and are undeniably awesome, but locals know that the state’s ten national forests are just as much fun to explore. On this western Montana road trip, you can easily access five of them by car, with nearly endless opportunities to fly-fish, horseback ride, whitewater raft, hike, mountain bike, and possibly even surf along the way. Added bonus: The loop also passes the oldest continually operating bar in Montana (est. 1877), the , and the site of the 1877 .
Missoula
Road Trip #2
Total distance: 393 miles; total days: 6-8Before setting out into the surrounding , hike the 1.8-mile Trail, which starts in town and leads to the giant M overlooking the University of Montana campus. Or marvel at the surfers at Brennan’s Wave, a human-made hydraulic on the Clark Fork River, which bisects the city. Want to give it a whirl? Rent a board and take a river surfing lesson from . Or sign up for the “Historic Town Float,” from , which starts in Milltown and ends in time to shop at the (summer-only) Saturday back in Missoula. For a trip back in time, drive an hour east to , a historic mining town with 30 preserved buildings.
MADE IN MONTANA
R.L. Winston Rod Company Kairos Rod This new series of freshwater, saltwater, and spey fast-action use 100 percent graphite technology. It’s the reason they’re so fun and responsive for such a wide array of fishing scenarios. With a clear graphite finish, the famous Winston Green thread wraps, and a handwritten inscription on the rod, they look good, too.EAT & STAY: Fuel up with spicy Cajun food at Charlie B’s & the and then kick back at the , which has rooms with patios facing the Clark Fork River.
Philipsburg
Situated within striking distance of both and , this former mining town is at the base of , a ski area with lift-accessed mountain biking. , a world-famous blue-ribbon trout stream, also runs near town. -based has a satellite store here with the necessary gear, permitting, and guides. If you want to see old Montana, don’t miss the basement display in the Granite County Museum and Cultural Center in , with its collection of cowboy chaps, artifacts found in a typical western Montana homestead, and a mine car from Contact Mining.
EAT & STAY: Have ribs your way at , then head next door for taffy and fudge at . , a beautiful, modern two-bedroom cabin, sits two miles from downtown and a short drive from , , and .
Wisdom to Lolo
This stunning 121-mile-long corridor between and follows the Big Hole and Bitterroot Rivers most of the way. With the appropriate fishing licenses, visitors can drop a line in almost anywhere. The wide-open valley at , west of , honors those who died during a fierce battle in 1877. Off U.S. 93 between Chief Joseph Pass and , there are 40 access points into the Bitterroot National Forest and the beyond. Trailheads are well marked with brown road signs—pick one and go.
EAT & STAY: In Wisdom, has excellent bacon and blue cheese burgers and vanilla shakes. in sits on ten acres and has a new, rustic cabin plus three bedrooms in the main house.
Flathead Lake to Jewel Basin
The largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi, is home to , where, true to its name, horses still roam. Book a boat tour with Montana Journeys to explore the 2,160-acre island’s rolling hills. Back on land, drive the eastern shoreline, lined with cherry orchards on one side and the on the other, before heading to your final destination, , a 15,349-acre area south of with 27 alpine lakes and 35 miles of trails.
EAT & STAY: Order braised bison short ribs on the deck at , overlooking Flathead Lake, part of , which has 30 suites with fireplaces.