Big sky wonderland: 12 reasons to visit Montana | CNN

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Big sky wonderland: 12 reasons to visit Montana

Photos by Ben Adkison, for CNN
Updated 6:19 PM EDT, Tue May 16, 2017
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Lakes dot the landscape throughout Montana. Each lake provides unique opportunities for fishing and water recreation. This gem is Lake Louise in the Tobacco Root Mountains of southwest Montana.
Incredible lakes —
Lakes dot the landscape throughout Montana. Each lake provides unique opportunities for fishing and water recreation. This gem is Lake Louise in the Tobacco Root Mountains of southwest Montana.
Ben Adkison
Montana is home to more than 400 different species of birds. These osprey are waiting out a rain shower before fishing for food.
Bird watching —
Montana is home to more than 400 different species of birds. These osprey are waiting out a rain shower before fishing for food.
Ben Adkison
Missoula's historic Wilma Theatre was built in 1921 and today still shows movies and hosts concerts for big-name acts traveling through the state.
Wilma Theatre —
Missoula's historic Wilma Theatre was built in 1921 and today still shows movies and hosts concerts for big-name acts traveling through the state.
Ben Adkison
Montana's official slogan, Big Sky Country, is apparent wherever you are in the state. The state is full of wide open spaces with mountains almost always in view.
Big Sky —
Montana's official slogan, Big Sky Country, is apparent wherever you are in the state. The state is full of wide open spaces with mountains almost always in view.
Ben Adkison
Logan Pass is the summit of Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the most unforgettable drives anywhere on earth. Lots of hiking and climbing opportunities start here. Up-to-date road information is available from the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nps.gov%2Fglac%2Fplanyourvisit%2Fgoingtothesunroad.htm" target="_blank" target="_blank">National Park Service</a>.
Going-to-the-Sun Road —
Logan Pass is the summit of Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road, one of the most unforgettable drives anywhere on earth. Lots of hiking and climbing opportunities start here. Up-to-date road information is available from the National Park Service.
Ben Adkison
Montana's largest city, Billings, has just more than 100,000 people. This means little light pollution throughout the state, perfect for viewing the night sky.
Star-gazing —
Montana's largest city, Billings, has just more than 100,000 people. This means little light pollution throughout the state, perfect for viewing the night sky.
Ben Adkison
At just over 10,000 feet in elevation, Mount Siyeh in Glacier National Park has spectacular summit views. The north face drops more than 4,000 feet to the turquoise-colored Cracker Lake.
Mount Siyeh —
At just over 10,000 feet in elevation, Mount Siyeh in Glacier National Park has spectacular summit views. The north face drops more than 4,000 feet to the turquoise-colored Cracker Lake.
Ben Adkison
Montana has 15 ski areas (Lolo Pass is pictured) and hundreds of back-country trails.
Skiing —
Montana has 15 ski areas (Lolo Pass is pictured) and hundreds of back-country trails.
Ben Adkison
The Mission Valley has some of Montana's most spectacular scenery. Just north of Missoula, this valley is a great route to take on your way to Glacier National Park.
Mission Valley —
The Mission Valley has some of Montana's most spectacular scenery. Just north of Missoula, this valley is a great route to take on your way to Glacier National Park.
Ben Adkison
Wildflowers dominate the landscape in early summer, just as the snow is melting and before summer heat takes over the land.
Wild flowers —
Wildflowers dominate the landscape in early summer, just as the snow is melting and before summer heat takes over the land.
Ben Adkison
Montana has 16 different wilderness areas, including the Tobacco Root Mountains (pictured). All have multiple options for world-class hiking, backpacking, rafting and horse-packing trips, often in areas that see relatively few other people.
Back country trips —
Montana has 16 different wilderness areas, including the Tobacco Root Mountains (pictured). All have multiple options for world-class hiking, backpacking, rafting and horse-packing trips, often in areas that see relatively few other people.
Ben Adkison
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park sits in southwest Montana and has the only cave in the state with guided tours. The tour lasts two hours and covers the natural and human history of the cave and surrounding area.
Caves —
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park sits in southwest Montana and has the only cave in the state with guided tours. The tour lasts two hours and covers the natural and human history of the cave and surrounding area.
Ben Adkison

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