The Montana Dinosaur Trail is more than a collection of museums.

It is a journey through millions of years of history, science, discovery, and storytelling.

Stretching across Montana, the Trail connects visitors with world-class museums, remarkable fossil discoveries, fascinating landscapes, and the communities that help preserve and share these stories.

Through a collaborative effort involving the Carter County Museum, The Foundation for Montana History, and partners throughout the state, this learning environment was created to help participants deepen their understanding of Montana's prehistoric past, cultural heritage, and tourism opportunities.

Every visitor who travels the Montana Dinosaur Trail is seeking more than information.

They are seeking connection, discovery, and meaning.

The people who help create those experiences play an important role in shaping how visitors understand Montana's history and remember their journey.


Why Heritage Tourism Matters

Visitors increasingly seek authentic experiences that help them understand the places they visit.

Heritage tourism connects travelers with:

  • Local history
  • Cultural traditions
  • Museums and historic sites
  • Natural landscapes
  • Scientific discoveries
  • Community stories
  • Preservation efforts
  • Educational experiences


These experiences create meaningful connections between visitors and communities while helping support local economies, museums, cultural organizations, and educational institutions.

When communities understand and celebrate their stories, they create stronger visitor experiences and stronger local pride.


The Role of a Montana Dinosaur Trail Ambassador

A Montana Dinosaur Trail Ambassador serves as a storyteller, educator, advocate, and host.

Ambassadors help visitors:

  • Understand Montana's paleontological significance
  • Explore museums and historic sites
  • Connect with local communities
  • Appreciate scientific discoveries
  • Discover additional cultural and recreational experiences
  • Develop a deeper understanding of Montana's history and landscapes

Whether you work in a museum, visitor center, attraction, hospitality business, school, nonprofit organization, or simply love sharing Montana's story, you can help create meaningful visitor experiences.

Tourism ambassadors help transform information into inspiration.

The Learn Tourism Approach

This learning environment is powered by Learn Tourism, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing tourism through innovative education, workforce development, and learning technology.

Learn Tourism's mission is to educate, empower, and inspire the tourism industry. 

Every learning experience we create is guided by three principles:

Transformative

Learning should create meaningful change.

Participants should leave with new knowledge, practical skills, and greater confidence in their ability to educate, engage, and inspire others.

Engaging

People learn best when they actively participate.

Our programs encourage exploration, interaction, storytelling, reflection, and real-world application rather than passive information consumption. 

Accessible

Learning should be available when, where, and how people learn best.

Through our Education with Empathy™ philosophy, we design flexible and inclusive learning experiences that support diverse learners and learning styles. 


Education, Science, and Storytelling

The most effective visitor experiences combine knowledge with storytelling.

At Learn Tourism, our team combines expertise in:

  • Adult Learning Science
  • Instructional Design
  • Behavioral Psychology
  • Tourism Education
  • Museum and Heritage Interpretation
  • Workforce Development
  • Community Engagement
  • Learning Technology


Our team applies research-backed methodologies in adult education, behavioral science, and instructional design to create learning experiences that engage learners and inspire action. 

By combining education with storytelling, destinations can create deeper visitor engagement and more memorable experiences.

Tourism, Museums, and Community Impact

Museums and cultural institutions play an important role in tourism.

They help:

Preserve History

Protecting stories, artifacts, discoveries, and traditions for future generations.

Inspire Learning

Creating opportunities for curiosity, exploration, and lifelong learning.

Support Local Economies

Attracting visitors who support businesses, attractions, lodging providers, restaurants, and communities.

Strengthen Community Identity

Helping residents understand and celebrate the stories that make their region unique.

Encourage Stewardship

Building appreciation for cultural, historical, and natural resources.

Tourism education helps connect these outcomes while empowering individuals to become effective advocates for their communities.

About Learn Tourism

Learn Tourism is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit academy dedicated to delivering effective and efficient education programs that engage, inspire, and empower stakeholders. 

Today, Learn Tourism supports more than 65 destination and tourism learning environments across North America and beyond, helping destinations, museums, tourism organizations, cultural institutions, attractions, and communities create meaningful educational experiences. 

Learn Tourism specializes in:

  • Tourism Ambassador Programs
  • Heritage Tourism Education
  • Museum and Cultural Tourism Training
  • Tourism Workforce Development
  • Visitor Experience Education
  • Destination Storytelling
  • Community Engagement Programs
  • Sustainable Tourism Education
  • Learning Experience Platforms
  • Instructional Design and Curriculum Development


Through conferences, webinars, online learning, podcasts, destination-specific training programs, and consulting services, Learn Tourism helps strengthen communities through education. 


Frequently Asked Questions

What is a tourism ambassador?

A tourism ambassador is someone who helps create positive visitor experiences by sharing local knowledge, welcoming visitors, answering questions, and helping people connect with a destination.

What is heritage tourism?

Heritage tourism focuses on experiencing the history, culture, traditions, and stories of a place through museums, historic sites, cultural attractions, and educational experiences.

Why are museums important to tourism?

Museums help preserve history, inspire learning, strengthen community identity, and attract visitors seeking authentic and meaningful experiences.

What is destination storytelling?

Destination storytelling is the practice of helping visitors understand and connect with the people, places, events, discoveries, and traditions that make a destination unique.

What is Learn Tourism?

Learn Tourism is a nonprofit organization focused on tourism education, workforce development, tourism ambassador training, destination storytelling, instructional design, learning technology, and professional development for tourism professionals.


Continue Your Learning Journey

Curiosity is one of tourism's greatest gifts.

Whether you're interested in heritage tourism, museum education, destination storytelling, tourism ambassador programs, visitor experience design, or community engagement, there are always opportunities to continue learning.

Explore More from Learn Tourism

  • Tourism Ambassador Training Programs
  • Heritage Tourism Education
  • Destination Storytelling Resources
  • Visitor Experience Training
  • Tourism Workforce Development
  • Professional Development Courses
  • Learn Tourism 365
  • The Business Class Podcast
  • Live Webinars and Workshops
  • Learn Tourism Conference


Visit LearnTourism.org to get started!