What to do in Montana while house and pet sitting

Known for its wide-open spaces, grassy plains and towering mountains, Montana is well-regarded for its abundant natural beauty with famous national parks and Western America charm – and it’s just one of the many incredible places you could visit during your next pet sit with TrustedHousesitters.  

So, if you’re not 100% set on whether Montana will be your next pet sitting spot or if your trip is already booked and you’re just looking for some things to do in Montana as you’re looking after your new furry friend, we’ve got you covered! 

Montana attractions

Wondering what to do in Montana? The Big Sky State has nothing short of natural beauty to discover as well as bountiful hiking, historical sites and museums to explore. So what are some of the best things to do in Montana? Let’s start with what to do in Montana in terms of outdoor adventures: 

1. Glacier National Park: Wondering what to do in Montana? The Big Sky State has nothing short of natural beauty to discover. Glacier National Park is the country's 10th national park with over 1 million acres of glacier-carved peaks and valleys, pristine turquoise lakes and streams, and dense ancient forests. Aside from the 734 miles of hiking available, there’s also ziplining, incredible waterfalls, as well as local breweries and distilleries. 

2. Yellowstone National Park: Comprising three states, Yellowstone National Park can be entered in five places all over  Wyoming, Montana and Idaho. The Montana side is West Yellowstone and it’s surrounded by three national forests, blue-ribbon trout streams and stunning mountain lakes. If hiking isn’t your thing, you can enjoy the breathtaking scenery while snowmobiling, a guided tour and even cross-country skiing if you’re visiting in winter. 

3. Montana State Capitol: History buff? One of the best places to visit in Montana is Helena, home to the Montana State Capitol. The historic Capitol was constructed between 1896 and 1902 with wing-annexes added between 1909 and 1912 and houses the Montana State Legislature. 

Free things to do in Montana

Have you ever wondered what to do in Montana for free? If you’re on a budget, there’s plenty of activities to enjoy. Here’s our top three: 

1. Lewis & Clark Trail: A central part of Montana’s history, the Lewis & Clarks trail is a must-do. You can retrace their steps along the Missouri and the Yellowstone river’s wild and scenic areas, or canoe past the 200-foot-high white cliffs to spy bald eagles and beavers amongst the state’s plentiful wildlife scene. 

2. Western Heritage Center: For over 50 years, the Western Heritage Center has been displaying a private collection of Western artefacts in their historic library building. Today, the center has many interactive exhibits for guests to enjoy, as well as walking tours, traveling displays and a collection of over 40,000 historic artifacts and photographs. 

3. Free river ferry: There’s a grand total of three free ferries you can take, all located on the Upper Missouri River. The Carter ferry, Virgelle ferry and Stafford-McClelland ferry near Winifred will all take you to the top six tourism regions of Montana so whether you’re wanting to explore snow-capped mountains in the west of the rolling golden plains in the east, you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

Fun things to do in Montana

After you’ve explored many of the outdoor opportunities the Big Sky State has to offer, what are some of the fun things to do in Montana? We’ve selected our top activities: 

1. Museum of the Rockies: The museum of the Rockies is a world-class cultural and natural history museum and research facility renowned for its extensive collection of dinosaur fossils. It’s also home to Rusty, the draft horse, a sculpture by legendary sculptor Jim Dolan as well as Big Mike the impressive life-size Tyrannosaurus rex who welcomes you to the museum.

2. Lake McDonald: When it comes to things to see in Montana, we highly recommend the beautiful Lake McDonald. Situated on the western side of Glacier National Park, Lake McDonald is the largest of all the lakes with a surface area of 6,823 acres and over 15km in length. Without doubt, it’s most stunning feature is the unique variety of multicolored rocks and pebbles below the shore. 

3. Elkhorn Ghost Town: Love a spooky attraction? Elkhorn Ghost Town in Boulder is a relic of Montana’s silver mining boom. The abandoned town is in varying states of preservation with the town’s main gathering places like Gillian Hall and Fraternity Hall are mostly well-preserved open for viewing. All of the town’s original fixtures are still in place giving the place a real “frozen in time” vibe. 

What to do in Montana with pets

Looking for things to do in Montana that involve your new fur-baby? From dog parks, to pup-friendly eateries, we’ve put together our top three faves:

1. The Rims at Zimmerman Park: Zimmerman Park has miles and miles of trails along the Rims, located from the top of the bluffs all above Billings. The park itself is situated at the West end and although it doesn’t specify about dogs, it is incredibly dog friendly and the views are…*chefs kiss*. 

2. Canine Beach at Bozeman Pond: A beautiful open space, Bozeman Pond has a canine-specific beach that your pup will love visiting, not to mention swimming! It’s fenced on three sides and borders the pond on the fourth. There’s also a designated off-leash area for dogs.

3. Snowfill Recreation Area: A must-visit dog park, Snowfill Recreation Area has over 37-acres of off-leash park for your new fur-friend to explore. There’s two miles of trails to discover with secure fencing, a dog drinking fountain and vault toilet. It’s beautiful during every season including the winter when you can enjoy sledding with your pup. 

Best restaurants in Montana: Food and drink

After all the fun and frolics, it’s time to get some refreshments. So let’s take a look at the best restaurants in Montana: 

1. Biga Pizza, Missoula: When you want great pizza, Biga Pizza is your place. Located in Missoula, the brick oven pizza place has everything from classics like pepperoni to more unique pizza options using local ingredients, such as flathead cherries.  

2. Cafe Madriz, West Yellowstone: Looking for authentic Spanish cuisine? You may not expect to find incredible Spanish food at the gateway of Yellowstone Park but you’ll find the authentic taste of Spanish cuisine at Cafe Madriz, all in a family friendly atmosphere. On the must-try list is the paella (obviously!) and potatoes with aioli. 

3. The Daily Coffee & Eatery: One of Montana’s original establishments and one that’s been around for more than 25 years, the Daily Coffee & Eatery offers a variety of different types of coffees and homemade pastries to go with them. Stop by for your customary double shot or experiment with different brews at this long established spot. 

House and pet sitting in Montana

Now that you’ve had a look at our most recommended places, we’re confident you now have enough to go at for what to do in Montana while you’re pet sitting. There’s a wide world to explore in the treasure state – and lots of pet owners are just waiting to welcome you to their homes to take care of their beloved four-legged friend.  

Now you're set on places to visit in Montana then all that’s left to do is find a house and pet sit. Just head right over here and connect with loving pet owners and their four-legged friends.