Long after the open range closed, Montana's ranch families still move cattle across vast grasslands. The history of Montana is written in its ranches, mines and reservations.

Ranching remains one of Montana's largest agricultural sectors.

What sets it apart

Spring branding and fall roundups still gather neighbors together. It is the kind of specific that turns a passing curiosity into a lasting fascination.

Many family ranches now span four or more generations.

Why it matters

In the end, the story here is really a story about the northern Rockies and the people drawn to them. It is a heritage still very much alive in the towns and gatherings of today's Montana.