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Are you looking for the ultimate fall getaway in the United States?
Here’s why Montana’s Yellowstone Country is the most stunning fall destination in the U.S. right now.
Yellowstone Country refers to a region of southern Montana, taking its name from nearby Yellowstone National Park. The majority of the national park is actually located in Wyoming, but parts of it extend to neighboring Montana and Idaho as well.
Many visitors to Yellowstone National Park end up flying into a Montana airport such as Bozeman or West Yellowstone and then driving to the park.
However, there’s so much more to do in Montana’s Yellowstone Country than just visiting the national park (although that’s certainly a must-do!)
Here are the top reasons why Yellowstone Country is the perfect fall getaway:
Stunning Fall Foliage
Fall foliage is an essential ingredient for the perfect fall trip.
Fortunately, you can see lots of colorful fall foliage in Yellowstone Country. Montana is far less developed than many other states, with the third-lowest population density in the country.
This means there is still a lot of wilderness in the state, and as you drive through Yellowstone Country you can see vibrant hues of changing leaves on the trees.
Yellowstone is also one of the best national parks for fall foliage in the United States, and you can see brilliant shades of crimson red, burnt orange, and gold during the fall.
Experience The Beauty Of Big Sky
Big Sky, Montana is one of the top destinations in Yellowstone Country. It’s most popular as a skiing and winter sports destination, but that doesn’t mean you should skip it on a fall trip.
Big Sky is becoming a year-round destination, and in the fall you can still enjoy plenty of outdoor activities like hiking and fly fishing. It’s an absolutely stunning place tucked away in the Rocky Mountains and the perfect destination to base yourself for a couple of days.
If you aren’t that into outdoor activities, you can also enjoy the town’s great selection of restaurants, cafes, coffee shops, and breweries.
The town is about one hour from Yellowstone National Park and one hour from Bozeman.
Explore The Quirky City Of Bozeman
Many people think of Montana as being all about nature, and while that is definitely one of the main draws, there are also some great small cities you shouldn’t miss.
Yellowstone Country is home to Bozeman, one of the fastest-growing cities in Montana.
Bozeman has an airport with flights from many destinations around the U.S., making this a common arrival point for visitors heading to Yellowstone or elsewhere in Montana.
It’s definitely worth spending a full day in Bozeman, though. This small city is packed with arts and culture, museums, independent bookstores, coffee shops and breweries, and more. There is a ton going on at all times, and the rapidly growing and changing nature of the city is palpable.
Off-season at Yellowstone National Park
Of course, no visit to Yellowstone Country is complete without visiting the namesake national park. Yellowstone National Park has been wowing visitors since 1872 when it became the first national park in the United States.
Two of the best months of the year to visit Yellowstone are September and October. Early fall is the beginning of the off-season at Yellowstone, and yet it’s still a fantastic time to visit.
This is because you can enjoy mild weather (it can be very hot during the summer and freezing in the winter) and experience far fewer crowds than you would during the summer months.
September and October are still great months for spotting wildlife in Yellowstone, including roaming buffalo, elk, bears, and more.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com