1. Glacier National Park Is Probably What Heaven Looks Like
Montanans are super spoiled, because from the flatlands to the mountains, just the view from their backyard is usually pretty amazing. But Glacier National Park is something else entirely. It’s nothing short of miraculous.
2. A Giant Herd Of Elk Crossing The Road Is The Only Time You’ll Get Stuck In Traffic
This actually happens way more frequently than you might think, and counts as a perfectly acceptable excuse for being late.
3. The Best Burgers Are Bison Burgers
One bite of a juicy, delicious bison burger will make you wonder why you only ate beef burgers for so many years.
4. Don’t Let The Hipsters Find Out, But This State Is Full Of Some Glorious Facial Hair
Seriously. The dudes of Montana know how to keep their face warm in the winter.
5. Don’t Let Them Find Out About The Awesome Brewfests Either
Montana knows how to do microbrews. Brewfests are a dime a dozen in the Big Sky state, but Missoula Craft Beer Week tops them all by being… well, an entire week.
6. August Is Just Another Word For Huckleberry Picking Season
Any Montanan would gladly eat their whole haul fresh off the branch, but if you have the self control of a monk, you can make delicious treats like huckleberry pie and ice cream later.
7. All Four Seasons In One Day = Typical Montana Weather
One minute it’s storming, the next it’s sunny, and then the sun goes down and it’s freezing. The key is layers. Bring lots and lots of layers everywhere.
8. Women In Montana Will Kick The Crap Out Of Your Gender Stereotypes
It’s not just the dudes of Montana who are riding in the rodeo, hunting, or fishing, and the super tough women of the state won’t let you forget it. So, you can just leave your gender stereotypes at the welcome sign.
9. Driving Fifty Miles Without Passing Another Car Is Not A Sign Of The Apocalypse
But you’re sure to pass a lot of cows, since they outnumber people here. There’s a stereotype that Montana is super unpopulated, and it’s an accurate one.
10. But No, That Doesn’t Bother The People Who Live There
Residents of Montana are just trying to live the simple life, so asking if they wish there was more to do is probably just going to elicit a lot of shrugs in response. No one moves to Montana for the rocking nightlife.
11. Plus, The Real Key To Great Nightlife Isn’t A Bunch Of Hip Clubs
This is Big Sky Country—a nickname Montana has totally earned. Try looking up at those stars and wishing you were anywhere else.
12. After A While The Little City Of Billings Starts To Feel Really Big
The population is still under 110,000, but it’s the biggest city in Montana. And with fancy amenities like theaters, a zoo, bookstores, and restaurants that serve something other than regional fare, it might as well be New York City.
13. If You’re Looking For Excitement, You’ll Find It At The Rodeo
Montana’s Pro Rodeo Circuits are some of the best in the country. Try not to be enthralled while someone is flying and thrashing around on top of a horse.
14. Cowboy Boots And Hats Are Totally Formalwear
Montanans embrace their rancher roots, even if they aren’t on the ranch all day. Practical is definitely favorable, which means flannel, cowboy boots, and cowboy hats are totally appropriate anywhere—even a wedding.
15. There’s Nothing Montanans Are More Wary Of Than Tourists
Montana’s natural beauty is fairly untouched, which is why it’s known as The Last Best Place On Earth. It’s not surprising that folks aren’t super keen on sharing their little slice of heaven, especially with tourists from Colorado.
16. Except Maybe Sometimes They’re More Wary Of Bears
Just about anyone from Montana has been told at some point in their life how to respond if a grizzly bear approaches.
17. Oh, You’re Vegan… Good Luck With That
It’s safe to say a lot of people from Montana don’t really know what vegan means. You’ll find a few who can grasp the concept of vegetarianism, but most Montanans will walk away scratching their heads.
18. Because Hunting, Fishing, And Farming = Life In Montana
Most Montanans don’t need to go to a grocery store to put food on their table. Unlike big city folk, they’re active participants in the circle of life.
19. Everyone Had Their Childhood Dream Of Having A Pony Fulfilled
Natural developmental stages for Montana children: crawling, walking, riding a horse.
20. Going Out To Eat Is A Serious Special Event
Unless you live in one of Montana’s small cities, going out to eat means driving for a couple of hours there and back.
21. Every Montana City Thinks It’s The Best Montana City
If you ask someone from Missoula about Helena, they’ll say, “Well why would you want to go there?” Ask someone from Helena about Missoula, and you’ll get the same response. It’s like a sibling rivalry—but if you had as many siblings as the Brady family.
22. You’ve Never Truly Relaxed Until You’ve Been In A Hot Spring
Every hot bath you ever took to relax will feel like a joke compared to a soak in one of Montana’s natural hot springs.
23. Winter In Montana Is About As Close As You’ll Get To A Winter Wonderland
Okay, sometimes there are terrifying snow drifts, and sometimes the roads are basically unusable for weeks, and sometimes it feels like you’re living in the movie “Frozen.”
But if curling up in a cabin, sipping on hot chocolate, and looking out onto the most beautiful winter landscape ever, or taking advantage of all those mountains with winter sports is your cup of tea, Montana has you covered.
24. Makoshika Is Totally Awesome, Because Dinosaurs Are Totally Awesome
Every Montanan would gladly make the trip to Glendive to go to the Makoshika Dinosaur Museum. Why? Because dinosaurs. That’s why.
25. Wyoming Doesn’t Get To Hog All Of Yellowstone National Park
Montana gets a little slice too. It’s really tiny compared to what Wyoming has. But guess who has most of the main entrances? That’s right. Montana.
26. Almost Everyone In Montana Carries A Gun
And it they don’t have it on them, it’s probably in the locker at home. Let’s just say, if guns make you nervous, Montana is probably not the right state for you.
27. The Quickest Way To Earn A Montanan’s Respect Is To Work Your Butt Off
A strong work ethic is high on the list of Montana values. It might just be number one. You’ll rarely run into a Montanan who won’t think highly of you if you put in a hard days work with them.
28. Missoula Is Montana’s “Cool” City
It’s not going to rival San Francisco or Seattle any time soon, but when the University of Montana students are in for the semester, there’s a different kind of energy in this small city.
29. Everyone Is Totally Obsessed With Freedom
Anytime a Montanan’s freedom is threatened, or they just perceive it to be, you can bet there’s going to be a big backlash.
30. The Whole State Is Just One Big Small Town
Make friends in Butte, and you’ll likely find someone who knows them in Bozeman and is more than willing to lend a helping hand to a friend of a friend. It works both ways though so don’t make enemies.
What do you have to explain to out-of-towners about Montana? Tell us in the comments below! 
