These days, when people say “Yellowstone,” you can’t be sure that they’re talking about America’s first national park. More often than not, they’re referring to one of TV’s most popular series by the same name. Many tourists are visiting Big Sky country looking for the “Yellowstone” lifestyle even if the drama isn’t real. In a recent joint study by the Bureau of Business and Economic Research and the Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research at the University of Montana, “Yellowstone” tourists alone spent $730 million in Montana in 2021.

Below are 5 ways to visit the “real” Montana and its amazing National Parks.

Explore Yellowstone and Glacier by RV: Discover the natural beauty of Yellowstone, Glacier, and more with the comfort and convenience of a new Winnebago RV, you’ll have the freedom to travel at your own pace and experience the great outdoors like never before. Based in Bozeman, MT, Blacksford’s brand new, luxury RVs and camper vans are low-mileage and impeccably maintained, ensuring a safe and worry-free trip. They offer flexible pick-up and drop-off times, all the amenities you’ll need for a fantastic vacation, and support to ensure a seamless rental experience.

Saddle and Paddle Yellowstone: Flying Pig Adventures’ 3-night Yellowstone tour gives guests the opportunity to experience the park like never before. The thrill of witnessing one of nature’s most iconic environments, tackling rough terrain on horseback, and battling Class III rapids cannot be found anywhere else. From fly fishing, to horseback rides, to Yellowstone whitewater rafting, guests will be talking about their unique experiences for years to come.

Cycle Glacier National Park: The Big Sky meets six days of big smiles on Escape Adventures’ epic Glacier National Park/Going-to-the-Sun Road bike trip. Based in Montana’s 1,583-square-mile Glacier National Park, with its 375 historic properties plus six historic landmarks, riders will cycle into some of North America’s most breathtaking landscapes, including Going-to-the-Sun Road. At each stop, each slow pass, guests will learn a little more about the “Crown of the Continent” ecosystem.

Big Sky Luxury Adventure: In Big Sky, Montana, The Wilson Hotel serves as a base camp for adventure whether it’s winter or summer. Guests can ski and snowboard Big Sky Resort’s expansive 5,850 acres of terrain in winter, and hike nearby shaded forests and wildflower-filled meadows, raft or fly fish the clear waters of the Gallatin River, and experience the adrenaline rush of lift-served mountain biking in summer. At the end of the day, The Wilson offers spacious, sophisticated accommodations steps from on-site amenities and Big Sky Town Center.

Glamping Cowboy Retreat:  Ranchlands is excited to formally open the 80,000-acre Paintrock Canyon Ranch in the Bighorn Mountains. Guests will immerse themselves in ranch life, explore the surrounding areas on horseback, fly fish, hike, and experience the natural world in this unique landscape. Accommodations are designed for guests to be as close to nature as possible, but with all the comforts of home. Large, safari-style tents are stylishly furnished with full-sized beds, bedside tables, dressers, and chairs. Meals are prepared by a private chef and incorporate Ranchlands beef, local produce, and dairy whenever possible. The ranch makes a great base camp for a Yellowstone National Park adventure.

Living in Las Vegas can really put you into a bubble but this June, we ventured out of state for my birthday and explored St. George. Just 2 hours away and right by Zion, Utah is just beautiful. St. George was known as Dixie and lots of signage still say Dixie. There is even a huge white D marking the mountain landscape. We noticed the change in elevation as we left the valley and more greenary. Outside of the desert, St. George is known for it’s lack of traffic, family friendly things to do and an adorable Town Square and Children’s Museum.

We planned this getaway with other families from Tiny Hikes and the kids were able to explore the caves, caverns and slot canyons. Nature’s playground is full of surprises. The kids heard different sounds, echos and colors of rocks that sparkled at the Golden Hour.  This is actually our third time visiting so we were well aware of the store closures on Sundays since this town is mostly Mormon. We enjoyed the family time at Thunder Junction and riding the train around the All Abilities park. I felt so happy to be able to celebrate my birthday with my sister, my aunt and my mom! I felt so loved and like a kid myself again.

There are many fun places to eat and we went got a reservation from Open Table to Wood Ash Rye. This was on Main Street. The menu was incredible and we selected everything we wanted to try and enjoyed it family style. The open kitchen and ambiance we just perfect and the dining room as bustling with excitement. I highly recommend the duck!

If you are looking for an easy getaway, consider St. George! We will definitely be back again to explore more hikes, park, restaurants and Zion National Park!