Visit Montana

"There are mountain trails for horses, hikers, mountain bikes, and ATVs, mountain lakes for fishing and Pony Park, where you can bring your lunch and enjoy the solitude," Rumsey said. "And don’t forget the Pony Bar, for tall, cool refreshments and tall tales."

During the rut, hundreds of the state’s most beloved big-game animal regularly gather at the Slippery Ann Elk Viewing Area at the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, where hunting is off-limits.

One million a year cash grant program to filmmakers returns 5 to 1 for Montana’s economy.

Top travel tip for Helena: show up empty-tummied.

In July alone, Montana topped all 50 states with 84 percent hotel room occupancy.

"This is the last place I know in the West that’s still the West,"

Yellowstone National Park Historian Lee Whittlesey discusses the history of the various hotels that were built as the park became a popular tourist attraction.

Rangers share literature that recommends 68 day hikes in Glacier National Park. With only a few days at Glacier, we decided to focus on three trails in different parts of the park.

While Yellowstone National Park never fails to deliver scenery-induced gasps, wildlife sightings and geothermal phenomena galore, autumn in America’s first National Park hits a certain sweet spot.

IAFF Vice President Ricky Walsh of Richland, Wash., said the Butte firefighters did a "stellar" job of organizing the rally. Each year, the IAFF chooses a new city to host the event. Walsh said he wanted this year’s rally to be in Montana because it’s a beautiful state in which to ride.