Road Trip Guide: Exploring Montana's Scenic Byways from Great Falls Hub

Great Falls sits at the crossroads of several of Montana's most spectacular driving routes, making it the ideal hub for your scenic byway adventures. I recommend spending your first day getting settled and oriented before hitting the open road.

For accommodation, skip the standard hotel chains and opt for one of the charming bed-and-breakfasts that dot the city. My personal favorite is the Historic Mansion B&B, where the owners serve homemade huckleberry pancakes that'll fuel you properly for a day of driving. Their local knowledge proved invaluable during my stays—they tipped me off to several unmarked viewpoints that became highlights of my trip.

Before setting out, I highly recommend investing in a Montana road atlas. While your phone's GPS works in most areas, there are still plenty of signal dead zones in the mountains, and having a physical map has saved me more than once. Also, consider picking up a national parks pass if your route will include any national parks or monuments—it quickly pays for itself.

No Montana road trip guide would be complete without featuring the crown jewel of scenic drives: Going-to-the-Sun Road through Glacier National Park. This 50-mile engineering marvel will take your breath away at every hairpin turn, and I suggest dedicating two full days to properly experience it.

Leaving Great Falls early (I mean early—sunrise early), head northwest on US-89 toward Browning before turning west to the St. Mary entrance. This eastern approach gives you the dramatic reveal of the mountains that I still find myself thinking about during mundane school days back in Gilbert.

The road itself reminds me of working with my students—what seems impossible at first glance becomes achievable with patience and the right approach. You'll want to take it slow, not just for safety but to absorb the countless pullouts and viewpoints. Logan Pass at the Continental Divide is an absolute must-stop, where mountain goats often make appearances that delight visitors of all ages.

For this drive, I never leave without my polarizing filter for my camera. It cuts the glare on mountain lakes and makes those skies pop with the deep blue that Montana is famous for. And don't forget a good insulated water bottle – the temperature swings in the mountains can be dramatic even in summer.

After the grandeur of Glacier, I like to shift gears (literally) with the more intimate beauty of the Kings Hill Scenic Byway. This 71-mile stretch of US-89 south of Great Falls winds through the Little Belt Mountains, offering a completely different Montana experience that feels like your own private discovery.

The drive takes you through thick pine forests, mountain meadows bursting with wildflowers, and past abandoned mining towns that tell the story of Montana's resource-rich history. What makes this route special is how quickly the landscapes change—one moment you're in dense forest, the next you're looking across expansive valleys.

My favorite stop is Memorial Falls, just south of Neihart. It's a short 1/4-mile walk to the first waterfall, and another 1/4-mile to the second falls. I've found this to be a perfect midday break spot, with the cool mist from the falls providing natural air conditioning on hot summer days. The trail is relatively accessible, reminding me of the adapted nature walks I've helped design for my students back home.

In winter, this area transforms into a snow sports paradise, but summer offers its own treasures. Pack a picnic blanket and stop at one of the many pullouts for an impromptu lunch with million-dollar views. I also recommend bringing a field guide to identify the abundant wildflowers and wildlife you'll encounter.

The next two days of your journey should be dedicated to following the Missouri River as it winds through the landscape that captivated Lewis and Clark over two centuries ago. This route combines natural beauty with rich historical significance—something I find particularly rewarding to share with couples who enjoy connecting through learning experiences.

Start by heading northeast from Great Falls along US-87, following the Missouri River toward Fort Benton, one of Montana's oldest settlements. The drive itself offers stunning river views, but the real magic happens when you take time to explore the interpretive sites along the way.

Fort Benton's waterfront is like stepping back in time, with its preserved steamboat levee and historic fort. I spent hours here on my first visit, imagining the bustle of what was once the world's innermost port. The town's museums are small but packed with artifacts that tell the story of westward expansion, fur trading, and the steamboat era.

Continue east to the White Cliffs area of the Missouri River Breaks—a landscape so otherworldly it feels like you've driven onto another planet. These white sandstone formations rising from the river were described in Lewis and Clark's journals, and they remain virtually unchanged today.

For this portion of your trip, I highly recommend picking up a Lewis and Clark travel guide. The historical context makes the drive infinitely more meaningful. And if you're planning any short hikes to overlooks, a pair of trekking poles will help navigate some of the steeper terrain to the best viewpoints.

For the grand finale of your Montana byways adventure, I recommend the drive that Charles Kuralt famously called 'the most beautiful drive in America'—the Beartooth Highway. While it's a bit of a journey from Great Falls (about 4 hours to the starting point), I promise it's worth every minute.

This 68-mile stretch of US-212 between Red Lodge and the northeast entrance of Yellowstone National Park crosses the Beartooth Pass at a breathtaking 10,947 feet. Having driven mountain passes from the Australian Alps to the European Dolomites, I can honestly say nothing quite compares to the raw, rugged beauty you'll find here.

The drive takes you through alpine plateaus, past glacial lakes, and across tundra ecosystems typically found much further north in Alaska or Canada. The switchbacks are numerous but well-engineered, making the drive thrilling but not terrifying for most drivers.

I recommend starting from the Red Lodge side, as the approach from this direction builds the drama gradually. Plan for a full day on the highway itself, with plenty of stops for short walks, photography, and simply absorbing the views. The Top of the World Store, roughly halfway along the route, makes for a quirky rest stop with surprisingly good coffee—something this Aussie always appreciates!

During my last trip, we encountered a summer snowstorm at the summit—in July! The packable down jacket I always throw in my car for mountain drives earned its keep that day. And for capturing the panoramic vistas, I found my smartphone gimbal invaluable for creating smooth video pans of the 360-degree views.

Spend your final night in Red Lodge, a charming mountain town with excellent dining options and a relaxed vibe that's perfect for reflecting on a week of scenic driving adventures.