National Plan For Vacation Day

Visit Helena, is here to tell you to rejoice in 2022 and start using all your vacation days. Buy back your time, don’t let vacation time go to waste this year and plan your family journey in Montana today.

Did you know that 29% of Americans left an average of four vacation days on the table? That is 32 working hours spent hiking in the mountains, learning about Lewis & Clarks journey up the Missouri River, or reveling in the sounds of Helena’s music scene.

This year, prevent work burnout and instead burn those vacation days discovering your passion for travel. The majority of Americans (9 in 10) continue to say it is important to use their paid time off to travel, and nearly 80% believe vacations will improve health and well-being. So saddle-up and get ready for your authentic western adventure in Helena, Montana.

After two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, you deserve to be part of nature and plan a Montana adventure. We put together a list of what you should know about planning your Western Adventure in Montana.

Where to Visit

Most people say there are only two places in Montana; Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park. We recommend both! But, when you plan skip the airport lines, busy car rental lines, and shuttles at Bozeman Airport & Kalispell Airport. Helena Regional Airport is situated perfectly between Glacier and Yellowstone.


Helena; Montana’s state Capital, has 22 affordable hotels all within 10 minutes to historic downtown. Our downtown is all locally-owned businesses and restaurants. You will find everything from authentic Montana steak dinner at the Montana Club to tasty Mediterranean fare.

Helena has a variety of activities such as walking tours, art galleries, hiking trails starting from town, and hot springs. See our Things to Do Page.

How long should you stay in Helena?

People stay a lifetime and still don’t discover all the things Helena has to offer. Ideally, your family will need two to three days in Helena to experience the trails, tours, and people. Stay longer and explore further. With towns like Lincoln, York, and White Sulphur Springs to explore Helena is a wonderful base for your Montana adventure.

How long should you stay in Helena?

People stay a lifetime and still don’t discover all the things Helena has to offer. Ideally, your family will need two to three days in Helena to experience the trails, tours, and people. Stay longer and explore further. With towns like Lincoln, York, and White Sulphur Springs to explore Helena is a wonderful base for your Montana adventure.

When to Visit?

Plan around when the National Parks are free and for reference here are the 2022 dates:

April 16: First Day of National Park Week – A great time to see wildlife in Yellowstone. Glacier National Park is mostly closed but find your way to Yellowstone without the crowds.

August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act – Might be a busy time of year but support the American Great Outdoors and buy a National Park Pass to see more.

September 24: National Public Lands Day – A Day all Montanans celebrate. Residents of Montana value our open lands and access to recreation. Fall is the best time of year to visit Glacier National Park and Yellowstone, you will avoid crowds, smoke, and the heat. Why else? THE BEAUTIFUL FALL COLORS!

November 11: Veterans Day – As a celebration to our armed members that protected our country, the National Parks celebrate this day by opening the gates to the public.

Visit Helena in the fall from September – October for our cultural events like Montana Pow Wow, Fall Festival, Oktoberfest, and Downtown’s 2nd Annual Soapbox Derby.

Connect with Visit Helena to learn more about National Plan For Your Trip Day, and how to best plan a Western Adventure. We look forward to seeing you in 2022.