Montana UFO Sightings

RANK #35 NATIONALLY — 1,823 REPORTED SIGHTINGS

1,823
Total reported sightings
#35
National ranking
1 in 570
Approx. per capita rate
2000s
Peak reporting decade

About Montana UAP sightings

Montana has one of the highest per-capita sighting rates in the nation relative to its sparse population of approximately one million. The state hosts Malmstrom AFB near Great Falls, which has been the subject of multiple documented incidents.

In March 1967, missile launch officers at Malmstrom reported that ten Minuteman ICBM missiles went offline simultaneously while a UFO was observed over the Oscar Flight Launch Control Facility. Captain Robert Salas, on duty that night, has testified publicly about the incident. Similar events were reported at other missile wings. These incidents have never been officially explained.

Montana's vast wilderness — covering more than 147,000 square miles — provides among the darkest skies in the continental United States, and its sparse population means that individual reports carry more weight per observer than in densely populated states.

Contributing factors

  • Malmstrom AFB — ICBM missile field
  • 1967 Oscar Flight missile shutdown incident
  • Glacier National Park dark skies
  • Extensive wilderness — minimal light pollution
  • Highest per-capita rates in the region

Shape breakdown — Montana

Consistent with national patterns, Montana witnesses most frequently report orb and light phenomena, followed by triangular and disc-shaped objects.

Orb / Light
38%
Explore →
Triangle
16%
Explore →
Cigar
8%
Other
24%

Recent UAP news — Montana

Multiple witnesses in Montana file reports with NUFORC — pattern under review
NUFORC — 2026
Trump declassification order expected to surface files related to Montana military installations
Defense reporting — March 2026
AARO database includes cases from Montana in latest review cycle
Pentagon AARO — 2025

Frequently asked questions — Montana

Montana has 1,823 reported UFO and UAP sightings on record, ranking #35 nationally. The data is sourced from peer-reviewed academic research geocoding historical NUFORC reports through 2023. This represents reported sightings, not verified encounters.
Montana has produced notable sighting reports over the decades. The state's military installations and geographic characteristics have contributed to a consistent and varied reporting history. See the contributing factors section above for details specific to Montana.
Sightings from Montana can be reported to NUFORC at nuforc.org or MUFON at mufon.com. Both maintain state-level investigators. See our reporting guide for more information.

Neighboring states

Sighting counts: Idaho: 1,654 | Wyoming: 1,102 | North Dakota: 621

Witnessed something unexplained in Montana?

Report your sighting to an established civilian organization. Your report contributes to the public record.