100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Montana (MT) sits in the northwestern United States on the border with Canada, known for its stunning nature and ideal conditions for outdoor sports. Major tourist attractions include Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, while the local economy is driven by agriculture and mineral extraction. The state capital is Helena, and the largest city is Billings. After Alaska, Montana has the largest grizzly bear population of all U.S. states.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Montana Abbreviation MT Capital Helena Largest city Billings (Population: 120 864) Current time 21:54 Time zone MST (UTC-7), the state observes Daylight Saving Time MDT (UTC-6) Population 1,084,244 (#44 most populous US state) Area 147,027 sqmi (#4 largest US state) Admitted to the Union November 8, 1889 (#41 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Montana
The capital of the state of Montana is Helena, which began on October 30, 1864 as a gold miners’ camp during the gold rush. It was a very wealthy town at the time; it was named after the town of Helena in Minnesota, since many settlers came from there. In 1875 Helena first became the capital of the Montana Territory, and after admission to the Union in 1889 it became the capital of the new state.
🏙️ Largest City in Montana
The largest city in Montana is Billings, which had 120,864 residents in 2023. In second place is Missoula with 77,757 residents, and the third most populous city is Great Falls with a population of 60,422.
🕒 Time in Montana
The current time in Montana is 21:54. The entire state follows Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7), switching to daylight saving time from March through November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Montana
In 2023 Montana had 1,084,244 residents, making it the 44th most populous U.S. state.
📍 Area of Montana
Montana’s total area is 147,027 sqmi, of which 145,552 sqmi is land and 1,491 sqmi is water. By area, Montana is the 4th largest U.S. state.
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Fun Facts About Montana
🧩 Which States Border Montana
Montana borders four U.S. states. To the west and southwest is Idaho, to the east North Dakota, to the southeast South Dakota, and to the south Wyoming. To the north it shares borders with the Canadian provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan.
📅 Date of Montana Statehood
Montana entered the Union on November 8, 1889 as the 41st state, succeeding the Montana Territory.
📛 Montana State Nickname
Montana does not have an official nickname. One commonly used unofficial nickname is “Big Sky Country,” which points to the vast open landscape and the sense of endless sky that are typical of the state. The term was first used by writer A. B. Guthrie in his Western novel The Big Sky, which follows Montana’s development.
Another nickname, “The Treasure State,” appears on license plates. It refers to the state’s rich deposits of gold, silver, and other natural resources.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Montana
Montana’s highest peak is Granite Peak at 12,808 ft, located near the Wyoming border and part of the Beartooth Mountains. The range got its name from a mountain of the same name that resembles a bear’s tooth.
🏞️ Rivers in Montana
The longest river in Montana is the Missouri River, with a total length across states of 2,343 mi. Next are the Milk River (729 mi), the Yellowstone River (692 mi), the Kootenai River (485 mi), and the Bighorn River (461 mi).
🎓 Universities in Montana
The largest university by enrollment is Montana State University, with about 15,500 students. Founded in 1893, it is based in Bozeman. In second place is the University of Montana in Missoula with 8,000 students, and third is Montana State University Billings with approximately 4,000 enrolled students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Montana
Montana is assigned the ZIP code range 590xx–599xx. Detailed information about how the system works can be found in the article ZIP Codes in the USA, and you can look up the ZIP code for any address on the U.S. Postal Service website.
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Weather in Montana
The best time to visit Montana is summer, when temperatures are pleasant and rainy days are few. Tourist attractions and national parks are open and accessible, and summer is ideal for the many outdoor activities available throughout Montana.
Spring in Montana starts later than in other states, with March still bringing chilly weather and temperatures between 27 °F and 48 °F. Snow cover can persist in the mountains, while lower and mid-elevations are already waking up. Rainfall is very common in spring, with the wettest months in April and May. The eastern half of Montana is usually warmer and drier than the mountain regions.
Summer in Montana is warm and dry, typically lasting from June to August. In lower elevations, temperatures range from 68 °F to 86 °F, while mountain areas are roughly 41 °F cooler. Rain is rare, which makes summer perfect for hiking, fishing, or camping. Fire risk is elevated in the drier parts of the east.
Autumn in Montana starts with mild temperatures around 50 °F to 70 °F in September, then cools to 27 °F to 45 °F in November. There are more rainy days than in summer, with October usually the wettest month. The first snow arrives in the mountains by late October, signaling the start of winter.
Winter in Montana is cold and long. In the largest city, Billings, daily temperatures are usually between 18 °F and 36 °F. In the mountains they drop even lower, often down to -4 °F. Snowfall is frequent and heavy, with up to 100 cm in a single month. Conditions are ideal for skiing and snowboarding, though mountain passes can bring travel challenges.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Montana
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What to See in Montana
1️⃣ Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park covers 1,563 sqmi and ranks among the most beautiful in the United States. Visitors have access to about 700 mi of hiking trails that lead past mountains, glacial lakes, and flower-covered meadows. The famous Going-to-the-Sun Road offers breathtaking views and can be driven by car.
2️⃣ Big Sky Resort
Montana is a winter sports state, and Big Sky Resort is one of the largest ski areas in North America. The resort offers more than 250 runs and 36 lifts, providing fun for skiers and snowboarders of every ability level.
Most terrain is geared toward advanced skiers, and the longest run measures 6.0 mi. In summer, Big Sky is a popular destination for hiking and mountain biking.
3️⃣ Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park lies mostly in Wyoming, but the North Entrance is in the town of Gardiner, Montana, and it is one of the most popular. Yellowstone is known worldwide for its geysers, hot springs, and hiking trails.
The park’s biggest attraction is the Old Faithful geyser, which erupts up to 185.0 ft high. You may also spot wildlife such as bison, bears, and wolves.
4️⃣ Virginia City Ghost Town
Virginia City is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the American West. It was founded after the gold rush broke out in the spring of 1863 and was abandoned in the early 20th century when the precious metal was mined out. The town retains well-preserved historic buildings such as shops, hotels, and saloons, giving visitors a vivid look into the past.
5️⃣ Makoshika State Park
Makoshika is Montana’s largest state park, known for its badlands landscape and dinosaur fossil sites. Several hiking trails wind past towering rock formations and offer beautiful views of the surrounding terrain. Fossils of Triceratops and Thescelosaurus have been found in the park.
6️⃣ Beartooth Highway
Beartooth Highway is one of the most beautiful mountain roads in the United States. It runs 68.7 mi and connects the town of Red Lodge in Montana with the entrance to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.
At its highest point, the road climbs to 10,947 ft, where you get sweeping views of mountain ridges, flower-filled meadows, and glacial lakes. The road is open only in summer. There are several pullouts where you can stop and take a trail to more natural highlights.
🗺️ Montana
7️⃣ Museum of the Rockies
The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman focuses on natural history and is especially known for its extensive dinosaur collection. Highlights include a complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton and a Triceratops. The museum also presents the history of the American West and the lives of Indigenous peoples, and it includes a planetarium.
8️⃣ Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
This national monument commemorates the famous 1876 battle between the U.S. Army and the combined forces of the Lakota and Cheyenne tribes. Visitors can tour the battlefield and visitor center, which explains the consequences of the battle. The site also includes memorials to fallen Indigenous warriors and the graves of soldiers.
9️⃣ Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in the western United States, with a total area of 197.0 sqmi. It is famous for its clear water and picturesque shoreline, perfect for water sports such as swimming, sailing, and kayaking. The lake area includes several towns and villages with vineyards and orchards.
🔟 Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park is home to one of the largest limestone caves in North America. The cave is accessible only on a two-hour guided tour, during which you can admire stalactites, stalagmites, and other limestone formations. The park also offers opportunities for hiking and camping.
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Largest Cities in Montana
The table lists the ten largest cities in the state of Montana in 2023. The data source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary task is the census.
City County Population 1 Billings Yellowstone 120,864 Map of Billings 2 Missoula Missoula 77,757 Map of Missoula 3 Great Falls Cascade 60,422 Map of Great Falls 4 Bozeman Gallatin 57,305 Map of Bozeman 5 Butte Silver Bow 35,701 Map of Butte 6 Helena Lewis, Clark 34,464 Map of Helena 7 Kalispell Flathead 29,886 Map of Kalispell 8 Belgrade Gallatin 12,509 Map of Belgrade 9 Anaconda Deer Lodge 9,673 Map of Anaconda 10 Havre Hill 9,330 Map of Havre -
Sports Teams in Montana
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
Montana has no team in the NHL.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
No team from Montana plays in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
Montana has no representation in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no MLB team from Montana.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
There is no team from Montana in MLS.
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Montana State Symbols
The following state symbols are among those Montana officially designates.
Flag of Montana
Montana’s state flag has featured the Great Seal centered on a dark blue field since 1905. The last change came on July 1, 1981, when the state name was added to the flag.
Seal of Montana
The Great Seal was adopted in 1865, before Montana became the 41st U.S. state. The design shows mountains and surrounding plains near the Great Falls of the Missouri River. A shovel, pick, and plow at the bottom symbolize agriculture and mining.
State Animal
The state animal is the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), a symbol of Montana’s wild nature. Around 2,100 grizzlies live here in the wild.
State Flower
Montana’s official flower is the bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva), used by Native American tribes for medicinal purposes. This pink-flowering plant has deep cultural significance and is native to Montana.
State Fish
The westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) lives in rivers and lakes across Montana, although its population is declining. The same has been true in Glacier National Park, where the trout population used to be strong.
State Tree
The state tree is the ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), which is widespread throughout Montana and therefore important to the local timber industry. Interestingly, ponderosa bark is strongly aromatic, with a scent reminiscent of vanilla or caramel.
State Bird
Montana’s bird symbol is the yellow-colored western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), known for its melodic song on the state’s open plains.
State Gemstones
The official gemstones are moss agate and sapphire. Both are relatively common in Montana and matter to the local jewelry industry. Moss agate is typically milky white with dark green to bluish inclusions that resemble moss.
State Fossil
Montana’s fossil symbol is the Maiasaura, a fairly large dinosaur that lived in what is now Montana 75 million years ago. Its remains have been found across the state.
State Fruit
In 2023 the list of symbols grew to include the huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) as the official state fruit. The berry resembles a blueberry, and the shrub, which can reach 150 cm, usually grows at higher elevations.
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