Montana
"Oro y Plata"
Nickname
Treasure State
Capital
Helena
Statehood
November 8, 1889 (41st)
Motto
Oro y Plata
Explore Montana
18 of 18 articles available
Top mountains
Signature peaks and elevation highlights.
Best hikes
Trail ideas from day hikes to overnighters.
State parks
Must-see parks and natural areas.
Road trip loops
Weekend-friendly scenic drives.
Waterfronts
Lakes, rivers, and coastal stops to visit.
Waterfalls & springs
Cool-down spots and photogenic falls.
Scenic overlooks
Pull-offs and vistas for quick views.
Camping spots
Easy campgrounds and dispersed sites.
Historic towns
Main streets, museums, and landmarks.
Family weekends
Low-stress itineraries with kids in mind.
Top universities
Best-known universities and colleges.
Top biggest cities
Largest metros and fast-growing hubs.
Top places to visit
Must-see destinations and attractions.
Top high schools
High-performing public and private schools.
Top cities
Beloved cities for living and visiting.
Basic information
Quick facts, nickname, capital, and region.
Geography
Landscapes, neighbors, and natural regions.
Economy
Key industries, employers, and growth drivers.
About Montana
Montana's nickname, Big Sky Country, undersells the state slightly — it holds genuine Rocky Mountain terrain in its western third and vast, open Great Plains ranchland across the rest, two landscapes with very different rhythms of life. Glacier National Park, in the northwest, anchors one of the last large intact ecosystems in the lower 48.
Below, the guides trace that mountain-to-plains geography, covering Montana's small cities, ranching economy, and the public lands that dominate so much of the state's map.