There are two kinds of family road trips. The “Are we there yet?” kind, with too many car hours and too little action (sorry kids), and the “Do we have to go home?” kind (thank you, parents). To find the best of the latter, we sent adventurer Jacob Moon, with his wife and daughter, to Montana and the family discovered a journey packed with action and Old West history. Turn up the volume and listen to their getaway and then read on for planning tips on doing the trip yourself.
Pioneer Mountains National Scenic Byway
A great road trip needs a great backdrop, and the 49-mile Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway from Wise River to State Highway 278 delivers, with 10,000-foot peaks looming over meadows and forests. There are plenty of adventures to enjoy—fishing, vistas, hikes—including a stop at the ghost town of Coolidge, an abandoned mining community that makes for an easygoing nature walk. You can also relax at the family-owned Elkhorn Hotsprings.
Crystal Park
Who doesn’t love a treasure hunt? That’s what you’ll find at Crystal Park recreation area, where you’ll hear the scraping of shovels and the excited murmurs of folks on the hunt for quartz crystals. You can keep any you find—and they’re pretty darn easy to find. With just simple hand tools and a $5 fee for everyone over ten, your family will come away with souvenirs for life. “We could have spent all day there,” Jacob says.
Bannack State Park
A bustling population of 3,000 once inhabited this site, a former territorial capital where gold was discovered in 1862. These days, the ghost town at Bannack State Park thrives as a destination for visitors exploring the site’s stunningly well-preserved buildings. Spend an afternoon opening creaky doors into the past, then make it an overnight stay at the park’s campground. For a special night the kids will love, rent the park’s tipi.
Ennis 4th of July Parade
The clopping of hooves can be heard alongside the hum of classic cars and John Deere tractors at the Ennis 4th of July Parade. This can’t-miss parade has been marching steadily onward every summer for the past 89 years. With the historic western charm of Main Street and three distinct mountain ranges as a backdrop, it’s a great way to experience one piece of the rich tapestry of communities that make up America.
Ennis and Virginia City
Experience thriving Western towns across rural Montana. Exhibit A: the vibrant streets of Ennis. The shops, saloons, and restaurants on Main Street buzz with locals and visitors alike, especially at Tavern 287, a family-owned restaurant with delicious upscale dishes at small-town prices. “I’m definitely taking a detour to go there whenever I’m in the area,” Jacob says. Also a must: the Alder Gulch Shortline Railroad connecting Virginia City to Nevada City.
Ennis Rodeo
If you’re looking for a true Montana experience, look no further than the bleachers at the Ennis Rodeo. It’s part sporting event, part social gathering, and all fun. Stunning scenery and lots of talented cowboys and cowgirls make Ennis a great spot for your first rodeo. The two-day event features bull riding, steer roping, barrel racing, and more. Day-of tickets are free for kids under five, $10 for older kids, and $15 for adults.
You don’t find Montana. Montana finds you. It’s not about checking off stops or taking the scenic route. It’s knowing the distant mountain you saw yesterday can look different tomorrow and stay unchanged for years to come. It’s silences that buzz, rivers that rise, and stories that stick with you.