Get a window on Gold Rush-era Montana with a vacation visit to the state’s capital city of Helena, a historic community surrounded by the scenery of forests and the northern Rockies.

www.nationaltrust.org

Helena is one of the “Dozen Distinctive Destinations” chosen this month by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a private nonprofit organization that works to preserve the irreplaceable in America. The group says Helena, in a region of scenic mountains and wide-open spaces, is notable for historic gold-mining era businesses, pioneer dwellings and “spectacular 19th-century mansions.”

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See for yourself. The local promotional Web site has buckets of information to help you plan a visit. Clicking on the first one in the row of stamps will take you a section on history, where you can briefly learn about the 1888 governor’s mansion, Last Chance Gulch, and the restored Reeder’s Alley miners’ village.

www.fs.fed.us/r1/helena

You don’t have to go far to get away from it all. The city is surrounded by huge parcels of the Helena National Forest, which offers sightseeing, camping and miles of trails.

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After exploring Helena, use the city as a base for exploring Gold West Country the tourist region that extends across Montana’s mountainous southwest corner. Click on “Maps” for a guide to the East Loop Tour around the Helena area and Canyon Ferry Lake. The Grand Loop Tour will take you to Butte, Dillon, Anaconda and Deer Lodge, and across the Continental Divide.

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Aim your car up Interstate 15 to Great Falls, which is planning a celebration in June to commemorate the Lewis &Clark Expedition’s portage around the Great Falls of the Missouri River. While you’re there you can golf, fish, canoe and enjoy parks and preserves. And check out “Day Trips” for other spots in the area to explore.

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Great Falls is in the area of north-central Montana the promoters call Russell Country, for Western artist Charlie Russell. Check out the calendar for events such as the Black Powder Shoot in late May at Havre, and dig into “Recreation” for spots like the Two Medicine Dinosaur Center, where you can get your hands dirty learning about fossils.

visitmt.com www.mt.gov/tourism/parks.asp

Give yourself the luxury of sufficient travel time to see more of Montana. The state’s official Travel Montana site has tips on other places to visit and a link to Montanakids.com for things to amuse younger travelers. And if you click on “Features &Extras” you’ll find a gallery of stunning scenic photographs. The state has a separate National &State Parks site with links to information on must-visit destinations including Glacier and Yellowstone.

Roger Petterson, Associated Press