One of the best things to do in Montana is the "get lost" road trip - just gather a bag and check out some small town across the state you've never been to. Montana's beauty is so different from county to county. Mountains, plains, and everything in between. We've found some gorgeous Montana places that you've likely never seen.

I suppose if you happen to live very close to one of our 'pretty Montana places' or are very well traveled around the state - you may have seen them before. That's bound to happen. We wanted to give a simple glimpse of just how diverse and gorgeous all corners of Montana really are.

GRAIN ELEVATOR ROW IN RAPELJE, MONTANA: These might be some of the most photographed grain elevators on the planet. Do a simple search, and you'll find them everywhere from Pinterest to Creative Market. The New York Times in 1982 did an article about them, stating:

It was the railroad that bound together the awesome spaces of the West, tying tiny frontier towns to distant markets in a webwork of steel rails. Now, all across the northern plains of eastern Montana, North Dakota and Nebraska, the Burlington Northern railroad wants to abandon and eventually tear up hundreds of miles of branch lines. The railroad says the lines, used mostly to haul wheat from local grain elevators, are no longer economical.

Pretty MT - Rapelje Grain Elevator Row - Google Maps
Pretty MT - Rapelje Grain Elevator Row - Google Maps
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LAKE HELENA CAUSEWAY: Lots of folks have driven by Lake Helena, but only the wise have spent time at the causeway fishing access. It's a decent place to put in a simple fishing boat, but nothing fancy. The real star of this spot is the mellow location and stellar views. When it's not windy, it's a fantastic place to simply have lunch. Early morning fishing is the best time to fish, in the spring or fall.

Pretty MT - Lake Helena Causeway - Google Maps
Pretty MT - Lake Helena Causeway - Google Maps
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CALVARY CEMETERY: Located just outside of downtown Livingston, Montana off of Old Clyde Park Road, this cemetery might have the most beautiful location of any cemetery in the country - it's small, and very near the banks of the Yellowstone River. If cemeteries aren't your thing, the Old Clyde Park Road is simply a wonderful drive and easy to get to.

Pretty MT - Calvary Cemetery Livingston - Google Maps
Pretty MT - Calvary Cemetery Livingston - Google Maps
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MIDDLE FORK FLATHEAD RIVER: Important and gorgeous - two words that are certainly accurate when talking about the Middle Fork Flathead River. It's not hard to get to but a surprising number of Montanans have never even seen it. It's technically less than 100 miles long and is geographically the southern border of Glacier National Park.

Pretty MT - Essex Rte 2 Middle Fork Flathead River - Google Maps
Pretty MT - Essex Rte 2 Middle Fork Flathead River - Google Maps
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DEADMANS BASIN RESERVOIR: You'll find this cool body of water 20 miles east of Harlowton or 9 miles west of Ryegate on Hwy 12. It's nearly 2,000 acres. "Built in 1941, Deadmans is ran by the Musselshell Irrigation District for irrigation purposes. It provides fishing opportunities for Rainbow trout, Kokanee salmon and Tiger Muskie."

Pretty MT - Deadmans Basin Reservoir - Google Maps
Pretty MT - Deadmans Basin Reservoir - Google Maps
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LOST CREEK ROAD OUTSIDE OF ANACONDA, MONTANA

Pretty MT - Anaconda Lost Creek Road - Google Maps
Pretty MT - Anaconda Lost Creek Road - Google Maps
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HIGHWAY 214 OUTSIDE OF CUTBANK, MONTANA: Anyone who has spent time driving the Hi-Line knows that it's a special kind of beauty. Depending on what time of year you're there, you can catch the dozens of shades of gold and harvest browns.

Pretty MT - Cut Bank Hwy 214N - Google Maps
Pretty MT - Cut Bank Hwy 214N - Google Maps
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The Top 5 Most Rural Post Offices Of Small Town Montana

Some of Montana's rural post offices don't even make it onto Google Street View, but they're incredibly important hubs in rural parts of the state. We did a little digging and found a few hidden gems. Take a look!

Gallery Credit: mwolfe

Montana Has A Shocking Number of License Plate Options

When it comes to license plates, Montana has more choices than most states, check out the plates here.

Gallery Credit: Nick Northern

5 Excellent Hacks For Recycling In Montana

This guide will help your Montana recycling efforts go the furthest. Learn what to recycle and what NOT to recycle, and alternative ways to recycle items that you're not supposed to put in the bins. (We screw this up a lot.)

Gallery Credit: mwolfe

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