Ready to pack up for a journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Southeast Montana? Whether you're a stargazer, outdoor enthusiast, history buff or cultural explorer, we've curated a list of the best apps to enhance your experience in this region. From dark sky wonders to immersive narratives and practical travel tools, these apps are a great addition for an unforgettable Southeast Montana adventure.

 

Meet Star Gazers

We might be a bit biased, okay, honestly, we are, but we've got the absolute best spots for stargazing out here. Embarking on a star gazing voyage through Eastern Montana promises to be an unforgettable experience. A stargazer app is a must have for do-it-yourselfers. Designed specifically for astronomy enthusiasts, Meet Star Gazers proves to be an invaluable tool for those passionate about observing the celestial wonders. Each location featured on Meet Star Gazers is meticulously characterized, considering factors such as proximity to the user's location, the quality of the night sky and the type of night sky observations it facilitates, whether geared towards planetary and lunar observation or deep sky exploration. Pair this with Montana’s Trail to the Stars  map and you are set to explore outer space.

 

AllTrails

If you're looking to get outdoors, this app will provide you with the area's best hiking, biking and running trails. In addition to details on length, starting location and trail quality, AllTrails includes reviews and photos from its community of outdoor enthusiasts. You'll find useful information like what to pack, obstacles you'll find along the route and the best scenic spots. Make sure to check out Strawberry Hill Loop, a 3.5-mile hike outside of Miles City, Montana.

 

Our Montana

Explore the Yellowstone River directly from the water. Our Montana, the organization that manages the app, allows you to browse points of interest as well as plot your own route down the Yellowstone River. The app also shows hazards for boaters, such as bridge piers and irrigation headgates. When opening the app, it asks what sites you are interested in seeing. The GPS app shows public access sites such as launches, camping sites, and city and county parks along with how to get there and cities, towns and museums along the river.

 

Talking Trail

Go after your love for adventures and find a plethora of places in Southeast Montana, from historical sites and monuments to invigorating hikes and scenic byways. Talking Trail invites you to dive deeper into the narrative. Through specially crafted recordings, you can connect with authentic stories, entertaining facts, unique quirks, distinct sounds or rich history, all delivered straight from the local experts. So, whether you're captivated by the vast plains or mesmerized by the rugged beauty of Southeast Montana, Talking Trail ensures that your journey is not just a sightseeing tour but a rich, immersive experience into the heart of the region's unique stories and cultural tapestry. A must-download if you plan to visit Carter County Museum in Ekalaka or Frontier Gateway Museum in Glendive.

 

Crow Apsaalooké

Introducing the Apsaalooké Language App, proudly presented by the Crow Nation. This comprehensive language app is designed to be a vibrant cultural resource, featuring 17 distinct categories, over 600 entries of phrases and words, three engaging levels of games, three types of quizzes, insightful Culture Notes, a user-friendly searchable database, and more. What sets this app apart is its commitment to authenticity, as all audio content is recorded by fluent Crow elders, ensuring an immersive and accurate learning experience.

 

Audubon Bird Guide

The Audubon Bird Guide has a long-standing reputation as the quintessential companion for bird enthusiasts of all levels. This free and comprehensive field guide, featuring over 800 species of North American birds, is conveniently housed in your pocket, offering a seamless and accessible resource for local bird identification. Tailored for users with varying levels of experience, the Audubon Bird Guide not only aids in bird identification but also helps you track your birdwatching adventures. 

Common birds in the Southeast Montana region include black-capped chickadee, downy woodpecker, bald eagle, cedar waxwing and great blue heron. Birds that are commonly seen during migration include yellow warbler, lazuli bunting, black-headed grosbeak, tree swallow and sandhill crane. Less common species that can be seen during migration include plumbeous vireo, MacGillivray’s warbler, field sparrow, orchard oriole and upland sandpiper.

Honorable Mentions: While not technically considered apps, these “passports” are a must-have while visiting Southeast Montana.

Billings Brew Trail (passport)

Put on your most comfortable walking shoes and explore the Billings Brew Trail. Sample local creations from nine breweries, three distilleries, a cider mill and a winery. Many of the stops are along a 1.5-mile loop through the historic downtown region, while others allow you to explore beyond the downtown core and broaden your experience in Montana’s largest city.

Trailhead Treats (passport)

Discover the best bites in Billings with the Trailhead Treats mobile pass - a self-guided foodie tour of Billings. From creations by chefs who've earned James Beard Award nominations to colossal cinnamon rolls and hearty scoops of rich creamy ice cream, all paths lead to delectable delights. Billings' chefs, bakers and confectioners have carved out a unique Montana-style, elevating 'meat and potatoes' meals and traditional sweets with skilled technique and bold new flavors.

Burger Trail (passport)

No matter where you are out here, we have the answer to the “hangries” – hop on the Southeast Montana Burger Trail and chow down. From the tastiest of small-town burgers to award-winning, finger-lickin’ feasts in Montana’s largest city, you will savor a unique, localized burger at each stop, plus you’ll get to meet the characters who make them. Did we mention prizes? Redeem your burger check ins for shirts and stickers, this is a foodie experience you don’t want to miss.

As you gear up for your Southeast Montana expedition, don't forget to equip yourself with these essential travel apps. Let technology be your travel buddy and enhance every moment of your Southeast Montana adventure.