We’ve enjoyed a few luxury glamping trips over the years, but we have yet to visit the rugged beauty of Montana. Today, we’d like to share this guest post about a unique luxury property, Paws Up Resort, located in the heart of Montana’s Rocky Mountain wonderland. It might just plant the seed for your next family vacation!
Montana – your next luxury family vacation
At the crossroad between unspoiled wilderness and epic adventure, Big Sky Country calls on families looking to reconnect with nature and the people they love most.
From the myriad outdoor activities to the most updated travel information, this travel guide unpacks where to stay, how to play, what to know and when to go on a Montana family vacation.
Where to stay
Spanning 147,000 square miles, Montana boasts an extensive selection of family-friendly lodging opportunities that cater to travelers’ unique tastes.
Urban types may prefer the more populated lodges in Jackson, Missoula and Bozeman with day trips to must-see attractions. However, Yellowstone and the Flathead and Gallatin valleys remain some of the most popular destinations in Montana.
Families can choose to lounge at luxe hotels and glampsites, rough it while camping in the great outdoors or hit the road in an RV. Resorts like Paws Up even offer private safari tents and homes for single families to enjoy the ultimate family getaway.
Related – How to Explore New York City on a Budget
How to play
Between Montana’s highest mountain peaks and lowest river valleys lives an array of historical treasures and outdoor adventures. Cowboy up for a day of horseback riding or shooting at the ranch, retrace the routes of Lewis and Clark, venture through ghost towns and famous battlefields or hunt for fossils at a one-of-a-kind dinosaur trail.
Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks are undoubtedly the most popular attractions. However, they are only accessible in certain seasons. Visitors should make use of Montana’s vast water landscape including white water rafting, canoeing, fishing, waterskiing, sailing and more.
Several of Montana’s attractions and activities offer family packages and pricing, so be sure to inquire before booking.
What to know during COVID-19
Montana family vacations are anything but routine. Traveling to America’s cultural outback during the pandemic requires some additional precautions. Prioritize safety first and adventure second by following these simple guidelines:
- Masks are required in counties with more than four active COVID-19 cases, and strongly encouraged in all other counties. This requirement is for individuals over 5 years old in public spaces and outdoor settings where social distancing cannot be maintained.
- Know the local public health guidelines before arriving at your destination.
- Travel restrictions related to COVID-19 may vary on the seven Indian reservations in Montana. As tribal governments continue to assess public health risks, travel restrictions may change at any time depending on current conditions, so stay as up to date as possible before and during your trip.
- There is currently no travel-related quarantine, but visitors are asked to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19 by taking the same social distancing and sanitation precautions as Montanans.
- Travelers can expect the Montana National Guard to conduct screenings in airports and train depots, and refer anyone with COVID-19-related symptoms to local public health officials.
- Understand some services and destinations may be limited.
- The reopening of Montana’s tourism amenities and services is gradual. The east entrance to Glacier National Park is currently closed to all access. Vehicles can now access Logan Pass and Rising Sun from the west entrance. However, there is currently no access to St. Mary, and vehicles must turn around at Rising Sun and return to West Glacier.
When to visit Montana
The ideal time for a Montana family vacation depends on the type of adventure your family seeks.
Summer is the best season in Montana for many outdoor activities including camping, hiking and water recreation. Visitors in the summer months will have unabridged access to both national parks and several other must-see attractions, when not closed due to the pandemic.
Avoid overwhelming crowds and temperamental weather by visiting during the months of July and August, when sunny days and clear nights are in abundance.
Autumn in Big Sky Country is picture perfect for families looking to experience all Montana has to offer. It is the peak time for a hunting or fishing excursion, and the colorful mosaic of fall foliage offers a breathtaking backdrop for outdoor explorations. Your family can also experience Montana’s strong spirit of community at local harvest festivals and Oktoberfest celebrations.
The winter season offers an entirely unique experience to visitors of Montana. Crystalline air and powdery snowfall turn the state’s dramatic terrain into a winter-sports wonderland. Montana’s ski resort towns become particularly lively as families flock to the slopes.
However, access to National and Montana State Parks will be limited. Prepare for the temperature to remain in the single digits and to always carry sleeping bags, food, flashlights and safety gear.
Unfavorable weather throughout Montana’s springtime make it the trickiest season to plan a family getaway.
Most of the state’s annual moisture falls during March and April, but rainfall will likely continue through June. Additionally, many access points to National and State Parks in Montana will be closed due to inaccessibility.
Montana family vacations may take many forms, but these unique experiences will become memories cherished for a lifetime. Do not miss your chance to reconnect with loved ones on an epic adventure in the great outdoors.
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