Montanans spent more than $2.8 billion on in-state trips last year according to a new report from the University of Montana’s Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research.
The study looked at day and overnight trips for leisure, business, and other reasons that took people at least 50 miles away from their homes.
Montanans took 13.5 million daytrips and 4 million overnight trips. They spent the most money in the Glacier area and Southwest Montana - two areas that received the most visitors.
Restaurants and bars made up the highest spending category in each county.
Top activities for travelers included scenic driving, day hiking and wildlife watching.
Yellowstone and Cascade county had the most visitors who came to shop. Gallatin County was popular for visiting museums, while art exhibits in Lewis and Clark County drew in visitors. Flathead County was popular for boating. Compared to other counties, Missoula County had the most visitors who came to drink at local breweries.