Missoula is the perfect home base for exploring Montana’s wide-open landscapes, historic towns, and natural beauty. If you’re visiting and looking to venture beyond the city, you’re in luck—some of the state’s most scenic drives, charming small towns, and unforgettable outdoor destinations are just a short trip away.
Whether you’re chasing mountain views, interested in Montana’s history, or simply want to see more of what the state has to offer, these six day trips from Missoula are perfect for a memorable road trip adventure.
Best Day Trips From Missoula
National Bison Range
Day Trip Overview
- Distance: 47 miles
- Drive Time: ~1 hour
- Best For: Wildlife viewing, scenic drives, landscape photography
- Vibe: Wide-open, rugged Montana landscapes with roaming wildlife
- Perfect If You Want: Up-close bison sightings and a peaceful escape into nature
Why You’ll Love the National Bison Range
Just an hour northwest of Missoula, the National Bison Range is one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the U.S., established in 1908 to protect bison and other native species. Spanning 18,500 acres of rolling prairie and foothills, it offers sweeping views of the surrounding farmland and distant mountain ranges.
The real highlight is the wildlife. Around 300 bison roam freely throughout the refuge, and sightings are almost guaranteed—often much closer than you’d expect. You may also spot elk, antelope, and deer as you explore the area.
How to spend a day at the National Bison Range
♦ Drive Red Sleep Mountain Drive (loop road)
Take the self-guided scenic drive through the heart of the refuge, winding through grasslands and up into the hills. Bison often graze right alongside the road, so stay close to your vehicle and keep your distance.
♦ Visit in winter for a quieter experience
While the upper road closes seasonally, winter still offers peaceful landscapes, wildlife viewing, and beautiful snow-covered scenery that feels completely different from summer.
♦ Stop at Huckleberry Patch for lunch nearby
Wrap up your visit with a classic Montana treat—huckleberry shakes, pies, and comfort food at this local favorite just outside the refuge.
Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
Day Trip Overview
- Distance: 80 miles
- Drive Time: ~1 hour
- Best For: Western history, ranching culture, family-friendly learning experiences
- Vibe: Peaceful, open-range Montana ranch with deep Old West heritage
- Perfect If You Want: A hands-on glimpse into cowboy life and Montana’s ranching history
Why you’ll love Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
Just over an hour from Missoula in the town of Deer Lodge, Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site offers a fascinating look into the spirit and legacy of the American West. Once the headquarters of a massive cattle empire, the ranch was established in 1862 and later expanded by cattle baron Conrad Kohrs.
Today, it’s preserved by the National Park Service as a living tribute to Montana’s ranching history. With its wide-open landscapes and historic buildings, it’s an easy and immersive day trip that feels both educational and peaceful.
How to spend a day at Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
♦ Explore the historic ranch buildings: Walk through 88 preserved structures, including bunkhouses, barns, and blacksmith shops, and see how ranch life operated in the Old West.
♦ Take a walk or hike the ranch trails: Enjoy up to 10 miles of quiet ranch roads and trails, perfect for a peaceful stroll through Montana’s open landscape.
♦ Join a guided tour or seasonal demonstration: Depending on the time of year, you may catch live demonstrations, explore the historic ranch house, or even take a wagon tour of the working cattle ranch.
Wallace
Day Trip Overview
- Distance: 118 miles
- Drive Time: ~1.5 to 2 hours
- Best For: History lovers, small-town charm, quirky museums
- Vibe: Historic mining town with preserved Old West character
- Perfect If You Want: A unique day trip filled with history, walkable streets, and offbeat museums
Why you’ll love Wallace
Just across the border in Idaho, Wallace is a beautifully preserved mining town with a colorful past and a strong silver-mining legacy. Once a rough-and-tumble Wild West town, it’s now one of the most unique historic destinations in the Pacific Northwest. And the entire city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places!
Walking through downtown feels like stepping into a living museum, with beautifully preserved historic buildings lining every block and plenty of stories hidden in plain sight.
How to spend a day in Wallace
♦ Explore downtown Wallace: Stroll through the historic streets and admire the well-preserved architecture that makes the entire town feel like an open-air museum.
♦ Visit the Wallace District Mining Museum: Learn about the town’s silver-mining boom through exhibits, artifacts, and a walk-through mock mine that gives you a glimpse into life underground.
♦ Tour the Oasis Bordello Museum: Step inside one of Wallace’s most unusual attractions—an intact former bordello preserved exactly as it was left in 1988.
♦ Grab a drink or bite in town: Visit local favorites like Wallace Brewing Company for mining-inspired craft beers, North Idaho Mountain Brewery for local ales, or The Fainting Goat Wine Bar for a relaxed dining experience.
Kalispell
Day Trip Overview
- Distance: 117 miles
- Drive Time: ~2 hours
- Best For: Beaches, wine tasting, coastal dining
- Vibe: Relaxed, upscale coastal town
- Perfect If You Want: A scenic beach day with great food and wine
Why you’ll love Kalispell
Roughly two hours north of Missoula, Kalispell is a scenic western town nestled between Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park. With its historic downtown, mountain views, and easygoing pace, it makes for a laid-back but rewarding day trip—especially if you want a mix of town time and nature nearby.
Downtown still holds onto its historic character, with preserved late-1800s and early-1900s buildings lining Main Street, giving the area a classic Montana feel.
How to spend a day in Kalispell
♦ Stroll downtown Main Street: Explore historic buildings, boutique shops, art galleries, and western stores. Don’t miss Western Outdoor for classic Montana gear like boots, hats, and outdoor apparel.
♦ Grab a huckleberry milkshake at Norm’s Soda Fountain: A nostalgic local favorite, perfect for a quick break while exploring downtown Kalispell.
♦ Visit local breweries and restaurants: Enjoy a relaxed meal or drink at one of Kalispell’s local breweries or casual eateries, many offering Montana-inspired menus.
♦ Take a quick trip to Flathead Lake: Just 15 minutes south of town, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the U.S. offers scenic views, picnic spots, and the option for a quick swim or paddle.
Lolo Pass
Day Trip Overview
- Distance: 10 miles
- Drive Time: ~0.5 to 2 hours
- Best For: Scenic drives, hot springs, wildlife viewing, year-round road trips
- Vibe: Remote, forested mountain pass with river views and a peaceful wilderness feel
- Perfect If You Want: A scenic drive with hot springs, history, and some of the best mountain landscapes near Missoula
Why you’ll love Lolo Pass
The Northwest Passage Scenic Byway is one of the most beautiful drives in the region, following the winding Lochsa River through dense forests and rugged mountain terrain. Crossing Lolo Pass—once used by Lewis and Clark on their historic expedition—this route connects Montana’s Bitterroot Valley with Idaho’s Clearwater region.
It’s a peaceful, scenic escape where the road itself is the main attraction, offering nonstop views of forested slopes, river valleys, and untouched wilderness.
How to spend a day in Lolo Pass
♦ Drive the Northwest Passage Scenic Byway: Follow the scenic route along the Lochsa River, with plenty of pull-offs to take in the dramatic forest and mountain views.
♦ Soak in nearby hot springs: Relax at Lolo Hot Springs, known for its rustic pools surrounded by forested mountains, or head to Jerry Johnson Hot Springs for a more natural, secluded soaking experience along the river.
♦ Watch for wildlife along the way: Keep an eye out for elk, deer, and sometimes black bears as you drive through this remote stretch of wilderness.
Bitterroot Scenic Byway
Day Trip Overview
- Distance: 30 miles
- Drive Time: ~1 hour
- Best For: Scenic drives, small-town stops, outdoor adventure
- Vibe: Wide-open valley drive framed by mountain ranges, with quiet towns and rugged wilderness nearby
- Perfect If You Want: A relaxed road trip through one of Montana’s most scenic and underrated valleys
Why you’ll love Bitterroot Scenic Byway
Stretching roughly 95 miles from Missoula to the Idaho border, the Bitterroot Scenic Byway winds through one of Montana’s most underrated regions. Following Highway 93 through the Bitterroot Valley, the drive offers wide-open landscapes, mountain views on both sides, and a peaceful alternative to the more crowded tourist routes.
Flanked by the Bitterroot Range to the west and the Sapphire Mountains to the east, this valley feels expansive, quiet, and deeply connected to Montana’s frontier history.
How to spend a day on Bitterroot Scenic Byway
♦ Stop in Stevensville: Visit Montana’s first permanent non-Indigenous settlement and explore historic sites like St. Mary’s Mission and Fort Owen State Park.
♦ Explore Hamilton and the Daly Mansion: Discover the heart of the valley in Hamilton, then tour the impressive Daly Mansion, a 24,000-square-foot estate built by copper magnate Marcus Daly.
♦ Enjoy outdoor recreation in the Bitterroot Valley: Go hiking, fly-fishing, camping, or wildlife viewing, with endless access to surrounding wilderness areas like the Selway-Bitterroot and Anaconda-Pintler ranges.