Big Sky Country. Need we say more? Leave your cramped city lifestyle behind and discover the Beartooth Mountains in a Montana vacation rental. The fresh air of the great outdoors is sure to breathe some life into your stressed-out, nine-to-five existence.

Named for its resemblance to a bear’s bicuspid, the Beartooth Mountains are a unique mountain range located in southern Montana. Fly into nearby Billings (you won’t have much choice) and take the scenic route by car into the mountains via the Beartooth Highway. The 2 to 3 hour drive has been called the most beautiful stretch of highway in the United States - a far cry from your congested Monday morning commute.

The Beartooth Mountain region is home to wildlife you won’t find inside the city limits. When was the last time you came face to face with a lynx? What about mountain goats and lions, bighorn sheep, elk, moose, wolverines, and black grizzly bears? See them in their natural habitats or visit the Beartooth Nature Center, the only facility in Montana to house wild animals that cannot be returned to nature. Photographers won’t want to forget their cameras.

Stay in a luxury vacation rental house in Absarokee, at the base of the Beartooth Mountains, where the Rosebud and Stillwater Rivers converge. The Absarokee property sits on four acres and sleeps up to nine - big enough to invite the entire family. Split the cost of lodging and have money left over for some adventures alfresco. There is plenty to do, whatever the season – whitewater rafting, fly-fishing, and kayaking, all right in your own backyard. Unwind at night with some ping-pong in the rec room or take a nice long soak in the hot tub.

Maybe a rustic log cabin rental with a riverfront view is more your style. Consider a smaller vacation rental in the quaint towns of Fishtail or Nye, just minutes from Mystic Lake and the Beartooth Wilderness. Escape for a romantic weekend getaway, or bring the family. With room for up to six people, these cozy log cabins will make you feel as if you are a pioneer – without the manual labor or exposure to European smallpox.

While vacationing in Montana, enjoy some of the country’s best skiing in nearby Red Lodge during the winter months. When the summer rolls around, try horseback riding, biking or driving an all-terrain vehicle through the mountains. Not a good driver? Put on a pair of sturdy boots and start hiking. Change your perspective with an aerial view from one of the mountain range’s summits. You’re certain to feel on top of the world.

Several Beartooth vacation properties are pet-friendly rentals, so be sure to ask if the dogs and cats are allowed. Save on boarding costs and bring Fido along to protect you from bears.

Find more Montana rentals by checking out Big Sky rentals, Bozeman rentals, Flathead Lake rentals and Yellowstone cabins.