Highest-rated free things to do in Montana, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in Montana, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Montana.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Montana using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Caras Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (194 reviews)
- Address: Missoula, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. St. Ignatius Mission
- Rating: 4.5/5 (87 reviews)
- Address: 300 Beartrack Ave. Saint Ignatius, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Fishercap Lake
- Rating: 4.5/5 (121 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Yellowstone Cellars & Winery
- Rating: 5/5 (68 reviews)
- Address: 1335 Holiday Cir Billings, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. University of Montana
- Rating: 4.5/5 (244 reviews)
- Address: 32 Campus Drive Missoula, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Hungry Horse Reservoir
- Rating: 4.5/5 (192 reviews)
- Address: on the South Fork of the Flathead River Hungry Horse, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. River's Edge Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (173 reviews)
- Address: Great Falls, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Headframe Spirits
- Rating: 5/5 (129 reviews)
- Address: 21 South Montana St. Butte, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. Mount Helena
- Rating: 5/5 (149 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Missoula Farmer's Market
- Rating: 5/5 (107 reviews)
- Address: North end of Higgins Ave. Missoula, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Ross Creek Cedar Grove Scenic Area
- Rating: 5/5 (113 reviews)
- Address: Hwy 56, Bull Lake Road 4.3 miles west of Hwy. 56 Troy, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Gallatin River
- Rating: 5/5 (150 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. The Rimrocks
- Rating: 4.5/5 (362 reviews)
- Address: Rimrock Road Billings, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Glacier Distilling Company
- Rating: 4.5/5 (177 reviews)
- Address: 10237 Highway 2 East Coram, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Granite Mountain Memorial Overlook
- Rating: 4.5/5 (199 reviews)
- Address: Cora Terrace Road Butte, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Beehive Basin Trail
- Rating: 5/5 (164 reviews)
- Address: Beehive Basin Rd. Big Sky, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
- Rating: 4.5/5 (284 reviews)
- Address: 5705 Grant Creek Road Missoula, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Rattlesnake National Recreation Area
- Rating: 5/5 (111 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Gallatin Canyon
- Rating: 5/5 (135 reviews)
- Address: Luhn Lane Bozeman, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Smokejumper Visitor Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (241 reviews)
- Address: 5765 West Broadway St. Missoula, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Running Eagle Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (256 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Montana State Capitol
- Rating: 4.5/5 (501 reviews)
- Address: Montana Ave. and 6th St. Montana Ave. & 6th St. Helena, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Earthquake Lake
- Rating: 4.5/5 (479 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Kootenai Falls & Swinging Bridge
- Rating: 5/5 (387 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Palisade Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (329 reviews)
- Address: Hyalite Canyon Bozeman, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Downtown Bozeman
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,028 reviews)
- Address: Bozeman, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Cathedral of St. Helena
- Rating: 5/5 (617 reviews)
- Address: 530 North Ewing St. Helena, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Flathead Lake
- Rating: 5/5 (373 reviews)
- Address: Polson, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Ousel Falls Trail
- Rating: 5/5 (570 reviews)
- Address: Ousel Falls Road Big Sky, Montana
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Beartooth Highway
- Rating: 5/5 (879 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
