Travel Nursing Destination Spotlight: Montana

With glistening rivers that offer world-renowned kayaking and fly fishing, and towering mountains that are prime for hiking, skiing and camping, Montana is a state not to be overlooked.

Montana offers great outdoor activities and food options, without the crowds that many of its neighboring states attract. Find out why it might be time to take a travel nursing job in Montana.

Fly fish with the pros

If you’ve read A River Runs Through It, you know that Montana’s rivers are like nowhere else’s. Located on the continental divide, Montana has more than 40 rivers full of wild trout but not full of other fishers. Take a fly fishing lesson with a guide or, if you’re experienced in fishing, enjoy Montana’s rivers on your own.

While Montana’s big rivers like the Yellowstone, Gallatin and Rock Creek, are famous, what really makes Montana fly fishing special is the fact that each of these rivers have lots of tributaries. These small rivers have the same great fishing, but you can find your own spot and don’t have to deal with other competing fly fishers.

Try fishing the Clark Fork River. It’s beautiful and also offers a great variety of fish, so no matter your skill level, you’re bound to catch something.

Take a break at a local brewery

After a long day of fishing or hiking around, Montana offers a surprisingly large number of options for local breweries. While it’s one of the smallest states in terms of population, the people of Montana love their beer enough that Montana has one of the highest numbers of breweries per capita.

The Montana Brewers Organization has a “trail map” of breweries in Montana, so you can find your own breweries, and most towns offer brewery tours. Try the Cold Smoke Scotch Ale from KettleHouse, based in Missoula. It’s a combination of Montana’s favorite things: skiing (cold smoke is another word for powdery snow) and craft beers.

Whether you’re in Missoula, Bozeman or Billings, Montana has a brewery for you.

Spend a weekend in Glacier National Park

Montana is a great place to see the outdoors, and Glacier National Park is the pinnacle of outdoors in the West. It’s a drive from Montana’s cities, but the snow-capped peaks, crystal-clear lakes and towering pine trees make it well worth the trip.

Start off by driving Going-to-the-Sun road, which is an almost impossibly scenic drive through the center of Glacier National Park. Then, go on a hike. Glacier has more than 700 miles of trails, so you’ve got plenty of room to explore.

Glacier is home to an incredibly diverse ecosystem, including grizzlies, elk, all sorts of birds and more. Sign up for a tour or a talk with a ranger to learn more about the area and the critters you share the park with.

Does Montana sound too good to be true? See for yourself with a travel nursing job in Montana.