May is a great month to explore Montana’s wilderness and enjoy upscale activities. Tourists can start off in Billings, Montana, and work their way down to West Yellowstone for the adventure of a lifetime. The following highlights an easy-to-follow road trip schedule.
- MSU Billings Foundation’s Wine and Food Festival 2014 – This foodie event runs from May 12 through 17 and tickets go on sale on April 7, 2014. This event is sure to be a sell-out, so purchasing tickets early is highly recommended. Wine masters are scheduled to make an appearance, as well as renowned chefs. Additionally, featured meals pair perfectly with local and regional wines. This event includes a guest chef cinner, home cooking schools, a guided cheese tour and a wine masters symposium, to name a few. Demonstrations also include entertaining decor, tablescapes and modern-day gathering tips. The event culminates in a champagne reception, gourmet dinner and both live and silent auctions. Additional events are highlighted directly on their website.
- Yellowstone Holiday – Located in West Yellowstone, Yellowstone Holiday is a premiere West Yellowstone campground. Perfect for camping, RVs or guests that prefer to rent cabins, this Yellowstone RV park offers a convenient location to Hebgen Lake. This lake is known for excellent fly-fishing. The area is home to brown trout and rainbow trout, which measure between 14 to 18 inches. Late spring and early summer see Trico hatchings, which allows anglers to fully appreciate the rich bounty of this oversized lake. During these hatchings, anglers only need light gear and long leaders that feature light tippets. The lake permits canoe, motorboat, inflatable kayaks and pontoon boats.
- Yellowstone National Park – Guests can stay at Yellowstone Holiday while exploring nearby Yellowstone National Park. The park is generally less crowded in May. Spring yields new wildlife additions, which make spectacular photographs. Yellowstone offers several popular activities, including day hiking, wildlife viewing, picnics, fishing, boating, bicycling, horseback riding and several ranger-led tours. The following areas are anticipated to be open to the public on the dates listed below.
- April 18 – Mammoth to Old Faith; Norris to Canyon; Madison to West Entrance.
- May 2 – Canyon to Lake; Lake to East Entrance.
- May 9 – West Thumb to Old Faithful; Lake to South Entrance; Tower to Tower Fall.
- May 23 – Beartooth Highway; Tower Fall to Canyon.
- IMAX – For visitors that are new to the area, the Yellowstone IMAX Theater features the classic interactive film, “Yellowstone.” This movie highlights the history of Yellowstone and features spectacular scenery and wildlife. This theater is conveniently located in downtown West Yellowstone.