It’s no surprise that Montana, with its lush valleys, high mountains and vast landscapes, is on the list of best states for camping in 2023. According to the website that helps tourists find adventure vehicles, Montana has the second-highest number of free and paid campgrounds, trailing only Wyoming, which claimed the top spot.
However, Montana surpasses Wyoming in one crucial area: it boasts the most hiking trails per capita of any state.
“Scoring 69.29 out of 100, Montana ranked as the second-best state for camping in the U.S.,” the website shared in its findings. “Per 100,000 residents, it had the highest number of hiking trails (418), offered the second-highest number of free campsites (32) and paid campsites (90), and the second-highest number of RV parks (21).”
Discovering Montana, a website dedicated to finding the best things to do in the Treasure State, recommends starting your trip in Glacier National Park, specifically at Apgar Campground. The campground’s great location on Lake McDonald makes it as peaceful as it gets. Tent and RV campers are welcome at the campground hidden among the trees, and the Apgar Amphitheater frequently hosts ranger talks.
Additionally, the website suggests places to visit including Many Glacier Campground, St. Mary Campground, and Two Medicine Campground, all of which are located in Glacier National Park.
It is also the ideal national park for hikers, with more than 700 miles of hiking trails ranging from day hikes to multi-day expeditions. For those who want to see the spectacular places that only professionals know about, Glacier National Park offers ranger-guided hikes.
The two best hikes in the state according to AllTrails are both in Glacier National Park, with the hike to Avalanche Lake taking first place. More than 11,000 people gave the nearly six-mile hike positive reviews, many of them calling it “the best hike I have ever done”
If this hike is too easy for you, you can try the Grinnell Glacier Trail, which is ranked second on AllTrails. Although it is rated difficult and requires a full day of exploration, many reviewers call the hike their absolute “favorite.”