Last Updated: January 20, 2022
Where To Stay In Montana
Montana is a dream destination for everyone in the world, not just those of you living in the United States, though we are jealous of how close you are to it. Montana is the 4th largest state in the USA and it’s known as big sky country thanks to the stunning landscapes.
Montana is home to the rocky mountains, national parks like Yellowstone, vast plains, rivers, lakes, forests, and it’s teeming with wildlife too. Everyone should go to this magical state once in their lives and here is where to stay in Montana.
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The Ranch at Rock Creek, Philipsburg
The Ranch at Rock Creek sits in southwest Montan amongst the rocky mountains and it’s one of the most luxurious resorts in Montana to stay at. This five-star ranch sits on a private 6,600-acre site surrounded by mountain peaks and beautiful meadows so you can really enjoy and explore the best Montana has to offer.
At the Ranch at Rock Creek, you will have up to twenty different guided outdoor activities to choose from during your stay which include fly fishing, horseback riding, and you can even try your hand at herding cattle as if you’re at a working cattle ranch. You’ll also find a ton of hiking trails to explore during the day too.
The lodge rooms, facilities, and food are all pretty incredible and you’ll have the choice of booking one of 29 lodges ranging from studios to two-bedroom family suites and even a five-bedroom log cabin.
The Resort at Paws Up, Greenough
The Resort at Paws Up is located just near Missoula, Montana, and is one of the top luxury resorts and a great place to stay in Montanan if you’re looking to really connect with the wilderness.
The Resort at Paws Up is a five-star resort set on a 37,000-acre ranch and your stay there is all about being able to experience the Old West. The location couldn’t be better placed for it either with views of majestic mountains, a creek full of trout, and over a hundred miles of trails.
While at this ranch home you can herd cattle, go horse riding, enjoy some of the best fly fishing around on the Blackfoot River, and have lots more outdoor adventures.
The accommodation options are excellent ranging from a luxury campsite with glamping safari-style tents to full log cabins with multiple bedrooms, kitchens, and even decks with a private hot tub where you relax and enjoy the amazing views.
You will also have a fine dining choice of two restaurants, plus a swimming pool to enjoy along with a fitness center as well.
Rainbow Ranch Lodge, Gallatin Gateway
The Rainbow Ranch Lodge couldn’t have a better location as it’s located right next to both Yellowstone National Park and Big Sky National Park. The mountain views are nothing short of stunning and the ranch organizes awesome guided activities such as wildlife viewing in the national parks so you can really get everything out of your stay in Montana.
The summer activities include fly fishing on the Gallatin, a beautiful river, horseback riding, white water rafting, and kayaking. In the winter season, the ranch put’s on winter activities such as hitting the nearby ski slopes and snowshoeing.
The ranch has a variety of accommodation options ranging from the most popular and affordable standard rooms which come with a private bathroom, living area, a fireplace, lovely furniture, and decks with breathtaking views of the Gallatin River.
You also have the option of the king rooms which are more luxurious and the en suite bathrooms are a lot larger.
Mountain Sky Guest Ranch, Emigrant
The Mountain Sky Guest Ranch is located near to the Montana town of Emigrant and is close by to both Yellowstone and Big Sky national park. Sitting on around 9,000 acres and next to the Yellowstone River, you couldn’t be better placed for your stay in Montana.
The adventure activities on offer are excellent and range from fishing to hitting a hiking trail, going on horse rides, and white water rafting. There are lots to do around the ranch too and you can choose to relax in the hot tubs, use the tennis court, outdoor heated pool, have a relaxing time in the sauna or at the full-service spa, and lots more.
The ranch will suit families thanks to the kid’s program that keeps them entertained and the fact the family rooms are great for the whole family to stay in. The accommodations are a range of private cabins from one to three-bedroom cabins with en suite bathrooms, living rooms, pull-out beds, and a wood-burning fireplace.
Marina Cay Resort and Conference Center, Bigfork
Marina Cay Resort is located right along the banks of Flathead Lake next to Flathead National Forest and the beautiful Flathead Valley, and with a location like this, it’s the perfect destination for your trip to Montana.
As far as the accommodations go, you’ll be staying in one of 60 hotel rooms which range from single rooms to family suites with two or three bedrooms, kitchens, and lots of space.
The amenities are all excellent and you can spend your time in a hot tub, at the pool, or at the spa wellness center. You’ll also be able to enjoy some great dockside meals at the fine dining restaurant.
In terms of adventure activities, the resort offers all kinds of fun things to do on Flathead Lake. You can rent a boat, launch your own, go on scenic boat cruises, hop on a jet ski, go kayaking, try out wakeboarding, and even try your hand at fishing on Flathead Lake too. This resort is also open in winter and offers cool activities like ice fishing in the lake and snowshoeing.
The Summit at Big Sky
The Summit at Big Sky is one of the best resorts in Montana if you’re looking to hit the slops as this mountain resort has access to numerous runs, ski lifts, trails for cross country skiing, and lots more.
The location couldn’t be better either with great views in all directions and set amongst a fun alpine village, you really can’t go wrong with this option. The accommodation is excellent and you have a great range of options to choose from including a standard room, a studio with space for kids, and even one, two, or three-bedroom cabins with living space, fireplaces, multiple bathrooms, and lots more.
The amenities are excellent with 40 miles of trails to explore, a great spa, fitness center with yoga classes, dining rooms on-site with a range of different restaurant options, as well as access to a national park or two.
Meadow Lake Resort, Columbia Falls
Meadow Lake Resort has gained a reputation for being one of the top resorts in Montana from which to enjoy the great outdoors and for good reason. The resort sits in Columbia Falls with stunning views of Mountain ranges and features an 18 hole golf course and both winter and summer adventure activities for everyone to enjoy.
In summer you can hit the mountain biking trails, go kayaking, white water rafting, hiking, and lots more. In winter, you can go ski at the nearby Glacier National Park via the west entrance or hit Big Mountain via the lifts at Whitefish Mountain Resort. You can, of course, explore everything Glacier National Park has to offer in the summer too.
The amenities available at this resort are almost never-ending and you can relax at a spa, sauna, steam room, swimming pools, dining in its restaurant and bar, plus a free shuttle service to local hubs.
The lodging options are excellent and you have the choice of 24 rooms which come with king or two queen beds, sofa beds, living space, large bathrooms, kitchenette, plus decks with incredible views.
Lone Mountain Ranch, Gallatin Gateway
The Lone Mountain Ranch sits up on the North Fork of the Gallatin and it’s surrounded by nature and a great spot for relaxing while taking in the views and enjoying the many facilities it offers while you’re on vacation.
Set on a ranch that dates back to 1915, this site is a great option for either a winter or summer vacation. In the warmer months, you can cast a fly in the river, go on tours of the national park, go whitewater rafting down the rivers, horse riding, and a lot more.
In winter, it’s perfect for some downhill and cross-country skiing on the mountains and the accommodation is perfect for both seasons as well.
The lodging comes in the form of cabins and each spacious cabin of the 27 available is pretty spectacular. They are decorated in a rustic style and feature woodstoves, decks, clawfoot bathtubs, walk-in showers, living space, and more. They come in a range of 1 to 6 bedroom options and are thus perfect for a big family vacation.
You’ll find a restaurant and pub on-site that are a great choice for relaxing after a long day in Montana’s wilderness.
North Forty Resort, Columbia Falls
The North Forty Resort in Columbia Falls is a more affordable option than other hotels and is a great place to base yourself and explore Montana’s wonderful outdoors from. The lodging is set amongst 40 acres of private woodlands and gives guests access to a private hiking trail they can explore on their visit.
The site isn’t far from many lakes and rivers and Glacier National Park is just down the road too so you can access some of Montana’s best spots within a short drive.
There are a lot of accommodation options available at this North Forty Resort ranging from glamping safari camping tents to the most popular lodging with guests, their cozy log cabins. Every unit comes with wood furniture, living areas, and kitchenettes plus large bathrooms and fireplaces.
For guests looking to have some fun or to relax on-site, you’ll find a hot tub or two, a sauna, and lots of picnic areas where you can enjoy reading in Montana’s fresh air.
Double Arrow Resort, Seeley Lake
The Double Arrow Lodge sits in a small town outside of Missoula called Seeley lake and is the perfect choice for romantic getaways or when you want to enjoy Montana with a dash of luxury.
The accommodation and facilities are top of the line and you have the choice of staying in the rooms in the main lodge with other guests or by having your own private log cabin. No matter which you choose, the western decor and great hospitality will have you never wanting to leave.
The lodge serves up a free hot breakfast every morning, a restaurant of evening dining, and a lounge area where you can enjoy a drink after a long day outdoors. The facilities on site include an indoor pool, 18-hole golf course and they offer great activities such as flyfishing, rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and lots more.
Triple Creek Ranch, Darby
The Triple Creek Ranch sits in Western Montana on the edge of the Bitterroot National Forest in its own private 50 acres of wilderness that is yours to discover while on vacation there.
The Triple Creek Ranch is a little different from the other lodging options above as it’s all-inclusive so everything from drinks to 3 deciduous meals a day is included in the price along with fun activities such as horseback riding, skiing, and flyfishing.
Your lodging choices range from suites to private log cabins at the Triple Creek Ranch and each one is decorated in true Montana style. You’ll find large living areas with fireplaces and decks with private hot tubs plus free Wi-Fi, coffeemakers, wet bars, and minifridges with complimentary drinks.
At the lodge, you can kick back by the pool, play tennis, hit the hiking trails, and enjoy the delicious food.
Whitefish Lake Lodge
Sitting in northern Montana close to the town of West Glacier, Glacier National Park, and on the shores of Whitefish Lake is a rustic 4-star lodge of note. Whitefish Lake Lodge is the perfect place to stay on your trip to Montana as it’s a true wilderness lodge with all the things you need to have a nice relaxing trip.
The lake is within walking distance from all the rooms and cabins and you’ll find awesome activities and facilities such as a private beach, boating, kayaking, and fishing too. You can also hang out at the lakeside pool and hot tubs or venture to the indoor ones if the weather is cold. You’ll also find a day spa, a range of great restaurants, and plenty more to keep you entertained.
Big Sky Resort, Big Sky
Set in the heart of Big Sky, Big Sky Resort is the perfect place to base yourself in Montana for both a ski vacation or a summertime adventure exploring the wilderness Montana has to offer.
Yellowstone and Big Sky national park is just down the road and you can walk to the ski lifts during winter. The resort has a huge amount of restaurants with cuisines from all over, live music, is pet-friendly, loads of activities to join, and the surrounding views of Montana are to die for.
The lodging options have room to suit everyone from a traditional lodge style to a selection of four-star rooms, chalets, and cabins.
Grouse Mountain Lodge, Whitefish
Grouse Mountain Lodge sits just on the edge of the city of Whitefish and Glacier National Park and it is a very affordable mountain lodge that gives you access to everything Montana has to offer.
You can spend your days at the golf course down the road, on Whitefish lake, exploring Glacier National Park, and lots more. While the lodge doesn’t offer activities they work closely with guides who do, so don’t hesitate to ask and book all the activities you want to do while in Montana.
The standard rooms come with everything you might need including super comfy king beds plus a mini-fridge and private bathroom. You can also opt for one of the loft suites if you want a little more luxury with rain showers big bathrooms, plus separate living areas.
Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort, Paradise
Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort on the Clark Fork River is the place to go in Montana if you want to kick back, feel healthy, and catch some great trout with your fly rod.
Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort is home to 6 pools that are filled with hot spring water that is rich in minerals and couldn’t be more relaxing to soak in. And just imagine staring into the rocky mountains while sitting in them!
The rooms are also fantastic and range from cabins overlooking the Clark Fork River of the mountains and they’re furnished to ensure maximum relaxation and comfort. You’ll also find a lovely restaurant on site for evening meals plus a laid-back tavern where you can enjoy a drink or two.
About the Author Roger Timbrook
Roger is a little obsessed with travel. He has been to over 40 countries, broken 3 suitcases and owned over 10 backpacks in 12 months. What he doesn't know about travel, ain't worth knowing!
