Exploring Montana by Train, Boat, or Hot Air Balloon
Riding the rails through Montana offers a timeless way to witness the state’s rugged beauty, and nowhere is this more evident than on the historic Montana Rail Link route that threads through Missoula, about two hours northwest of Bozeman. From Missoula’s depot, travelers can glimpse sweeping vistas of the Bitterroot Mountains as freight trains snake through deep river valleys and alongside the Clark Fork River. Though primarily a freight line, the area around Missoula invites visitors to explore the nearby Kim Williams Trail, a flat, 7.5-mile path that follows the river and offers serene views of riparian wildlife and distant peaks. In spring and fall, the vibrant colors of cottonwoods and maples transform the landscape, revealing why this corridor is treasured both for its rail heritage and natural splendor.
Further north, the Glacier Park Boat Company in West Glacier, roughly 30 minutes from the town of Whitefish, invites visitors to experience the pristine waters of Lake McDonald. Boarding a historic wooden tour boat, passengers glide under towering peaks of Glacier National Park’s rugged west side. The boat’s slow pace allows time to spot bald eagles, osprey, and maybe even a shy mountain goat along the shoreline. The boat tours highlight the lake’s crystal-clear depths and the jagged silhouettes of the Livingston Range, setting this experience apart from other Montana waterways by combining natural history with old-world charm. Summer mornings often provide the clearest, calmest waters, reflecting the surrounding forests like glass.
East of Bozeman, visitors can find an unforgettable ballooning experience above the Gallatin Valley. Out of Big Sky, about 45 minutes southwest of Bozeman, several outfitters offer hot air balloon rides that float over vast ranchlands bordered by the towering Absaroka and Gallatin mountain ranges. Drift gently above wildflower meadows and winding rivers, watching the first light of dawn illuminate the valley floor below. This aerial perspective reveals a patchwork of forests, open fields, and distant snow-capped peaks that can’t be fully appreciated from the ground. Early summer and late fall, when clear skies and gentle winds prevail, provide ideal conditions for balloonists and photographers seeking colorful sunrises and sweeping panoramas.
In the heart of Helena, the Montana State Railroad Museum offers an immersive journey into the state’s railroading past, just a short drive from the state’s capital center. Exhibits showcase vintage locomotives, historic passenger cars, and interactive displays that bring to life the engineering feat of connecting Montana to the rest of the nation. Visitors can walk through a century-old dining car, imagining the grandeur and grit of rail travel in the early 1900s. The museum’s location near the Missouri River adds a bonus stop for photographers eager to juxtapose industrial history with the natural flow of one of the continent’s major waterways. Winter months, when snow blankets the capital city, add a quiet solemnity to the museum’s preserved trains, evoking the challenges of rail travel in Montana’s rugged climate.
Southwest of Billings, the Bighorn River is a premier destination for boaters seeking a mix of calm stretches and lively rapids. The river winds its way through the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, about a 90-minute drive from Billings, where rental outfitters offer kayaks and canoes for exploring the canyon’s towering limestone cliffs and ancient pictographs. The river’s gentle flow in late spring and early summer makes for manageable paddling, while the canyon’s geology and wildlife—bighorn sheep often visible along the cliffs—offer a dramatic backdrop unmatched elsewhere in Montana. Evening trips reveal spectacular sunsets casting golden hues over the canyon walls, a sight that transforms the ordinary boating day into a magical experience.
Near the small town of Livingston, roughly 30 minutes north of Bozeman, an exhilarating balloon ride over the Yellowstone River Valley offers a different kind of serenity. The combination of open grasslands, braided river channels, and distant mountain ridges creates a vast mosaic seen best from the sky. Balloonists often drift close enough to spot mule deer and even the occasional elk herd grazing below. This area’s relatively mild summer mornings and predictable wind patterns make it a favorite among hot air balloon pilots who want to showcase Montana’s wildlife richness and pastoral landscapes in one soaring flight.
For a train journey steeped in Western lore, the historic Whitefish Depot stands as a gateway to the northern Rockies, about 30 miles west of Glacier National Park. While passenger service has shifted to Amtrak’s Empire Builder line, the depot remains a lively hub where travelers begin or end their exploration of Glacier’s alpine splendor. Nearby, the Whitefish Trail system offers a network of hiking and biking routes that extend from the town center into forested ridges and lakes. After a day on the rails and trails, visitors can savor the town’s rustic charm, amplified by the stunning mountain vistas that make Whitefish a uniquely scenic gateway to Montana’s wild north.
At the southern edge of the state, the Clark Fork River near Missoula also provides opportunities for float trips on rafts and drift boats, especially around the Frenchtown area, just 20 minutes west of Missoula city center. The river here meanders through wide valleys with bluffs and cottonwood groves lining the banks. This section is known for its gentle currents and abundant trout, making it popular with anglers who float slowly downstream while casting lines. Autumn is particularly beautiful, as the river reflects the vivid reds and golds of the surrounding aspens. Floating this stretch offers a peaceful alternative to the more rugged whitewater experiences elsewhere in Montana.
Together, these rail lines, waterways, and aerial journeys offer a multifaceted way to experience Montana’s vast and varied landscapes. Each mode of travel reveals distinct layers of the state’s natural and cultural heritage—from the stately pulse of a train clattering through mountain passes, to the gentle glide of a boat on glacier-fed lakes, to the silent drift of a balloon over sweeping valleys. By anchoring travel to these real places, visitors can savor the tangible beauty and spirit of Montana in ways that linger long after the journey ends.