Montana – Quick & Fun Facts, Things to Do, Weather

Petr Novák

Montana (MT) is located in the northwest of the USA on the border with Canada. The state is known for its beautiful nature and ideal conditions for outdoor sports. Major tourist attractions include Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, and the local economy is driven by agriculture and mineral extraction. The state capital is Helena. The largest city is Billings. Montana has the largest population of grizzly bears of any US state after Alaska.

Map of Montana State | Where is Montana? | Montana – Quick & Fun Facts, Things to Do, Weather

  1. Table of Contents
    1. Quick Facts
    2. Fun Facts About Montana
    3. Weather in Montana
    4. Things to Do in Montana
    5. Largest Cities in Montana
    6. Sports Teams in Montana
    7. Montana State Symbols

    Quick Facts

    Name Montana
    Abbreviation MT
    Capital Helena
    Largest city Billings (Population: 120 864)
    Current time 9:02
    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 mi² (#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 was established on October 30, 1864, as a gold miners’ camp during the ongoing Gold Rush. It was a very wealthy city in its day, named after the town of Helena, Minnesota, as many of the settlers of the time came from there. Helena became first the capital of the Territory of Montana in 1875 and then the capital of the independent state after admission to the Union in 1889.

    🏙️ Largest City in Montana

    The largest city in Montana is Billings, which had a population of 120,864 in 2023. The second most populous city is Missoula, with a population of 77,757. The third most populous city is Great Falls, with a population of 60,422.

    🕒 Time in Montana

    The current time in Montana is [timezone=”America/Denver” format=”G:i”]. The entire state is governed by Mountain Standard Time (MST, UTC-7), with the state switching to Daylight Saving Time between March and November.

    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Population of Montana

    In 2023, Montana had a population of 1,084,244, making it the 44th most populous state in the USA.

    📍 Area of Montana

    Montana’s total area is 147,027 mi², of which 145,552 mi² is land and 1,491 mi² is water. Montana is the 4th largest US state in terms of land area.

  2. Fun Facts About Montana

    🧩 Montana Neighboring States

    Montana is bordered by four American states. Idaho to the west and southwest, North Dakota to the east, South Dakota to the southeast, and Wyoming to the south. In addition, 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 in the order, its predecessor being the Territory of Montana.

    📛 Nickname of the State of Montana

    Montana has no official nickname. One of the unofficial ones is “Big Sky Country”, which refers to the vast open landscape and the feeling of endless sky that characterizes the state. The term was first used by writer A. B. Guthrie in his western book The Big Sky, which focuses on the early history of Montana.

    The other nickname, “The Treasure State,” can be found on car license plates, for example. The nickname refers to the state’s rich deposits of gold, silver and other natural resources.

    ⛰️ Highest Mountain in Montana

    Montana’s highest mountain is with 12,808 ft Granite Peak, which is near the Wyoming border and is part of the Beartooth Mountains. The mountain range gets its name from the mountain of the same name, which looks like a bear’s tooth.

    🏞️ Rivers in Montana

    The longest river in Montana is the Missouri River, with the total length of flow in all states 2,343 mi. Next in order are the Milk River (729 mi), Yellowstone River (692 mi), Kootenai River (485 mi), and Bighorn River (461 mi).

    🎓 Universities in Montana

    The largest university in terms of student population is Montana State University, with approximately 15,500 students. The university was founded in 1893 and is located in the city of Bozeman. In second place is the University of Montana in Missoula with 8 thousand students and third is Montana State University Billings with approximately 4 thousand enrolled students.

    ✉️ Montana ZIP Codes

    Montana has a dedicated zip code range of 590xx-599xx. For detailed information on how the system works, see ZIP Codes in the USA You can search for a ZIP code for any address on the United States Postal Service website.

  3. Weather in Montana

    The best time of year to visit Montana is summer, when temperatures tend to be pleasant and there are few rainy days. Tourist attractions and national parks are open and accessible to tourists, and summer is also ideal for outdoor activities, which are plentiful in Montana.

    Spring in Montana starts later than in other states, with cool weather still persisting in March, with temperatures between 27°F and 48°F. Snow cover may remain in mountainous areas, with nature already waking up in the lower and middle elevations. Rainfall is very frequent in spring, with the heaviest rainfall in April and May. The eastern half of Montana tends to be warmer and drier than the mountain areas.

    Montana summers are warm and dry, usually lasting from June to August. Temperatures in the lower areas range between 68°F and 86°F, while the mountain areas tend to be about 41°F less. Rainfall is rare, making summer the ideal season for hiking, fishing or camping. Especially in dry areas in the east of the state, there is a higher risk of forest fires.

    Fall in Montana begins with mild temperatures around 50°F to 70°F in September, gradually cooling down to November’s 27°F to 45°F. There are more rainy days than in summer, with the heaviest rain in October. In mountainous areas, the first snow appears at the end of October, signaling the onset of winter.

    Winter in Montana is cold and long, with temperatures in the largest city, Billings, ranging between 18°F and 36°F most days. In the mountains they are even lower, often dropping to -4°F. Snowfalls are very abundant, with up to 100 cm snow falling in a month. Conditions are ideal for skiing or snowboarding, but traffic complications are to be expected in the mountain passes.

    🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Montana

    Weather in Montana | Average temperatures and precipitation in Montana | © Petr Novák
  4. Things to Do in Montana

    1️⃣ Glacier National Park

    Glacier National Park is located on 1,563 mi² and is one of the most beautiful in the United States. Visitors have around 700 mi hiking trails that lead past mountains, glacial lakes and meadows covered in flowers. Breathtaking views are offered by the famous Going-to-the-Sun Mountain Road, which can be driven through in a car.

    🗺️ Glacier National Park, Montana

    🔗 Official Website

    2️⃣ Big Sky Resort

    Montana is a winter sports state and Big Sky Resort is one of the largest ski resorts in North America. The resort has over 250 different trails and 36 lifts to keep skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels entertained.

    The widest range of runs are designed for advanced skiers, with the longest measuring 6.0 mi. In the summer months, Big Sky is a popular destination for hiking or mountain biking.

    🗺️ Big Sky, Montana

    🔗 Official Website

    3️⃣ Yellowstone National Park

    WhileYellowstone National Park is mostly in Wyoming, the northern entrance gate is located in the small town of Gardiner, Montana, and is one of the most popular. Yellowstone is known worldwide for its geysers, hot springs, and hiking trails.

    The park’s biggest attraction is Old Faithful Geyser, which gushes up to 185.0 ft. Wild animals such as bison, bears and wolves can also be spotted in the park.

    🗺️ Gardiner, Montana

    🔗 Official Website

    4️⃣ Virginia City Ghost Town

    Virginia City is one of the most well-preserved ghost towns in the American West. The town was founded after the gold rush in the spring of 1863 and was abandoned in the early 20th century when the precious metal reserves were exhausted. Historic buildings such as shops, hotels and saloons are well preserved in the town, giving visitors an interesting insight into its history.

    🗺️ Virginia City, Montana

    🔗 Official Website

    5️⃣ Makoshika State Park

    Makoshika is the largest state park in Montana, known for its arid landscape and dinosaur fossil sites. There are several hiking trails in the park that lead around high cliffs and offer beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The remains of both Triceratops and Thescelosaurus have been discovered in the park in the past.

    🗺️ Glendive, Montana

    🔗 Official Website

    6️⃣ Beartooth Highway

    The Beartooth Highway is one of the most beautiful mountain roads in the USA, it is 68.7 mi long and connects the town of Red Lodge, Montana to the entrance gate of Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

    At its highest point, the road climbs to a height of 10,947 ft, from where there are spectacular views of mountain ranges, flower-filled meadows and glacial lakes. The road is only accessible during the summer months, and there are several places where you can stop and perhaps take a hiking trail to other natural wonders.

    🗺️ 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. Among the museum’s most interesting displays are the complete skeletal remains of Tyrannosaurus rex and triceratops. The museum also focuses on the history of the American West and the lives of the original inhabitants, and includes a planetarium.

    🗺️ Bozeman, Montana

    🔗 Official Website

    8️⃣ Little Bighorn National Memorial

    This national memorial commemorates the famous 1876 battle between the United States Army and the combined forces of the Lakota and Cheyenne Indian tribes. Visitors can tour the battlefield and an information center that explains the aftermath of the battle. The site also features memorials to fallen Indian warriors and soldiers’ graves.

    🗺️ Crow Agency, Montana

    🔗 Official Website

    9️⃣ Flathead Lake

    Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in the western United States, with a total surface area of 197.0 mi². The lake is known for its clear water and picturesque surroundings, which lend themselves to water sports including swimming, sailing and kayaking. There are several villages and small towns with vineyards and orchards around the lake.

    🗺️ Flathead Lake, Montana

    🔗 Official Website

    🔟 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 only accessible during 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.

    🗺️ Whitehall, Montana

    🔗 Official Website

  5. Largest Cities in Montana

    The table below shows the ten largest cities in the state of Montana in 2023, the source of the data is the United States Census Bureau, a federal agency whose main job is to count the population.

    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
  6. Sports Teams in Montana

    🏒 Ice Hockey (NHL)

    There are no teams in Montana that play in the NHL.

    🏈 American Football (NFL)

    No team from Montana plays in the NFL.

    🏀 Basketball (NBA)

    Montana is not represented in the NBA basketball league.

    ⚾ Baseball (MLB)

    There is no team from Montana in the MLB league.

    ⚽ Soccer (MLS)

    There is no team from Montana in the MLS soccer league.

  7. State Flag of Montana | The Great Seal of the State of Montana

    Montana State Symbols

    The following state symbols are some of the symbols that Montana officially displays.

    State Flag of Montana

    Since 1905, the Montana state flag has consisted of a large seal placed in the center of a dark blue field. The last modification was made on July 1, 1981, when the state name was added to the flag.

    Great Seal of Montana

    The Great Seal of State was adopted in 1865 before Montana became the 41st state of the United States. The seal’s motif is the landscape of the mountains and surrounding plains at Great Falls on the Missouri River. The agricultural and mining industries on the seal are symbolized by the shovel, pick and plow at the bottom.

    State Animal

    The state animal is the grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), a symbol of Montana’s wildlife. There are about 2,100 grizzly bears in the wild.

    State Flower

    The official flower of Montana is the bitterroot (Lewisia rediviva), which was used by Native American tribes for medicinal purposes. The pink flowering plant has deep cultural significance and is one of Montana’s native plants.

    State Fish

    The westslope cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) is found in rivers and lakes across Montana, although its population is declining. This is also true of Glacier National Park, where trout populations used to be high.

    State Tree

    The state tree is the ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), which is abundant throughout Montana and therefore of great importance to the local timber industry. Interestingly, the bark of the ponderosa pine is highly aromatic, with a scent reminiscent of vanilla or caramel.

    State Bird

    Montana’s avian symbol is the yellow-colored western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), known for its melodious song on Montana’s open plains.

    State Gems

    The official gems are the moss agate and the sapphire. Both gems are relatively common in Montana and are important to the local jewelry industry. Moss agate is characterized by its milky white color with dark green to blue flecks that resemble moss.

    State Fossil

    Montana’s symbol is the fossils of Maiasaurus, a relatively large dinosaur that lived in Montana 75 million years ago. Dinosaur fossils have been discovered across the state.

    State Fruit

    In 2023, the list of symbols expanded with the huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) as the official state fruit. The fruit resembles a blueberry, a shrub up to 150 cm tall, usually growing at higher elevations.

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