List of mountain ranges in Montana facts for kids

Northwest expanse of Absaroka Range

This is a list of mountain ranges in the state of Montana. Montana is the fourth largest state in the United States and is well known for its mountains. The name "Montana" means "mountainous" in Latin. Representative James Mitchell Ashley (R-Ohio), suggested the name when legislation organizing the territory was passed by the United States Congress in 1864. Ashley noted that a mining camp in the Colorado Territory had already used the name, and Congress agreed to use the name for the new territory.

According to the United States Board on Geographic Names, there are at least 100 named mountain ranges and sub-ranges in Montana. However, mountain ranges have no official boundaries, and there is no official list of mountain ranges in the state.

List of mountain ranges

The mountain ranges below are listed by name, county, coordinates, and average elevation as recorded by the U.S. Geological Survey. Sub-ranges are indented below the name of the primary range. Some of these ranges extend into Wyoming, Idaho, and Canada.

• Absaroka Range; Park County, Montana; 43°57′40″N 109°20′21″W / 43.96111°N 109.33917°W / 43.96111; -109.33917 (Absaroka Range); 13,140 feet (4,010 m)
• Anaconda Range; Deer Lodge County, Montana; 45°58′52″N 113°26′32″W / 45.98111°N 113.44222°W / 45.98111; -113.44222 (Anaconda Range); 10,197 feet (3,108 m)
• Badger Hills; Big Horn County, Montana; 44°58′41″N 106°40′42″W / 44.97806°N 106.67833°W / 44.97806; -106.67833 (Badger Hills); 4,655 feet (1,419 m)
• Bears Paw Mountains; Blaine & Hill County, Montana; 48°12′30″N 109°31′03″W / 48.20833°N 109.51750°W / 48.20833; -109.51750 (Bears Paw Mountains); 4,623 feet (1,409 m)
• Beartooth Mountains; Park County, Montana; 45°09′48″N 109°48′29″W / 45.16333°N 109.80806°W / 45.16333; -109.80806 (Beartooth Mountains); 12,693 feet (3,869 m)
• Beaverhead Mountains; Lemhi County, Idaho; 44°21′17″N 112°49′21″W / 44.35472°N 112.82250°W / 44.35472; -112.82250 (Beaverhead Mountains); 11,352 feet (3,460 m)
• Big Belt Mountains Broadwater County, Montana; 46°27′15″N 111°15′52″W / 46.45417°N 111.26444°W / 46.45417; -111.26444 (Big Belt Mountains); 7,385 feet (2,251 m)
• Big Horn Mountains; Big Horn County, Montana; 45°15′02″N 107°56′02″W / 45.25056°N 107.93389°W / 45.25056; -107.93389 (Big Horn Mountains); 4,734 feet (1,443 m)
• Big Sheep Mountains; Dawson County, Montana; 47°18′58″N 105°17′32″W / 47.31611°N 105.29222°W / 47.31611; -105.29222 (Big Sheep Mountains); 2,900 feet (880 m)
• Big Snowy Mountains; Fergus County, Montana; 46°42′30″N 109°13′28″W / 46.70833°N 109.22444°W / 46.70833; -109.22444 (Big Snowy Mountains); 6,673 feet (2,034 m)
• Bitterroot Range; Clearwater County, Idaho; 46°44′08″N 115°24′27″W / 46.73556°N 115.40750°W / 46.73556; -115.40750 (Bitterroot Range); 7,126 feet (2,172 m)
  • Bitterroot Mountains; Mineral County, Montana; 47°06′09″N 115°09′33″W / 47.10250°N 115.15917°W / 47.10250; -115.15917 (Bitterroot Mountains); 7,208 feet (2,197 m)
  • Grave Creek Range; Missoula County, Montana; 46°50′09″N 114°18′42″W / 46.83583°N 114.31167°W / 46.83583; -114.31167 (Grave Creek Range); 6,135 feet (1,870 m)
• Black Reef; Lewis and Clark County, Montana; 47°35′29″N 112°51′16″W / 47.59139°N 112.85444°W / 47.59139; -112.85444 (Black Reef); 6,378 feet (1,944 m)
• Boulder Hills; Jefferson County, Montana; 46°19′28″N 112°04′16″W / 46.32444°N 112.07111°W / 46.32444; -112.07111 (Boulder Hills); 5,768 feet (1,758 m)
• Boulder Mountains; Deer Lodge County, Montana; 46°33′00″N 112°21′03″W / 46.55000°N 112.35083°W / 46.55000; -112.35083 (Boulder Mountains); 6,096 feet (1,858 m)

Bridger Range from Bozeman, Montana

• Bridger Range; Gallatin County, Montana; 45°53′19″N 110°57′30″W / 45.88861°N 110.95833°W / 45.88861; -110.95833 (Bridger Range); 8,747 feet (2,666 m)
• Bull Mountains; Musselshell County, Montana; 46°20′00″N 108°15′03″W / 46.33333°N 108.25083°W / 46.33333; -108.25083 (Bull Mountains); 3,845 feet (1,172 m)
• Butcher Hills; Carter County, Montana; 45°10′32″N 104°21′59″W / 45.17556°N 104.36639°W / 45.17556; -104.36639 (Butcher Hills); 3,553 feet (1,083 m)
• Cabinet Mountains; Sanders County, Montana; 48°10′00″N 115°50′04″W / 48.16667°N 115.83444°W / 48.16667; -115.83444 (Cabinet Mountains); 4,058 feet (1,237 m)
• Calderwood Hills; Valley County, Montana; 48°27′48″N 106°23′52″W / 48.46333°N 106.39778°W / 48.46333; -106.39778 (Calderwood Hills); 2,799 feet (853 m)
• Castle Mountains; Meagher County, Montana; 46°28′11″N 110°45′54″W / 46.46972°N 110.76500°W / 46.46972; -110.76500 (Castle Mountains); 8,117 feet (2,474 m)
• Cayuse Hills; Sweet Grass County, Montana; 46°04′44″N 109°42′00″W / 46.07889°N 109.70000°W / 46.07889; -109.70000 (Cayuse Hills); 5,079 feet (1,548 m)
• Centennial Mountains; Clark County, Idaho; 44°33′44″N 111°30′17″W / 44.56222°N 111.50472°W / 44.56222; -111.50472 (Centennial Mountains); 10,177 feet (3,102 m)
  • Eastern Centennial Mountains; Clark County, Idaho; 44°33′44″N 111°30′17″W / 44.56222°N 111.50472°W / 44.56222; -111.50472 (Eastern Centennial Mountains); 10,180 feet (3,100 m)
  • Western Centennial Mountains; Clark County, Idaho; 44°33′05″N 111°52′15″W / 44.55139°N 111.87083°W / 44.55139; -111.87083 (Western Centennial Mountains); 9,390 feet (2,860 m)
• Chalk Buttes; Carter County, Montana; 45°44′03″N 104°41′11″W / 45.73417°N 104.68639°W / 45.73417; -104.68639 (Chalk Buttes); 4,134 feet (1,260 m)

Northern expanse of Crazy Mountains as seen from Castle Mountain foothills.

• Coeur d'Alene Mountains; Sanders County, Montana; 47°45′00″N 116°00′04″W / 47.75000°N 116.00111°W / 47.75000; -116.00111 (Coeur d'Alene Mountains); 3,497 feet (1,066 m)
• Crazy Mountains; Park County, Montana; 46°10′00″N 110°30′03″W / 46.16667°N 110.50083°W / 46.16667; -110.50083 (Crazy Mountains); 11,214 feet (3,418 m)
• Dahl Hills; Valley County, Montana; 48°46′59″N 106°34′51″W / 48.78306°N 106.58083°W / 48.78306; -106.58083 (Dahl Hills); 3,245 feet (989 m)
• Dickie Hills; Silver Bow County, Montana; 45°52′07″N 113°02′48″W / 45.86861°N 113.04667°W / 45.86861; -113.04667 (Dickie Hills); 7,831 feet (2,387 m)
• Dry Range; Meagher County, Montana; 46°48′00″N 111°17′03″W / 46.80000°N 111.28417°W / 46.80000; -111.28417 (Dry Range); 6,152 feet (1,875 m)
• Ekalaka Hills; Carter County, Montana; 45°52′36″N 104°28′18″W / 45.87667°N 104.47167°W / 45.87667; -104.47167 (Ekalaka Hills); 3,720 feet (1,130 m)
• Elkhorn Mountains; Jefferson County, Montana; 46°28′50″N 111°52′34″W / 46.48056°N 111.87611°W / 46.48056; -111.87611 (Elkhorn Mountains); 4,944 feet (1,507 m)
• Flathead Alps; Powell County, Montana; 47°30′40″N 113°09′24″W / 47.51111°N 113.15667°W / 47.51111; -113.15667 (Flathead Alps); 8,337 feet (2,541 m)
• Flathead Range; Flathead County, Montana; 48°16′00″N 113°44′03″W / 48.26667°N 113.73417°W / 48.26667; -113.73417 (Flathead Range); 6,102 feet (1,860 m)
• Flattops; Carter County, Montana; 45°19′00″N 104°41′23″W / 45.31667°N 104.68972°W / 45.31667; -104.68972 (Flattops); 3,835 feet (1,169 m)
• Flint Creek Range; Granite County, Montana; 46°22′00″N 113°06′33″W / 46.36667°N 113.10917°W / 46.36667; -113.10917 (Flint Creek Range); 6,542 feet (1,994 m)
• Franklin Hills; Sweet Grass County, Montana; 46°03′13″N 109°53′27″W / 46.05361°N 109.89083°W / 46.05361; -109.89083 (Franklin Hills); 4,879 feet (1,487 m)
• Gallatin Range; Gallatin County, Montana; 45°18′49″N 111°04′44″W / 45.31361°N 111.07889°W / 45.31361; -111.07889 (Gallatin Range); 9,737 feet (2,968 m)
• Gallatin Range; Park County, Wyoming; 44°55′00″N 110°53′03″W / 44.91667°N 110.88417°W / 44.91667; -110.88417 (Gallatin Range); 9,003 feet (2,744 m)
• Garnet Range; Powell County, Montana; 46°43′18″N 112°57′33″W / 46.72167°N 112.95917°W / 46.72167; -112.95917 (Garnet Range); 6,014 feet (1,833 m)
• Granite Range; Stillwater County, Montana; 45°15′36″N 109°49′49″W / 45.26000°N 109.83028°W / 45.26000; -109.83028 (Granite Range); 11,092 feet (3,381 m)
• Gravelly Range; Madison County, Montana; 45°05′21″N 111°51′25″W / 45.08917°N 111.85694°W / 45.08917; -111.85694 (Gravelly Range); 8,258 feet (2,517 m)
• Greenhorn Range; Madison County, Montana; 45°06′32″N 111°58′05″W / 45.10889°N 111.96806°W / 45.10889; -111.96806 (Greenhorn Range); 8,622 feet (2,628 m)
• Henrys Lake Mountains; Madison County, Montana; 44°46′52″N 111°24′00″W / 44.78111°N 111.40000°W / 44.78111; -111.40000 (Henrys Lake Mountains); 10,148 feet (3,093 m)
• Highland Mountains; Madison County, Montana; 45°43′34″N 112°28′44″W / 45.72611°N 112.47889°W / 45.72611; -112.47889 (Highland Mountains); 9,081 feet (2,768 m)
• Highwood Mountains Chouteau County, Montana; 47°27′47″N 110°33′39″W / 47.46306°N 110.56083°W / 47.46306; -110.56083 (Highwood Mountains); 5,148 feet (1,569 m)
• Honeycomb Hills; Powder River County, Montana; 45°36′07″N 105°00′21″W / 45.60194°N 105.00583°W / 45.60194; -105.00583 (Honeycomb Hills); 3,094 feet (943 m)
• Horn Mountains; Madison County, Montana; 44°44′28″N 111°30′01″W / 44.74111°N 111.50028°W / 44.74111; -111.50028 (Horn Mountains); 7,638 feet (2,328 m)
• Horseshoe Hills; Gallatin County, Montana; 46°01′25″N 111°16′21″W / 46.02361°N 111.27250°W / 46.02361; -111.27250 (Horseshoe Hills); 6,673 feet (2,034 m)
• Humbolt Hills; Carter County, Montana; 45°49′29″N 104°06′24″W / 45.82472°N 104.10667°W / 45.82472; -104.10667 (Humbolt Hills); 3,314 feet (1,010 m)
• John Long Mountains; Granite County, Montana; 46°26′16″N 113°26′52″W / 46.43778°N 113.44778°W / 46.43778; -113.44778 (John Long Mountains); 7,923 feet (2,415 m)

Judith Mountains in winter

• Judith Mountains; Fergus County, Montana; 47°13′08″N 109°13′43″W / 47.21889°N 109.22861°W / 47.21889; -109.22861 (Judith Mountains); 6,017 feet (1,834 m)
• Larb Hills; Phillips County, Montana; 48°20′45″N 107°23′02″W / 48.34583°N 107.38389°W / 48.34583; -107.38389 (Larb Hills); 2,549 feet (777 m)
• Lewis Range; Glacier County, Montana; 48°53′00″N 113°51′03″W / 48.88333°N 113.85083°W / 48.88333; -113.85083 (Lewis Range); 8,172 feet (2,491 m)
• Lewis and Clark Range; Powell County, Montana; 47°30′01″N 113°08′03″W / 47.50028°N 113.13417°W / 47.50028; -113.13417 (Lewis and Clark Range); 7,109 feet (2,167 m)
• Limestone Hills; Broadwater County, Montana; 46°14′59″N 111°37′34″W / 46.24972°N 111.62611°W / 46.24972; -111.62611 (Limestone Hills); 4,977 feet (1,517 m)
• Little Belt Mountains; Meagher County, Montana; 46°50′17″N 110°43′06″W / 46.83806°N 110.71833°W / 46.83806; -110.71833 (Little Belt Mountains); 8,195 feet (2,498 m)
• Little Rocky Mountains; Blaine County, Montana; 48°00′34″N 108°36′07″W / 48.00944°N 108.60194°W / 48.00944; -108.60194 (Little Rocky Mountains); 4,531 feet (1,381 m)
• Little Snowy Mountains; Fergus County, Montana; 46°45′27″N 109°09′36″W / 46.75750°N 109.16000°W / 46.75750; -109.16000 (Little Snowy Mountains); 5,978 feet (1,822 m)
• Little Wolf Mountains; Big Horn County, Montana; 45°50′33″N 106°54′39″W / 45.84250°N 106.91083°W / 45.84250; -106.91083 (Little Wolf Mountains); 4,800 feet (1,500 m)
• Livingston Range; Glacier County, Montana; 48°57′47″N 114°01′26″W / 48.96306°N 114.02389°W / 48.96306; -114.02389 (Livingston Range); 9,321 feet (2,841 m)
• Long Pines; Carter County, Montana; 45°41′20″N 104°13′42″W / 45.68889°N 104.22833°W / 45.68889; -104.22833 (Long Pines); 4,094 feet (1,248 m)
• Madison Range; Madison County, Montana; 45°15′00″N 111°30′03″W / 45.25000°N 111.50083°W / 45.25000; -111.50083 (Madison Range); 9,308 feet (2,837 m)
  • Spanish Peaks; Madison County, Montana; 45°23′13″N 111°25′39″W / 45.38694°N 111.42750°W / 45.38694; -111.42750 (Spanish Peaks); 8,441 feet (2,573 m)
  • The Wedge; Madison County, Montana; 45°01′47″N 111°30′47″W / 45.02972°N 111.51306°W / 45.02972; -111.51306 (The Wedge); 10,548 feet (3,215 m)
• Milk River Hills; McCone County, Montana; 48°01′43″N 106°18′07″W / 48.02861°N 106.30194°W / 48.02861; -106.30194 (Milk River Hills); 2,644 feet (806 m)
• Mission Range; Lake County, Montana; 47°48′40″N 113°55′30″W / 47.81111°N 113.92500°W / 47.81111; -113.92500 (Mission Range); 6,063 feet (1,848 m)
• North Hills; Missoula County, Montana; 46°54′50″N 114°00′23″W / 46.91389°N 114.00639°W / 46.91389; -114.00639 (North Hills); 3,556 feet (1,084 m)
• North Moccasin Mountains; Fergus County, Montana; 47°17′47″N 109°29′06″W / 47.29639°N 109.48500°W / 47.29639; -109.48500 (North Moccasin Mountains); 5,384 feet (1,641 m)
• Opheim Hills; Valley County, Montana; 48°52′55″N 106°30′45″W / 48.88194°N 106.51250°W / 48.88194; -106.51250 (Opheim Hills); 3,304 feet (1,007 m)
• Papoose Hills; Valley County, Montana; 48°39′30″N 107°05′23″W / 48.65833°N 107.08972°W / 48.65833; -107.08972 (Papoose Hills); 2,815 feet (858 m)
• Park Hills; Meagher County, Montana; 46°36′46″N 110°55′19″W / 46.61278°N 110.92194°W / 46.61278; -110.92194 (Park Hills); 6,260 feet (1,910 m)
• Pike Creek Hills; Petroleum County, Montana; 46°50′06″N 108°36′39″W / 46.83500°N 108.61083°W / 46.83500; -108.61083 (Pike Creek Hills); 3,707 feet (1,130 m)
• Piney Buttes; Garfield County, Montana; 47°27′30″N 106°47′02″W / 47.45833°N 106.78389°W / 47.45833; -106.78389 (Piney Buttes); 2,651 feet (808 m)
• Pioneer Mountains; Beaverhead County, Montana; 45°29′55″N 112°58′25″W / 45.49861°N 112.97361°W / 45.49861; -112.97361 (Pioneer Mountains); 10,065 feet (3,068 m)
• Pryor Mountains Big Horn County, Montana and Carbon County, Montana; 45°15′00″N 108°30′02″W / 45.25000°N 108.50056°W / 45.25000; -108.50056 (Pryor Mountains); 6,417 feet (1,956 m)
• Purcell Mountains; Lincoln County, Montana; 48°57′48″N 115°58′06″W / 48.96333°N 115.96833°W / 48.96333; -115.96833 (Purcell Mountains); 7,707 feet (2,349 m)
• Rattlesnake Mountains (Montana); Lake County, Montana and Missoula County, Montana; 47°05′42″N 113°55′22″W / 47.09500°N 113.92278°W / 47.09500; -113.92278 (Rattlesnake Mountains (Montana)); 8,620 feet (2,630 m)
• Rocky Hills; Beaverhead County, Montana; 45°04′13″N 112°58′44″W / 45.07028°N 112.97889°W / 45.07028; -112.97889 (Rocky Hills); 6,916 feet (2,108 m)
• Ruby Range; Madison County, Montana; 45°17′03″N 112°14′04″W / 45.28417°N 112.23444°W / 45.28417; -112.23444 (Ruby Range); 8,727 feet (2,660 m)
• Salish Mountains; Lincoln County, Montana; 48°16′00″N 114°44′04″W / 48.26667°N 114.73444°W / 48.26667; -114.73444 (Salish Mountains); 5,049 feet (1,539 m)
• Sapphire Mountains Ravalli County, Montana; 46°15′00″N 113°45′03″W / 46.25000°N 113.75083°W / 46.25000; -113.75083 (Sapphire Mountains); 7,582 feet (2,311 m)
• Sawtooth Range; Teton County, Montana; 47°48′00″N 112°47′37″W / 47.80000°N 112.79361°W / 47.80000; -112.79361 (Sawtooth Range); 7,877 feet (2,401 m)
• Smoky Range; Flathead County, Montana; 48°32′14″N 114°15′17″W / 48.53722°N 114.25472°W / 48.53722; -114.25472 (Smoky Range); 7,100 feet (2,200 m)
• Snowcrest Range; Madison County, Montana; 44°50′34″N 112°05′41″W / 44.84278°N 112.09472°W / 44.84278; -112.09472 (Snowcrest Range); 9,846 feet (3,001 m)
• South Hills; Missoula County, Montana; 46°49′30″N 114°00′53″W / 46.82500°N 114.01472°W / 46.82500; -114.01472 (South Hills); 3,592 feet (1,095 m)
• South Moccasin Mountains; Fergus County, Montana; 47°10′21″N 109°31′26″W / 47.17250°N 109.52389°W / 47.17250; -109.52389 (South Moccasin Mountains); 4,951 feet (1,509 m)
• Spear Hills; Powder River County, Montana; 45°00′55″N 105°52′46″W / 45.01528°N 105.87944°W / 45.01528; -105.87944 (Spear Hills); 3,694 feet (1,126 m)
• Spokane Hills; Lewis and Clark County, Montana; 46°37′02″N 111°46′14″W / 46.61722°N 111.77056°W / 46.61722; -111.77056 (Spokane Hills); 4,058 feet (1,237 m)
• Swan Range; Flathead County, Montana; 47°43′30″N 113°37′35″W / 47.72500°N 113.62639°W / 47.72500; -113.62639 (Swan Range); 7,385 feet (2,251 m)
• Sweet Grass Hills; Liberty County, Montana and Toole County, Montana; 48°50′50″N 111°22′31″W / 48.84722°N 111.37528°W / 48.84722; -111.37528 (Sweet Grass Hills); 6,309 feet (1,923 m)
• Taylor Hills; Carter County, Montana; 45°39′17″N 104°27′47″W / 45.65472°N 104.46306°W / 45.65472; -104.46306 (Taylor Hills); 3,474 feet (1,059 m)
• Tendoy Mountains; Beaverhead County, Montana; 44°44′37″N 112°48′26″W / 44.74361°N 112.80722°W / 44.74361; -112.80722 (Tendoy Mountains); 7,854 feet (2,394 m)
• The Pine Hills; Custer County, Montana; 46°25′27″N 105°34′42″W / 46.42417°N 105.57833°W / 46.42417; -105.57833 (The Pine Hills); 3,202 feet (976 m)
• The Pinnacles; Cascade County, Montana; 47°02′53″N 111°38′35″W / 47.04806°N 111.64306°W / 47.04806; -111.64306 (The Pinnacles); 6,545 feet (1,995 m)
• Thoeny Hills; Phillips County, Montana; 48°53′32″N 107°22′15″W / 48.89222°N 107.37083°W / 48.89222; -107.37083 (Thoeny Hills); 3,104 feet (946 m)
• Three Buttes; Blaine County, Montana; 48°10′34″N 108°45′00″W / 48.17611°N 108.75000°W / 48.17611; -108.75000 (Three Buttes); 3,848 feet (1,173 m)
• Tobacco Root Mountains Madison County, Montana; 45°33′16″N 111°58′28″W / 45.55444°N 111.97444°W / 45.55444; -111.97444 (Tobacco Root Mountains); 7,497 feet (2,285 m)
• Whitefish Range; Flathead County, Montana; 48°37′59″N 114°29′43″W / 48.63306°N 114.49528°W / 48.63306; -114.49528 (Whitefish Range); 6,982 feet (2,128 m)
• Wilson Range; Glacier County, Montana; 48°59′00″N 113°50′03″W / 48.98333°N 113.83417°W / 48.98333; -113.83417 (Wilson Range); 7,119 feet (2,170 m)
• Wolf Mountains; Big Horn County, Montana; 45°11′46″N 107°08′27″W / 45.19611°N 107.14083°W / 45.19611; -107.14083 (Wolf Mountains); 4,842 feet (1,476 m)