Day Trippin' › Montana › From Polson
From Polson, the Ninepipe refuge and Wild Horse Island are under half an hour away, Bigfork about 45 minutes, the Bison Range and Kalispell about an hour, and Missoula about an hour and 15. The best day trips from Polson, by drive time.
63 places within a 3-hour drive, by real roads.
Wildlife refuge · 59 min south
A tribally managed range near Moiese with bison, elk, pronghorn and bighorn sheep, seen from the Red Sleep and Prairie scenic drives.
Town · 45 min north
A small arts village where the Swan River meets Flathead Lake, with shops, galleries, dining and summer events.
State park · 45 min north
A Flathead Lake park near Bigfork with rocky cliffs and shoreline, forest trails, swimming and a playground.
Museum · 57 min north
The 26-room 1890s home of Kalispell's founding family, shown on guided or self-guided tours.
State park · 29 min north
A boat-only island in Flathead Lake where a few wild horses, bighorn sheep and other wildlife roam open grassland.
Wildlife refuge · 26 min south
Wetlands below the Mission Mountains full of geese, herons, eagles and ospreys, with a short trail at the viewing site off Highway 93.
Town · 59 min north
The main town of the Flathead Valley, with a historic downtown, shops and food, about 32 miles from Glacier and 10 minutes from Flathead Lake.
Town · 1 hr 14 min north
A lively mountain town on Whitefish Lake with a walkable downtown, close to Whitefish Mountain Resort and the west side of Glacier.
Scenic drive · 1 hr 52 min north
The famous 50-mile road across the park, climbing to the Continental Divide at Logan Pass between West Glacier and St. Mary.
State park · 1 hr 4 min north
A forested hill above Kalispell with overlooks of the Flathead Valley, about 7.5 miles of trails and a visitor center.
Hot spring · 1 hr 16 min southwest
A riverside resort in Paradise with several natural hot pools from 100 to 106 degrees, a cold plunge and family-friendly cooler pools.
Museum · 1 hr 17 min south
A museum on the grounds of an old army post, with historic buildings to walk among and exhibits on western Montana life.
Family fun · 1 hr 12 min south
A hand-carved carousel in downtown Caras Park next to the Dragon Hollow play area.
Viewpoint · 1 hr 20 min north
A huge concrete dam on the South Fork of the Flathead River near Glacier, with the road across the top open to cars and walkers.
Bike trail · 1 hr 29 min north
A paved, flat path of about two miles linking Apgar Village with the West Glacier entrance and McDonald Creek.
National park · 2 hr 4 min north
A million-acre park of glacier-carved peaks, alpine meadows and clear lakes, with more than 700 miles of trails and historic lodges.
Ghost town · 2 hr 16 min southeast
One of Montana's best-preserved ghost towns, a high gold camp of the 1890s with many buildings still standing, east of Missoula.
Trail · 2 hr 21 min west
A mostly downhill bike ride of about 15 miles on an old rail line through 10 tunnels and over high trestles, including the 1.66-mile St. Paul Pass Tunnel.
Town · 2 hr 24 min west
An old silver-mining town in a narrow canyon, with a brick downtown on the National Register, a mining museum and a railroad depot museum.
State park · 2 hr 6 min southeast
A quiet forested lake park near Seeley Lake with swimming, boating and fishing.
Waterfall · 2 hr 51 min southeast
A narrow canyon near Anaconda with 1,200-foot cliffs and a short walk to 50-foot Lost Creek Falls.
Family fun · 2 hr 45 min south
Dig through gravel for your own sapphires at a mine on the Skalkaho Pass road west of Philipsburg.
Bike trail · 2 hr 14 min west
A rail trail of about 30 miles on old railroad grades between Taft and St. Regis, following the St. Regis River.
Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP 59860 (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner). Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.