Suggestions for where to come when you visit

[seven of nine]

Originally Posted by BuffaloTransplant

We are coming west on a driving vacation, planning on going thru your state. Where would those of you from Montana say are best areas to get a real feel for the state?

[FWIW, we are not eastern liberals but very conservative, retired, live on a couple of acres backed up to a cornfield and the entire family is pro-gun -- all competitive shooters, some hunters, most with carry permits, the rest competition with rifle ]

Great advice from the board, remember to keep one eye on your map, Mapquest IMO doesn't cut it. Often that road is an approach that becomes a farm road, that becomes a cow path enjoy!

[rickers]

I use four types of maps. I have a very hard to get topo map of the Flathead Rez. I have almost every National forest map for Montana national forests and I never go anywhere without my DeLorme Montana Atlas and Gazetteer. I bought mine at Albertsons for about 20 bucks.
Another nice place to visit is the Ross Creek grove of giant Cedars. There are 500 year old Western red Cedars that are 175 feet tall and 8 feet in diameter.

[BuffaloTransplant]

Thanks for the idea of using Forest Service maps. I think that is useful anywhere!

[stonemaker]

Yeah, while you're at it, stop at a world-wide destination spot for lovers of
Hot mineral springs. The town of Hot Springs, between Missoula and Kalispell, has
some of the finest mineral waters in the world, second to Baden Baden, Germany.
It's a great Base Camp for camping, renting hotel or motel rooms - then venturing
out to the populous places by day, returning at night to soak, eat, antique, nap,
repeat. No kidding - in five days people's faces change. MOD Cut

[rickers]

Originally Posted by stonemaker

Yeah, while you're at it, stop at a world-wide destination spot for lovers of Hot mineral springs. The town of Hot Springs, between Missoula and Kalispell, has some of the finest mineral waters in the world, second to Baden Baden, Germany. It's a great Base Camp for camping, renting hotel or motel rooms - then venturing out to the populous places by day, returning at night to soak, eat, antique, nap, repeat. No kidding - in five days people's faces change. I'll be your hostess: LoriAnne 406-741-5277

Hot Springs was a great little town until it got infested with heroin addicts and meth freaks. One of the soaking tubs is not as nice as it looks at first. I won't name it here but the guy who runs it sits in there and shaves, tells tourists that he is God and will stomp on your little dog if it comes near the tubs. I started to go to that tub and as I got near I noticed that there were two guys in there by themselves having sex with each other. Lovely little Hot Springs isn't so nice anymore.

[NYMTman]

Drive over the Sun highway in Glacier for sure. It might be out of the way, but boy is it worth it.