MONTANA IS LIKE NO PLACE ELSE ON EARTH. Dinosaurs once roamed here, and majestic bison, elk, and grizzly bears still do. Montana is a gateway to Glacier and Yellowstone—two crown jewels of the national park system—and is home to glistening glacial lakes, snow-capped mountain peaks, blue-ribbon trout streams, and mighty Missouri, Yellowstone, and Flathead Rivers.

Vast, unspoiled, and wild, “Big Sky Country” represents the very best of the American West. Rugged cowboys still saddle up to ride at ranches and wow crowds at rodeos. Ghost towns, state parks, and a one-of-a-kind Dinosaur Trail preserve a dazzling array of historical treasures—and offer opportunities to hunt for fossils and gems. Seven Indian Nations celebrate the state’s rich American heritage and traditions. Scenic train, float, and driving trips retrace the routes forged by explorers Lewis and Clark. And backcountry trails lead to wild, secluded spaces where it is still possible to be utterly alone.