NorthWest Corner: Ennis, Montana

By Erin Madison

Located on the Madison River in southwest Montana, Ennis is well known as a fly-fishing town. Trout are said to outnumber residents 11 to one. However, if fishing isn’t your thing, this quaint town, population 970, offers something for everyone.

Ennis is in a beautiful location, nestled between three mountain ranges – the Gravelly Range, the Madison Mountains and the Tobacco Root Mountains.

Ennis was founded in the 1860s at the height of the gold rush. Before that, the area served as abundant spring hunting grounds for the Shoshone, Flathead and Bannack tribes. William Ennis homesteaded on the banks of the Madison River, and the site soon became the town of Ennis. Ennis was initially part of the Idaho Territory before the area was designated as the Montana Territory. The area attracted farmers and ranchers, and eventually three major stage lines passed through Ennis.

NorthWestern Energy’s Madison Dam is located about 10 miles north of Ennis. The 13-megawatt facility was built in 1906 and upgraded in the past few years. We have also helped fund extensive rehabilitation work on O’Dell Creek, which flows into the Madison River just north of Ennis.

Sip on spirits of the American West:

Distillery aims to create products “that embody the independent spirit and authenticity of the Ameri can West while supporting its local economy and residents.” Willie’s offers vodka, bourbon, whis key and more, with unique Montana specialties including Huckleberry Sweet Cream Liqueur and Wild Montana Chokecherry Liqueur. This distillery mills, mashes, ferments and distills all its products onsite using a copper pot still specially made in Germany. 312 Main St. williesdistillery.com

Enjoy a sugar rush:

Located across the street from the high school, Ennis Sugar High feels like somewhere you’d want to hang out with your friends after class. Sugar High offers soft-serve ice cream, served just about any way you can imagine – milkshake, cup, cone, smoothie or sundae with unique toppings like Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. They also offer hand-pat tied burgers and fresh-cut fries. Sugar High closes for the winter and is typically open April through Labor Day. 170 Main St. Facebook.com/EnnisSugarHigh

Take a hike:

Bear Trap Canyon, just outside Ennis, is a great place for a hike. A hiking trail starts at the Madison Dam powerhouse and runs 7.5 miles through a steep canyon along the Madison River. The trail takes you into the Lee Metcalf Wilderness area. You can hike as far as you like, or set up a car shuttle so you can hike the entire canyon and finish near Norris. Bear Trap Canyon is also a popular spot for whitewater rafting. It boasts some of the best whitewater rapids in the state. Some outfitters offer rafting trips through the canyon. It’s also a prime fishing spot. southwestmt.com/blog/bear-trap-canyon

Visit Earthquake Lake:

On Aug. 17, 1959, a 7.5-magnitude earthquake caused a massive landslide of about 80 million tons of rock. The slide blocked the flow of the Madison River and formed Earthquake Lake, commonly called Quake Lake. At the time, it was the second-largest earthquake to occur in the lower 48 states in the 20th century. Today, a visit to Quake Lake is still an eerie sight, with dead trees standing in the middle of the lake offering a reminder of how recently this was dry land. From the Earthquake Lake Visitor Center, you can see the mountain that fell and how the lake was formed. You’ll also learn about plate tectonics and see a working seismograph. The Earthquake Lake Visitor Center is located 44 miles South of Ennis on U.S. Highway 287. (406) 682-7620

Enjoy a quick bite:

Nacho Mama’s is a great spot for a quick lunch or dinner. The fast casual restaurant offers tacos, burritos, quesadillas and more. You can customize your order however you like with choices of meat, beans and toppings. Moore Creek runs just behind the eatery, and there’s a nice outdoor creek-side patio where you can enjoy your meal. 111 W. Main St. nachomamasmt.com

Enjoy a local brew:

Burnt Tree Brewing offers a selection of local beer, as well as a roof-top deck and an outdoor patio. The outdoor area is surrounded by old skis and decorated with vintage bicycles. For food, Burnt Tree offers pizza, pad thai and curry. 311 E. Main St. Instagram @burnttreebrewing.

Shop for gear:

Shedhorn Sports calls itself “southwest Montana’s premier sporting goods retailer,” and the store lives up to it. Shedhorn is known for its wide selection of firearms, but also sells fishing equipment, camping gear, clothes, shoes, knives and more. The store originally opened in 1979 inside Gambles Hardware Store. Today, it’s located in downtown Ennis and has a knowledgeable staff ready to help customers find the gear they need to enjoy the outdoors. 103 W. Main St. shedhorn.com

Browse the shops along Main Street:

You’ll find a little bit of everything on Ennis’ Main Street. Stop in Plain Janes on Main, 100 Main St., for unique Montana gifts. Benjies, 104 Main St., has a wide selection of cards and jewelry. Shop for clothes in the Ennis Trading Post, 113 Main St., and find books and unique gifts at My Home In Montana, 123 Main St. The Mercantile, 121 Main St., exclusively carries products from Montana artists. You’ll also find several fishing and fly shops.

Go fishing:

The Madison River boasts some of the best fly fishing in Montana. The river is home to a healthy population of rainbow and brown trout. And even if the fish aren’t biting, you’ll get to enjoy some incredible scenery. Ennis has numerous fishing guides, and anglers will find many fishing access sites close to town.