Explore Montana's Mesmerizing Lake Country On This Short And Scenic Road Trip

For epic road trips, Montana is hard to beat. Big Sky Country road trip routes are packed with incredible views from the Beartooth Scenic Byway to the famous Going-to-the-Sun road in Glacier National Park and beyond. Whether you're in the vast plains of Eastern Montana or the towering peaks of Glacier in the West, Montana never disappoints. Today's road trip is relatively short compared to some you'll take in Montana, but the 90 stunning miles of the Seeley-Swan scenic drive are packed with hundreds of lakes and dense forests.

Often known as the Seeley-Swan corridor, the route follows Highway 83 between Seeley Lake and Swan Lake (not the Swan Lake of the ballet, but equally majestic). The Mission and Swan mountain ranges soar along the road, walling off this gorgeous valley. You could drive this route in around an hour and a half, but we wager that'd be impossible. There are endless opportunities to enjoy the outdoors and soak in the picturesque views. Take your time, and embrace every speck of magic on offer.

Many drivers use the highway as a scenic gateway to Glacier National Park, driving south to north, though driving either way is beautiful. In the south, the route starts at Clearwater Junction, quickly moving from open grassland to a cool, tree-lined road. Stop off at Salmon Lake State Park to enjoy the views, or take out your fishing rod and try to hook a trout or salmon. Continue to Seeley Lake, where even amateur paddlers can take to the water on the Clearwater River Canoe Trail, a sedate two-hour trip in the wilderness.

Going north, you'll enter spectacular hiking country with a choice of trails around the town of Condon. If you want a challenge, trek up to Holland Peak. Bridger Fiore on AllTrails describes the hike as "beautiful, hard, and steep." For an easier but no less splendid route, head out to Holland Lake Falls, where a 1.5-hour hike takes you along the lakeshore to gushing Holland Falls. AllTrails user Katherine Toldy writes, "Easy hike with a big payoff" — that's what we like to hear.

Finally, you'll reach Swan Lake, where you can enjoy water- and land-based activities. In the lake's clear waters, you can fish for rainbow trout and Westslope Cutthroat, take a boat ride, or have a refreshing swim. The campground is perfect for families, and there are easy walks like the Sprunger-Whitney Nature Trail as well as more challenging treks, such as the popular trek to Sixmile Mountain.

As gorgeous as that all sounds, we've barely scratched the surface of everything to enjoy on a Seeley-Swan road trip. Highly-rated campgrounds dot the highway, making it easy to plan an overnight summer stay, but the Seeley-Swan corridor isn't only popular in warmer weather. In winter, visitors can go snowmobiling and dog sledding in the area, and cross-country skiers have plenty of trails to explore around Seeley Lake. Fall is also a wonderful time to visit as the trees turn vibrant reds and oranges. Wildlife and bird enthusiasts are in for a treat, as the valley is alive with elk, deer, moose, eagles, and hawks.

After finishing the route, you'll be spoiled for choice as to your next move. Swan Lake is adjacent to Flathead Lake, one of our must-visit spots in Montana, where you can sail, water-ski, and fish. The Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, which covers over a million acres, is a stone's throw from Bigfork, where the route ends. The wilderness area is awash with awe-inspiring mountains, lush valleys, and sparkling lakes. If the short but amazingly scenic drive on the Seeley-Swan has inspired you, why not continue your road trip north to take in two mountainous national parks, Glacier and Waterton Lakes? This road trip will take you beyond Montana into Canada, where even more adventures await.