If you’re considering taking a spring vacation in Montana, the hardest part is choosing what to do. There are endless ways to fill the days, especially if you’re a fan of the great outdoors. Montana is the classic Western frontier — brimming with rural beauty and steeped in American history. So there’s always something new to discover.
Of course, everyone has their own preferences when it comes to exploring a new place. So we recommend you spend some time researching the many activities and hot spots that Montana has to offer. We hope this handy guide to Montana spring attractions helps you plan an unforgettable getaway in Big Sky Country!
1. Take a Hike
Pack your boots because Montana is a hiker’s paradise! With seven national forests covering almost 20 million acres, you’ll never run out of terrain to explore. If you prefer taking the path less traveled, you’ll find ample lesser-known trails to keep you busy.
Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park are incredibly popular hiking spots, although they can be crowded for that very reason. You’ll find breathtaking hiking opportunities for all ages and skill levels here at Alberton Orchards. You can get the full Montana spring experience while enjoying peaceful trails without the hustle and bustle of tourists.
2. Taste Fine Wines
Montana may not be the first state that comes to mind when thinking about wine, but it’s a hidden gem among in-the-know aficionados! If your ideal spring Montana vacation includes sipping some whites and reds, you’ll find that the region’s climate makes it perfect for producing pinot noir, pinot gris, and chardonnay varieties, among others.
There’s only a handful of well-known wineries throughout Montana, so you should be able to try most or even all of them if you’re motivated. If you’d prefer to spend your Montana spring getaway sipping instead of traveling, stay with us!
Our on-site vineyard boasts over 1,800 vines with Concord, Marquette, and Itasca grapes. In addition to being a lovely place to unwind and enjoy some fine wine, the vineyard is a beautiful backdrop for taking family vacation photos.
3. Ride the River
Montana’s Alberton Gorge — an 11-mile stretch of the Clark Fork River — is famous for its phenomenal white water rafting. Surrounded by towering canyon walls and picturesque greenery, rafting is a great way to do some sightseeing while you get your adrenaline pumping speeding down class III and IV rapids.
If you prefer a leisurely Montana spring experience, tubing down the lazy parts of the river is a wonderful way to spend the day.
4. Visit a Museum
While Montana in spring is known for its outdoor splendor, you may want to enjoy some indoor activities from time to time.
The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman is a fantastic place to bring the whole family. The museum is known for its dinosaur exhibits (including the world’s biggest T-Rex skull) and a planetarium. There’s even an original late-1800s pioneer log cabin exhibit — much like the authentic log cabins we have available for guests!
The World Museum of Mining in Butte is another fascinating place to add to your Montana spring to-do list. History buffs will surely appreciate more than three dozen historical structures and buildings throughout the restored mining camp. The museum also features a magnificent Victorian mansion (Copper King Mansion), as well as a mineral exhibit that features over 1,300 specimens, including a massive gold nugget!
5. Go for a Ride
Sure, exploring on foot is a fun and rewarding activity. But there are plenty of other ways to get around in Montana, including horses, dirt bikes and ATVs, and fat-tire bikes. Or, take a tour on vintage scooters or wooden wagons.
If you want to cover a lot of ground in a short amount of time, you’ll find all of these Montana spring transportation options available at your front door when you stay at Alberton Orchards! If you’re planning a spring Montana getaway, you’ll want to enjoy the weather and the scenery. Whether you prefer riding fast or cruising slow, you’re in for a treat.
6. Explore a Cave
Ever been spelunking? There’s a first time for everything! Located between Bozeman and Butte, Lewis and Clark Caverns is one of the world’s biggest limestone caverns. Packed with breathtaking geological wonders (and some bats), these cave tours are truly unforgettable.
The state park also features ten miles of hiking trails, as well as a campground for Montana spring overnight adventures.
Fun Fact: The Lewis and Clark Caverns are named after the American explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Our local Clark Fork River is also named after William Clark!
7. Catch a Fish
Montana is an incredibly popular destination among passionate anglers, especially those with a knack for fly fishing. The state is packed with small creeks and streams for those who prefer to get away from it all while fishing. But there are also some popular hot spots like the Bitterroot River, the Flathead River, and Fish Creek State Park, where visitors and locals go to try their luck.
If fishing is your thing, spend your Montana spring vacation at Alberton Orchards. Our ranch is located right on the banks of the scenic Clark Fork River, and there are many places to fish within walking and driving distance. Our friendly guides will be happy to recommend spots, or feel free to seek your own personal spring Montana fishing haven.
Trout’s the name of the game around here, but you might also catch other species like pikeminnow and mountain whitefish.
8. Feast on Fresh Food
Montana’s boundless wilderness, thriving nature, and excellent fishing make the state a popular destination for those who like to eat fresh food from the local land and waters.
While you may not want to plan your entire Montana spring getaway around food, we suggest asking the locals for recommendations wherever you go. You might be amazed by some of the undiscovered culinary gems hidden throughout the state.
If you stay with us, you’ll be treated to agrotourism reminiscent of Tuscany, Italy. Our orchard gives you access to produce you can harvest and use to make farm-to-table meals and drinks. In addition to a beautiful herb and fruit garden, our orchard has more than 1,500 Honeycrisp apple trees.
9. View Wildlife
If you’re interested in scoping some fascinating animals, you’ll find lots of options during your Montana spring vacation.
The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone is an animal sanctuary where you can watch bears and wolves in their natural habitats and learn about these incredible creatures. It’s a great place to visit before or after checking out the world-famous Yellowstone National Park.
Alberton Orchards is another outstanding spring Montana location for those looking to get up close and personal with magnificent animals. Our wagon tour shows you herds of bison, and we also have friendly Scottish Highland cattle you can feed by hand! We also raise and release beautiful ringneck pheasants that love hanging out with our bison.
10. Take Your Best Shot
If your perfect Montana spring adventure involves shooting, you’re in luck. Not only do we have an on-site shooting range waiting for you — we also have paintballing with all equipment provided. Whether you’re enjoying some relaxing target practice or going all out with a high-octane game of capture the flag, you’re going to have an absolute blast!
Customize Your Montana Spring Adventure
We’ve barely scratched the surface! As you can see, Montana has so much to offer visitors, especially if you stay at Alberton Orchards. Our all-inclusive adventures get you closer to nature, and we can customize your experience to your exact preferences.
Our goal is to make your Montana spring adventure truly unforgettable. If you need more recommendations on spending your time, please don’t hesitate to get in touch so we can help you plan the ultimate spring Montana getaway.
Book Your Stay at Alberton Orchards
Alberton Orchards is your gateway to all of these outdoor activities, but that’s far from the only reason to stay with us!
We proudly offer a variety of luxurious lodging options ranging from original log cabins made from hand-hewn logs to upscale glamping tents. Our accommodations provide the rustic charm and bold spirit of the American Old West combined with high-end amenities that make every moment a pleasure.
Springs are an excellent time to visit Montana, and we can’t wait to welcome you to our authentic, Western-style ranch. Whether you’re traveling alone, vacationing with the family, or hosting a special event, we’ll make your experience truly magical. Book your stay at Alberton Orchards now!