RocKY MouNTaiN FRoNT
THE BLACKFEET RESERVATION is the eastern gateway to Glacier
National Park. And what a gateway it is —1.5 million acres of rocky
peaks, buttes, glacial lakes and grassy plains that shift color as the
sun tracks across the big Montana sky. It is a magnet for anglers and
hunters. Giant rainbow trout patrol eight major pothole lakes. Cutthroat
trout tip lazily for dry flies in more than 175 miles of crystal streams
and rivers. Antelope, mule deer, elk, moose and game birds dot the vast
plains, thick coulees and picturesque lakes.
Rich opportunities to discover tribal history offer another
draw to the region. The Museum of the Plains Indian and Blackfeet Heritage
Center in Browning are good places to start. Their displays feature historic
photos, headdresses, weapons, art and more. For a deeper understanding,
attend a public Pow Wow or a native storytelling session and get a glimpse
of this remarkable land through the eyes of the people who first called
it home.
In addition to experiencing the culture and recreation
offered on the reservation, be sure to spend time in the area around Cut
Bank. The easternmost town in the region, it is the area’s agricultural
hub and hosts a variety of events like the Annual Lewis & Clark Festival
and the Montana Storytelling Roundup. Nearby, you’ll also find guest
ranches, farms that sell fresh produce, and historic sites such as Camp
Disappointment. Cut Bank has one more mesmerizing attribute — the
sky. One trip here and you’ll know why Montana is called Big Sky
Country
Still the power here is the land itself. So take in as
much as you can, whether by fishing, hunting, camping, birding or just
cruising along Highway 2 with your camera close by.
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