To be honest…Anytime is a perfect time to visit Montana. If you like the fresh sent of mountain air, with a crisp (since your looking around in Missoula area) the best time is Spring or Winter. Lakes are beautiful around that time of year. Even summer time is wonderful, because in the mountain area you’ll have the heat from the sun and yet either a warm or cool breeze that brushes over you and can cool off in the lakes there. The lakes and rivers are usually pretty clear. Just a thought…If you don’t like the Montana weather for the moment, wait 20 minutes…it’ll change!! ~Montana Joke!
I’ve always enjoy my time at home…(In MT)...never really hated any season. Always had something to do. Can never really find bordem…the best time of year at night in Montana is Winter time but when the skies are clear…You see Billions and Billions of stars…the whole gallaxy is right there in your back yard. You can find that in the spring and summer time too..but its so much more peaceful in the winter time. If anything, you think you were closer to the heavens. :) The only time I found it hard to live in MT was summer…usually alot of forest fires..those are usually controlled now.
I hope you enjoy your stay in Montana when you do decide to go. I know I am not much help…but I think you’ll like it there. I have also enclosed a picture that I took when my fiance and I went out that way (From Laurel MT to Kalispell MT).

I agree, anytime is a great time, as long as there’s some sun. The only thing I would say is that if you intend to spend some time up in the highlands, you may want to time your trip against the blooming of the wildflowers, which is mostly a July phenomenon. It’s pretty spectacular (but pretty brief).

Have a great time whenever and wherever you go!

The best time would be June on July since it’s not snowing and (hopefully) fire season hasn’t started yet. By August it gets really hot here and everything dries out and unless you’ve seen this happen for 20+ years it really doesn’t look that pretty.

the only problem is if you go to any national parks or big places there will be tons of tourist there instead of just a few people

The picture is from July in the Castle Mountains

Hi Imose,
Anytime from now to about the first week of October would be great, maybe if the weather is good the end of October.
Bring good boots, binoculars and a great smile to take up an adventure in the Montana Wilderness. If you get up to Libby, Montana (one of the most remote places in the lower 48) stop by for a room, ride a horse, fish, or boat in a remote 70 mile long lake. To find out more go to http://www.mtwilderness.com

HAVE FUN

Hi there, I am from England and have only visited Montana once so I am no expert, but I went in June last year and it was absolutely glorious! It was nice and hot but not unbearable (which I was pleased about as I had been told stories of how cold it gets there!), and it was a good heat to explore all the lakes and beautiful scenery. I would definitely visit at that time of year again. I hope you have a fabulous time just like I did. :)

I went in June as well and the weather was so-so. Thundershowers move in from nowhere and then leave in an instant.

I love the summertime and early fall – dodge fire season, and you’ll have lovely afternoons with the evening hatch beginning to rise off the rivers. . . .

the fall is so amazing!
i went there for an exchange program, and arrived in late september. i really think i got there the best time, it wasn’t unbearably hot, the sunsets were amazing, the color of the leaves. i’d say the fall : )

When to visit Montana? I’d say May (if you can) or June. Later summer tends to get dry in much of the state and the green goes away. That said, Montana’s never ugly. :) You might even try January! Bring your sunglasses!