Explore the great outdoors in Glacier National Park

It’s hard to think of a spot on Earth more beautiful than Glacier National Park, Montana. The park covers 1.2 million acres of mountain ranges, forested valleys, pristine lakes, and waterfalls. Horseback riding, hiking (there are 700 miles of trails), boating, and fishing are all available, though you might have a hard time doing anything other than staring in wonder at the extraordinary beauty around you. A seven-day pass for the park is $25.

St. Mary Lodge and Resort in St. Mary sits at the east entrance of the park, and is one of the best luxury resorts in this sprawling wilderness. With 122 pet-friendly rooms ranging in price from $119 to $450 per night, you’ll definitely find something to suit your tastes. If you’d like to incorporate some technology with your nature, St. Mary Lodge also offers a weekend geocaching package. For $425 per person, you’ll get two nights in the lodge, a GPS unit, and box lunches to keep you going on your search throughout the park.

Nestled in Flathead National Forest, Wild River Adventures offers whitewater rafting trips for everyone from the novice to the expert. For $107, you can spend the morning horseback riding through the forest, and the afternoon on an eight-mile river rafting trip through the canyons in waters calm enough for the whole family to enjoy.

Read more of the 50 Affordable Stateside Escapes.

Have a recommendation for Glacier National Park, or another great getaway in Montana? Post your comment below.