|
|
 |
|

|
|

Travel Montana
1424 9th Ave.
Helena, MT
59620
(800) 847-4868
[800-VISIT-MT];
(406) 444-2654
Road Conditions Hotline
(800) 332-6171 (recording);
(406) 444-6339 (recording)
Montana Dept. of Fish, Wildlife & Parks
(406) 444-2535 |
 |
|

•
 |
Speed Limit : 75
 |
•
 |
Studded Tires
Permitted from Oct. 1 - May 31
 |
•
 |
Child Restraints
Required
 |
•
 |
Seat Belts
Required
 |
•
 |
Auto Liability
Insurance Mandatory
 |
|
|

•
 |
Overnight Off-Road
Parking Permitted
 |
•
 |
Trailer Brakes
Required if Weight > 3,000 lbs
 |
•
 |
Trailer Breakaway
Trailer Brakes Required if Weight > 3,000 lbs
 |
•
 |
Combined Maximum
Length of Car-Trailer Combination must not exceed 65 feet in
total
|
|
|
|
General Information
Nickname: Treasure
State
State bird:
Western Meadowlark
State flower:
Bitterroot
Capital: Helena
Date of admission to the Union:
8 Nov 1889
Population:
909,453 (official estimate 2002)
Population density:
2.4/sq km
2000 total overseas arrivals:
Under 50,000
Time: Mountain
(GMT - 7). Daylight Saving Time is observed.
The State: Montana
is the fourth-largest State, after Alaska, Texas and California,
covering 94 million acres (38 million hectares). Almost a quarter of
Montana is national forest or public lands, with almost five million
acres (two million hectares) protected as wilderness areas. Elk, deer,
antelopes, wolves and bears are just a few of the 500 species of
wildlife that can be seen in Montana. The National Bison Range,
just north of Missoula, was established in 1908 to protect the
animal from extinction. Today, around 450 bison roam this high plains
refuge. Between May and October, when all the routes are open, there is
a small per-vehicle charge to access the range and view the magnificent
creatures.
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park is home to many
endangered bears, big horn sheep, mountain goats, moose and grey wolves.
The park is divided into two areas: Waterton Lakes National Park
in Alberta (Canada) and the larger Glacier National Park in
Montana. The 84km (52-mile) Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses the
park’s spectacular alpine landscape and is one of America’s most scenic
drives. Hiking is a popular option, with over 1200km (750 miles) of
trails to follow, many offering back-country camping opportunities.
There are also special routes for cyclists and horses, and many of the
larger lakes have tour boat services. Anyone who enters the park is
advised to take park rangers’ warnings and advice about encounters with
bears very seriously. Other recreation areas include the Bob Marshall
Wilderness Area, the huge Charles M Russell National Wildlife
Refuge and Yellowstone National Park, which is shared with
Idaho and Wyoming, and is the oldest national park in the world, dating
back to 1872.
Billings, with nearly 100,000 residents, is Montana’s
largest city and a regional business/service centre. The area around
Billings offers great opportunities for fishing, hiking and western
adventures, such as guest ranches and cattle drives. The outdoor
recreation department at Montana State University – Billings
offers canoeing classes and other outdoor activities. The highlights of
the town’s calendar are the Billings Summer Fair (third weekend
of July), Big SkyFest hot air balloon festival (late July/early
August) and the Montana Fair (August), in addition to an active
year-round cultural scene. Little Bighorn Battlefield National
Monument lies an hour southeast of Billings. General George
Armstrong Custer and his men made their last stand here on 25 June 1876
against the Sioux and Cheyenne warriors. A tour takes visitors through
the battle movements of both sides and the visitors’ centre houses a
museum that displays weapons used in the battle. Helena, the
State capital, offers fine 19th-century architecture, museums and the
Gothic-style St Helena Cathedral, modelled on the cathedral in
Cologne, Germany.
|