloween season, you can even visit a pumpkin patch or a corn maze to get in the mood for the spooky holiday.