Montana Travel & Recreation

Montana MontanaTravelRecreation.com

Big Sky Paradise: Home of Glacier Nat ional Park and Gateway to Yellowstone

2012 2013

Samuel Wagner is a selftaught photographer born in Denver Colorado in 1978.

Sam started taking photographs when he was about 10 years old with a five & dime Kodak 110 camera his dad bought him.

In 1992, Sam moved to Whitehall, Montana where he now lives with his wife and five children. He is an equal partner in a family-owned landscape construction business with his father and two brothers. Sam’s passion for the outdoors and the simple awe of creation has driven him to pursue the art of photography every day, whether it’s out in nature or on the way to work. “Every day is just another photo-op.” Sam specializes in landscape/travel photography and his work also includes subjects ranging from rodeos and wildlife to old trucks and equipment. You can contact Sam and see more of his work on his website: WagnerVisions.com or on facebook. (photos: front cover and this page)

Montana is a Great Place to Visit There is so much to see in Montana you will need to stay awhile. Explore the Going to the Sun Highway in Glacier National Park, one of the most amazing sights to see anywhere. Walk among geysers and wildlife in Yellowstone National Park. Step back in time at Bannack and Virginia Cities or follow in the foot steps of Lewis and Clark as they made their way across Montana.

After a full day of mountain air, breathtaking scenery and Big Sky sunshine look no further than KOA for all the best camping amenities. Our campgrounds feature fabulous RV sites, spacious tent sites, and comfortable cabins, all underneath the beautiful Big Sky - what more could you ask for?

Many campgrounds feature our exclusive discount camping “hot deals”, or use your KOA value kard Rewards membership to take advantage of some great camping savings. You can even make your camping reservations online!

1. Alder / Virginia City KOA

Open All Year On Montana 287, 9 mi. West of historic Virginia City & Nevada City KOA is the Largest Full Service Campground in Old Alder Gulch • Cabins & Big Rig Friendly • Well Stocked Camp Store & Restaurant Facility • Located in the Beautiful Ruby Valley ~ Home of GOLD, GARNETS & SAPPHIRES • Outstanding hunting & fishing Nearby.

(406) 842-5677 • (800) 562-1898 Box 103 • Alder, MT 59710

2. Big Timber / Big Timber KOA

Relax under big trees with grass sites where the prairie meets the mountains.

Fish nearby Boulder or Yellowstone Rivers, visit Montana’s finest water park next door. Good drinking water • 6 Kamping Kabins • Your stay & play location • Large 50 Amp. Sites 90+ Feet • Open May 15 - Labor Day (406) 932-6569 • (800) KOA-5869 Exit 377 • 693 Hwy. 10E Big Timber, MT 59011

3. Butte / KOA Butte MHP

Visit Butte, midway between Yellowstone & Glacier National Parks. See World Museum of Mining & Hell Roaring Gulch Ghost Town, 96-foot-tall Lady of the Rockies statue.

Montana Street, Exit 126, close to Visitors Center.

(406) 782-8080 • (800) 562-8089 1601 Kaw Ave. • Butte, MT 59701 www.koa.com

4. Deer Lodge / Deer Lodge KOA

Shade and grassy areas on river’s edge with excellent fishing. Visit Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site; see the collection of cars and tour the museums at the Old Montana Prison. Recipient of KOA’s President’s Award past 5 consecutive years. Pets welcome at no charge.

(406) 846-1629 • (800) 562-1629 330 Park St., Deer Lodge, MT 59722

5. Hardin / Hardin KOA

Open April 1 - Sept. 30.

2205 Hwy. 47 From Jct. of I-90 & Hwy. 47 (Exit 495), North 1 mile on Hwy. 47.

Good sites, 11 tent, 9 rental units, 58 pullthru sites. Restrooms, showers, dump, security, public phone, laundry, groceries, ltd. RV supplies, LP gas, firewood, rec. pool, spa, kamping kabins, horseshoes, Free WiFi Internet Service, cable TV. Golf nearby, closest KOA to Little Big Horn National Monument.

(406) 665-1635 • (800) KOA-1635 I-90, Exit 495, Rt. 1 • Hardin, MT 59034

6. Livingston / Paradise Valley KOA

Exit 333, 10 miles south of Livingston on Hwy. 89 on your way to Yellowstone Park. The original entrance to Yellowstone is just 43 miles south of the KOA. Peaceful, relaxing atmosphere at the base of the Absarokee Mountains, over 500 ft. of Yellowstone River frontage.

Great fishing!

• Rodeo July 2-4 • Sunday Evening Chapel Services June - August • Pancake Breakfast mid June - August.

Livingstonkoa@imt.net (406) 222-0992 • (800) 562-2805

www.LivingstonKOA.com

7. Miles City KOA

• Full Hookups • Pull-thru Sites • Grassy Tent Sites • Heated Pool • Well-Stocked Store • Laundry Facilities • Shade • Free Cable TV • Free WiFi • Kamping Kabins More than 70 Cottonwood Trees over 50’ Tall • Walk to Downtown, Museum & Shopping.

From I-94 take Exit 135, go 2.4 miles, turn left at 4th St., 2 blocks to Palmer St., turn left 4 blocks to the KOA. (406) 232-3991 • (800) 562-3909 1 Palmer • Miles City, MT 59301

8. Missoula KOA

OPEN ALL YEAR! From I-90, Exit 101, south on Reserve St., go 1½ miles, turn right on England Blvd. (at light across from Lowes). Turn right on Tina Ave. From Hwy. 93N, turn left (north) on Reserve St., go 4 miles, turn left on England Blvd. (at light), turn right on Tina Ave. Headquarters for a perfect Western Montana visit. Shaded grassy full hookup pull-thru sites. Two NEW Lodges for our camping guests who like a bit more comfort but don’t want to pack the tent, pull the trailer or drive the RV. They offer full bath, pillow-top queen bed, air conditioner, microwave, TV/DVD & a fridge!

Premium RV sites with concrete patios, swings, fire pits & landscaping. Tent sites, Kamping Kabins, handicapped accessible sites & restrooms, laundry, KOA Kafe & meeting room, and free wireless internet. Seasonal amenities include hot-tubs, heated pool, fun bike rentals, game room & free mini-golf. Don’t miss KOA MOUNTAIN MERCANTILE - our gift shop & store with U of M Griz Wear and much more!

(800) 562-5366 • (406) 549-0881 3450 Tina Ave. • Missoula, MT 59808 www.missoulakoa.com

9. Red Lodge / Red Lodge KOA

Ringed by 28 peaks more than 12,000 feet high, the view from the Red Lodge KOA is spectacular. Choose a shaded tent site or Kabin along the creek. Enjoy the heated pool, rental bicycles and two large pet walks. WiFi. (406) 446-2364 • (800) 562-7540 7464 Hwy. 212 • Red Lodge, MT 59068 redlodgekoa@hotmail.com

10. Townsend / Canyon Ferry Lake KOA

Located on the south end of Canyon Ferry Lake 7 miles north of Townsend at Milemarker 70. We offer 47 pull through RV sites with 30-50 amp services, 1 and 2 bedroom Kamping Kabins, fully furnished apartment suites, tipis, and tent sites.

Showers and restrooms. Full service convenience store features grocery, beer and wine, sundries, camping and RV gear and a large selection of fishing tackle and live bait. Laundry and wireless internet.

3 regulation horseshoe courts. Marina on Broadwater Bay with slips for rent seasonally or by the month or night. RV Sites available by the day, week, month, season or year. Open year-round for hunters, ice fishermen and summer recreationists.

The Flamingo Grill serves a full selection of burgers, melts, wraps, milkshakes and soft ice cream. Eat in the famous Mingo Bus with a full view of the lake!

(406) 266-3100 • (800) 562-5904 81 Silos Road • Townsend, MT 59644 www.canyonferrylakekoa.com

MontanaTravelRecreation.com MontanaTravelRecreation.com ••

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Montana

MontanaTravelRecreation.com

Montana Travel & Recreation Directory is published annually and distributed through hotels, restaurants, advertisers, mail requests, chambers of commerce and tourist information centers.

For advertising rates, contact: Montana Travel & Recreation Directory P.O. Box 6707, Boise, ID 83707 phone (800) 525-1166 or (208) 377-0226 fax (208) 321-0141 e-mail: info@travel-recreation.com website: www.montanatravelrecreation.com We have made every attempt to ensure the information contained herein is accurate. However, the information may have changed since publication of this directory. Always verify information prior to travel. Maps are provided for general reference only; please consult an official Montana Highway Map or other detailed map for accurate distances and geographic features.

We are interested in receiving notices of Montana community events and photographs so we may include them in the next directory. There is no charge for listing events. We encourage reader contributions in the form of letters, articles, photographs, information and suggestions.

Editorial opinions, articles, stories, illustrations and advertisements are not necessarily the opinions of the publishers or the staff. Liability for errors or omission that compromise the overall impact of an advertisement is limited to a correct insertion in the next publication at no charge.

Copyright Š 2012 / 2013

by Rite-Way Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.

Administrative Director

Going to the Sun Road, Glacier National Park (photo courtesy Lana Marie Tegeler, Timberline Photography)

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• Region 1

Mary Wheeler

Graphic Design / Layout

Heather Hugues Liza Morgan

Webmaster

Heather Hugues

Office Manager

Kay Clover

Welcome to Montana Regardless of where your travels take you throughout Big Sky Country, one thing becomes obvious: no other state combines natural wonders and colorful history like Montana.

Here you’ll find Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, known the world over for their unparalleled beauty and abundant wildlife.

You’ll find famous rivers, breathtaking mountain ranges, pristine wilderness areas, rolling prairies, and everywhere, that endless blue sky...

You’ll discover the trail of the Lewis & Clark expedition, stretching from one end of the state to the other, with an intriguing tale at each leg of the journey. You’ll see proud cultures celebrating honored traditions and find friendly communities wherever you go.

You’ll discover magnificent Montana, and chances are before you leave, you’ll be planning your next visit.

We know this directory will help you discover the many treasures Montana has to offer.

Painting Glacier (courtesy Lana Marie Tegeler, Timberline Photography)

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

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Contents Cities & Attractions

Absarokee Alder Anaconda Augusta Baker Beach, ND Belgrade Big Sky Big Timber Bigfork Billings Bitterroot Valley Bozeman Bridger Broadus Butte Canyon Ferry Lake Chester Chinook Choteau Colstrip Colter Pass / Cooke City / Silver Gate Columbia Falls Columbus Crow Reservation Culbertson Custer Cut Bank Darby Deer Lodge Dillon East Glacier Ekalaka Ennis Essex Fishtail / Dean Flathead Lake

55 29 29 29 84 84 55 56 57 07 58 11 60 62 84 30 31 43 43 44 85 63 07 62 85 76 85 07 08 31 32 08 85 33 09 63 09

Florence Forsyth Fort Peck Lake / Dam Gardiner Garryowen Glacier National Park Glasgow Glendive Great Falls Hamilton Hardin Harlowton Havre Helena Hot Springs Hysham Jordan Kalispell Lame Deer Laurel Lavina Lewistown Libby Lincoln Little Bighorn Battleground Livingston Malta Medicine Rocks Miles City Mineral County Missoula Nye Ovando Paradise Philipsburg Plains

10 86 76 67 86 10 76 87 45 11 87 47 48 33 12 87 77 12 88 64 88 49 13 34 88 64 77 88 89 18 13 65 34 16 34 16

Polson Pompeys Pillar Poplar Pray Red Lodge Reed Point Richey Rocker Ronan Roundup Ruby Valley Sand Springs Scobey Seeley Lake Shelby Sheridan Sidney Stanford Superior Terry Thompson Falls Three Forks Townsend Trout Creek Virginia City / Nevada City West Glacier West Yellowstone Whitefish Whitehall White Sulphur Springs Wibaux Wisdom Wise River Wolf Creek Wolf Point Yellowstone National Park

17 89 77 65 69 66 89 30 17 66 35 78 78 17 50 35 78 50 18 89 18 66 36 18 36 19 70 19 36 50 89 37 37 45 79 70

State Facts Area:

147,000 sq. mi.

(4th largest state) Population: Approx. 998,199 Capital: Helena Highest point: Granite Peak 12,799 ft.

Nicknames: Treasure State & Big Sky Country (admitted to Union in 1889) Animal: Grizzly Bear Bird: Western Meadow Lark Fossil: Duckbilled Dinosaur Flower: Bitterroot Tree: Ponderosa Pine Gemstone: Sapphire & Montana Agate Song: “Montana”

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• Region 1

Montana State Flag (courtesy Wikipedia)

Bitterroot (courtesy Stan Shebs)

Montana Quarter Back (courtesy Wikipedia)

Lewis and Clark on the Lower Columbia - by Charles Marion Russell (courtesy Wikimedia)

Camping

History & Culture

Camping (courtesy Wikimedia)

1 | Montana KOA 81 | Travel Safety Tips 94 | RV Parks & Campgrounds

Wildlife & Hunting

25 | There’s Gold in Them Thar Hills 26 | Ghost Towns 41 | Bear Paw Battlefield 82 | Sacagawea 82 | Visiting a Reservation

Hospitality

Elk (courtesy Wikimedia)

52 | Wildlife Viewing Tips 80 | National Forests 92 | Hunting Regulations 93 | Guides & Outfitters

1

Indian Paintbrush (courtesy Wikimedia)

96 | Bed & Breakfasts

3 2

4

5 6

Regions Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Region 6

6 28 42 54 75 83

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

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Region 1

1

Northwest Montana

Reg. 3 pg. 42 Reg. 2 pg. 28

Reg. 4 pg. 54

CANADA 89

Port of Roosville

508

37

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Glacier National Park

93

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2

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93

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Darby Conner 93 Sula

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• Region 1

REGION 2

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Reg. 5 pg. 75 Reg. 6 pg. 83

(courtesy Drew Jacksich)

Attractions Eagles at Flathead Lak

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dcock)

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Flathead La

Ed Yourdon)

Bigfork

Located on Highway 35 on the northeast shore of Flathead Lake.

The historic town of Bigfork, now a quaint year‑round resort commu‑ nity, sits on the northeast shore of Flathead Lake where the Swan River empties into Bigfork Bay. The Bay is a favorite for boating and picnics, as the town is the site of the Wayfarers unit of the six‑unit Flathead Lake State Park system. The park includes a beach, boat ramp, walking trails and 30 campsites.

In town, visitors can browse a number of boutiques and art galleries that accent the rustic flavor of Bigfork, and walk along the Swan River Nature Trail. The Bigfork Center for the Performing Arts offers year‑round entertainment, and each summer (May‑August) brings high quality musical repertory theatre to the Bigfork Summer Playhouse.

Geology buffs may note that the town of Bigfork is the site where the massive Flathead Glacier split as it descended from Canada. East of the split, the glacier flowed into the Swan Valley. To the west, it scraped the Flathead Valley floor, pushing ahead of it the debris that is now the Polson moraine, the barrier which holds in the waters of Flathead Lake and is the site of the “Port City of Polson.”

Columbia Falls

Located 15 miles northeast of Kalispell on Hwy. 2.

Nestled in the Northeast corner of the spectacular Flathead Valley lies Columbia Falls which boasts Montana Hospitality and family fun like no other.

With a central location just minutes from Glacier National Park, Flat‑ head Lake, numerous golf courses, and a ski resort, you’ll find year-round attractions, accommodations and dining with honest Montana flavor and value. Make your next family vacation memorable. Come join us in the fresh air, mountain scenery and endless outdoor fun!

Cut Bank

Located on U.S. Highway 2, between Browning and Shelby.

Besides being located next door to Glacier National Park and 1.2 million acres of the best unspoiled terrain anywhere in the world, Cut Bank is the only place to be if you’re serious about outdoor recreation.

World-class fishing on the many lakes of The Blackfeet Indian Reserva‑ tion is just minutes away. Unequaled pheasant and upland bird hunting surround the Cut Bank area.

Those who like their winters wild can test their skills at northwest Montana’s Marias pass trail complex, where snowmobilers will find the sky-top vistas irresistible. Hiking, canoeing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, camping and much more all combine to truly make

Cut Bank

LaSalle Campground Open Year-Round 5618 Hwy. 2 West • Columbia Falls, MT 59912 (406) 892-4668 • www.lasallervpark.com

Glacier Park

7336 Hwy. 2 East • Jct. Hwy. 2 No. & 206 Columbia Falls, MT 59912

(406) 892-0888

Free SuperStart® Breakfast • Free High Speed Internet • Truck Parking

www.super8.com 1-800-800-8000

GLACIER GATEWAY Inn & PLAZA

Two Motels With Indoor Pool & Spa • Coin Laundry • Tanning Bed High-Speed Internet • Exercise Room • Free Continental Breakfast Gift Shop • Honeymoon Suite • Tee Pee Room

1130 E. Main / 1121 E. Railroad Cut Bank, MT 59427

609 West Main Cut Bank, MT 59427

(406) 873-5662

our special part of North Central Montana even that much more special.

Cut Bank is the service hub for travel into and out of Glacier National Park and travel to Alberta, Canada with two border entrances nearby. The Cut Bank International Airport has a full service approach to the main runway and fuel is available 24 hours, including jet A. The airport also performs U.S. Customs clearances for those planes arriving from Canada.

As the largest community in Montana’s Golden Triangle, Cut Bank visi‑ tors can find a variety of businesses and services to fill their every need.

The schools are safe and medical services are very adequate. It is a fullservice community with the excellent customer service to back it up!

For more information, contact the Cut Bank Area Chamber of Commerce at (406) 873-4041 or visit www.cutbankchamber.com

www.super8.com 1-800-800-8000

(406) 873-5544 • (800) 851-5541 Book Online:

www.glaciergatewayinn.com MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

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Two Medicine Trestle, East Glacier (photo courtesy Steve Wilson)

DARBY

Darby was established in the early 1800’s. The area became a good place for a store and post office due to the increase in logging and ranch‑ ing in this area. The railroad was soon extended to Darby. Darby was named in 1888 by its Postmaster James Darby who consulted no one about what the town should be named. (Earlier names were Doolittle and Harrison).

Darby has survived three fires that destroyed its main street. The ups and downs of its economy have affected Darby’s growth. First it was the mining and fur trading that slowed, then in the early 1900’s came a log‑ ging boom for Anaconda Mining Company interests. The “Apple Boom” was also during this time. Next came the steady growth of agriculture, cattle ranching and the timber industry.

Darby has changed over the years from a sleepy little town, to a thriving little community. Its unique shops and friendly people make this town one of the valley’s best places to visit. For more information about Darby, contact the Bitterroot Valley Chamber at (406) 363-2400 or visit www.bitterrootvalleychamber.com

Bison Creek Ranch Bed & Breakfast

P.O. Box 144 East Glacier Park, MT 59434

(406) 226-4482 • (888) 226-4482 www.angelfire.com/mt/bisoncreek

East Glacier

East Glacier Park is one of the gateways to Glacier National Park, at its southeast corner, on the Blackfeet Reservation. It’s a small, friendly village amidst spectacular scenery. Here you can find motels, several restaurants, grocery store and deli, picnic supplies, craft and antique shops, car rentals, bicycle rentals, horse rentals, historic lodge, ninehole golf course, guided tours of the Park, public cybercafé, bar lounges, gift shops, laundromats, ATM, and filling station. What you will NOT find here are: banking, health care, prescription pharmacy, beauty salon, or automotive mechanic.

East Glacier is near excellent fishing, hunting, numerous hiking trails, seasonal Indian cultural events and rodeo. Winter allows very good ski‑ ing, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing.

Amtrak stops in the village in summer, and many motels have pick‑ up service for guests. We’re 12 miles west of Browning, 79 miles east of Glacier International Airport in Kalispell, and 132 miles northwest of Great Falls International Airport. The center of town is at the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and State Highway 49.

Some of our wonderful scenic spots include: Going-To-The-Sun-Road of Glacier National Park, Two Medicine Valley, numerous waterfalls, overlooks, lakes, and streams. Wildlife is commonly seen: moose, bear, deer, elk, mountain goats, and many smaller creatures.

East Glacier is a haven for photographers, bird-watchers, hikers, and wild-flower enthusiasts. Advance reservations are suggested for motels, especially in peak summer months.

For more information phone (406) 226-4403 or visit our website at www.eastglacierpark.info

Bison Creek Ranch Cafe

Mexican Restaurant

Family Dining & Catering

East Glacier Park

(406) 226-4482 • (888) 226-4482 www.angelfire.com/mt/bisoncreek

P.O. Box 144 East Glacier Park, MT 59434

Montana’s Favorite Mexican Restaurant!

Our goal is to use the freshest and healthiest ingredients available. Come join us for great food, refreshing margaritas, and a relaxing dinner on our back deck after a great day of hiking and adventure in Glacier National Park.

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Local Western Hospitality, Montana-Style!

Glacier National Park & World Class Trout Fishing! Everything’s Waiting Just For You!

www.serranosmexican.com (406) 250-8144

Open Year-Round • Brand New Motel • Refrigerator • Microwave • AC / Heat Dish Network • Phone / WiFi Internet • Kings • Queens • Doubles • Full Kitchen 402 U.S. Hwy. 2 East • P.O. Box 444 • East Glacier Park, MT 59434

29 Dawson Ave. • East Glacier, MT 59434

circlerm@3rivers.net • www.circlermotel.net

• Region 1

(406) 226-9331

essex

Essex is a small community on Highway 2 near Glacier National Park offering limited services but a couple of big attractions.

One such attraction is the nearby (within a few miles) Walton Goat Lick Overlook. A sign directs you to a paved road ending in an ample parking lot where a paved, short and gentle trail leads to a view spot overlooking the deep canyon of Sheep Creek. Exposed rocks along the creek seep salts and minerals attractive to the local mountain goats.

Best months of the year to see the goats are said to be June and July where as many as 75 at a time might appear.

Flathead Lake

Located along State Highway 35 & U.S. Highway 93, between Polson and Kalispell.

With a surface area of nearly 200 square miles, 124 miles of shoreline, six state park units, excellent fishing, abundant wildlife and several accommodating lakeside communities, Flathead Lake has much to offer travelers and vacationers visiting northwest Montana. The trough for Flathead Lake (the largest natural fresh-water lake in the western U.S.) was carved by the massive Flathead Glacier as it descended from Canada around 10,000 years ago.

The excavated debris pushed ahead of the glacier became the Polson moraine, the lake’s southern boundary and the present site of the city of Polson. When full, the lake is 27 miles long, 8 to 15 miles wide, and 370 feet deep at its deepest point in Yellow Bay. Visitors can see the entire lake by car and portions of it by tour boat.

Highway 35 runs the length of the lake’s East Shore from east of Polson to Bigfork, passing by the Finley Point, Yellow Bay and Wayfarers units of Flathead Lake State Park. (Additional boating / fishing access avail‑

able at Woods Bay.) The route affords spectacular views of the lake, the bordering Mission Mountain range and the cherry and apple orchards of the East Shore.

Traveling the West Shore, via Highway 93 between Polson and Somers, visitors can choose from the Big Arm and West Shore units of the state park, with additional lake access at Elmo and Lakeside.

The drive around Big Arm Bay includes the towns of Big Arm and Elmo, and gives visitors a good look at Wild Horse Island, the sixth unit of Flathead Lake State Park. In addition to wild horses, this 2,165 acre wilderness island is home to herds of bighorn sheep, mule and whitetail deer, black bear, waterfowl, and some 75 species of birds, including Bald Eagles.

Although there are private lots on the island, it has been part of the state park system since 1977 and offers a wild and pristine setting where no‑trace, low‑impact visiting is encouraged (overnight camping prohibited). The most popular launch point is Big Arm State Park, where access to the island is regulated.

Continuing north on Highway 93, visitors find the small community of Dayton, which boasts Montana’s only winery and one of the lake’s three yacht clubs.

Boaters enjoy the lake on everything from rafts and canoes to huge sailing yachts. Water-skiing, jet skiing and windsurfing are also popular activities, and several marinas offer gas, supplies and boat rentals. Fishing is permitted year‑round, and the primary species taken are lake trout, yellow perch and Lake Superior Whitefish, with an occasional cutthroat or kokanee salmon. A Montana fishing license is required on the north half of the lake, with a tribal permit required on the southern half within the Flathead Indian Reservation. For a leisurely cruise on the lake, take a ride on one of the lake’s two tour boats.

(courtesy Mark Shaiken)

(courtesy

odriguez)

Andres R

(courtesy Ed Yourdon)

(courtesy A. Schultz)

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

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(courtesy Bill Grac

ey)

Many visitors like to visit Baring Falls - accessible by a short hike from the Going-to-the-Sun Road or by taking a boat from Rising Sun. (photo courtesy David Restivo, NPS)

FLORENCE

Its earlier settlers called Florence ‘One Horse’ for the little creek that drains through it from the Bitterroot Mountains. In 1880, the town was renamed Florence for the wife of A.B. Hammond. Mr. Hammond was instrumental in opening the Bitterroot Valley for lumbering, and brought the railroad to the Bitterroot to transport timber. He set up a sawmill in the center of one of the Bitterroot’s best logging areas, and this site became the town of Florence, incorporated in 1888. There was a town to the north called Carlton, which merged with Florence, thus the school name Florence Carlton.

Around the turn of the century, Florence had a post office, railroad depot, hotel, Catholic and Disciple Churches, I.O.O.F. Hall, blacksmith shop and livery stable, school, several stores, a small creamery and, of course, saloons.

To learn more about Florence, contact the Bitterroot Valley Chamber at (406) 363-2400 or visit www.bitterrootvalleychamber.com

Glacier National Park

Located approximately 140 miles north of Missoula. Park accessed from the west at West Glacier via U.S. Highway 2; from the east at St. Mary via U.S. Highway 89. Other entrances located at Many Glacier (from Babb); Two Medicine (near East Glacier via Hwy. 49); and Polebridge and Camas Creek, both via North Fork Road.

In 1910 President Taft signed a bill creating Glacier National Park. The park includes 1,600 sq. miles of spectacular glacier-carved mountain peaks, lakes and valleys straddling the Continental Divide in northern Montana.

Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park, adjacent to Glacier on the Canada / Montana border, had been established in 1895 (originally called Kootenay Lakes). In 1932 the Canadian Parliament and U.S. Congress “joined” the parks by creating Waterton/Glacier International Peace Park.

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• Region 1

The first of its kind, the international park commemorates and celebrates the long history of peace and cooperation between the two nations with a natural beauty and abundance of wildlife oblivious to international borders.

Although Glacier has over 700 miles of hiking, horseback and cross‑country skiing trails, many visitors familiarize themselves with the park by driving the breathtaking Going‑to-the‑Sun Road which bisects the park from West Glacier to St. Mary. (Going‑to‑the‑Sun Road is generally open early June to mid‑October; check with park personnel regarding vehicle size restrictions.) From west to east, the road passes Park Headquarters near West Glacier, then parallels the shore of Lake McDonald.

It climbs steadily, showcasing the sheer cliff known as the Garden Wall which is actually a stretch of the Continental Divide. The road passes the Divide at Logan Pass, a majestic viewpoint with a visitor center, exhibits, interpretive talks, guided tours, wildlife viewing and starting points for hikes to nearby attractions. From Logan Pass, Going‑to‑ the‑Sun Road descends to St. Mary Lake, which is one of the most photographed features of the park. From here to the visitor center at St. Mary, the mountains give way to the sweeping plains of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.

Accommodations in the park range from developed campgrounds (eight within Glacier) to hike‑in chalets, semi‑primitive and back country camping and several hotels.

Reservations for hotels should be made six months to a year in ad‑ vance; developed campgrounds are first‑come first‑served and are usu‑ ally full by late morning. Lake cruises are available at Lake McDonald, St. Mary Lake and Waterton Lake. Take advantage of the many trails available in the two parks by asking park personnel about trail locations, length and difficulty.

In addition to the Glacier Park Headquarters, and visitor centers at Apgar, Logan Pass and St. Mary, there are ranger stations at Polebridge and Many Glacier. In Waterton, the Park Information Center is located at the Waterton Park Townsite near the Prince of Wales Hotel.

Seasons of Beauty in the Bitterroot

Summer ...

“Summertime, and the living is easy.” We are blessed with over 16 hours of sun that make our summer days long and warm. These ex‑ tended days, provide all the time in the world to do all the fun things that make the “Bitterroot” so special. Traveling down our back roads, the air is perfumed with the refreshing scent of the new-mown hay. You can watch the eagles soar, listen to meadowlarks sing and see the humming‑ birds hovering over the wildflowers. Summertime is the perfect time to explore, enjoy and experience the entire valley. Each of our communities has special summer events that showcase the history, the culture and the artists of the area. From parades, rodeos and art shows, to festivals of music and microbrews, there is something special happening for every age and interest.

Throughout summer, one can enjoy ongoing events – Stevensville and Hamilton’s monthly “First Friday” celebration or tour historic sites.

Farmer’s Markets in Stevensville, Victor, Hamilton & Darby come alive on weekends with locally grown produce & unique crafts. You also won’t want to miss the Ravalli County Museum’s “Saturday Series” program‑ ming that feature renowned speakers and artists enriching your life.

On Labor Day weekend, end the summer with a thrill - join us for the Ravalli County Fair and Carnival. Relive the best in “small town” rodeo and help us celebrate our agriculture, ranch and farm roots.

Winter ...

The Bitterroot Valley is a “Winter Wonderland” sheltered between the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountain ranges. As such, we are spared much of the harsh blizzard winds and record-breaking wind chill tempera‑ tures found in other areas of Montana. Although the mercury occasion‑ ally can dip below zero, Bitterroot winters are usually mild – earning the valley nickname: ‘Banana Belt of Montana.’

While snow seldom accumulates more than six inches on the valley floor, the annual average at Lost Trail Ski Resort is 300 inches of pristine powder! Billions of stars, meteor showers and rare displays of Northern Lights adorn the deep black night skies. Cross-country ski trails offer spectacular views at every turn on the Continental Divide, and if you get cold, you can stop in at the warming hut. Shhhhh, we also have great snowmobile trails that lead to frozen waterfalls and open meadows in the East Fork, Skalkaho and Lost Trail areas…

Springtime ...

As the temperatures warm, the valley awakens with new life. Fragrant apple blossoms abound in the foothills beneath snow-capped mountain peaks. Willows and cottonwoods sprout fresh leaves, the Bitterroot River swells with melted snow and gentle rain and red-breasted robins punc‑ tuate warm breezes with song. Imagine seeing newborn calves frolic, lambs bound and foals try out their spindly legs in green-carpeted mead‑ ows. In our wild woods and river bottoms, deer, elk, moose and bighorn sheep raise their young. If that sounds too daring - take a drive up to the Lee Metcalf and Teller Wildlife Refuges to watch ducklings, wild swans and a myriad of birdlife take wing . . . be sure to bring your camera & binoculars for those memorable close-ups!

Farmer’s Markets start up again in the spring offering a great choice of local vegetables. Afternoons are a wonderful time to spend at the golf course or perhaps take a walk, bike or skate the paved paths along the roadways to the river.

Aaaaaah, welcome to springtime in the Bitterroot!

Autumn ...

Autumn is beautiful in the Bitterroot with crisp temperatures and leaves of red and gold. Fall brings frosty mornings and snow-capped mountains. The “big sky” is dotted with v-shaped formations of Canada Geese honking their way south. Tamaracks, aspens and cottonwoods splash golden patches amid the dark green pines and firs. Tree-lined streets in our six communities explode with vivid reds and oranges. Har‑

Trapper Lookout (courtesy Patrick Chap

lin, Bitterroot Valley Chamber)

vest season brings apple trees heavy with ripe fruit and deer, elk and moose in full antler. McIntosh Apple Days recalls the glory of the apple boom in the Bitterroot and provides an opportunity to enjoy a great small town festival. You won’t want to miss it!

Looking for something else to do? Try out 1.6 million acres of the Bitterroot National Forest or trek into nearly 750,000 acres of pro‑ tected wilderness.

Yes, one could say that we’re a bit proud of our “Bitterroot”... but we are willing to share and we would welcome you and your family to visit us and sample our Seasons of Beauty in the Bitterroot Valley.

For more information, please contact the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce at www.bitterrootvalleychamber.com

HAMILTON

In the middle of the Bitterroot Valley, in Ravalli County, is the coun‑ ty seat of Hamilton. Hamilton is home to over 4,000 people, and the immediate area around the town has somewhere over 12,000 people.

Downtown Hamilton has several historic buildings with many unique shops and restaurants. Looking west on Main Street is a beautiful view of the mountains. Come visit our newly revitalized downtown. New streetscape, trees, and street lamps make way to enjoy the unique down‑ town shops. Highway 93, which goes all the way through town, also boasts unique shops, grocery stores, and gas stations.

Hamilton was not a pioneer village in the days it was founded. In‑ stead, it was a planned town of wide streets and avenues, a complete economic center for an area of farms and stock ranches.

The history of Hamilton began when Marcus Daly, a great finance figure of the 1880 era in Butte and Anaconda mining development, made his way into the Bitterroot Valley seeking interests other than mining.

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MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

11

Flathead Lake (courtesy Kalispell Convention & Visitors

Bureau)

About 1887, Daly bought up small saw mills west of the present site of Hamilton and almost overnight had established a lumber making indus‑ try on the banks of the Bitterroot River. Marcus Daly’s next move was to bring two men from another state to plan and develop his dream town.

They were James Hamilton and Robert O’Hara, who came from Min‑ nesota in 1890.

Daly named Hamilton after James Hamilton. The town was incorpo‑ rated in 1894, and Mr. O’Hara was named the first mayor. Daly’s town had a bank, stores, school, and four churches – a ready-made Hamilton!

To learn more about Hamiliton, contact the Bitterroot Valley Chamber at (406) 363-2400 or visit www.bitterrootvalleychamber.com

hot springs

Hot Springs, founded in 1910 and named for the local hot mineral springs that still bubble nearby, had its beginning during the time of the big buffalo herds. Here the “Big Medicine” waters once bubbled freely into the open, flowing up from the pit of a natural hot water spring. The steamy pool, created from the overflow, churned with volcanic mud; and the smell of sulphur was carried in the breezes, mixed with the spicy scent of wild sage. It was here that Indians constructed small log cabins in the hot water. In these improvised huts, these first settlers relaxed in the frothy water, breathed its steam and felt the soothing effects of “The Big Medicine.”

Today, thousands of people seeking rest and relief from pressure travel to the town of Hot Springs to bathe in the fine mineral springs and mud baths of Camas Hot Springs. The log cubicles are gone, but in their place stands a hotel with a mineral swimming pool, bath and hot tub. The springs have drawn people from as far away as Finland and Taiwan to a leisurely and peaceful vacation in Montana’s western mountains. Many revisit on a regular basis, enjoying the benefits and relief that the natural

255 Montclair Drive Kalispell, MT 59901

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12

• Region 1

St. Ignatius Mission Church hot mineral waters bring in the treatment of arthritis, skin diseases, rheu‑ matism, stomach ulcers, high blood pressure and many other kinds of ailments. These returning guests have made Camas Hot Springs one of the best known year-round health spas in the northwest.

Opportunities for privacy, quiet, relaxation and recreation abound in the Hot Springs area. Many lakes, streams and rivers provide excellent fishing for the avid fisherman. Nearby sight-seeing attractions include a tour of the National Bison Range at Moiese, a visit to the historical St. Ignatius Mission Church and Flathead Lake with its cherry orchards.

Kalispell

Kalispell offers visitors a balance of city and outdoor adventure – museums, shopping and dining located right in the middle of Montana’s most iconic natural places. Kalispell has a rich history built on the rail‑ road and forestry. The people are warm, friendly and decidedly enthu‑ siastic about sharing the place they love. And the vibe, whether at a symphony concert in the park or the counter at the local soda shop is relaxed. Kalispell is the regional trade center of northwest Montana of‑ fering a wide range of shopping, quality museums, arts and culture and more than 1,600 hotel rooms ranging from elegant to thrifty.

When you stay in Kalispell, Glacier National Park is just out your back door offering two million acres of jaw dropping beauty. Just 15 min‑ utes to the south is Flathead Lake the largest fresh-water lake west of the Mississippi with 160 miles of shoreline, a big blue jewel at the base of the Swan and Mission mountain ranges. Whether your sense of adventure includes hiking, rafting, fishing, bicycling, skiing, snowmobiling, or a stop at the farmer’s market, a walk through the historic downtown or a swim in the hotel pool, Kalispell provides balance for a Montana vacation. For more information visit www.discoverkalispell.com

White Birch Motel & RV Park

Find The Peace & Quiet You Can’t Find At Home.

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17 Shady Lane • Kalispell, MT 59901 (406) 752-4008 • (888) 275-2275 Fax: (406) 752-1106

Motel 6 Kalispell

1.5 miles south of US 2 on US 93

1540 US 93 South Kalispell, MT 59901 (406) 752-6355 • Fax: (406) 752-6358 www.motel6.com

LIBBY

In and around Libby you’ll find a 2.2 million acre playground of fishing, hiking, camping, boating, biking, golfing, spectacular scenery and peaceful surroundings. With three wilderness areas, over 140 lakes, two major rivers and hundreds of smaller rivers and tributaries, this region is truly some of the most beautiful country in the world.

The mountains of northwest Montana and Kootenai River Country can provide some spectacular winter recreation for the whole family. It’s a fun time of year and the excitement caused by downhill and cross-country skiers, snowboarders and those on snowshoes is contagious.

Miles and miles of groomed trails in the Kootenai region delight the snowmobile enthusiast. The trail systems offer incredible views of the Cabinet Mountains and other breathtaking scenery.

For hunters, Montana’s big game animal abundance speaks to the quality of the hunting opportunities. Elk, Moose, Deer, Bighorn Sheep, Moun‑ tain Lion, Turkey and Bear just to name a few! Libby is truly the outdoor enthusiast’s dream come true!

Lake Koocanusa near Libby (photo courtesy Angela MacIsaac)

Missoula Missoula

120 Expressway Missoula, MT 59808

(406) 830-3900

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MISSOULA

Known as the “Garden City” for its dense trees and lush green land‑ scape, Missoula is nestled in the heart of the northern Rockies in West‑ ern Montana. A community of nearly 110,000 residents, Missoula lies in a mountain forest setting where five valleys converge. Missoula is 140 miles from Glacier National Park and 270 miles from Yellowstone National Park. The search for gold in the West and the completion of the Mullan Road, which opened travel from Fort Benton, MT, to Walla Walla, WA, brought people to the valley in 1860. Missoula began as a settle‑ ment called Hell Gate and was later renamed Missoula, taken from the Salish Indian word that means “near the cold, chilling waters.”

Missoula offers an abundance of recreational opportunities. Three major rivers (Bitterroot, Blackfoot and the Clark Fork of the Columbia) run through the area, and Rock Creek, known for its blue ribbon trout fishing, is just 20 minutes from Missoula. There are several major lakes within an hour’s drive of Missoula, including Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake in the Western United States.

Hiking, biking, camping and rock climbing abound in Western Mon‑ tana, as Missoula is within 100 miles of seven wilderness areas: Bob Marshall, Mission Mountains, Anaconda-Pintlars, Rattlesnake, Scape‑ goat, Selway-Bitterroot and Welcome Creek. Mount Sentinel, Mount Jumbo, Lolo Peak and Squaw Peak, in addition to the Blue Mountain and Pattee Canyon recreation areas, provide hiking, biking and skiing oppor‑ tunities without the drive. Opportunities for skiing and snowmobiling are abundant during the winter months. Snowbowl Ski Area is a 20-minute

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www.lolohotsprings.com MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

13

drive from downtown Missoula and features a continuous vertical drop of 2,600 feet, one of the steepest in the country. Discovery Basin, Look‑ out Pass, Black Tail, and Lost Trail are all within 100 miles of Missoula.

Groomed cross-country trails and countless miles of snowmobiling trails can be found within an hour’s drive. Missoula is also rich with golfing op‑ portunities for both the advanced and the novice golfer. There are eight golf courses in the area.

Montana’s most culturally diverse city, Missoula thrives on events and attractions. Sporting events, the symphony, live theater produc‑

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tions, gallery events, public markets, festivals and fairs offer an abun‑ dance of entertainment. Attractions such as A Carousel for Missoula, Garnet Ghost Town, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Smokejumper Visitor Center, in addition to many others, bring tourists to Missoula year after year. Come play with us! Missoula was named as a 2009 Playful City. Playful City USA is a national recognition program honoring cities and towns across the nation committed to taking action for play. Missoulians prioritize healthy living each day by engaging in active fun, be it at Splash Montana, A Carousel for Missoula, a concert in a park, our wonderful museums and other attractions or even enjoying a hike on open space. We believe wellness is holistic, and play is the avenue to a healthier community and economy, as well as healthier and happier children.

Missoula serves as the center for education, medicine, retail and the arts. Its largest employers are Community Medical Center, Plum Creek Timber, St. Patrick Hospital, Southgate Mall and The University of Montana. One of the most desirable places to live and visit in the United States, Missoula has something for everyone. For more information, visit www.missoulacvb.org

Fort Missoula (courtesy Forest Serv

ice)

• Indoor Pool, Jacuzzi, Sun Deck • In-Room Jacuzzi Suites • Continental Breakfast • Free High-Speed Internet • Exercise Room • Conference Room • Close to the University of Montana

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Historical Museum at Fort Missoula

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(406) 728-3476

www.fortmissoulamuseum.org Building 322 • Fort Missoula • Missoula, Mt 59804 Winter Hours: Tuesday-Sunday Noon - 5:00 p.m.

Memorial Day To Labor Day Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Noon - 5:00 p.m.

• Over 22,000 Objects • 13 Historical Sites • Indoor Galleries • Outdoor Interpretive Areas • Exhibits On Missoula History Accredited By The American Association Of Museums

14

• Region 1

Located in Missoula, MT. The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula was established, by a community effort, in 1974, to save what was left of original Fort Missoula, and to collect, preserve, and interpret the history of Missoula, Fort Mis‑ soula, and the forestry industry. The Museum is located on 32 acres in the heart of the historic, 1877 fort, and has over 24,000 artifacts, including 13 historic structures. Almost 40,000 people visit the Museum annually.

Exhibits are maintained in several of the restored buildings on the campus, as well as in the major museum building. In the main building, the Quartermaster’s Warehouse, there is a permanent exhibit about the growth of Missoula as a community and about the history of the fort.

Two other galleries contain temporary exhibits. Recent year-long exhibits have included: Following in the Footsteps: Before and After Lewis & Clark, which examined those who came before and after the Corps of Discovery and took a look at early maps of the area; Undercover Missoula: Living Quilts, Living Life, investigated the history of quilts, and the social and political ramifications of the art of quilting; and Strictly Medicinal? From Snake Oil to Star Trek examined the history of health and health care in the West. Shorter exhibits have included: Western Impressions, featuring the art and sculpture of local artist Len McCann, and A Visit to Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, which included many original posters from the heyday of the West’s number one Wild West Show. Additionally, every winter, a special holiday exhibit is a major attraction for the people of Missoula.

Special events of an educational and family nature are offered through‑ out the year. The annual 4th of July Celebration draws several thousand each year, Forestry Day delights Missoulians and visitors with college and professional lumberjack competition, displays, a working sawmill, crafts and more. And an annual Salmon Bake in September doubles as a fundraiser and a gastronomic extravaganza for hundreds of hungry Mis‑ soulians and guests as they devour hundreds of pounds of fresh, Pacific salmon baked over an open fire pit the Northwest Indian way.

(photos courtesy Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation’s Elk Country Visitor Center is proud to be one of the newest and best conservation education facili‑ ties in the Northwest. The Elk Country Visitor Center features hands-on conservation and hunting heritage exhibits for all ages. The Center also includes a Lewis and Clark exhibit, an impressive display of world record elk, a western wildlife diorama and a state of the art conservation theater.

Shoppers will also enjoy the Elk Country gift shop full of beautiful wildlife art and many hand crafted and Montana-made creations. The public is welcome and admission is free. Open year-round.

The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation is an international, nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to ensuring the future of elk, other wildlife and their habitat. Since its inception in 1984, the Elk Foundation has protected and enhanced more than 5.7 million acres of wildlife habitat all across elk country and funded nearly 6,400 stewardship, con‑ servation education and hunting heritage projects in 49 states and eight Canadian provinces. Along the way, the Foundation has helped open over 600,000 acres for public access to hunt, fish or otherwise enjoy.

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

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Clark Fork River (photo courtesy Micah Sheldon)

Paradise

Located on the Clark Fork River.

Paradise is surrounded by the Lolo National Forest. It was originally developed as a station for the Northern Pacific Railroad. It was a vital water supply before climbing over the Bitterroot Range in Idaho.

Unlimited recreational opportunities are available in the scenic area from hunting and fishing to wildlife viewing and most outdoor sports. The National Bison Range is 31 miles to the east and offers panoramic views

of spectacular scenery and many different species of wildlife.

Nearby, Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort offers good living, healthy fun and relaxation in warm and hot mineral waters, with food and drink service on comfortable terraces. Accommodations are also available in a newly completed lodge and cabins. Quinn’s has been serving guests since 1885. Shortly after Martin Quinn discovered this secluded hot springs in the early 1880’s, he built a residence, bathhouses and sleeping ac‑ commodations for guests. The springs were used mostly for therapy of rheumatism, intestinal ailments and to cleanse the body of alcohol, tobacco and mine poisons. Martin became so popular in his new profession that he was referred to as “Dr. Quinn.” His wife, Fannie, was a gracious hostess with her fine linens, china and crystal, and together they made Quinn’s a great American example of safari-style luxury. Today, at Quinn’s you can enjoy that same luxury in a modern facility and share in the beauty of this rugged, yet charming and romantic piece of Paradise.

Plains

Quinn’s HOT SPRINGS RESORT For More Than A Century, Our Scenic Resort On The Clark Fork River Has Provided Our Guests With Year-Round Relaxation & Renewal Through Pleasure And Healthy Leisure.

This Is A Great Place For Family Reunions, Corporate Retreats, Weddings, Or That Well Deserved Getaway! New Development & Renovation Have Made This Resort A True Destination.

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www.quinnshotsprings.com

(406) 826-3150 ext. 1 See Our Virtual Tour

Come Enjoy a Piece of Paradise!

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• Region 1

Plains and Paradise lie nestled between the Cabinet and Little Bit‑ terroot Mountains of Western Montana and are the quintessential ex‑ ample of rural, western living. The Clark Fork River winds gracefully through both towns providing ample opportunities for fishing, kayaking, rafting and other outdoor recreating. This quiet portion of Montana offers a lifestyle of tranquility with its lush green valleys, rugged mountains, lakes and streams away from the centers of large industry, congestion and pollution. Wildlife is abundant, recreational opportunities are end‑ less and the business community is vast with great places to stay, shop and dine.

Plan your vacation around annual events like our Sanders County Fair, the Fly-In air show at Penn Stohr Field or one of our community golf tournaments. To learn more about what the cities of Plains and Paradise have to offer, please call (406) 826-4700 or go online to www.wildhorse plainschamber.com

Glacier Cross Roads Motel (406) 826-3623

401 Railroad E. • Plains, MT At Junction Hwys. 200 & 28 Lodge With Us & Swim Free At Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort!

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Polson

Located on the southern tip of Flathead Lake, off U.S. Highway 93; 68 miles north of Missoula.

The “Port City of Polson,” nestled at the foot of Flathead Lake, was actually once named “The Foot‑of‑the‑Lake” settlement before parts of the Flathead Indian Reservation were opened for settlement in 1910. Today, Polson is an excellent base of operations for all activities in the Flathead area, or excursions to nearby Glacier National Park or Big Mountain.

There are three parks in Polson - Boettcher, Riverside and Sacajawea - that offer lake access and picnic areas. Boettcher and Riverside parks have swimming areas and playgrounds, with Boettcher located next to a 21-hole golf course.

In town, there are plenty of galleries and shops. For those with an interest in history, view antiques, artifacts and historical and cultural displays at one of our many museums.

For fishermen and hunters, the opportunities around Polson are endless.

In addition to the year‑round fishing on Flathead Lake, try the Flathead River or the hundreds of glacier‑fed lakes and streams in the area.

Several reservoirs provide fishing for warm water species as well (bass, catfish), including Nine Pipe Reservoir and Wildlife Refuge.

Hunters will find a valley full of waterfowl, upland birds and fine big game hunting in season in the surrounding mountains, including elk, deer, black bear and (by special permit) grizzly bear.

In addition to Glacier National Park and the Big Mountain, ideas for day excursions might include a river run on the lower Flathead, a trip to the National Bison Range or the St. Ignatius Mission. Events worth catching include rodeos, regattas on the lake, and the Powwows held in Arlee and Elmo (mid‑late July).

1-800-654-0682 • (406) 883-5385

Fax:

(406) 883-3998 • www.portpolsoninn.com

49825 US 93 East • Polson, MT 59860

CLOSE TO everything, Far away from it all.

Port Polson Inn is a 43-room Inn on the south shore of Montana’s Flathead Lake, overlooking Polson Bay. Great views of Flathead Lake and the spectacular Mission Mountains. Minutes to Glacier National Park.

• Free Expanded Continental Breakfast • Golf Packages • Wireless Internet • Kitchenettes • Guest Laundry

Best Views Of Magnificent Flathead Lake & Glacier Mtn. Peaks That Can Be Enjoyed From All Our Rooms

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50149 U.S. Hwy. 93 • Polson, MT 59860 (406) 883-3120 • (800) 735-6862

Ronan

Located on U.S. Highway 93, between Pablo & St. Ignatius.

Ronan is a bustling little farming community and retail center. Ronan city center boasts a nice community park convenient to travelers and a large Rodeo and Ronan Pioneer Days, a summer celebration. Visit the National Bison Range. Hundreds of buffalo, as well as herds of elk, an‑ telope, deer and mountain sheep range on its 18,540 acres. The 19 mile self-guiding tour can be taken daily dawn/dusk, mid-May to mid-October; closed for buffalo roundup late September to early October. Shorter tours are available daily dawn/dusk all year.

The Ninepipe and Pablo National Wildlife Refuges, five miles south and seven miles north respectively have a combined area of 4,500 acres.

The refuges are inhabited by thousands of duck and geese. Surround‑ ing the refuges are 2,700 acres of state hunting lands. Tribal recreation permits are required for hunting. Fishing opportunities also are available at certain times (permit required).

Seeley Lake

Located on State Route 83.

Come experience the pristine beauty of the Seeley-Swan Valley! The town of Seeley Lake is flanked by the peaks of the Mission and Swan Mountain Ranges and nestled between two wilderness areas, the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the Mission Mountain Wilderness.

This four-season recreational town is near several lakes that make up Seeley Lake (courtesy Micah Sheldon)

the chain of Clearwater Lakes. The lakes in the area are an angler’s para‑ dise. Several species of trout abound (Cutthroat, Dolly Varden, Rainbow and Brook to name a few). There are several things to do in the area for the outdoors person in each season.

Winter is known for the 300+ miles of groomed snowmobile trails, 10+ miles of cross-country Nordic ski trails, snowshoeing, dog sled racing, ice fishing and Winterfest, an area-wide celebration of winter to name a few.

Spring along Highway 83 is known for birds. When driving, there are eagles, hawks, ducks and loons near the road or on the lakes. Seeley Lake supports nesting for common loons.

Hiking provides ample opportunities for birdwatching too. Summer has everything you can imagine doing from fishing, birdwatching, hiking, waterfalls, boating and camping.

One mile north of the Seeley Lake Ranger Station on Route 83, is a wildlife viewing sign that directs visitors to the put-in point for the Clear‑ water River Canoe Trail. This easy 3.5 mile canoe-route along the willow lined river provides excellent opportunities to see many birds – great blue heron, osprey and rufous hummingbirds to name a few. Wetlands around the ranger station support American Bittern, Bald Eagle and more than two dozen songbirds.

Fall is the annual Tamaracks Festival which celebrates the changing of the tamarack trees before they lose their needles for the winter. There is a Quilt Sale as well as Roadshow of Antiques & History. This is also an excellent time for birdwatching. Hunting is also popular in the area. There are three Forest Service campgrounds located on Seeley Lake – River Point, Seeley Lake and Big Larch campgrounds.

Area state parks include Placid Lake State Park, six miles southwest of Seeley Lake, and Salmon Lake State Park, five miles south of Seeley Lake. There is an entrance fee for the seasonal state parks.

For more information, call (406) 677-2233.

Seeley Lake Recreational Rentals

Hwy. 83 N. • Seeley Lake, MT 59868

(406) 677-RENT (7368)

www.SeeleyLakeRecRentals.com Visit us in the “Last Best Place” for an unforgettable summer or winter vacation experience!

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

17

Mineral County

A recreation paradise, Mineral County Montana is a great place to live and play. With 1,220 square miles of river valley and mountain forest and a population of about 4,220, we have plenty of room to spread out and enjoy the outdoors. You can hike, bike, atv, snowshoe and crosscountry ski, or snowmobile hundreds of miles of trails in Mineral County.

We’re located at the Idaho-Montana border and boast the historic and awe-inspiring Hiawatha Bike Trail and Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area. We’ve got year-round wildlife viewing as well as great opportuni‑ ties for hunting and fishing with some 85% of the county managed as national and state forest lands. Anglers particularly enjoy the St. Regis River. And our mighty Clark Fork River, home of the world-renowned Alberton Gorge, offers endless fun to those who like to white-water raft, kayak, canoe, float, or swim in clean mountain water under the Big Sky. Plus we have community gatherings and festivals and great businesses that will give you a true sense of Rocky Mountain living and adventure.

Check us out on www.montanarockies.org Mineral County offers the following services: county government of‑ fices in Superior. The Mineral Community Hospital and Tamarack Clinic are also in Superior, with outreach clinics in St. Regis and Deborgia. The Mineral County Airport is located east of Superior on Mullan Road. The Mineral County Public Library is available online and located in Superior with branches in St. Regis and Alberton. Our K-12 schools are in Alber‑ ton, Superior, and St. Regis. Visitor information services include the visi‑ tors’ center at St. Regis, historical society and museum in Superior, and the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce, also in Superior.

superior

Located 57 mi. northwest of Missoula on I-90,10 mi. from the ID border.

In 1869, the name Superior was given to a settlement at the mouth of Cedar Creek, after the founders hometown of Superior, Wisconsin. The post office was established in 1871 with Silas R. Smith as postmaster.

Superior is the county seat of Mineral County and is located along the Clark Fork River and the route of the old Mullan Trail. Mineral County is the site of one of the largest gold strikes that helped settle the West.

In the 1860s and 70s, several thousand miners converged on Cedar Creek to earn their fortunes. Long after that strike played out, mining remained a mainstay of the economy. Mining, along with the develop‑ ment of logging and Forest Service activities contribute to the area’s interesting history.

Thompson Falls

Located at MT Highway 200, Milepost 50. Scenic Hwy. 200 is the back road to Glacier National Park via State Hwy. 56. State Highway 471 (also known as Thompson Pass Rd.) provides a link to I-90 via Kingston, ID. Thompson Falls has the warmest climate in the state, allowing visi‑ tors to enjoy outdoor activities year-round. With Lolo National Forest to the west and Kootenai National Forest to the east, the community is cradled by the majestic Cabinet Mountain Range and the Coeur d’Alene Mountain Range. Our public lands with its thousand miles of trails and logging roads offer abundant opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, hunting, snowshoeing, horseback riding, ATVing, alpine lake fishing and camping.

The Old Jail Museum is open from Mother’s Day through Labor Day. History buffs will appreciate the museum’s annual themed exhibits that celebrate the community’s past and the people who added character to the fabric of its history.

Thompson Falls area wildlife includes moose, elk, black and brown

Bald Eagle, Great Spangled Fritillary, Whitetail Deer & Evening Grosbeak (photos courtesy Lynette Schimming) bear, wolves, Mule and Whitetail deer, Mountain lions, Big Horn sheep, wild turkeys, a variety of birds and other animals. The Koo Koo Stint Big Horn Sheep viewing area is located five minutes east of town. Large groups of Big Horn sheep can be seen year around, but mainly during fall and winter months.

The construction of Thompson Falls Dam in 1911 on the Clark Fork River created a wonderful reservoir. Crazy Woman Kayaks offers kayak rentals and instruction. Launch your boat, fish or swim off the dock at Goose Landing Park. The recent addition of a fish ladder allows visitors to witness the endangered Bull Trout as they make their difficult journey up-stream to spawn. The fish ladder is located on PPL Island Park, just a ½ block from the recently renovated 1948 Falls Motel. The scenic park is accessed via the Gallatin Street Bridge (in town). The newly renovated historic High Bridge off Cherry Creek Road connects Island Park to the other side of the river. Motorized traffic is not permitted on the bridges.

River’s Bend Golf Course offers a nine-hole community course on the Clark Fork River. Enjoy current movies at the renovated historic Rex Movie Theater. Main Street has several antique, gift and craft stores.

This vibrant community is host to a variety of events including vintage car shows, county-wide yard sale weekend, quilt shows, foot races, craft shows and bazaars, Christmas on Main Street and the Saturday Com‑ munity Market offering local produce, baked goods, live music, arts and crafts. Thompson Falls is a friendly town where the weather is always better than the forecast.

For more information, contact the Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center, PO Box 493, Thompson Falls, MT 59873, visit us online at www.ThompsonFallsChamber.com or call (406) 827-4930. Be sure to request our free visitor package.

Trout Creek

Located 21 miles west of Thompson Falls & 15 miles east of Noxon.

Situated on the Noxon Reservoir, Trout Creek is a hunting & fishing paradise. Hunt for elk, deer, bear and moose. Fish for bass, pike, trout and perch in 35 miles of unrestricted water. If fly-fishing is your thing, try your luck in the streams and rivers or high mountain lakes in the area.

Enjoy water-skiing and sailing, or simply watch all the wildlife. You can pick huckleberries in the late Summer or Fall; there’s nothing like the taste of fresh berries! Don’t miss the Huckleberry Festival in August and the Cool Summer Nites Car Show in September.

During the winter months get out in the fresh Montana snow with snowmobiling on groomed trails or cross-country skiing. Trout Creek hosts the snowmobile poker run in February.

18

• Region 1

West Glacier

West Glacier is in Flathead County, in the Kalispell metro area. This small scenic community serves as the west entrance into Glacier Na‑ tional Park in Montana.

Once you see West Glacier Village, you’ll think time has stood still in this remote corner of Montana. The log buildings here were constructed in 1938 and they haven’t changed much since. Visitors who return are always delighted to find things just the way they used to be.

West Glacier’s proximity to Glacier Park and its location on the river spells an abundance of outdoor activities. Glacier Park offers nearly a thousand miles of trails. There are many short day hikes that will take you into Glacier’s back country or to mountain chalets.

For solo or family fun, white-water rafting and fly-fishing adventures await on Montana’s Middle and North Forks of the Flathead Rivers bordering Glacier National Park. Seasoned guides bring their intimate knowledge of the rivers and years of experience to escort you through the natural beauty and wonder of Glacier Country.

Select from activities like hiking, fishing, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, photography, ranching experiences, scenic helicopter and fixedwing over-flights and bus tours.

West Glacier Village includes a grocery store, restaurant and bar, post office, ATM machine, pay phones, laundromat and lodging facilities.

For more information online, check www.westglacier.com

San-Suz-Ed Rv Park & Campground Bed & Breakfast 2.5 Miles West Of Glacier National Park B&B Open Year-Round for Summer Hiking or Winter Skiing

Hwy. 2 East between mile markers 150 & 151 • Box 387 • West Glacier, MT 59936

(406) 387-5280 • (800) 630-2623

www.sansuzedrvpark.com • camp@sansuzedrvpark.com

Glacier Rawhide

Trading Post, Gift Shop, Restaurant & Steak House

Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner • Espresso

Trail Rides • Horse Trips • Rafting Catering Events • Full Bar • Wine, Dine & Ride

(406) 387-4999, 5999 12000 Hwy. 2 East • West Glacier, MT 59936 www.glacierrawhide.com

Whitefish Powder (photo courtesy Aaron Rosales)

Whitefish

Located west of Glacier National Park on U.S. 93 and St. Hwy. 40.

Whitefish, a resort town nestled at the foot of the Whitefish Range of the Rocky Mountains, offers the best in four-season recreation. We have it all: superb downhill skiing, great vacation destination golfing at two courses including Montana’s only 36-hole golf course, and water sports galore on pristine Whitefish Lake.

This picturesque alpine village just west of Glacier National Park is home to unique shops, art galleries, premier lodging, award winning restaurants and a welcoming spirit as big as the “Big Sky” overhead.

Whitefish offers outdoor enthusiasts a full spectrum of exciting activities.

Summer fun includes hiking, biking, golfing, canoeing, kayaking, swim‑ ming, boating, water-skiing, white-water rafting and blue ribbon fishing.

Winter visitors enjoy downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, ice skating and dog sledding. Fall and spring are great times to enjoy the first blooming beargrass in May or the brilliant autumn leaves in September, as well as affording easy access to area accommodations and attractions. Wildlife watching and photography are popular year-round sports for locals and visitors alike.

Whitefish comes alive during the summer with exciting nightlife, micro‑ brew fests, street dances, huckleberry festivals and the Taste of Whitefish.

Spend a day, or stay as long as you like! We welcome you to enjoy all the wonders of Whitefish, the naturally inviting community!

For more about the Whitefish area, phone the Whitefish Chamber at (406) 862-3501 or visit our web site at www.whitefishchamber.org

Our standard amenities are anything but.

• 79 guest rooms including suites with hot tubs • Free Deluxe Continental Breakfast • Convenient location • Outdoor pool & hot tub • Free Amtrak & airport shuttle • Free high-speed internet in all rooms • Friendly, helpful staff • 26 miles from Glacier National Park.

www.rockymtnlodge.com

Come to play in Whitefish & stay at the Best Western Rocky Mountain Lodge!

BEST WESTERN Rocky Mountain Lodge

6510 Hwy. 93 S., Whitefish, MT 59937 406.862.2569 | 1.800.Western www.bestwestern.com

Each Best Western® branded hotel is independently owned and operated. ©2012 Best Western International, Inc. All rights reserved.

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

19

Area Chambers of Commerce & Visitors Centers Bigfork • (406) 837-5888 • www.bigfork.org Bitterroot Valley • (406) 363-2400 • www.bitterrootvalleychamber.com Columbia Falls • (406) 892-2072 • www.columbiafallschamber.org Cut Bank • (406) 873-4041 • www.cutbankchamber.com East Glacier • (406) 226-4403 • www.eastglacierpark.info Eureka / Tobacco Valley • (406) 889-4636 • www.welcome2eureka.com Flathead Convention & Visitor’s Bureau • (406) 756-9091 • (800) 543-3105 • www.fcvb.org Hot Springs • (406) 741-2662 • www.hotspringsmtchamber.org Kalispell • (406) 758-2800 • www.kalispellchamber.com Lakeside / Somers • (406) 844-3715 • www.lakesidesomers.org Libby • (406) 293-4167 • www.libbychamber.org Mineral County Chamber (Superior) • (406) 822-4891 • www.montanarockies.org Missoula Area Chamber • (406) 543-6623 • www.missoulachamber.com Missoula Convention & Visitors Bureau • (800) 526-3465 • www.missoulacvb.org Plains / Paradise • (406) 826-4700 • www.wildhorseplainschamber.com Polson • (406) 883-5969 • www.polsonchamber.com Ronan • (406) 676-8300 • www.ronanchamber.com Seeley Lake • (406) 677-2880 • www.seeleylakechamber.com St. Ignatius • (406) 745-4884 • www.missionmontana.org Thompson Falls • (406) 827-4930 • www.thompsonfallschamber.com Whitefish • (406) 862-3501 • www.whitefishchamber.org Lake McDonald (photo courtesy Mark Shaiken)

20

• Region 1

Calendar of Events

For a Full List of Events and Event Details, Contact Area Chambers of Commerce/Visitor’s Bureaus.

MARCH LIBBY – Irish Fair PLAINS – Turkey Shoot, Trap Shoot Competition POLSON – Circle of Friends MT Shop Hop WHITEFISH – Craft & Gift Bazaar Spring Figure Skating Show Winter Classic Benefit for the Children APRIL BIGFORK – A Taste of Bigfork Annual Chili Feed Annual Clean Your Fork CUT BANK – Annual Storytelling Roundup ESSEX – Essexpress Railfan Weekend LIBBY – Home & Garden Expo Fine Arts Show Rendezvous Days THOMPSON FALLS Flatiron Guild Quilt Show TROUT CREEK – Antler Sports & Gun Show WHITEFISH – IDIT All - Whitefish Mtn. Resort MAY BIGFORK – Annual Spring Art Walk Annual Whitewater Festival Cherry Blossom Festival Northern Rockies Paddlefest CORVALLIS Quarter Horse Assoc. Horse Show ESSEX – Essexpress Railfan Weekend MISSOULA – Brewfest Western Montana Wood Carvers Show PABLO – Mission Valley Speedway SEELEY LAKE – Annual Loon & Fish Festival VFW Memorial Day Flag Ceremony JUNE BIGFORK – Annual Catfish Fry & Gatherin’ World Tour of Beer CHARLO Mission Mountain Testicle Festival (First Sat.) CORVALLIS – Quarter Horse Assoc. Horse Show HAMILTON – Bitterroot Day Mule Days HOT SPRINGS – Hot Springs Homesteaders’ Days Celebration & Rodeo Libby – Logger Days LOLO – Discover the Seasons of Travelers’ Rest MISSOULA – Garden City River Rod Run NOXON – Triangle Pond Kids’ Fishing Day PABLO – Mission Valley Speedway POLSON – Mission Mountain PRCA Rodeo STEVENSVILLE – Western Heritage Day SUPERIOR – Old School House Rock Car Show THOMPSON FALLS Rose & Perennial Competition & Garden Party TROUT CREEK Cabinet Ridge Riders ATV Rally VICTOR – Chief Victor Days WHITEFISH – Whitefish Lake Run JULY ALBERTON – Railroad Days BABB – Babb Rodeo Blackfeet North American Indian Days BIGFORK Annual Blu Burger and Ice Cream Social BROWNING – North American Indian Days COLUMBIA FALLS – Craft Fair Heritage Days Wildcat Auction & Barbeque Wildcat Golf Scramble CORVALLIS Big Sky Foxtrotter Assoc. Point Show CUT BANK – Lewis & Clark Festival DARBY – Elite Bull Connection - Professional Bull Riding Logger’s Days Strawberry Festival ELMO – Standing Arrow Powwow

EUREKA – 4th of July Team Challenge Tobacco Valley Rodeo FORT BELKNAP – Milk River Indian Days HAMILTON – Art in the Park Bitterroot Microbrew Fest Daly Days Renaissance Faire Tour of the Bitterroot KALISPELL – Arts In The Park Glacier Rally in the Rockies Vintage Car Show LIBBY – PRCA Kootenai River Rodeo LOLO – Discover the Seasons of Travelers’ Rest MISSOULA – First Friday Missoula Out to Lunch POLSON – Archery Fair & 3-D Shoot Benefit Live History Days Main Street Flathead Cherry Festival Radio Waves Regatta (Hydroplane Races) Standing Arrow Powwow RONAN – Pioneer Days & Lake County Fair ST. IGNATIUS – Good Old Days SUPERIOR – Mineral County Fair & Rodeo THOMPSON FALLS – Chicken Jamboree David Thompson Days Kayak Race & Demo Day Music on the River’s Bend Rally Run and Show & Shine TROUT CREEK – Tri-State Fishing Tournament TROY – Country Music Campout @ Bull Lake Kootenai River Bluegrass Festival Old Fashioned Independence Day Celebration WHITEFISH – Annual Art Festival AUGUST BIGFORK – Annual Car Show Annual Festival of the Arts Big Sky ACBS Antique & Classic Boat Show Swan Lake Huckleberry Festival CLINTON – Testicle Festival COLUMBIA FALLS – Mash Bash CUT BANK – Lewis & Clark Festival Montana Fun Weekend DIXON – Melon Days EUREKA – Fiberfest Eureka!

Lincoln County Fair Montana Quilt Show The Bull Thing FORT BELKNAP – Milk River Indian Days HAMILTON – Bitterroot Valley Scottish Irish Festival HERON – Big Sky Blues Festival KALISPELL – Northwest Montana Fair & Rodeo Taste of Kalispell LAKESIDE – Big Sky Antique & Classic Boat Show LIBBY – Ignite The Nites Car Show & Cruise LOLO – Discover the Seasons of Travelers’ Rest MISSOULA – River City Roots Fest PABLO – People’s Center Annual Artist Market People’s Center Celebration & Powwow PARADISE – Five Iron Putter Tournament POLSON – Annual Fly-in Annual Outdoor Art Festival Annual Wine Festival Cruisin By the Bay Car Show SEELEY LAKE – YMCA Seeley Lake Challenge Triathlon - Duathlon STEVENSVILLE – Creamery Picnic SUPERIOR – Cabin Fever Quilters Show Lions Club Rodeo Mineral County Fair & Rodeo SWAN LAKE – Huckleberry Festival THOMPSON FALLS Gallatin Bridge Gala TROUT CREEK – Annual Huckleberry Festival Hydro Boat Races TROY – Big Sky Rendezvous VICTOR – Chief Victor Days WHITEFISH – Alpine Theatre Festival Amadeus of Whitefish Huckleberry Days Art Festival Whitefish Mountain Resort Brew Fest

SEPTEMBER BIGFORK – Annual Huck Pancakes for ARC Bigfork Car Show Fall Extravaganza & Auction ESSEX – Show & Shine Car Show EUREKA – Salmon Festival HAMILTON – Ravalli County Fair HOT SPRINGS – Big Sky Harvest Festival LIBBY – Motox Racing Nordicfest MISSOULA – Maverick Brewfest PLAINS – Sanders County Fair, Rodeo & Demolition Derby STEVENSVILLE – NorthWest HoneyFest TROUT CREEK – Cool Summer Nites Car Show WHITEFISH – Taste of Whitefish Two Bear Marathon & Half Marathon OCTOBER BIGFORK – Annual Halloween Celebration Annual Harvest Barn Dance Fall Bazaar Tamarack Time!

HAMILTON – Bitterroot Harvest Festival McIntosh Apple Day Wine Tasting Festival PLAINS – Fall Harvest Gala SEELEY LAKE – Tamarack Festival & Brewfest STEVENSVILLE – Scarecrow Festival THOMPSON FALLS Charlie Brown’s Pumpkin Patch WHITEFISH – Fashion Show On Ice Halloween in The Fish Pumpkin Patch

NOVEMBER BIGFORK – Annual Winter Art Walk Bigfork Elves Annual Christmas Decorating The Nutcracker Ballet Turkey Trot KALISPELL – Christmas City of the North MISSOULA – Day of the Dead Parade THOMPSON FALLS – Senior Center Craft Fair DECEMBER BIGFORK – Magical Holiday Parade COLUMBIA FALLS – Night of Lights LIBBY – Festival of Trees & Parade of Lights MISSOULA – Parade of Lights STEVENSVILLE – A Montana Country Christmas THOMPSON FALLS Christmas on Main Street Light Parade Sanders County Christmas Bazaar WHITEFISH – Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade @ Whitefish Mountain Resort Showcase of the Chefs Whitefish Christmas Stroll JANUARY BIGFORK – Annual Polar Bear Plunge HAUGAN – SnowBoss Snowmobile Races POLSON – Polar Bear Plunge SEELEY LAKE – Dog Sled Race OSCR Cross-Country Ski Race Winterfest THOMPSON FALLS New Years Day Fun Run/Walk 5K & 2K WHITEFISH – Flathead Sled Dog Days Moonlight Dine & Ski Winter Carnival FEBRUARY HAUGAN – $1,000 Snowmobile Poker Ride SEELEY LAKE Race To The Sky Sled Dog Race Snow Joke 1/2 Marathon TROUT CREEK Cabinet Ridge Riders Snowmobile Poker Run WHITEFISH – Whitefish Winter Art Walk Winter Carnival Parade

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

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Points of Interest BIGFORK

Bigfork Art & Cultural Center

Bigfork Summer Playhouse

Jewel Basin Hiking Area BROWNING

Blackfeet Indian Reservation

Adjoins Glacier National Park. www.blackfeetnation.com

Museum of the Plains Indian COLUMBIA FALLS

Big Sky Waterslide

St. Richard’s Church CUT BANK

Glacier County Historical Museum

Lewis & Clark Expedition Exhibit DARBY

Alta Ranger Station

Darby Library

Darby Pioneer Memorial Museum DAYTON

Mission Mountain Winery EUREKA

Historical Village

Kootenai Trail

Lake Koocanusa

River Walk

Stone Hill

Ten Lake Scenic Area

HAMILTON

Daly Mansion

Ravalli County Museum

Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness - 1.3 million acre

wilderness with several canyons that take hikers and

horseback riders to high mountain lakes. Abundance

of wildlife. No motorized travel. (406) 363-7100 HOT SPRINGS

LaRue-Hot Springs Museum HUNGRY HORSE

Amazing Fun Center

House of Mystery

Hungry Horse Dam KALISPELL

Conrad Mansion

Hockaday Museum of Art

Museum at Central School LIBBY

Cabinet Mountains Wilderness - South of Libby. Popular

hiking and fishing area with wildlife viewing

opportunities. No motorized travel. (406) 293-6211

Heritage Museum

Kootenai Falls

Libby Dam & Lake Koocanusa

Libby Gold Panning

Ross Creek Cedars Scenic Area LOLO

Lolo Pass Visitor Information Center

Pettengill) Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness (photo courtesy Matt

22

• Region 1

Elk (courtesy Jim Liestman)

urtesy Steve Hillebrand,

National Bison Range (co

USFWS)

Kerr Dam (photo cou rtesy Jim Handcock)

MISSOULA

Elk Country Visitor Center

Historical Museum at Fort Missoula • Building 322, Fort

Missoula • (406) 728-3476 • www.fortmissoulamuseum.org

Memorial Rose Garden

Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Wildlife Visitor Center

2291 W. Broadway • (406) 523-4545 • (800) CALL-ELK

www.rmef.org

Snowbowl Summer Chairlift Ride

The Art Museum of Missoula

The University of Montana PABLO

Flathead Indian Reservation - Home of the Confederated

Salish and Kootenai Indian Tribes and the Ninepipe and

Pablo wildlife refuges. (406) 675-0160. paradise

Quinn’s Hot Springs Resort • 190 Quinn’s Canyon Rd.,

Rt. 135 • (406) 826-3150 • www.quinnshotsprings.com

The National Bison Range PLAINS

Log Schoolhouse POLSON

Kerr Dam

Miracle of America Museum and Historic Village

Polson Historical Museum RONAN

Garden of the Rockies Museum

ST. IGNATIUS

Doug Allard’s Flathead Indian Museum

Four Winds Historic Village and Trading Post

St. Ignatius Mission SEELEY LAKE

Seeley Historical Museum and Visitor Center STEVENSVILLE

Fort Owen

Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge

St. Mary’s Mission

SUPERIOR

Mineral County Museum THOMPSON FALLS

Sanders County Historical Society / Old Jail Museum

Thompson Falls

TROY

Ross Creek Cedar Grove Scenic Area VICTOR

Victor Heritage Museum WHITEFISH

The Whitefish Mountain Resort

Whitefish Historical Depot & Train Museum YAAK

Northwest Peaks Scenic Area

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

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State Parks and Recreation Areas Beavertail Hill – fishing and camping along 1/2 mile of Clark Fork River front. S. of Missoula Phone....................................................................................... (406) 542-5500

volleyball court, walking path). Developed water. In Seeley Lake, turn west on Boy Scout Rd. and go 2.5 miles. Located on the east side of the road.

Seeley Lake...............................................................................(406) 677-2233

Big Arm At Flathead Lake – a popular starting place for boat tours of Wild Horse Island. The long pebble beach is perfect for sunbathers.

Polson...................................................................................... (406) 752-5501

Salmon Lake State Park – fishing, boating and camping. User fee. 5 miles S. of Seeley Lake on MT 83.

Phone........................................................................................(406) 542-5500

Big Larch Campground – year-round fishing, camping, group picnic reser‑ vations, 48 family units. Day-use area, beach, swimming area, picnic area (no lifeguard). Boat ramp and boat trailer parking, interpretive area, nature trail, developed water. One mile north of the town of Seeley Lake on the east shore of Seeley Lake.

Seeley Lake.............................................................................. (406) 677-2233

Seeley Lake Campground – camping, group picnic reservations, 29 family units. Day-use area, picnic area (no lifeguard). Boat ramp and trailer park‑ ing. Developed water. In Seeley Lake, turn west on Boy Scout Rd. and go 3.5 miles. Located on the east side of the road.

Seeley Lake...............................................................................(406) 677-2233

Clearwater River Canoe Trailhead – a unique site on the Seeley Lake Ranger District, a trailhead and staging area for visitors wishing to canoe along the Clearwater River Canoe Trail and into Seeley Lake. A canoe landing is located at the Ranger Station. Parking area is one mile north of the Seeley Lake Ranger Station on Route 83.

Seeley Lake.............................................................................. (406) 677-2233 Council Grove – site of the 1855 council where the Flathead, Kootenai and Pend d’Oreille Indians signed the Hellgate Treaty. Interpretive displays, fishing and picnicking with day-use only.

Missoula................................................................................... (406) 542-5500 Flathead Lake – located between Kalispell and Polson. Boating, sailing, fish‑ ing, camping and swimming are some of the activities this park is renowned for. Provides public access to Flathead Lake - the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.

Polson...................................................................................... (406) 752-5501 Finley Point – Lake Trout and Yellow Perch fishing is excellent. Boat slips are available with each campsite.

Polson...................................................................................... (406) 752-5501 Fort Owen – site of the first permanent white settlement in Montana, Fort Owen is built of adobe and logs. Day-use only.

Stevensville Junction................................................................ (406) 542-5500 Frenchtown Pond – swimming, angling, picnicking & canoeing can all be enjoyed on this spring-fed lake. Day-use only.

Frenchtown............................................................................... (406) 542-5500

Thompson Falls State Park – fishing, boating, camping, nature walks and bird-watching on the Clark Fork River and Noxon Rapids Reservoir. 3 miles N.W. on MT 200.

Phone........................................................................................(406) 752-5501 Viewing Blind Trailhead – The Seeley Lake Wildlife Viewing Blind overlooks a portion of Seeley Lake’s marshes. Waterfowl, songbirds, raptors and small mammals can be observed year-round. Located on the Ranger Station com‑ pound, the blind is accessible by a short trail (0.3 mile). A trailhead is available for vehicle parking on the compound just south of the Ranger Station office building.

Wayfarers – located near Bigfork on the Northeast shore of the lake. Camp‑ ing, picnicking, swimming, beach & wildflowers are just a few of the features.

Summer.

Bigfork.......................................................................................(406) 752-5501 West Shore – camping, fishing and boating are popular. The campground is above the lake in a fir, pine and larch forest.

Kalispell.....................................................................................(406) 752-5501 Whitefish Lake State Park – secluded campground, beach, water sports.

User fee. 1/2 mile W. of Whitefish on U.S. 93, 1 mile North.

Phone........................................................................................(406) 752-5501 Wild Horse Island – one of the largest islands in the inland U.S., renowned for its animal and plant life. Bighorn sheep, deer, songbirds, eagles, and wild horses make this island their home. Day-use only.

Big Arm (via boat)......................................................................(406) 752-5501

Lake Mary Ronan – Trout, Bass, and Kokanee Salmon fishing, bird-watching, swimming and mushroom hunting.

Dayton...................................................................................... (406) 849-5082 Les Mason State Park – 1.9 miles north of Whitefish Mountain Resort turnoff, on Whitefish Lake side.

Phone...................................................................................... (406) 444-2535 Logan State Park – on north shore of Middle Thompson Lake. Swimming, boating, camping & more. User fee. 45 miles West of Kalispell on U.S. 2.

Phone....................................................................................... (406) 752-5501 Lone Pine – self-guided nature trail, hiking and horse trails and archery are offered. Day-use only.

Kalispell.................................................................................... (406) 752-5501 Painted Rocks – boating, camping and fishing in the Bitterroot mountains are very popular.

Phone....................................................................................... (406) 542-5500 Placid Lake – features good Trout and Kokanee Salmon fishing. Interpretive panels describe early-day logging practices. User fee. 3 miles S. of Seeley Lake on MT 83, then 3 miles W. on County Road.

Phone....................................................................................... (406) 542-5500 River Point Campground – located at the outlet of Seeley Lake. Camping, group picnic reservations, 27 family units. Day-use area: beach, swimming area, picnic area (no lifeguard). Group picnic area (fire rings, horseshoe pits, sand

24

• Region 1

Lake Mary Ronan (courtes y Paul Yong)

Panning for Gold (photo courtesy mazaletel, Flickr)

There’s GOLD In Them Thar Hills

Located in mountain streams throughout Montana and all western states.

Searching for an adventure on your vacation? Try your hand at panning for gold. It is highly unlikely that you will strike it rich (well, you never know) but it can be a fun time for vacationing families. There are many areas in the state where you can stop to visit, look for the store keeper who sells panning material and get some advice on where to go in the area.

Some small western towns have mining companies who offer gold mining tours or they have areas where they will allow you to pan. Many of them will provide the pan and show you how. The experts say that you will want to find a spot along streambeds, bars, gulches and arroyos. Gold panning doesn’t require a lot of equipment but choosing the right pan is important. A gold pan is usually 10 to 18 inches in diameter and steel is the preference.

How to Gold Pan: Gold panning is really quite easy. First find some good gold bearing material, and place it in the pan. Don’t fill the gold pan too much as you need to slosh water and break down the material.

Massage the mix in the gold pan, working the finer material and toss the large rocks aside.

Continue to toss the larger rocks from the gold pan. As the gold pan is getting lighter, begin to slosh the material in a circular motion. Keep adding water and sifting the larger material out of the gold pan. Keep working the gold bearing material down until you are left with fines and small gravels.

Use the ribbed side of the gold pan to sift out everything but the super fine and heaviest of pieces.

If you took your time and thoroughly worked and graded the material in the gold pan, you should be left with at least a few gold flakes.

If you plan in advance to pan for gold on your vacation, there are many good books in the library for reference. “How And Where To Pan Gold,” by Wayne Winters and “Gold… ABC’s Of Panning!” by E.S. LeGaye are two great books for beginners. The library will also have area maps where gold can be found in whichever state you will be visiting. Check throughout this Travel & Recreation Directory… you may find information on people or businesses versed in panning (photo courtesy National Archives) for gold. Good luck!

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

25

Welcome to Montana

Ghost Towns In Montana

Have you ever driven down a highway, an old dirt or gravel country road and said…“I wonder where that leads?” In Montana, it may lead to a ghost town. Visiting ghost towns is a wonderful adventure for a family while vacationing. Please remember that these towns are rich in history and need to be respected. Some of these wonderful towns from the old west have been revived and you’ll find gift shops for souvenirs. Others are truly ghost towns, completely abandoned of their glorious past, with only parts of buildings still standing. It is the latter that visitors are asked not to participate in souvenir hunting. For instance, the act of taking away part of a building, relics or furnishings from the past is vandalism.

This is only a fun guide to the known ghost towns in Montana. The information contained in this article is not the whole story but vignettes obtained from stories handed down through the years, previously printed articles and gossip. There’s no guarantee that some of these places are still recognizable, or that they haven’t been plowed down and replaced by a Mall by the time you get there, but…that will make your adventure even more exciting.

We would love to hear from you if you have an unusual experience or discover new and wonderful information about these or other ghost towns. *PLEASE NOTE: Take caution concerning private property and of the danger of abandoned mine properties.

prospector found silver in the area. The first mine built was the North Carolina Mine in 1884, though almost 1,000 claims were filed and the area was dotted with small operations. The camp soon housed a school, numerous merchants, several fraternal organizations, a jail, seven brothels, and as many as 14 saloons.

Calamity Jane temporarily lived in Castle Town. She tried for a short time to live an “honest” life running a restaurant in here. But, this venture would prove to be short-lived and she soon returned to Deadwood, South Dakota.

With the drop in silver and lead prices, the town gradually died. The last permanent residents left in the late 1930s. Today, the old mining camp is a classic ghost town with several buildings still standing including cabins, a couple of businesses, the school, and stone foundations. The camp is located on private land, and close inspection of the property requires permission. However, a public road runs near the town which provides a number of nice views. Contact the White Sulphur Springs Chamber to learn more.

DIAMOND CITY / CONFEDERATE GULCH The rich gold deposits of this area were supposedly discovered by some Confederate troop prisoners after being given the choice by their Union captors of surrendering and going home or being released in Montana Territory. The released prisoners headed off for the Last Chance area where they had heard gold was to be found. Gold discoveries led to the mining camp called Diamond City, attracting hundreds of miners.

Diamond City was originally built in the bed of Confederate Gulch with one long street eventually boasting 10,000 residents. They had a masonic lodge where the members were also members of the Vigilantes. By 1880, the gold was running out and the population had dropped to 60. The Chinese came in after the rush was over and reworked the tailings. Inquire at Townsend.

BANNACK Founded in 1862 and named after the local Bannock Indians, Bannack was the site of Montana’s first major gold discovery in 1862. At its peak, Bannack had a population of about 3,000. There were three hotels, three bakeries, three blacksmith shops, two stables, two meat markets, a grocery store, a restaurant, a brewery, a billiard hall, and four saloons. Though all of the businesses were built of logs, some had decoraELKHORN tive false fronts.

High on a sloping gulch rests the remains of once-bustling Bannack’s sheriff, Henry Elkhorn. Fairly quiet now, this former silver town contains Plummer, a ruthless gang leader Montana’s smallest state park (one acre), preserving a building behind the badge was thought which was erected in 1893. responsible for nearly a hunBy 1893, 2,500 people called Elkhorn home and the town dred deaths caused by his gang included three hotels, the 1884 post office, a bowling alley, during robberies in the Virginia confectionery, barbershop, livery, blacksmith, general stores, City and Bannack area. Eventuice house, butcher’s shop, jewelry store and numerous saloons. ally, Plummer and 22 members Unlike many early gold mining camps of single men, Elkhorn’s of his gang were hanged by the population was primarily married European immigrants. notorious Vigilantes.

Today, the preserved Fraternity Hall and Gillian Hall are Sixty historic log and frame part of the smallest state park in Montana and are open for structures remain standing in Bannack (photo courtesy Montana State Parks) visitors. Walk through them, smell the ancient wood and Bannack, many quite well-pretouch the well-worn banisters and gaze out the bubbled glass windows. But, served; most can be explored. The site, now the Bannack Historic District, please don’t do as many visitors have done and write your names on the walls. is listed as a National Historic Landmark. The Visitor Center is open from All other properties in the old mining camp are private and many are occupied, May through October. Visitors can take stagecoach rides through the center so they can only be viewed from the main road. of town, witness old west gun battles and participate in public trials. Guided town tours, mill tours, living history, gold panning and Saturday entertainment FARLIN programs are scheduled from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Located in the Birch Creek Mining District in the Pioneer Mountains of southwest Montana, rich ores were first found here as early as 1864. Soon, the BEARMOUTH small mining camp of Farlin was formed. The first school was built in 1896, but Bearmouth was not a mining camp, but rather a town that depended on the it would be after the turn of the century before the small mining camp really besurvival of other towns that were mining camps, such as neighboring Garnet. gan to boom. Eventually, the mining camp blossomed and was home to about From the 1860s - 80s, the enormously rich ores from Garnet came into Bear500 people, and included a general store, a butcher shop, and a post office. mouth to be shipped to smelters. So, when Garnet died Bearmouth followed By the spring of 1906, the Birch Creek Copper and Smelting Company was suit. The town, however, was also a main stop for stagecoaches on the old Mulin trouble and its three owners skipped town with the monthly payroll (about lan Road. As such, it had a beautiful two-storied, balconied inn for travelers to $1,400.00). When one of the owners had the audacity to return to Farlin, he spend the night as well as a large livery stable, both of which still stand. was promptly hanged by the miners. A second owner paid for the privilege of returning and the third owner was never seen again.

BEARTOWN Today, Farlin is just a little collection of buildings in the Beaverhead-DeerThis ghost town yielded a cool million in gold and silver in 1866, housed lodge National Forest. The school, butcher’s shop, a few cabins, and mining the notorious “Beartown Roughs”, sought to be the State Capital, then died off. remains are left, about 20 miles northwest of Dillon.

There is a steep cliff here where local folklore say a Chinaman buried a fortune in a five pound baking powder can. Hundreds have sought it, but it has never GARNET been found. Inquire at Drummond.

Garnet first came alive in 1862 as a gold mining town. It is recorded that the “Nancy Hanks” mine poured out $10,000,000 in gold. The mine produced Castle Town well for three years, and then the vein began to thin out.

Also known as Castle City, or just Castle, this old mining camp was once Garnet was home to numerous residences, two barber shops, three livery bustling with about 2,000 residents. The camp got its start around 1882 when a

26

• Region 1

stables, an assay office, and a butcher shop. By 1898 the school had an enrollment of 41 students and 1,000 people knew Garnet as home. By 1905, mining dwindled and only 150 remained. By 1942 the town was considered abandoned - except for one resident, the owner of Davey’s Store. At one time the Internal Revenue Service requested he sign a tax form before a witness. Frank Davey stood before a mirror, signed, and witnessed himself, then attached a note explaining he was the only resident of an abandoned gold camp.

Today, the Bureau of Land Management and the Garnet Preservation Association work together to preserve Garnet for posterity. Behind the scenes at Garnet, workers stabilize the old buildings to keep them from falling down. Miner’s Cabins in Garnet (photo courtesy Wikipedia) The goal is to retain the ghostly nature of the abandoned buildings while preserving the roofs from caving in and the walls from giving away. Take a moment to explore the J.K. Wells Hotel and 21 other restored buildings. Parking lots are provided, including facilities for the handicapped.

GILT EDGE Gilt Edge was the first place in the U.S. to use the cyanide leeching process in gold mining. Even though the new Gilt Edge Cyanide Mill produced gold in abundance, instantly and regularly, it was a financial flop for the first six years. During 1900-1901 Gilt Edge was considered one of the best towns in the country. The town reached its peak between 1908 and 1909. Calamity Jane frequented Gilt Edge, and on several occasions she spent time in their jail.

Its peak population of 1,200 began to decline after the closure of the Whiskey Gulch Mill in 1905.

It wasn’t long after opening the mill that money became short to pay the miners. The owners of the mine sent Colonel Ammon to oversee the operation.

The mine was shutdown with $25,000 in bullion ready for shipment. Before the sheriff could get to the bullion for distribution of payment to the miners, Ammon took off with it. He was caught, tried and convicted, but jumped bail.

Later, he ended up in the Sing Sing Prison in New York for stock swindling.

Today, only a few foundation ruins, a stone wall, a dilapidated brothel and a jail remain. Remnants and a tailing pile from the nearby 1893 Cyanide Mill are still visibly present. The site is located close to Lewistown.

discovered they were a few miles south of the reservation, they relaxed their guard and word leaked out of the discovery. In a matter of months a gold rush Welcome to was on, hundreds of miners flooded the area and a Montana town was born.

Many mines were sunk into the mountainside, the most prosperous being the Ruby Gulch in 1904.

It produced as much as $14,000 per day in gold bullion. In spite of a destructive fire in 1912, the mine flourished until World War I. About 2,000 people resided in the area in the early 1920s. To accommodate this influx were nine bars, several general stores, two hotels, barbershop, small hospital, bakery, meat market, pool hall, two grade schools, livery stables, newspaper and brothels.

In 1894, Kid Curry shot Landusky in the saloon he owned, ending a long feud between the men. When Landusky died, it is said that the townspeople buried him six feet deeper than usual and piled rocks on top of his grave so he couldn’t get out.

The boom town is now a quaint and nostalgic village of about 60 residents.

Historic log cabins and miners’ shacks lean between modern buildings and trailers in a mishmash of architecture. Pike Landusky’s grave is still there, a carved wood grave marker atop a pile of rocks. A white clapboard church, elegant in its simple design, sits high above the town on grassy mountainside.

MARYSVILLE Once a thriving gold camp, Marysville is not quite a ghost town with a few residents and some mining still going on in the area. In the 1880s and 90s it was a bustling mining town of 3,000 people, and was the center of gold mining in Montana. In its rip-roaring period, Irishman Tommy Cruse’s Drumlummon Mine produced $50,000,000. A few buildings remain, including a baseball field with bleachers. The population now consists of a few locals, most of whom commute to work in nearby Helena. Marysville remains one of the best preserved mining towns in the area. The local Catholic church was fully restored in the 1980s, and old abandoned buildings still line Marysville’s street.

RIMINI Sitting in the narrow Ten Mile Creek Valley, the mining district got its start in 1864. By 1890, Rimini was called home to about 300 people and included several hotels and stores, a school, saloons, physician’s office, church, several boarding houses and a sawmill. By the following year, the district was shipping some 400 tons of ore per week to the smelter at Wickes. However, like other mining camps, the drop in silver prices drove the miners away.

Today, Rimini has a growing population of year-round residents and many summer people who utilize both new and old buildings as retreats. The town continues to display a number of historic buildings, some which have been preserved or restored, while others look much as they did decades ago. These include Rose Wilson’s store, the Red Mountain Tavern, an old livery-garage, and the restored 1904 Rimini School-Community Center. Rimini is located about 12 miles west of Helena.

GRANITE Nicknamed “Montana’s Silver Queen,” Granite had its hey day in the early 1890s. Granite was the richest silver mine on the earth, and it might never have been discovered if a telegram from the east hadn’t been delayed. The miner’s backers thought the venture was hopeless and ordered an end to its operation, but the last blast on the last shift uncovered a bonanza, which yielded $40,000,000. The town eventually became a thriving city of 3,000. One of the VIRGINIA CITY most famous buildings in Granite was a large Miner’s Union Hall with a pool On May 26, 1863, six prospectors camping along a small stream were panparlor and club area on the first floor and a library, large dance floor, and audi- ning for enough gold to buy tobacco. They turned up $2.40, and the rush was torium space on the second floor. Some of the other amenities Granite offered on. Word quickly spread and soon miners covered the hillsides with tents and were 18 saloons, a thriving red light district, a roller rink, a hospital, crude log cabins. Virginia five doctors, a school, four churches, several banks, a water system City’s population grew to an and named streets. However, there was no cemetery. All of the bodestimated 5,000 people by ies were inurned in the Philipsburg Cemetery because the ground mid-1864. was so rock infested in Granite that a grave could not be dug.

Virginia City was MonIn 1893, the U.S. Congress repealed the Sherman Act resulting tana’s Territorial Capital from in lower silver prices, and on the morning of August 1, 1893, within 1865 to 1875. The site of 24 hours of the repealment, many men, women, and children came Montana’s first public school down the mountain in search of new homes. Because of the swiftand the first Montana newsness of the move, most of their worldly possessions remained on paper were in Virginia City. the hill behind them. Only 140 people remained in Granite one It was also here that a group year later, in 1894. of citizens from the commuRemains include the Granite Mine Superintendent’s House and nity united in response to ruins of the old miners’ union hall. This remote mining camp calls a particularly brutal string Virginia City (photo courtesy Wikimedia) for a camera and a vehicle with good clearance, located 4 miles of robberies and murders from Philipsburg. to form the Vigilantes. According to historical accounts the Vigilantes were responsible for administering a particularly effective form of frontier justice, LANDUSKY / ZORTMAN / RUBY GULCH AREA wherein twenty-four men suspected of being road agents (outlaws) were huntIn 1893 Pike Landusky, a notorious gunman, and his partner found gold ed down and executed over a four-month period. in the gulches of the Little Rockies. Believing they were on the Fort Belknap Today the town has been well preserved through the hard work of many, Indian Reservation, they initially snuck the gold ore out at night. When they and features tourist attractions and living history shows.

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

27

Region 2

Reg. 3 pg. 42

2

North Fork

Southwest Montana

Reg. 1 pg. 6

Gibson Res

Sun River Willow Creek Res

Reg. 4 pg. 54

Augusta

Nilan Res

REGION 1

278 Dearborn Riv er

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28

• Region 2

River

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84 Ennis Lake

Virginia City

Ruby River Res

l tai ck Bla D

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Dillon 324

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41

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Salmon, ID

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Wisdom

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43

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Butte

274 eR

Canyon Ferry Lake

Townsend

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12 287

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ION

Clark Fork River

REG

Drummond

Canyon 141 Creek

Lima Res

Lower Red Rock Lake

Upper Red Rock Lake

Earthquake Lake

Reg. 5 pg. 75 Reg. 6 pg. 83

Attractions

Alder

The Ruby River Reservoir, nestled in the lush agricultural country between the Tobacco Root and Ruby Mountain Ranges, is a favorite place for rockhounders to hunt for garnets. At Alder’s dredge ponds, you can see 50 foot high piles of processed rock windrows from gold mining in the early 1900’s.

Don’t leave town without visiting the gem mine which is open to the public or throw a line in one of the area’s excellent fishing rivers; the Jefferson, Beaverhead, Ruby or Madison Rivers. Alder and surrounding communities have access to some of the best big-game hunting in Montana.

Anaconda

Located approximately 27 mi. west of Butte via Interstate 90 & Hwy. 1.

Anaconda is part of the Butte-Anaconda Historical park system, which is dedicated to the preservation of important industrial sites and structures. The Old Works golf course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, is laid-out on reclaimed lands and ruins of the Upper Works smelter. Across the valley is the giant 585 ft. tall smelter stack, the tallest masonry stack in the world. The stack is all that remains of what was once the world’s largest non-ferrous smelter.

An Interpretive site is located near the old entrance to the smelter.

The interpretive site depicts the size of the base and top of the stack. Six interpretive signs provide an overview of Anaconda’s smelting history.

The nearby mountains are a rockhounder’s paradise and feature sapphires, garnets and fossils.

Tour Historic Anaconda on a vintage 1936 Yellowstone Tour Bus midMay through Mid-September.

There are many things to do in the Anaconda area such as trout fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, alpine and cross-country skiing, ice fishing and ice skating, camping, hiking, horseback riding, motocross and drag racing, biking, antiquing and unique shops and fine dining facilities.

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Bob Marshall Wilderness (photo courtesy Len Hardy)

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Augusta

Located approximately 60 mi. north of Helena via I-15 & Highway 287.

Fishing and camping are popular activities around the “Old West” town of Augusta, and for good reason. The town, a gateway to the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness areas, is located near Wood and Bean Lakes and Willow Creek, Gibson and Nilan Reservoirs — all with camping facilities and all hold tempting Rainbow trout. River anglers can try their luck on the Sun River immediately north of town or the Dearborn to the south (via Highway 287 & Highway 200) with both rivers offering a chance to take browns as well as rainbows. In town, the browser will find antique shops and photo galleries among the many ways to take a journey back in time.

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29

(courtesy Leah Grunzke)

Butte

Located at the junction of I-90 & I-15, about 65 miles south of Helena.

Its location at the junction of the Montana’s east/west and north/south interstates, makes Butte a popular stop for vacationers traveling between the state’s larger cities or between Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks.

Butte’s status as one of the nation’s largest National Historic Districts (4,500 buildings), its rich mining history and location mean there’s plenty to see and do in and around the city.

There are walking tour guides available from the Chamber Visitor’s Center, or you can take an historic tour on the Butte Trolley. A guided tour of Butte’s historic district including a stop at the Berkeley Pit viewing stand.

Literally “topping” the long list of “must‑sees” in and around Butte is the Our Lady of the Rockies Statue, standing 90 feet tall on the

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30

• Region 2

crest of the east ridge of the Continental Divide. Completed in 1985, the statue was built in sections in the city and lifted to the site by helicopter. Because no private vehicles are allowed on the road to the statue, visitors must take a tour bus leaving from Butte Plaza Mall. Once there, the reward is an astonishing view of the city and hundreds of miles of mountain peaks.

Down below, visit the Berkeley Pit observation stand and visitor center for a close‑up view of Montana’s deepest body of water. Started in 1955, the pit was the largest truck‑operated open pit copper mine in the U.S. (7,000 ft. long, 5,600 ft. wide, 1,800 ft. deep) until mining stopped in 1982. Since then, water has been seeping into the pit and today it’s filling at a rate of three million gallons per day.

The telescope at the pit is a great way to get another perspective on the Our Lady of the Rockies Statue. Highlighting Butte’s mining and mineral history, the World Museum of Mining & 1899 Mining Camp is built around the Orphan Girl Mine which once produced silver and zinc.

Today, visitors can stroll through the old mining village (over two dozen structures) and view the artifacts in its shops, offices and homes, or try the new walk‑through mining display. The hoist house, located at the mine’s gallows‑like head frame, still houses the machinery that lowered men and equipment into the mine, and today features historic photographs and the museum gift shop.

In winter or summer, outdoor recreational opportunities abound in and around Butte. The surrounding Deerlodge National Forest serves as the backdrop for many of the activities. It includes over 600 miles of hiking and riding trails, 22 Forest Service campgrounds (two cabins for rent year‑round), 140 lakes, 1,000 miles of streams, 234 miles of marked snowmobile trails, 40 miles of marked ski trails and a section of the 158,516 acre Anaconda‑Pintler Wilderness area.

Patient observers and hunters alike will find mule deer, elk, moose, black bear and blue grouse in and around the Deerlodge. A detailed guide to the forest’s trails, campgrounds and scenic drives is available from the Deerlodge National Forest office. For fishermen, Butte is centrally located to such waters as the Jefferson, Madison, Beaverhead, Gallatin, Clark Fork and Big Blackfoot Rivers and smaller streams like the Boulder River and blue‑ribbon Rock Creek. For both boating and fishing, Georgetown Lake, 18 miles west of Anaconda on the Deerlodge, is one of the region’s most popular and productive spots.

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Grant-Kohrs Ranch (photo courtesy Scott Jones)

Canyon Ferry Lake

Located along Highway 287 & Hwy. 284, between Townsend & Helena.

This huge reservoir and state park on the Missouri River near Helena has something for visitors and vacationers throughout the year. Not surprisingly, boating, swimming, fishing and lakeside camping are favorite activities in the warmer months.

The largest in Montana’s state park system, Canyon Ferry includes 22 individual day-use and overnight recreation sites and three marinas. The fall season brings a unique opportunity for bird-watching, as the Canyon Ferry/Holter/Hauser Lakes area is popular among migrating Bald Eagles and a variety of waterfowl.

The area around the visitor center and Canyon Ferry Dam at the north end of the lake, is a good place to view this winged parade.

Deer Lodge

Located 41 miles northwest of Butte via Interstate 90.

Several attractions in and around the town of Deer Lodge offer a genuine taste of history. Just north of town at the Grant‑Kohrs Ranch (a National Historic Site), visitors can tour the grounds and buildings of what was one of the largest cattle operations in America (over one million acres).

Although most of the land was eventually sold, the original structures of the Grant‑Kohrs Ranch have been preserved. The main house, with its original and elaborate 19th century furnishings, as well as workshops, stables and a barn housing a collection of horse‑drawn vehicles, are all open to those interested in a view of the past.

In town, several museums are worth checking out. The Old Montana State Prison, located on the site of the Old Montana Territorial Prison, is a castle‑like stone building used from the 1870’s until 1979, is now on the National Register of Historic Places and open for self‑guided tours.

Worthwhile excursions within easy driving distance of Deer Lodge include Lost Creek State Park and Georgetown Lake.

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31

Beaverhead River & Ruby Range (photo courtesy Raymond Hitchcock)

Dillon

Located at the junction of I-15 & State Hwy. 41, approximately 60 miles south of Butte.

One of Montana’s better kept secrets lies in the pristine mountain valleys in the southwest corner of the state. The tradition of the original settler’s still shows through today with the presence of the huge cattle ranches in Beaverhead County.

Great fishing can be found on the Beaverhead and Big Hole Rivers, Clark Canyon Reservoir and countless mountain streams and lakes.

Dillon has several motels, restaurants and watering holes for the traveler. Bannack, MT is located 25 miles southwest of Dillon and it is also a short drive from there to the famed Grasshopper Valley. The “Toughest Town in the West,” Bannack was Montana’s first territorial capital and major gold strike.

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32

• Region 2

During its heyday, it was terrorized by Sheriff Henry Plummer, whose desperadoes murdered 102 individuals and robbed countless others.

Bannack’s law-abiding citizens rebelled, formed the “Vigilantes” and hung 28 of his murderous gang, including Plummer himself. Bannack is now a state park and well worth the trip.

The Grasshopper Valley is a sportsmen’s mecca. Cross-country skiing trails, groomed snowmobile trails and downhill skiing await you as well as food, lodging, meals, hot springs, digging for crystals at Crystal Park and snowmobile rental & guide service. To learn more, visit www. beaverheadchamber.org

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Ennis

Located on Highway 287, approximately 75 miles from Butte.

Just east of the historic mining towns of Virginia City and Nevada City on Highway 287, is the town of Ennis, a historic “Old West” town in its own right, located in the Madison River Valley and surrounded by the Beaverhead and Bitterroot National Forests. An array of events — contests, rodeos and festivals in the summer months and close proximity to area attractions make Ennis and the surrounding area a fun place to visit.

Anglers can choose from prime stretches of the fabled Madison River or wet a line at Ennis Lake, a short drive north on Highway 287. The Lee Metcalf Wilderness area and Bear Trap Canyon offer endless enjoyment for fishermen, hikers and white-water rafters alike. For a day trip, consider venturing into the Beaverhead National Forest along the Gravelly Range Road for an up-close view of 10,000-foot Black Butte.

Here visitors can see how the destructive forces of a 1959 earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter Scale destroyed a mountain and created 150 ft. deep Earthquake Lake. The site has several viewing points and a visitor center.

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Helena

Located approximately 65 miles north of Butte via Interstate 15.

Like many of the surrounding communities (and ghost towns), Montana’s capital city, “the City of Gold”, began as a small, mining “boom town.”

While Helena, is today, the center of southwestern Montana’s mining and minerals processing industry, it remains uncrowded and has gracefully retained the Victorian charm of the small town founded in the heart of the Rockies during the 1865 gold rush.

Helena’s “main street” is still called Last Chance Gulch, the site where prospectors gave gold mining a last chance and struck it rich. This is where Helena began, and today, the street is a beautiful walking mall — a center of activity with shops, tours, special events, exhibits and historic buildings.

The entrance to the mall features a life-size sculpture depicting placer gold mining. Other sites within the city include the awesome Cathedral of St. Helena, built in 1913 and patterned after the great Cathedral in Cologne, Germany and museums. The Last Chance Tour Train departs from the museum for an informative and relaxing tour of Last Chance Gulch, the Cathedral, the mansion district and historical Reeder’s Alley.

One feature in Helena is hard to miss, Mt. Helena, a 900 acre city park rising 1,300 ft. above Last Chance Gulch. The mountain has many walking trails, including one leading to the 5,468 ft. summit for a unique view of the city. A short drive 15 miles west on Highway 12 brings you to

Mt. Ascension, Helena (courtesy Nathaniel Homie

r)

For the experience of a lifetime, take a tour by dog sled and see the beautiful Big Sky Country!

Big Sky / Moonlight Basin Ski Resorts & West Yellowstone McDonald Pass and Frontier Town, a log and rock village built in the 1940’s and ’50’s on the eastern slope of the Continental Divide.

Helena is host to a variety of traditional events throughout the year.

Summer events include a Jazz And Music Festival (late June) and for rodeo lovers, the Annual Last Chance Stampede and Fair (late July), combining Pro rodeo, a rodeo and parade for kids, and a classic county fair with crafts, food and carnival rides. Then there’s the unique Oktoberfest (mid-Oct.).

February brings deep snow and the annual Race to the Sky sled dog race. The 500 mile endurance race, the longest in the lower 48 states, begins at Camp Rimini and traverses the Continental Divide to Holland Lake and back.

The sky’s the limit for outdoor recreation in the surrounding country, as Helena is surrounded by the Helena National Forest and close to three reservoirs on the Missouri River. Canyon Ferry, Hauser and Holter Lakes attract anglers and water-sport enthusiasts alike, and all have camping and picnic areas.

Nearby, are the Little Blackfoot, Boulder and Clark Fork Rivers. Fishing for cutthroat, rainbow, brook and brown trout is good on the many creeks and streams in the area. There are miles of cross-country and snowmobile trails in the Helena National Forest, and over 700 acres of runs and bowls at the Great Divide ski area 22 miles to the north (Marysville).

Kim’s Marina & RV Resort Cabins • Docks • Grocery Store • Boat Rentals • Fishing License & Tackle 2 Miles Past Canyon Ferry Dam

(406) 475-3723 • www.kimsmarina.com 8015 Canyon Ferry Rd. • Helena, MT 59602 see article on this page

Sleeping Giant Lanes

Helena

I-15 N. Exit 192 • 2200 11th Ave. • (406) 443-2450

$58.88 + Tax (1-4 guests per room per night) With coupon at check-in. Based on availability. Not valid with other discounts, during holidays or special events. Thru 7/15/12

Free SuperStart® Breakfast w/ Belgium Waffles & Omelettes • Bus & Truck Parking • Guest Laundry • Meeting Rooms • Fitness Room • Dining Nearby

www.super8.com 1-800-800-8000

“Call For Open Bowling Times”

A 24 LANE RECREATION CENTER COMPLETE PRO SHOP

• Adult & Childrens Leagues • Party Packages For All Ages • Fund Raisers • Casino Lounge • Game Room & Snack Bar

• Cosmic Bowling • Vegas Bowling • Horseshoe Pits & Seasonal Miniature Golf Between Helena and East Helena 3355 E. U.S. Hwy. 12 • Helena, MT

(406) 442-1004 • (406) 442-BOWL MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

33

Skalkaho Falls (courtesy Tim Bocek)

nates the scene. With more than 250 miles of groomed trails and limitless play areas, Lincoln is truly a snowmobiler’s dream, welcoming sledders from beginner to expert. Stemple Pass, at 6,376 ft., on the southern rim of the Blackfoot Valley, provides four marked, ungroomed cross-country ski trails, as well as miles of back country. Snow depths are often four to five feet and last from December to March.

Lincoln is a full service town offering fast food to fine dining, lodging from rustic cabins to full-service motels and primitive camping to RV parking.

Meriwether Lewis Pavilion, located in Hooper Park, is highlighted by depictions of members of the Corp of Discovery carved in wood by world renowned local artist, Rick Rowley.

In the summer months, Lincoln is host to several colorful arts and crafts events. For more information on dates and locations, consult the Lincoln Valley Chamber of Commerce at (406) 362-4949.

Ovando

Located northeast of Missoula approx. 52 miles on Highway 200 at mile marker 44, a piece of heaven resides on the scenic route running from Yellowstone Park to Glacier Park. Here you’ll find The Big Blackfoot River Valley, and the town of Ovando; one of the oldest towns in Montana with most of its original buildings intact. Located on the great historic Lewis and Clark Trail, we’re plum full of history.

North of town you can hike the Bob Marshall Wilderness, or talk to one of our many Outfitters. We have great Stream and Lake Fishing too.

You’ll find a quaint Inn, fly shop, saloon, restaurants, a conservation group, even a museum; all trying to keep the Blackfoot Valley the Last Best Place. Come and enjoy the hospitality of the Old West. Make Ovando a must see stop while traveling. Sit and chat with the locals.

The coffee’s on us.

Philipsburg

Lincoln

Located on Hwy. 200, 80 miles east of Missoula, 86 miles west of Great Falls. Helena is 60 miles to the southwest.

Just west of the Continental Divide, Lincoln is the perfect stopover when traveling between Yellowstone Park and Glacier National Park.

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Lincoln is bordered by the spectacular Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness areas to the north, and the sparkling Blackfoot River to the south. Abundant wildlife and majestic, scenic beauty make it an ideal base camp for hikers, fishermen, hunters, snowmobilers and cross-country skiers.

Horseback and saddle pack trips offer the choice of an afternoon or evening ride over short trails, or an extended excursion into the back country. Likewise, hikers can explore wildflower strewn meadows, alpine lakes and rocky peaks. Photographic opportunities appear around every bend. Elk, deer, eagles, bear and moose, as well as many smaller birds and animals are often the subject of the lens.

Trophy elk, deer and moose are the focus of rifle and archery hunters from Sept. through Dec. in several areas literally teeming with game.

Lincoln hosts a savory “Hunter’s Stew” dinner each fall for locals and out-of-towners alike.

When the snow flies, (the average snowfall is 93") snowmobiling domi-

Located on St. Hwy. 1 about 27 miles north of Anaconda.

Visit a place with friendly people, breathtaking natural beauty and plenty of family fun – Philipsburg. In the heart of the Deerlodge National Forest and along the Pintler Scenic Route, the uncluttered wide-open spaces of Montana await the visitor.

Now a National Historic District, Philipsburg began as a mining town.

Visitors will enjoy taking a self-guided historical tour among interesting old homes and commercial buildings.

The many nearby ghost towns, including “Silver Queen”, as Granite is known, offer a distinctive glimpse into life a century ago. A visitor can stand on the same dusty streets fortune-seekers traveled as they made and spent their finds in towns such as Garnet, Southern Cross, Princeton, Red Lion and others.

Philipsburg is a full service community offering lodging from bed and breakfasts to motels with RV hook-ups, camping in several public campgrounds and a variety of restaurants and bars. Philipsburg offers year-round recreation. Outdoor activities range from hiking in the nearby Anaconda Pintler Wilderness to downhill and cross-country skiing at Discovery Basin.

One can fish the blue-ribbon trout stream - Rock Creek, or be adventurous and find several other streams and lakes including Georgetown.

Hunting, snowmobiling, ice fishing, mountain biking and any other activity the outdoor enthusiast may seek, makes this an all season paradise.

Philipsburg offers several events during the year including Flint Creek Valley Days and the Rocky Mountain Accordian Celebration.

For more, please contact the Philipsburg Chamber of Commerce at (406) 859-3388 or send an e-mail to chamber@philipsburgmt.com

THE INN AT PHILIPSBURG and RV PARK

Charming Family Owned Motel With An Excellent Reputation For Friendly Service And Consistent Cleanliness. Sit Among The Pines And Enjoy The Wildlife.

West End Of Lincoln On Hwy. 200 & 1st Ave.

110 1st Ave. • Lincoln, MT 59639

(406) 362-4333

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• Region 2

915 W. Broadway • Philipsburg, MT 59858

(406) 859-3959

• • • •

www.theinn-philipsburg.com

Located In The Heart Of The Flint Creek Valley Clean And Comfortable Rooms • Kitchenettes Phones • Satellite TV • RV Sites With Full Hook-Ups Showers • Tents And Pets Are Welcome

Fawns in Sheridan (courtesy Jac Dupree)

r of Commerce) (courtesy Ruby Valley Chambe

Ruby Valley

Located about 45 miles south of Butte on Highways 41 and 287.

The Ruby Valley is famous for world-class fishing, its contribution to the Lewis & Clark history, and bountiful mineral deposits. Not-so notorious but equally alluring are the plentiful hiking adventures to be found in the surrounding mountains, the fabulous scenery and the unique small town events.

As the Ruby Valley is bordered by four mountain ranges, there are hundreds of miles of mountain roads for biking and ATV trips. Antelope, deer and sandhill cranes can be viewed from nearly every backroad in the Valley. Elk, moose, mountain goats and a voluminous variety of birds are found in the Tobacco Root, Ruby and Greenhorn mountains If you’re interested in history, the Ruby Valley has plenty to offer from the geological artifacts of our ancient past to the more recent activities of Lewis & Clark and the wild west. In the mid-1800’s, settlement of the Valley was accelerated by the discovery of gold. The confluence of greed and unsavory characters resulted in the creation of a vigilante gang and many colorful stories.

The enchantment of the Ruby Valley is not limited to the countryside.

In the small towns of Silver Star, Twin Bridges, Sheridan and Alder, you’ll find welcoming locals. Whether you’re curious about an upcoming event, recommendations for dining or an unlikely bit of lore, the residents will be happy to take a few minutes to help you out and get acquainted.

A week spent in the Ruby Valley will be one that your family will remember fondly. Pick one of the local events such as the Father’s Day Fly-In weekend, the Sheridan Festival, the Floating Flotillas in Twin Bridges or the Madison County Fair. Then add on hiking, fishing, biking, geocaching, swimming, antique hunting, exploring the Twin Bridges Museum and just relaxing while enjoying the surrounding beauty. It will be

220 South Main Street • P.O. Box 533 Sheridan, Montana 59749

(406) 842-5491

www.moriahmotel.com • moriahmotel@yahoo.com

a magical vacation that your kids will be eager to repeat, creating great stories to share with your friends.

For more, please visit the Ruby Valley Chamber of Commerce at www.rubyvalleychamber.com or contact a friendly local at go2grvcca@ rubyvalleychamber.com

Sheridan

Located via U.S. Highway 287, 54 miles southwest of Butte.

Welcome to Sheridan. In the heart of the Ruby Valley, Sheridan is only 93 miles from Yellowstone National Park and 18 miles north of Historic Virginia City.

Nestled between the Tobacco Root and Ruby Mountain ranges and neighboring the Beaverhead National Forest, Sheridan provides some of the very best recreational areas in the state.

Sheridan’s central proximity enables you to enjoy every activity imaginable in the Big Sky Country. Downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, fly-fishing, scenic floating, big and small game hunting, camping, hiking and golfing are offered.

Sheridan and the surrounding area are home to the best in blue ribbon trout fishing: Brown, Rainbow, Cutthroat and Brook trout abound in the unspoiled streams and rivers. The Ruby, Big Hole, Beaverhead, and Jefferson Rivers meander through the region much the same as when first seen by the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Nearby ghost towns provide a look into the past of pioneers, gold miners and vigilantes. At the same time, the Valley still reflects the beauty and bounty enjoyed by Native Americans so long ago.

301 Mill Street Sheridan, MT 59749

(406) 842-5960

The Finest Little Inn in the Last Best Place

www.rodandrifleinn.com • inn@trailsendland.com MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

35

Townsend

MUSTANG MOTEL Fridges, microwaves, kitchens, cable TV, coffee pots and more

Closest motel to Canyon Ferry Lake

412 N. Front St. • Townsend, MT 59644 (406) 266-3491 • mustangbobs@netzero.net

Come Enjoy Our Horse-pitality

Located at the intersection of Hwy. 287 & Hwy. 12.

Located at the south end of Canyon Ferry Lake and only 34 miles from Helena, midway in a valley described by Lewis & Clark, Townsend is about half way between Yellowstone and Glacier Parks. All types of outside activities including hunting, fishing, birding, skiing, hiking, tennis, swimming and more are moments from downtown with all the amenities a small city can offer, plus an exceptional museum open May 15 through Sept. 15.

The largest Walleye tournament in the state the third weekend in June, one of the best rodeos and fairs around on the first weekend in August, a huge Fall Fest the first weekend in October and the popular Christmas Stroll the first Saturday in December are only a few activities to be enjoyed. With quilt shows, flower shows, other fishing tournaments and a great 9-hole golf course, there’s always something to do and see in Townsend. For more, please call (877) 266-4101 or e-mail townsendchamber@mt.net

Virginia City / Nevada City

Located approx. 70 miles southeast of Butte.

The frontier mining towns of Virginia City and Nevada City stand today as restored reminders of the “booming” activity brought about by the 1863 gold strike at Alder Gulch, one of the biggest in Montana’s history.

Named the territorial capital in 1865, Virginia City was the focus of a population that exploded to over 10,000. Today, this National Historic Landmark is an authentic collection of museums and shops which, along with music and art festivals, tell the stories of the town and its colorful characters.

Visitors today can find living history demonstrations, unique shopping, old-time saloons, historic accommodations, fine dining, gold panning at the River of Gold, stagecoach, fire engine and historic walking tours and two live theaters – the Brewery Follies and the Opera House. For more information, visit the Virginia City Chamber website at www.virginiacity.com

Whitehall

Welcome to Whitehall - “Where It All Begins!” Whitehall is a great place to visit and an even better place to live - a ranching community in Southwest Montana with friendly people, lots of community events and top notch schools. Conveniently located on I-90 between Bozeman and Butte, Whitehall is the beginning of an historic loop through the heart of the Jefferson River Valley and around the majestic Tobacco Root Mountains.

There’s year-round fishing, tubing and boating on the Jefferson River, with other rivers close at hand, such as the Boulder, Ruby, Beaverhead, Big Hole, Gallatin and Madison. High mountain lakes in the nearby Tobacco Roots and Highlands offer more angling adventures. Explore Lewis & Clark Caverns, caving for the whole family with hiking trails and more, located just east of Whitehall.

Celebrate Frontier Days by welcoming back the Good Ole Wild West with locals, enjoying the NRA rodeo, street dance, parade, tons of BBQs, vendors in the park and other festivities the last weekend in July. Come see what Whitehall has to offer the agricultural world. Local farmer’s markets are held every Saturday in Whitehall’s Legion Park, offering all-natural homemade goodness. Visit the museum and tour the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Murals for a taste of local history and culture.

Bring your family, your animals, your interests to Whitehall “Where It All Begins” and explore. Whether your interest is art, antiques, rodeo or history, Whitehall is the gateway to the best of the West under the Big Sky.

Whitehall

515 N. Whitehall St. Whitehall, MT 59759 sy Gregg Whitehall, Montana Bucking Horse Futurity (courte

36

• Region 2

Carr)

(406) 287-5588

First Floor Rooms with Private Entrance

www.super8.com 1-800-800-8000

Nez Perce Motel

Wireless Internet & Cable TV In Every Room

P.O. Box 123 • 509 Hwy. 43 Wisdom, MT 59761

(406) 689-3254 • wdm3254@smtel.com Wisdom

Located 76 miles S.W. of Butte on Hwy. 43.

Wisdom is in the valley of “The Big Hole”. The Big Hole Valley is a way of life found only in a few other places in the world today. There is a bit of history that still is alive, real western cattle drives, haying and gold mining.

There are so many stacks of hay put up each summer, that the valley earned its nickname of “The Valley of 10,000 Haystacks.” The Big Hole River is a blue ribbon trout stream that has a lot to offer any type of fisherman.

The Beaverhead National Forest lands in the area offers hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and wildlife watching. Wisdom is also an excellent hunting area for moose and elk. Winter activities include snowmobiling, with downhill skiing and cross-country skiing all nearby.

The Big Hole National Battlefield is just 10 miles west of Wisdom, a monument marking the place of the 1877 battle between Chief Joseph’s Nez Perce Indians and the U.S. Army. There is a visitors center with information about the battle and picnic areas there.

A visitor will find friendly people, quality lodging, camping, restaurants, general store, saloon, gas station, post office and even an auto garage. All the comforts one could ever want from a small town like Wisdom.

Wise River Club

Restaurant, Motel, RV Spaces & Cabins 1,000 Miles of Groomed & Powder Snowmobile Trails 65013 Hwy. 43 Wise River, MT 59762

(406) 832-3258 Wise River

Surrounded by a half-million acres of peaks, lakes and headwaters in the Pioneer Mountains, Wise River offers some of the most breathtaking views of Montana.

Crystal Park is the ideal spot for rock hounding, featuring smokey, amethyst and clear quartz crystals at public digging areas. This is a very popular snowmobile area in the winter.

The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway offers 40 miles of back country driving that bisect the Pioneer Mountains Between MT 43 and Highway 278.

Enjoy camping, hiking, fishing in the ghost town of Coolidge, remnants of the Elkhorn Mill and a narrow-gauge railroad that served the mill. Summer and fall travel is recommended.

o

(photo courtesy Lana Marie Tegeler, Timberline Photography)

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

37

Calendar of Events

For a Full List of Events and Event Details, Contact Area Chambers of Commerce/Visitor’s Bureaus.

APRIL ANACONDA – Wayne Estes Tournament Butte – Intercollegiate Mining Competition Jordan Circus Usaw Freestyle Wrestling Tourney DEER LODGE – Walk Away from Winter DILLON – Indoor Golf Scramble HELENA – Circle of Friends MT Shop Hop WHITEHALL Jefferson River Rally / GSM Safety Fair MAY BUTTE – Gold Prospectors Tradeshow KXLF Mayfair DEER LODGE – Gun Show @ Old MT Prison Montana Law Enforcement Day @ Old MT Prison DILLON – Annual Memorial Day Parade DRUMMOND District 5 High School & Wrangler Rodeo ENNIS – Madison Farm to Fork Farmer’s Market GLENDIVE – Paddlefish Season Opens HELENA – Dignity Dinner & Auction Don’t Fence Me In Trail Run Komen Montana Race for the Cure Montana Territorial Ball Mother’s Day Pots & Plants Sale Wine Fair VIRGINIA CITY – Brewery Follies Opening Spring Horseback Poker Ride Summer Kickoff Parade Volkswalk (10k Walk) WHITEHALL – Black Tie & Blue Jeans Whitehall Cowboy Workshop / RMBA Ranch Horse Competition JUNE ANACONDA – Annual Children’s Fishing Derby Bike Festival AUGUSTA – American Legion Rodeo & Parade BUTTE – Hall of Fame Social & Banquet DEER LODGE – Territorial Days/Car Show & Shine/Parade/Jaywalkers Jamboree DILLON – National Senior Pro Rodeo Ratpod “Ride Around the Pioneers in One Day” ENNIS – Father’s Day Fishing Derby Madison Farm to Fork Farmer’s Market Madison River Foundation Gala Banquet FORT PECK Father’s Day Pancake Breakfast Fly-In Longest Dam Race Rock Creek Walleye Tournament GLENDIVE – Badlands Drifters Cars in the Park Buzzard Day - Makoshika State Park Miss Montana State Pageant HELENA Blast from the Past Car Show & Drag Races Double Divide Ride Governors Cup 5k, 10k & Marathon Governor’s Cup Arts & Crafts Show Mount Helena Music Festival Outdoors Fest Sidewalk Art Mart PHILIPSBURG – Annual Bike Fest Opera House Theatre Opens TOWNSEND – Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival Cowboy Entertainer Gathering TWIN BRIDGES – Fly-In Senior Pro Rodeo VIRGINIA CITY – Grand Victorian Ball of 1864 Traditional 1865 Service @ St. Paul’s Episcopal Church White Trash Bash @ Bale of Hay Saloon WHITEHALL – Headwaters Country Jam JULY ANACONDA – Art In Washoe Park BANNACK – Bannack Days BUTTE – Evel Knievel Days Freedom Fest

38

• Region 2

Good Sam’s Samboree Silver Bow County Fair DEER LODGE – Relay for Life Western Heritage Days DILLON – Demolition Derby DRUMMOND – PRCA Rodeo ENNIS – 4th of July Parade Ennis Rodeo FORT PECK Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament GLENDIVE – Relay for Life HELENA – Cardboard Cup Regatta Last Chance Stampede & Fair One Helena Hundred Bicycle Ride JACKSON – Big Hole Biker Blast Old Timer’s Day Celebration LINCOLN – Lincoln Rodeo & Parade PHILIPSBURG – Classic Car Show Flint Creek Valley Days Rocky Mountain Accordian Celebration SHERIDAN – Sheridan Festival & Car Show THREE FORKS Antique Airplane Assoc. Fly-In Classic Auto Show Rodeo & Parade TOWNSEND Broadwater County Fair & Rodeo Broadwater Rod & Gun Club Walleye Derby County Fireworks & Picnic Flight Festival Fly-In Quilt Show TWIN BRIDGES Floating Flotillas & Fish Fantasies Festival VIRGINIA CITY – Annual Kid’s Fishing Derby Dog & Grog - Montana Microbrew Festival Cattle Drive @ Upper Canyon Outfitters WHITEHALL – Frontier Days / NRA Rodeo WISDOM – Gun Show AUGUST ANACONDA – Crazy Days Smelter Men’s Day Parade Tour Of Historic Bars BOULDER – Car Show Jefferson County Fair & Rodeo DEER LODGE – Demolition Derby Tri-County Fair & Rodeo ENNIS – Annual Madison River Run Madison Valley Arts Festival GLENDIVE – Dawson County Fair & Rodeo HELENA – Governor’s Cup All Breed Horse Show Last Chance Stampede & Fair Montana Wild West Fest Relay for Life SSA Poker Run Western Redezvous of Art PHILIPSBURG Mission Mountain Band Concert THREE FORKS Antique Airplane Assoc. Fly-In Montana Cowboy Mounted Shooting Competition Finals Rockin’ the Rivers TOWNSEND – Broadwater County Fair & Rodeo TWIN BRIDGES – Madison County Fair VIRGINIA CITY Annual Virginia City Art Show Art Show Quick Draw Blues Fest Grand Victorian Ball for Peace, 1865 WHITEHALL – Rockin’ the Rivers WISDOM – Big Hole Cow Pasture Golf Tournament Commemoration of the Battle of the Big Hole Gun Show SEPTEMBER ANACONDA – Wildlife Expo BOULDER – Country Music & Art Festival BUTTE – NAIA Pow Wow

DEER LODGE – Academy of Living History Big Sky Draft Horse Expo DILLON – Beaverhead County Fair Boardwalk Artfest (Labor Day Weekend) Cowboy Poetry Jaycees Rodeo ENNIS – Madison Fly-Fishing Festival HELENA Great Divide Orchid Society Show & Sale Last Chance Community Pow Wow SSA Golf Tournament HELMVILLE – Labor Day Rodeo VIRGINIA CITY Bale of Hay Closing Party Brewery Follies Labor Day Horseback Poker Ride OCTOBER ANACONDA – Octoberfest BANNACK – Ghost Walks BUTTE – Hillcrest Harvest Bazaar DEER LODGE – Art Club Bazaar Old Prison Haunted House Pumpkin Sunday DILLON – Oktoberfest ENNIS – Halloween Carnival & Bingo Hunters Feed & Wild Game Cook-Off HELENA – Annual Autumn Art & Craft Show St. Peters Hospital Foundation Gala TWIN BRIDGES – Fall Festival WHITEHALL – Mike Hibbard Memorial Gun Show NOVEMBER BOULDER – Christmas Bazaar BUTTE – Annual Veterans Day Run DILLON – Festival of Trees ENNIS – Holiday Craft Bazaar GLENDIVE – Annual Craft Show Annual Holiday Light Parade & Festival HELENA – Meatball & Lutefisk Dinner DECEMBER ANACONDA – Candlelight Tour Good Neighbor Day BOULDER – Christmas Bazaar BUTTE – Festival Of Trees DEER LODGE Christmas Festival, Tree Auction Grant Kohrs Ranch Holiday Open House DILLON – Christmas Stroll & Winterfest HELENA – Festival Of Trees PHILIPSBURG – Yule Night VIRGINIA CITY Old Fashioned Christmas Celebration WHITEHALL – Whitehall Beef Breeders Show JANUARY DILLON – Search & Rescue Fish Derby LINCOLN – New Year Snowmobile Poker Run PHILIPSBURG – Pintlar Turkey Run FEBRUARY ANACONDA – Chocolate Festival SnoLite Rodeo BUTTE – Chinese New Year Parade DILLON Ice Fishing Derby - Clark Canyon Dam HELENA – Race to the Sky Dogsled Race LINCOLN Race To The Sky Dogsled Race VIRGINIA CITY – Winterfest MARCH ANACONDA – Art Auction St. Pat’s Parade & Race Wayne Estes Tournament Winter Nationals Ski Races WHITEHALL Winter Blast Gun & Antique Show

Area Chambers of Commerce & Visitors Centers Anaconda • (406) 563-2400 • www.anacondamt.org Beaverhead Chamber (Dillon) • (406) 683-5511 • www.beaverheadchamber.org Butte Chamber • (406) 723-3177 • (800) 735-6814 • www.buttechamber.org • www.butteCVB.com Ennis Chamber • (406) 682-4388 • www.ennischamber.com Helena Area Chamber • (406) 442-4120 • (800) 743-5362 • www.helenachamber.com Lincoln Valley Chamber • (406) 362-4949 • www.lincolnmontana.com Ovando • www.ovandomontana.net Philipsburg Chamber • (406) 859-3388 • www.philipsburgmt.com Powell County (Deer Lodge) • (406) 846-2094 • www.powellcountymontana.com Ruby Valley Chamber • www.rubyvalleychamber.com Sheridan County Chamber • (406) 765-1733 • www.sheridancountychamber.org Townsend Chamber • (406) 266-4101 • (877) 266-4101 Virginia City • (406) 843-5555 • (800) 829-2969 • www.virginiacity.com Whitehall Chamber • (406) 287-2260 • www.whitehallchamberofcommerce.com • whitehallmtchamber@gmail.com

State Parks and Recreation Areas Anaconda Smelter Stack – This 585 foot stack, one of the tallest standing brick structures in the world can only be viewed at a distance.

Anaconda.......................................................................................... (406) 542-5500 Bannack State Park – Montana’s first territorial capital and site of first major gold strike in 1862. Walking tour of this ghost town includes Sheriff Henry Plummer’s gallows, the Hotel Meade, jailhouse and more. Visitor center, camping, fishing, picnicking. Bannack Days (third weekend in July) features historic displays, activities, events. User fee.

Off Hwy. 278, west of Dillon............................................................... (406) 834-3413 Beaverhead Rock – Sacajawea recognized this landmark, which resembles the head of a swimming beaver, while traveling with Lewis and Clark in 1805. Day use only.

Undeveloped park.............................................................................................Dillon

Lost Creek State Park – Scenic recreation area with short trail to Lost Creek Falls and limestone cliffs rising 1,200 ft. above the canyon floor. Mountain goat and bighorn viewing area. Camping, picnicking. Fee. Anaconda.......................................................................................... (406) 542-5500 Spring Meadow Lake – This human made, spring fed lake is perfect for fishing, swimming, sunbathing, and scuba diving. Only non-motorized boats are allowed.

Day-use only.

Helena............................................................................................... (406) 449-5109 State Capitol Grounds, Helena – The formal grounds and flower gardens are visited by thousands of people every year. Day-use only.

Big Hole National Battlefield – On August 9, 1877 gun shots shattered a chilly dawn on a sleeping camp of Nez Perce. By the time the smoke cleared on August 10, almost 90 Nez Perce were dead along with 31 soldiers and volunteers. Big Hole National Battlefield was created to honor all who were there.

Dillon................................................................................................. (406) 689-3155 Canyon Ferry – Has 22 different recreation areas with camping and water related activities. Historical, scenic and geological points of interest abound.

Helena............................................................................................... (406) 475-3310 Clark Canyon Recreation Area – Excellent rainbow trout fishery. Popular area for boating, fishing, camping. Below the dam, the Beaverhead is one of Montana’s blue ribbon trout streams. Marina on site.

20 miles S. on I-15............................................................................ (406) 683-6472 Clark’s Lookout – This is the outcrop above the Beaverhead River that provided Lewis and Clark with a view of the route ahead. Day-use only.

Nice Parking & Restrooms................................................................................Dillon Hauser Lake (Black Sandy) – One of the few public parks on the Hauser Reservoir, Black Sandy is an extremely popular weekend boating, fishing & water-skiing site.

Helena............................................................................................... (406) 227-3570 Holter Lake – Campers and picnickers enjoy water recreation, as well as fishing for rainbow trout, walleye, and yellow perch. Wolf Creek Holter Lake Campground.................................................................. (406) 235-4314 Log Gulch Campground.................................................................... (406) 235-4480 Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park – Just off Interstate 90 halfway between Three Forks and Whitehall on Highway 2, Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park consists of 3,000 acres of diverse terrain, ecosystems and programs to enjoy today while preserving these benefits for tomorrow. With hiking trails, educational and fun programs offered weekly, and the amazing ever-changing caverns themselves, there’s always something new at Montana’s oldest state park.

Whitehall............................................................................................ (406) 287-3541

Lewis & Clark Caverns (courtesy HA! Designs)

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

39

Points of Interest ALDER Robber’s Roost - Hangout for hold-up gangs during the early gold rush days when stage coaches made regular runs between Bannack and Virginia City. Six miles northwest on MT 287.

ANACONDA Anaconda Historic District Anaconda Pintler Wilderness Copper Village Museum and Arts Center - 401 E. Commercial • (406) 563-2422 • www.coppervillageartcenter.com St. Timothy’s Chapel Washoe Park BOULDER Elkhorn Ghost Town Jefferson County Courthouse BUTTE Anselmo Mine Yard Berkeley Pit Viewing Stand Butte Visitor’s Center Charles W. Clark Chateau Copper King Mansion Humbug Spires Primitive Area - Rock climbing, hiking, & geological sightseeing among unusual limestone formations.

Eighteen miles S. on I-15 at Moose Creek exit. (406) 494-5059 Museum of Fine Arts Butte (MOFAB) Old Butte Historical Adventures Old No.1 Our Lady of the Rockies Trolley Tours U.S. High Altitude Speed Skating Center World Museum of Mining / Hell Roarin Gulch 155 Museum Way • (406) 723-7211 • www.miningmuseum.org DEER LODGE Frontier Montana Museum Old Montana State Prison Montana Automobile Museum Montana Tech Mineral Museum Powell County Museum DILLON Beaverhead County Museum Big Hole National Battlefield Clarks Lookout State Park Dillon Visitor Information Center University of Montana Western DRUMMOND Garnet Ghost Town ENNIS Beartrap Canyon Ennis National Fish Hatchery Madison Canyon Earthquake Area & Visitor Center HELENA Archie Bray Foundation For The Ceramic Arts Grandstreet Theater Holter Lake and Hauser Lake Holter Museum of Art Last Chance Tour Train Little Red Schoolhouse Montana Historical Society Museum Myrna Loy Center Original Governor’s Mansion Pioneer Cabin Spring Meadow Lake

40

• Region 2

LINCOLN The Blackfoot Valley Historical Society Museum MONIDA Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge PHILIPSBURG Georgetown Lake - 10 miles South on MT 1.

Granite County Museum & Cultural Center POLARIS Elkhorn Hot Springs Maverick Mountain Ski Area TOWNSEND Broadwater County Museum VIRGINIA CITY / NEVADA CITY Brewery Follies Educational Tours Gold Panning Opera House Thompson-Hickman Memorial Museum Virginia City Madison County Memorial Museum WHITEHALL Golden Sunlight Mine Jefferson Valley Museum Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park Piedmont Pond & Walking Trails Whitehall’s Lewis & Clark Murals WISE RIVER Crystal Park Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway

Garnet Ghost Town (photo courtesy David J. Laport

e)

Bear Paw Battlefield

Located 16 miles south of Chinook, Montana on Route 240 “Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead. Tulhuulhulsuit is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say, yes or no. He who led the young men is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are, perhaps freezing to death.

I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead.....from where the sun now stands, I will fight no more, forever”

Chief Joseph, Nez Perce – October 5, 1877 – 2:00 PM Bear Paw Battlefield is the site of the last battle of the four-month Nez Perce War of 1877. The battlefield is a part of Nez Perce National Historical Park and Nez Perce National Historic Trail. It was here that Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce spoke those immortal words. You have heard of the brilliant way that the Nez Perce outwitted the Army and came so close to the Canadian border and freedom. Now you can visit this historical area, hear the plight of these brave people at the numbered stops on the trail and know that it remains today a burial ground to the Nez Perce people who lost their lives while seeking freedom. This is their story.

The Nez Perce Indians, were long known as friends of the whites.

They had welcomed Lewis and Clark, fur trappers and missionaries to their homeland in the mountains, valleys and along the rivers of southeastern Washington, northeastern Oregon and north-central Idaho. In 1855, Washington Territorial Governor, Isaac I. Stevens, responding to increasing white expansion, negotiated a treaty with the Nez Perce chiefs, their traditional homeland and establishing it as a reservation of some 5,000 square miles.

In 1860, prospectors, encroaching on Nez Perce lands, struck gold.

In the ensuing rush, disregarded Steven’s treaty. The United States Government engaged the angered Nez Perce in new treaty talks that culminated in a large treaty council in 1863. Nearly all-tribal bands were represented. When the Government tried to get some of the bands to cede all or most of their lands, they refused to do so and left the council.

In their absence, other chiefs, without tribal authority to speak for the departed bands, did just that, ceding the lands of those who had left the council. Their act resulted in a division of the tribe.

For some years, the non-treaty bands continued to live on their lands, insisting that no one had the right to sell them. But conflicts increased, particularly in the Wallowa country, the homeland of Chief Joseph’s band. In May, 1877, the Army finally ordered the non-treaties to turn over their land to the whites and move onto a small reservation. Rather than risk war with the Army, the non-treaty chiefs decided to move onto the reservation at Lapwai, Idaho. Several embittered young warriors decided to kill some whites, avenging the past murders of tribal members.

That shattered the peaceful life at Lapwai and the flight of the Nez Perce began on June 15, 1877.

Pursued by the Army, flight to Canada became their only hope.

Their long desperate and circuitous route, as they traveled and fought to escape pursuing white forces, is what we now call the Nez Perce National Historic Trail.

750 Nez Perce led by Chief Joseph and other leaders, fled.

Only 250 of them were warriors, the rest women, children and old or sick people, together with their 2,000 horses fought defensively for their lives in some 20 battles against a total of more than 2,000 soldiers. Their route through four states, dictated by their own skillful strategy, covered over 1,100 miles before they were trapped Smithsonian Photo Collection Photo by William Henry Jackson - 1879 and surrendered at Montana’s Bear Paw Mountains just short of the Canadian border and safety on October 5, 1877.

The Blaine County Museum, located downtown in Chinook, presents an audiovisual history lesson with “40 Miles to Freedom”. Combining video, sound and lighting effects detailing the events leading up to the Battle and Siege of the Bear Paw. The museum is open daily Memorial day to Labor Day. There is no admission charge and guided tours are available. Books and gifts are also available at the museum gift shop.

For more information call (406) 357-2590. The information contained herewith was provided by the Blaine County Museum. ~ by Sannette Clark

(photo courtesy NPS)

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

41

Region 3

Reg. 1 pg. 6

Reg. 5 pg. 75

3

North Central Montana

Reg. 6 pg. 83

Reg. 2 pg. 28

Reg. 4 pg. 54

CANADA Hay Lake

287 River

Fairfield 89 200

15

87

Black Eagle

Great Falls

227

o

228 87 89

Stockett

Geraldine Highwood

294

Wild Horse Lake

War Horse Lake

87

200

Grassrange

Hobson Crystal Lake

87

191

Bair Res

Martinsdale

Harlowton

Musselshell Martinsdale Res 191

REGION 4

Ri 12 ve r

r

19

Lewistown 239

12

Sacajawea Rive

Roy

200

Ackley Lake

White Sulphur Springs

191

191

87 Stanford

Lake Sutherlin

er Missouri Riv

er

200

89 Neihart

REGION 2

Denton 81

Raynesford

Ringling

• Region 3

Winifred

80

331 Belt

427

12

42

our i River

Deadman's Basin Res

Shawmut

244

Petrolia Res

Musselshell River

o H

ss Mi

Ulm

Mi ss

r

River Smith

un dC ree k

Cascade 15

an dy Cre ek

Fort Benton

N6

Su n

Dutton

221

Choteau

66

Loma

GIO

r

Box Elder Rocky Boy Agency Big Sandy

Teton River

Bynum Res

2

RE

up

Bynum

Ma ri

223

Conrad

89

ive Teton R

Lake Elwell

Ft Belknap Agency

87

REGION 5

D

Ledger

Lake Frances

Havre

Judith

Dupuyer

Harlem

Milk R iver

Bi gS

.

Cr

Valier

Hingham

Chester

Chinook

Milk River

2

as River

er uy

2

Ri ve

Birch

Shelby

River

241

Fresno Res

ur i

Cree k

Mar ia s

k ree wC i ll o W

Ethridge

Birch Creek Res

232

15

Ri v

REGION 1

Sweetgrass

Attractions

Bear Paw Battlefield Commemoration (photo courtesy Forest Service)

Chester

Chester is located on the High Line 57 miles west of Havre and is the Liberty County seat. The name was chosen by the first telegraph operator there in honor of his hometown in Pennsylvania.

In the 1880s, ranchers paused along the banks of Cottonwood Creek to rest on the long drive to the railhead at Minot, North Dakota before the Great Northern Railroad was built. The town of Chester grew up at this resting spot. When the Great Northern Railroad arrived in 1907, the whole town was forced to move to the south side of the railroad in order to straighten a bend in the tracks.

Chester offers plenty of things to do, indoors and out. If outdoor adventure is on your mind, camping, boating and fishing can be found at nearby Lake Elwell and Tiber Dam, located on the Marias River. While in town explore the museum and arts center for area history and culture.

The Grand Bar & Grill

Hwy. 2 • Corner of Washington & Main

11 East Washington Ave. Chester, MT 59522 (406) 759-5582

• Chicken, Burgers, Steaks & more • Family Dining Area The Grand Bar & Grill has the best broasted chicken on the Hi-Line. Friendly, warm, extremely clean atmosphere.

Enter as a stranger, leave as friends!

(courtesy Michael Rosenstein)

Chinook

Located on the Milk River in north central Montana on U.S. Hwy. 2.

The Chinook area is one of the most historic regions of the state.

Seventeen miles to the south is the site of the last American Indian battle in the United States.

The Bear Paw Battlefield, is the spot where a major battle between the U.S. Cavalry and the American Indian started in September 1877 and ended in October of 1877. It is here that Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce uttered the words “From where the sun now stands, I will fight no more, forever.”

While here, visit museums commemorating the Bear Paw Battlefield, historical artifacts and wildlife.

There are many recreational opportunities in the area. Antelope, deer, waterfowl and upland game bird hunting is unmatched anywhere.

For the fisherman, the nearby reservoirs are filled with everything from Trout to the crafty Walleye.

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

43

Choteau Rodeo (courtesy

Lyn Setchell)

Dino Sculpture (courtesy

Choteau

Located off U.S. Highway 89, 52 miles northwest of Great Falls.

As you travel the scenic route between Glacier and Yellowstone, spend some time in Choteau, the friendly western town along the rugged Rocky Mountain Front and the “Trail of the Great Bear.” If the area looks familiar to you it is because it is one of the most popular places in the U.S. to shoot scenery for car commercials.

Exceptional adventures await those who love the great out-of-doors.

Located on Montana’s spectacular east side of the Rockies, between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.

Indoor Pool & Spa • Free Continental Breakfast • WiFi

406-466-5900 • www.stagestopinn.com 1005 Main Avenue N. • Choteau, MT

Outpost Deli Family Restaurant

Breakfast & Lunch Soups, Salads, Sandwiches, Burgers, Ice Cream & more!

Open 6 a.m - 3 p.m. Mon. - Sat. 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday 824 North Main Ave. Choteau, MT 59422

406-466-5330

44

• Region 3

Hane C. Lee)

From the prairies to the peaks, this area provides access to splendid streams, inviting lakes, and mountain highlands where abundant “watchable” wildlife still roams. Visit Egg Mountain, the dinosaur nesting ground of 80 million years ago and home of Maia, the good mother lizard.

Along the Rocky Mountain Front, real life paleontologists excavate the largest dinosaur site in the world. They have found two new species and the first known dinosaur nests. Workshops are offered through Time Scale Adventures. Experience first hand “back country” hiking, hunting, angling and exploration in the crown jewel of North America, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex.

Relive the days of cowboys and cattle at the 4th of July Rodeo and western celebration in Choteau – The Gateway to the Rocky Mountain Front! Choteau offers comfortable lodging, camping facilities, pleasant picnic areas, tasty western dining, a challenging golf course, swimming pool, tennis courts, bowling alley, theatre, city parks and playgrounds including a baseball complex, rodeo ground and indoor arena. Northwest of town, the Teton Trail Village including a souvenir shop, ice cream parlor and quaint Old Trail Museum makes a relaxing enjoyable stop on your tour.

John Henry’s Family Restaurant & Casino PIZZA! STEAKS! BURGERS! COLD BEER! GREAT WINE SELECTION Join us on the “Front Porch to The Rockies” for Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner

(406) 466-5642 “Good Food, Good Fun…for the Whole Family”

215 Main Ave….in the Heart of Choteau

Great Falls Giant Springs, Great Falls (photo courtesy SheltieBoy, Flickr)

ount Disc d 5% This A With

7R Guest Ranch

601 2nd Ave. N. • Great Falls, MT 59401

• Motel • RV & Campsites • Dining & Catering • Horseback Riding • Fishing & Hunting Wolf Creek, MT 59648

Free Local Calls • Free HBO / Remote Cable TV • Free Wireless Internet • Free Coffee • Free Large Vehicle Parking In Rear • Restaurant Nearby • Close To Downtown Banks & Library

Bring In Coupon For Fre e Medium Drink With Purchase Of An 8 Inc h Sub Limit One Coupon Per Cu stomer Per Visit Expires January 31, 2013 Not Goo d With Any Other Offer

SUB SHOP

(406) 452-9581 • Fax: (406) 761-4531 Reservations: USA (800) 735-7173 Canada (800) 676-6267

406-235-4207 www.7rguestranchllc.com

Montana

Imperial Inn

(406) 454-0651 • (406)

701 9th St. S. • Great Fa

Or Special

454-0606

H.J. Gilchrist - Outfitter - License # 4132 Cell: 406-870-2117 • Office: 406-761-3633 landersforkoutfitters@gmail.com www.landersforkoutfitters.com

lls, MT 59405

Enjoy our family-friendly, quiet Old West atmosphere in Belt, Montana!

Trout Fishing • Creek Floating • Playground Propane & Firewood • Fire Rings Free WiFi • Gift Shop & Laundromat Outdoor Museum of Old Tools

406-277-3232 www.fortponderosasite.com

• • • • • •

Archery Bugle Combo Hunts Rifle Combo Hunts for Elk, Deer & Antelope Deer Hunts - Marias & Missouri River Breaks Rifle Hunts for Trophy Mule Deer or Whitetail Spring Black Bear Hunts All guided hunts include fishing

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

45

Explorers (courtesy Bill Strong)

Kids and parents fee

ding the fish at the Gia nt Springs Hatchery (courtesy Montana Fis h, Wildlife & Parks)

Great Falls

Located off Interstate 15, approximately 90 miles north of Helena.

Not surprisingly, the history of Great Falls and many of the area attractions are centered around the mighty Missouri River. It is located between two of America’s premier national parks, Glacier National Park 160 miles to the northwest and Yellowstone National Park 265 miles to the south.

It was the “Great Falls of the Missouri” that caused explorers Lewis and Clark to portage an exhausting 18 miles around the river. Today, these falls are the sight of Ryan Dam. There are several dams and falls along the Missouri as it bends its way through the city. The River’s Edge hiking and biking trail follows the river past these sights as well as Sacajawea and Steamboat Islands.

While traveling along the River’s Edge Trail, trace the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s route up the Missouri River, over the Rocky Mountains, to the Pacific Ocean and back by stopping in at the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center where you will learn about the cultures of the Indian tribes they met and the animals and plants they recorded.

Just a short distance from the Interpretive Center is the Giant Spring State Park. The springs, which in 1805 prompted Meriwether Lewis to write “the largest fountain I ever saw and doubt if it is not the largest in

y Famil urant Resta ino & Cas Breakfast, Lunch & dinner Sunday Omelet Bar 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

616 10th Avenue South • Great Falls, MT Best Western Plus Heritage Inn Great Falls’ Largest and Finest Resort & Convention Center.

• Willow Creek Steak House • Max Casino & Sports Lounge • Banquet & Convention Facilities • Pool • Hot Tub • Fitness Room • Business Center & Services • FREE Hot Breakfast Bar for Guests • FREE High-Speed Wireless Internet

1700 Fox Farm Rd., Great Falls, MT 59404 | 406.761.1900 1.800.548.8256 | www.bestwestern.com/prop_27029 Each Best Western® branded hotel is independently owned and operated. ©2012 Best Western International, Inc. All rights reserved.

46

• Region 3

America,” continues to amaze visitors today. The springs form the Roe River, the shortest river in the world, and are also an integral part of the Giant Springs Hatchery Program.

Popular attractions in the area include contemporary and traditional art and museums.

See the Ulm Pishkun Buffalo Jump, 10 miles southwest of Great Falls and see what is believed to be the longest buffalo jump in the country.

The area has informative signs and a visitor center explaining how the Pishkun was used. Take the Great Falls walking tour and visit many of the 216 buildings that have been maintained to their original appearance.

Pick up a brochure from the Visitor Information Center.

In the warm months, the Missouri River is the focus of blue ribbon trout fishing, water sports, picnics and outings. In winter, you’ll find lots of runs and space to test your turns at the ski area, a short drive north on Highway 89. There are trails for both nordic skiing and snowmobiling. Come discover the natural wonders of the area and enjoy the beauty of the West. See history come alive as you enjoy the area’s special monuments to the men and women who left such a rich heritage.

For more, contact the Great Falls Area Chamber at (406) 761-4434 or visit their website www.greatfallschamber.org

Great Falls

1120 9th St. S. • Great Falls, MT, 59405 Phone: (406) 454-2727 Fax: (406) 454-2727 • Hot Continental Breakfast • Indoor Heated Pool • Pet-Friendly Hotel • Cable/Satellite TV • Free Hi-Speed Internet • In-Room Coffee Maker

Three Miles from Giant Springs State Park

Great Falls

1000 9th Ave. South Great Falls, MT 59405

(406) 454-3000

Coffee/Tea In-Room • Indoor Pool • Continental Breakfast Nearby Attractions: Giant Springs State Park CM Russell Museum Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center

Great Falls

600 River Drive South Great Falls, MT 59405

(406) 727-7600

(800) SLEEP LQ (753-3757) www.LQ.com

1214 13th St. S. • Great Falls, MT 59405 Free SuperStart® Breakfast • Free High Speed Internet • Pets Allowed

(406) 761-2600

www.super8.com 1-800-800-8000

Locations Also In Belgrade, Kalispell & Missoula

Great Falls Motel 6

Great Falls

Easy access off I-15 at 10th Ave. S. Exit 278 2 Treasure State Dr. • Great Falls, MT 59404 • (406) 453-1602 • (800) 362-4842 • Kids 17 & Under Stay Free • 59 Rooms • Free Morning Coffee • Free Wireless Internet • Cable TV with HBO • Pets Welcome • Free Airport Shuttle • Free Use of Pool & Amenities at Neighboring Heritage Inn

• Free DaybreakTM Breakfast • Free High Speed Internet • Cable TV • Meeting Space • Fitness Center • Non-Smoking Rooms • Dogs Allowed

101 14th Ave. NW I-15 & US 87 Exit 280 Great Falls, MT 59404 (406) 727-6565 (800) 329-7466 www.daysinngreatfalls.com

Cutthroat Trout, Giant Springs Hatc hery (courtesy trickofthelight, Flick r)

Harlowton

Located 135 miles southeast of Great Falls via Hwy. 87/200 and Hwy. 191.

The friendly town of Harlowton, nestled along the Musselshell River between the snow-capped peaks of the Little Belt, Crazy and Big Snowy Mountain Ranges, has much to offer visitors to this scenic and historic area. Two attractions in town not to miss: the E-57B Engine of the Milwaukee Railroad, maintained as a monument to the role played by the railroad in the development of the area; and the bronze sculpture entitled “And They Called the Land Montana,” dedicated in 1989 as a memorial to the men, women and children who first settled the land.

Chief Joseph Park, also a rest stop off Hwy. 12, is dedicated to the memory of the Indian Chief and his Nez Perce people, who crossed the Musselshell River near here in their famous retreat to Canada. The park The Best Kept Secret In Harlowton! features picnic facilities, a fishing pond and nature trails.

King & Queen Beds • Free Internet The Harlowton area has long been a place of discovery for paleontoloCable TV • Non-Smoking Rooms Available gists, notably the recently discovered Avaceratops Lammersi, as well as many American Indian artifacts.

P.O. Box 72 • U.S. Hwy. 12 Two nearby reservoirs off Hwy. 12, Deadman’s Basin to the east and Harlowton, MT 59036 Martinsdale to the west, offer great fishing and water sports.

For hunters, Harlowton is known as the “heart of antelope country,” Ph. and has good numbers of elk, deer and bear as well. The town hosts an annual hunters feed the night before the season opens, and also Resv: hosts one of Montana’s largest rodeos each year in July.

Country Side Inn

(406) 632-4119 (800) 632-4120

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

47

ve, Havre Old Great Northern Railway Locomoti (courtesy J. Stephen Conn)

havre

Located along Montana’s Hi-Line, Havre symbolizes what Montana is all about – herds of cattle, endless fields of wheat, a forever rolling prairie, mountains in the distance and remoteness all tucked under Montana’s Big Sky. Havre began over 100 years ago as the first trains forged across the Great Plains. The Great Northern Railroad, a creation of James J. Hill arrived in Havre, October of 1890. The Great Northern Railroad had a huge effect on Havre as it quickly became the transportation hub of the area.

Havre

• Region 3

2520 Hwy. 2 West 406-395-5000 800-634-3444

• Free, Hot Home-Style Breakfast • Free WiFi • Fitness Room • Saltwater Pool & Hot Tub

AmericInn.com

4514 Hwy. 2 W. • Havre, MT 59501 (Located At Tilleman Motor Co.)

www.super8.com 1-800-800-8000

Hands Across the Border, Havre (courtesy J. Stephen Conn)

48

havre, montana

Rent A Car Of Havre

1901 Hwy. 2 West Havre, MT 59501

(406) 265-1411

Although agriculture is the undisputed financial mainstay in the area, the economy is diversified with farming, ranching, hospital and health services, education, professional and retail business, manufacturing, and railroad industries. Havre has become the anchor of the Hi-Line, as its largest city, as it serves communities within 100 miles.

Havre is more than an agriculture-based town, as visitors will find plenty of opportunities to shop, explore the areas culture and history. Favorites include the Havre Beneath the Streets & Railroad Museum, Fort Assinniboine, a 2,000 year-old Buffalo Jump, the H. Earl Clack Museum, Montana Actors Theatre and a walk through our historic downtown and residential areas.

Community events such as the Rocky Boy Powwow, the Great Northern Fair, with rodeo action and Havre Festival Day are enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. MSU-Northern and area schools add to the list of many things available for entertainment and culture.

Recreational activities abound for visitors and those making Havre home. Hiking, camping, fishing and boating are all popular summer pastimes, and hunters from across Montana and beyond flock to Havre and the surrounding area to hunt. Spend a day alpine or cross-country skiing in the Bear Paw Mountains located south of town.

(406) 265-1156

E-Mail: budget@tillemanmotor.com Website: www.tillemanmotor.com

Lewistown

Located about 100 mi. southeast of Great Falls via Hwy. 87 & Hwy. 200.

Located in the center of the state, the heart of Montana, Lewistown offers unexpected treasures.

Enjoy some of the best blue-ribbon Trout fishing from Big Spring Creek, which flows from the world’s 3rd largest fresh water spring. We invite you to camp or picnic in any of our five beautiful mountain ranges. Hike up to the Ice Caves, Crystal Cascades Waterfall or the summit of the Big Snowy Mountains. View elk, buffalo, deer and other native wildlife at the C. M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. Creep through abandoned mining towns.

Study the unique Croatian stone work that fills our downtown buildings as you shop in the many family-owned stores.

Plan to visit us for the annual Chokecherry Festival that is held the first Saturday after Labor Day. Lewistown is the chokecherry capital of Montana. Stop by for one of the many other exciting events we host: Montana’s Cowboy Poetry Gathering, Central Montana Fair and Rodeo, Community Concert Series, Metis Celebration, Montana Old Time Fiddlers Show or the Pioneer Power Days.

We also offer several high school sports tournaments, AMX races, motorcycle racing and drag racing on Montana’s oldest quarter mile drag strip. Tour the Historical Museum or visit the Art Center. Year-round activities include the Christmas Stroll, Winter Fair and the Polar Run train rides.

For more information, contact Lewistown Area Chamber of Commerce at (866) 912-3980 or visit us online at www.lewistownchamber.com

The Charlie Russell Chew-Choo • 3-1/2 Hour Train Adventures • Prime Rib Dinner • No Host Bar • Group Rates Available • $89.99 Per Person

For Train Reservations: (866)

912-3980

Or Visit Our Website: www.montanacharlierussellchewchoo.com

Most Saturdays June - October

Trestle & Swimming Hole, Lewistown (photos courtesy Matt Kadlick)

408 NE Main • Lewistown, MT 59457

(866) 912-3980 • (406) 535-5436 lewchamb@midrivers.com

Chokecherry Capital of Montana Home of the Charlie Russell Chew Choo

www.lewistownchamber.com • www.destinationlewistownmontana.com

Mountain Acres Mobile Home & RV Park Daily, Weekly & Monthly Rates Wireless Internet • Laundry & Shower Facilities

103 Rocklyn Ave. • Lewistown, MT 59457

(406) 538-7591

b&b motel Wireless Internet • Cable

520 E. Main St. • Lewistown, MT 59457

(406) 535-5496 • Toll Free: (877) 538-3563

Lewistown

102 Wendell Ave. Lewistown, MT 59457

(406) 538-2581

Free SuperStart® Breakfast Free High-Speed Internet

www.super8.com 1-800-800-8000

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

49

Shelby

Located at the jct. of I-15 and Hwy. 2, 88 mi. north of Great Falls.

Shelby is located where the rolling prairies meet the Rocky Mountains.

This is beautiful, prime grain-producing and stock grazing land, and just 70 miles to the west are the imposing peaks of Glacier National Park.

From Shelby, visitors will find excellent outdoor recreation in every direction. To the west through the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and Browning (see region 1) is Glacier National Park. To the east via Highway 2, Lake Elwell and Tiber Dam on the Marias River offer camping and fishing.

On the north edge of Shelby is Lake Sheloole and numerous campsites, and a short drive South on Interstate 15 brings you to still more camping and fishing at Williamson Park on the Marias River.

Hunters find a variety of waterfowl in season along the Marias River and Lake Elwell.

For more information, please visit www.shelbymtchamber.org

Crossroads Inn

Color Cable TV • Free WiFi Indoor Swimming Pool & Jacuzzi Meeting Room • Free Continental Breakfast Major Credit Cards • Casino & Lounge Adjacent

(406) 434-5134 (800) 779-ROOM

1200 W. Roosevelt Hwy. Interstate 15 • Shelby, MT iel Liu)

Shelby Cowboys (courtesy Dan

Stanford

Located on Highway 87, 60 miles southeast of Great Falls.

Stanford is nestled in the heart of the area known as the Judith Basin. Island mountain ranges such as the Highwoods and the Snowies surround a sea of grass and wheat where the farmer, recreationist and sportsman enjoy the rich bounty of this land.

The legendary Western artist Charlie Russell learned the ways of the cowboy and mountain man here in the basin, and many of his most famous paintings were inspired by the landscape and drama that unfolded here as the West was settled.

Highway 87 between Great Falls and Lewistown is known as the Charlie Russell Trail. Square Butte, Stanford, Utica and the Judith River country are all scenes captured in Russell’s art.

Come see the Judith Basin’s famous white wolf at the Basin Trading Post in Stanford.

The last wolves of the basin were legendary due to their prowess and cunning. The white wolf roamed the Little Belt Mountains for 15 years, preying on livestock and game until he was finally hunted down in 1930.

Spa Hot Springs Motel

Montana’s Finest Natural Mineral Hot Springs & Motel 202 W. Main St. • White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645

www.spahotsprings.com • (406) 547-3366

Indoor & Outdoor Mineral Water Pools 815 8 Ave. S.W. • P.O. Box 869 White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645

(406) 547-3890 (888) 898-5386

www.ccmemberships.com • All Pull-Thru Units • WiFi • Store • Playground

Truck Stop Cafe Daily Specials • Open 7 Days A Week • Weekends Til 10 p.m.

511 East Main White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645

(406) 547-3825 50

• Region 3

White Sulphur Springs

Located midway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks on U.S. 89.

White Sulphur Springs, a full service community, received its name from the thermal mineralized hot springs located at a local motel. Therapeutic waters provide a relaxing rejuvenating experience throughout the year.

White Sulphur Springs offers some of the best outdoor activities available in Montana. A suggestion of what lies in wait for you are: Fly-fishing, floating the famous Smith River, hunting (guide services available), hiking, horseback riding, camping, backpacking, mountain biking, alpine skiing, nordic skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing. Cross-country ski into the Lewis and Clark National Forest.

The forest also has miles of groomed snowmobile trails, and alpine skiers can slice their way down 34 trails at the ski area, just 28 miles northeast via Hwy. 89.

In warmer weather, a float or fishing trip down the scenic Smith River Canyon is popular. Fishermen can also wet a line at nearby Lake Sutherlin and Bair Lake (ice fishing in winter).

For historical attractions, visit one of our museums, Diamond City or Fort Logan and many of the old homesteads. Explore Castle Ghost Town or attend the Labor Day Rodeo.

For more information, contact the White Sulphur Springs Chamber at (406) 547-2250.

Area Chambers of Commerce & Visitors Centers Big Sandy • (406) 378-2418 • www.bigsandymt.org Chinook • www.chinookmontana.com Choteau Chamber • (406) 466-5316 • (800) 823-3866 • www.choteaumontana.com Conrad Area Chamber • (406) 271-7791 • www.conradmt.com Fort Benton • (406) 622-3864 • www.fortbentonchamber.org Great Falls Area Chamber • (406) 761-4434 • (800) 735-8535 • www.greatfallschamber.org Great Falls CVB • (800) 735-8535 • www.gfcvb.com Harlowton • (406) 632-4694 • www.harlowtonchamber.com Havre • (406) 265-4383 • www.havremt.com Lewistown Area Chamber • (406) 535-5436 • (866) 912-3980 • www.lewistownchamber.com Liberty County (Chester) • (406) 759-4848 • www.libertycountycc.com Russell Country (Belt, Chester, Dupuyer, Roy, Ulm).• (800) 527-5348 • russell.visitmt.com Shelby • (406) 434-7184 • www.shelbymtchamber.org Valier • www.valier.org White Sulphur Springs • (406) 547-2250 • www.whitesulphurspringsmt.com

Points of Interest CHOTEAU Bob Marshall Wilderness - Access from Rocky Mountain Front to 1.5 million acres of wildlands including Scapegoat and Great Bear wilderness areas. Foot or horseback only.

(406) 466-5341 DUPUYER Great Bear Wilderness Area Swift Dam - Just west of town, campgrounds & picnic areas.

Two Medicine Fight Site - Near the junction of U.S. Hwy. 89 and Montana Hwy. 44. This marks the only hostile encounter with Indians that Lewis and Clark had on their long journey.

William Jones Memorial Park - West of town, picnic & camping.

LEWISTOWN Big Spring Trout Hatchery C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters Crystal Lake James Kipp Recreation Area Judith Peak Recreation Area War Horse National Wildlife Refuge LOMA House of a Thousand Dolls SHELBY Marias Museum of History and Art

FORT BENTON Fort Benton

STANFORD Judith Basin Museum

GERALDINE Square Butte Natural Area

TWO MEDICINE Dinosaur Center

GREAT FALLS C.M. Russell Museum Complex Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge Great Falls of the Missouri - Much of the Missouri remains as it was in 1805 when Lewis and Clark first viewed it. The “Great Falls” themselves are now the site of Ryan Dam. East of town on Ryan Dam Rd. High Plains Heritage Center Lewis & Clark Audio Tour Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center – Great Falls Portage Malmstrom Air Force Base Museum Paris Gibson Square

VIRGELLE Virgelle Mercantile VALIER Lake Frances Recreation Area - Popular area for swimming, boating, windsurfing, fishing, camping and picnicking.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS Hot Sulphur Springs

e Shapins)

White Sulphur Springs (courtesy Jess

HAVRE Beaver Creek Park - Located 10 miles south of Havre, the Park offers camping, picnicking, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, sledding & skiing. (406) 395-4565 Fort Assinniboine - The grandest and once largest military post in Montana, located six miles southwest of Havre.

(406) 265-4000 or (406) 265-8336 Fresno Reservoir - Located 12 miles west of Havre. Camp, swim, boat, water-ski and fish.

Havre Beneath The Streets & Railroad Museum H. Earl Clack Museum Wahkpa Chu’gn Buffalo Jump - Located behind the Holiday Village Mall. (406) 265-6417

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

51

State Parks and Recreation Areas Bear Paw Battleground - One of Montana’s three units of Nez Perce National Historical Park. Site of the surrender of Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce Indians. After a 1,700 mile retreat, Chief Joseph made his famous speech of surrender. Park ranger available mid-May through mid-Sept. 16 miles S. of Chinook on Secondary 240.

Phone................................................................(406) 357-3130 First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park - 342 Ulm-Vaughn Road, P.O. Box 109, Ulm, Montana 59485.

Phone................................................................(406) 866-2217

Fawn Hiding in the Grass (courtesy Jerem y Wheaton)

Giant Springs Heritage State Park - in Great Falls. Discovered by Lewis and Clark in 1805, this is one of the largest freshwater springs in the world. Also the site of the world’s shortest river - the Roe. Scenic views of Rainbow Falls on the Missouri River, visitor center, picnic sites, fish hatchery. User fee. River Drive to Giant Springs Road.

Phone................................................................(406) 454-5840

Wildlife Viewing Tips Brown and white binocular signs indicate choice viewing locations, but in Montana, wildlife can appear anywhere. Good viewing sites are often in wildlife management or range areas, which offer you an excellent opportunity to safely see a wide variety of animals.

Keep a Low Profile. Enjoy watching animals’ natural behaviors. Resist the temptation to try to attract their attention with sounds. If your presence is causing an animal to stop feeding or act restless, give it more space. Be especially respectful of nesting and denning areas, rookeries and calving grounds, and critical feeding areas.

Time it Right. Dawn and dusk are when many wildlife species are most active. Midday warmth energizes dragonflies and butterflies and creates thermals for eagles and hawks.

Bring your binoculars and a camera, zoom in for that great view to avoid the stress of an actual close-up experience.

Look for Clues. Tracks, droppings, trails and twigs tell stories of wildlife in the area what they are eating, where they live and when they passed through. Noticing and reading these clues adds richness to wildlife viewing. Tracking books and workshops will help you.

Help Keep Wildlife Wild. Never feed wild animals. Doing so can cause them to associate people with food, which can cause trouble. Human food can also make them sick.

Be Considerate of Others. People use and enjoy Montana’s wildlife in a variety of ways.

Respect private property and give hunters, anglers and others plenty of space.

52

• Region 3

Calendar of Events

For a Full List of Events and Event Details, Contact Area Chambers of Commerce/Visitor’s Bureaus.

APRIL GREAT FALLS – Annual Home & Garden Show & Sale Ice Breaker Road Race MAY BELT – Dinner Theater in Belt FORT BENTON – Spring Classic Fishing Derby GREAT FALLS Great Falls Bike Club’s Belt Creek Road Race HAVRE – Bullhook Bottoms Black Powder Shoot LEWISTOWN – Householder Horse Clinic MT Watercolor Society Members Show WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS Motherin’ Up Cowboy Poetry Gathering JUNE BELT – Annual Belt PRCA Rodeo CHESTER – 50s Sock Hop Cruise Night / Poker Run CHINOOK – Bear Paw Roundup PRCA Rodeo CONRAD – Whoop-Up Days & Rhubarb Festival FAIRFIELD – Days Gone By Music, Parade, BBQ FORT BENTON – Summer Celebration GREAT FALLS – Lewis & Clark Festival MPA & EAA Annual Poker Run Fly-In National Trail Day Spring Fling Hoop Thing Taste of Great Falls HARLOWTON – Festival of the Wind JOPLIN – Car Show & Art in the Park LEWISTOWN – Ed McGivern Memorial Shoot Fly-In Golf Tournament Pioneer Power Day Threshing Bee Snowy Mountain Muzzleloaders & Re-Enactors Rendezvous ROY – Annual Roy Rodeo ULM First Peoples Buffalo Jump Night at the Pishkun Ulm’s Buffalo Days VALIER – Homesteader Day VAUGHN – Annual Red Sky Powwow & Art Fest JULY CHINOOK – Blaine County Fair - 4-Wheeler Drawing During Demolition Derby!

CHOTEAU – Grizzly Marathon FAIRFIELD – Swim Days FORT BELKNAP Milk River Indian Days GREAT FALLS – Bluegrass on the Bay Dugout Days Camps Indian Voices Montana State Fair Relay for Life Saddles & Spurs HARLOWTON – Harlowton Rodeo HAVRE – Great Northern Fair LEWISTOWN 4th of July Celebration & Parade Central Montana Horse Show, Fair & Rodeo Central Montana Relay For Life Old Time Fiddler’s Convention & Fiddling Show SHELBY – Marias 4 County Fair STANFORD – C.M. Russell Stampede Rodeo UTICA – Shakespeare in the Parks WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS Smith River Ranch Rodeo AUGUST FORT BELKNAP Milk River Indian Days FORT BENTON – Choteau County Fair GREAT FALLS – Community Artists Day Indian Voices Montana State Fair HARLOWTON – Wheatland County Fair HAVRE – Rocky Boy Powwow LEWISTOWN – Cowboy Poetry Gathering & Western Music Rendezvous Western Art & Gear Show STANFORD – Judith Basin County Fair SEPTEMBER CHINOOK – Sugarbeet Festival CHOTEAU – Threshing Bee GREAT FALLS – National Public Lands Day Native American Family Day HAVRE – Festival Days LEWISTOWN – Chokecherry Festival Montana State Trappers Convention ULM Atlatl Competition

UTICA – Utica Day Fair What The Hay OCTOBER CONRAD – Harvest Festival GREAT FALLS – Voices in the Shadow LEWISTOWN – Central MT Ag Tour Gun Show NOVEMBER CHINOOK – Parade Of Lights HAVRE – Community Tree Lighting Wine & Cheese Gala SHELBY – Holiday Craft Show DECEMBER BIG SANDY Choteau County Christmas Christmas Stroll & Parade of Lights CHESTER – Festival Of Trees CHOTEAU – Christmas Stroll HAVRE – Festival of Trees St. Jude Bazaar LEWISTOWN – Festival of Trees VALIER – Christmas Stroll VIRGELLE – A Real Country Christmas WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS Christmas Stroll, Arts & Crafts Bazaar JANUARY BELT – Gun Show GREAT FALLS MT PRCA Pro Rodeo Circuit Finals HAVRE – Ice Fishing Derby Wine & Microbrew Gala LEWISTOWN Montana Winter Fair VALIER – Annual MSA Ice Drags FEBRUARY WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS 100-Mile Snowmobile Poker Run MARCH GREAT FALLS C.M. Russell Auction & Exhibitors Show Made in Montana Marketplace

First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park (photo courtesy Travis S., Flickr)

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •• MontanaTravelRecreation.com

53

Region 4

Reg. 1 pg. 6

South Central Montana

Reg. 5 pg. 75

Reg. 3 pg. 42

Reg. 2 pg. 28

Reg. 6 pg. 83

4 87

Ryegate

REGION 3

89

llatin Ga

Gardiner

Silver Gate

Mammoth Hot Springs

West Yellowstone

HO

IDA

Old Faithful

Madison Jct West Thumb

Lake

Yellowstone Lake

Grant Village

To Jackson • Region 4

Cooke City

20 14 16

Bridger

212

Red Lodge

YELLOWSTONE Canyon NATIONAL Jct PARK

191

54

78

Pryor

Edgar

Roscoe

Tower Jct

Norris Jct

90

Rockvale

Roberts

212

278

Quake Lake Hebgen Lake

419

Park City

k

Fo r

Pray

Absarokee

ive r

Emigrant

94

Laurel Columbus

90

Nye

Stillw ater R

River

McLeod

Yel low

Gallatin Gateway 191

Livingston

Worden

Billings

306

Ye llo wstone R.

310

Clar ks

s R

90

Greycliff

Boulder River

Bozeman Hot Springs

River

ston e

iver

M ad i so nR

REGION 2

Bozeman

84

Big Sky

Big Timber

Clyde Park

3

Rapelje

191

Wilsall

86

Belgrade

Three Forks

Shield

iver

ou ri R iss

Willow Creek

Manhattan

87

Broadview

Melville

72

Warren

WYOMING 120 ALT

14

Lovell, WY Powell, WY

Cody, WY

REGION 6

M

12

Roundup

Musselshell Rive r

r ive

89

Lavina

Belgrade Farm Ride (courtesy Nicolas Boullosa)

Attractions (courtesy Beartooth Pla teau Outfitters)

Absarokee

Located south of Columbus on Highway 78.

Absarokee features many recreational opportunities, including whitewater rafting, horseback riding, fishing and camping. The community also has a swimming pool and park with tennis courts. The friendly people you’ll meet will fill you in on the best places to wet your line, or if you like, leave the planning and outfitting to the guides and fly shops in the area.

Though the town of Absarokee has never incorporated, it has continued to grow and flourish over the years with the guidance and assistance of a strong force of volunteers.

During the summer of 1910, the Sandstone School was built and in 1917 the Cobblestone High School was built with rocks hauled from the Rosebud River by local residents. Both buildings are listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Absarokee hosts many of the spring and summer events held in Stillwater County. The Quick Draw & Art Auction, the Montana Barbeque Cook-Off and the Stillwater Art & Wine Festival are just a few.

Don’t miss Absarokee Days, an annual event held the last weekend of July. A parade, barbeque and craft fair are only a few of the planned activities. The Cobblestone Preservation Committee sponsors the annual Farmer’s Market, held Labor Day weekend on the school grounds. Spend some time viewing the many quilts on display during the annual Quilt Show.

This event is a favorite of locals and visitors alike.

Belgrade

Located 9 miles northwest of Bozeman, and 1 mile from Gallatin Field Airport or Bozeman Airport, which is actually in Belgrade.

Make Belgrade your first stop under the Big Sky. We have lots of things to see and do. The Gallatin Valley boasts legendary trout fishing. Access to blue ribbon trout streams will keep the serious angler coming back for more. Several rivers and streams are just a short drive from Belgrade.

For the ski enthusiast, find out why the locals stay here. They have

Belgrade / Bozeman Airport I-90 Exit 298 6450 Jackrabbit Lane Belgrade, MT 59714

(406) 388-1493

snow and lots of it! Bridger Bowl and Big Sky ski areas are just a short drive from Belgrade. They offer plenty of mountain for skiers of all ages and ability. For snowmobile buffs, hundreds of miles of National Forest trails await you. Yellowstone National Park, Americas’ oldest national park, is only 90 miles south of Belgrade is open to snowmobiles from December to March.

Belgrade’s Annual Fall Festival held on the third weekend in September, invites everyone to a whole day of festivities featuring a parade, open pit barbecue, arts and crafts, games, displays and more. In everyone’s travels, visit Belgrade, the direct route to Big Sky and Yellowstone National Park.

Beartooth Plateau Outfitters

Located in Cooke City, MT. Let us be your hosts and show you the Yellowstone Park Back Country, and the Absaroka -Beartooth Wilderness High Lake Area.

We operate out of pack stations located at Cooke City, and Wisdom, Montana. The Cooke City Pack Station is our headquarters for our summer and early fall season June 15 - September 20. We specialize in “away from the crowd” horseback pack trips into the backcountry. Our pack trips offer secluded fishing in famous trout waters.

Whether you go to the Absaroka - Beartooth Wilderness or into Yellowstone, the wildlife, beautiful wild flowers, waterfalls and towering granite peaks offer infinite photography and sightseeing opportunities.

Stop in our Orvis Fly Shop, located on Main Street, in Cooke City, for local information & fishing supplies. For more information, e-mail us at ronnie@beartoothoutfitters.com or you can visit us on our website at www. beartoothoutfitters.com

Beartooth Plateau Outfitters ORVIS FLY FISHING EXPEDITION OUTFITTER

www.super8.com 1-800-800-8000

6445 Jackrabbit Lane Belgrade, MT 59714

(406) 388-2222

Summer pack trips into Yellowstone Park and Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness

ORVIS Fly Shop

1-800-253-8545 WY #160

Ronnie L. Wright Licensed Outfitter

MT #536

(800) SLEEP LQ (753-3757) www.LQ.com

P.O. Box 1127 • Cooke City, MT 59020

Locations Also In Kalispell, Great Falls & Missoula

archery & rifle elk hunts www.beartoothoutfitters.com • ronnie@beartoothoutfitters.com

(406) 445-2293

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

55

Turner Peak in Summer & Winter (photos courtesy Big Sky Chamber of Commerce)

Big Sky

Located 38 miles south of Bozeman off U.S. Highway 191.

Located between West Yellowstone and Bozeman along the beautiful Gallatin River, Big Sky is a growing resort community with something for everyone. Surrounded by wilderness areas and the vast Gallatin National Forest, Big Sky boasts unparalleled recreation and magnificent moun-

The Way To Fish E Big Sky

Complete Fly Shop, Guide Service Accommodating All Ages

(888) 707-1505

est. 1984

56

• Region 4

Hwy. 191 • Box 160212 Big Sky, MT 59716 www.montanaflyfishing.com info@montanaflyfishing.com

tains in which to get out and enjoy it all. A 400+ inch annual snowfall and 5,512 acres of skiable terrain between Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin defines Big Sky as the Biggest Skiing in America. Endless winter outdoor activities ranging from alpine skiing and snowboarding to Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, dogsledding, snowmobiling and more contribute to this one of a kind winter experience.

As winter makes way into spring and summer, Big Sky explodes with an array of concerts, festivals, rodeos and outdoor events. July and August are host to the Music in the Mountains, a weekly series of free outdoor concerts representing various musical genres in the Big Sky Town Center under the backdrop of Lone Mountain. Big Sky is also known for having some of the best blue ribbon trout fishing in the lower 48 out its back door, with access to the Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Rivers.

During the summer, kayaking and white-water rafting are among some of the popular activities that keep visitors coming back again and again. Coupled with hiking, mountain biking, ranch activities, horseback riding, golf, and pure relaxation, Big Sky is a little slice of heaven just outside the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

Come visit Big Sky where the mountains are vast and the beauty is immeasurable. Visit our website www.bigskychamber.com or email info@bigskychamber.com

(photo courtesy The Fort)

Big Timber

Located at the Junction of Int. 90 & Highway 191; 60 miles east of Bozeman, 80 miles west of Billings.

Perhaps more than anywhere else in the state, the area around Big Timber incorporates the varied beauty of Montana. It’s located at the jct. of the beautiful Yellowstone and Boulder Rivers and nestled in a valley between the imposing Crazy Mountains to the northwest and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness to the south. To the northeast, the Great Plains of Montana begin.

Given the surroundings, it’s easy to see why the opportunities for outdoor recreation are excellent year-round. Whether you’re striking out on your own, hiring a guide or staying at one of the area’s many guest ranches, you’ll find superb fishing, hunting, hiking and cross-country skiing.

At the head of McLeod Street in Big Timber is the Boulder River, with great fishing and fantastic scenery along Highway 298 for 50 miles up into the Gallatin National Forest.

About 30 miles up scenic 298 is Natural Bridge and Falls, where the Boulder cascades over a 90 ft. falls and at low water, flows under a natural stone arch. The surrounding forest has campgrounds and over 300 miles of scenic trails that wind their way over and through mountains and valleys.

At the other end of McLeod Street, the wide Yellowstone offers more blue ribbon trout fishing and is also popular for family float trips. There are five public fishing access sites in Sweet Grass County (four on the Yellowstone, two on the Boulder) and some allow overnight camping.

Some attractions in the Big Timber area include the Yellowstone River Cutthroat Trout Hatchery and Greycliff Prairie Dog Town, a blacktailed prairie dog community protected by the Nature Conservancy and the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks (nine miles east via Interstate 90).

Learn more online at www.bigtimber.com

Big Timber Lake (photo courtesy Jay

Green)

The Fort The Fort on the east end of Highway 10 in Big Timber nestled in the Yellowstone Valley (between Billings and Bozeman) is accessible from I-90 with two exits. The Fort is within walking distance of the Boulder and Yellowstone, two of Montana’s finest blue ribbon trout fishing streams.

The Crazy Mountains to the north and the Absaroka and Beartooth ranges to the south, provide nature and outdoor enthusiasts with an abundance of family recreational opportunities.

The Fort provides travelers, shoppers and sporting enthusiasts with an array of products featuring Sinclair fuels, hunting and fishing licenses, guns, sporting accessories, groceries, fine wines and cold beer.

The Fort also houses a Montana State Liquor Agency, a fresh deli and one of Montana’s finest gift shops.

We look forward to serving you with fast Montana friendly service. You’ll be glad you stopped at our most unique business.

The Fort Big Timber, MT 59011

(406) 932-5992

Something for Everyone Air ✪ Beer ✪ Clean Restrooms ✪ Clothing ✪ Deli ✪ Diesel ✪ Gas ✪ Gift Shop ✪ Groceries ✪ Guns ✪ Ice ✪ Ice Cream ✪ State Liquor Agency ✪ Wine ✪ Sporting Goods and Licenses ✪

FRIENDLY SERVICE

OPEN 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. ✪ 7 Days A Week fort@mtintouch.net MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

57

Billings

Runner on the Rims (photo courtesy Billings Chamber of Commerce / CVB) You’re headin’ to Billings: Montana’s city. For something between “open space” and “Western pace.” For the beauty of Big Sky Country, the grandeur of the Yellowstone River and the shelter of the sandstone bluffs that embrace us, known as the Rims. You’re headin’ for modern conveniences on the edge of the genuine frontier. For the authentic historical West. For a place to explore the many adventures Montana has to offer and still be home for dinner. You’re headin’ for a place of forever views, forever memories and the adventure of the untamed wilderness and history right out your front door. Billings is Montana’s Trailhead.

Nestled in southeastern Montana, Billings is the perfect gateway to the rugged high country to the west and the rolling plains of the east.

Billings

Your Ideal Choice For Billings Hotels…

Indoor Pool • Hot Tub • Continental Breakfast

Consider beginning your visit at the Visitor Information Center (Exit 450) for a map and information about your visit. Whether you’re looking for adventures in history, a relaxing getaway, some truly Montanan recreation, or a combination of the three, Billings has got you covered.

Or, plan to “base camp” in Billings to take in some of the most notable attractions in this part of the country. With its central location, you are just 30 minutes from Pompeys Pillar National Monument, or 50 minutes from Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and the Crow Reservation. Yellowstone National Park is a scenic drive southwest over Hwy. 212 (Beartooth Highway), arguably the most beautiful entrance to the Park. Or, find the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, perfect for boating, fishing and more, a short drive southeast.

For suggested itineraries, day trips, deals and savings and much more, log on to www.visitbillings.com Or, contact the Billings Chamber of Commerce/Convention and Visitors Bureau at (406) 245-4111 or (800) 735-2635.

Toll Free: (800) 635-3559 (406) 248-9800

5610 S. Frontage Rd. • Billings, MT 59101 www.kellyinnbillings.com

(406) 254-2510 www.geyserpark.net

earOpenouYnd! R 58

• Region 4

• 18-Hole Adventure Golf Course • Go-Karts • Bumper Boats • Birthday Parties • Latest Video Games • Huge State-of-the-Art Laser Tag Arena • 3-Level Kidopolis • Playground • Full-Service Pizza Restaurant • & Much More!

I-90 Exit 447 4910 Southgate Drive Billings, MT 59101

Hours vary Fall through Spring, call ahead!

The Best Little Motel In Montana 2601 4th Ave. North • Billings, MT 59101 Toll Free Resv: (888) 544-9358 Phone: (406) 245-6646 • Fax: (406) 245-9358

Our standard amenities are anything but.

• Complimentary Breakfast • Pool & Hot Tub • High-Speed Internet • Pets Allowed

Best Western plus Kelly Inn & Suites

4915 Southgate Dr., Billings, MT 59101 | 406.256.9400 1.800.780.7234 | fax: 406.256.9405 | www.bwbillings.com Each Best Western® branded hotel is independently owned and operated. ©2012 Best Western International, Inc. All rights reserved.

Our Junk Might be Your Treasure BUY – SELL – TRADE – ANYTHING OF VALUE $$

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3407 Montana Ave. • Billings, MT 59101

(406) 259-7291 • Shawn or Larry Thiel Cell (406) 861-3407 Fax (406) 248-4381

mber of Commerce / CVB) Sunset (courtesy Billings Cha

Billings

5400 Southgate Dr. • Billings, MT

(406) 248-8842

Free SuperStart® Breakfast • Free High Speed Internet • HBO • Exex King Suites • Exercise Room Join TripRewards® Today!

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Continental Breakfast High Speed Internet Access Family Units Kitchenettes Cable TV Winter Plug-Ins Non-Smoking Rooms Queen Beds Restaurants & Casinos Nearby

1206 Main (Near Metra) • Billings, MT 59105

(406) 252-8451 • (800) 275-8451 www.heightsinnmotel.com

Billings Geese (courtesy Eric, Flickr)

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

59

Bozeman

Flyfishing the Madison River (cou rtesy Tom Roche)

Bozeman Powwow (courtesy Adib Roy)

Located 82 miles east of Butte, 142 miles west of Billings, via I-90.

Established during the 1864 gold rush, Bozeman has survived and thrived on diversity.

Located in the picturesque and wildlife rich Gallatin Valley, Bozeman combines the physical setting and historical cultural attractions that make up a perfect vacation. Walking tours of historic downtown Bozeman are available from the chamber of commerce to help you leisurely explore the shops, galleries and restaurants. While in town, don’t miss a chance to visit one of our museums. Numerous local parks and nearby recreational areas offer hiking, biking, picnic areas, swimming and fishing.

The East Gallatin Recreation Area in the northeast corner of Bozeman and the Bozeman Ponds on the west end next to the Gallatin Valley Mall offer swimming and fishing on a day-use basis. Hiking and cross-country

5

skiing are big in Bozeman, with an abundance of trails for both.

The Bozeman area is famous among fly-fishermen who come to enjoy the blue ribbon runs, riffles and pools of the Gallatin, Madison, Boulder, Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers. Add to these the miles of tributaries and spring creeks in the area, along with hundreds of high mountain lakes, and there’s more fishing than one could do in a lifetime. Stop by a local tackle shop or consider hiring a guide to help you with the area and fly or lure selection.

The Bozeman area is equally productive for hunters, with an abundance of elk, mule deer, moose, black bear, mountain lion, bighorn sheep and mountain goat in the surrounding Gallatin National Forest.

• Free Continental Breakfast • Free Wireless Internet • Pets Permitted with Fee

510 N 7th • Bozeman, MT 406.587.4201 www.rainbowmotelbozeman.com rainbowmotel@gmail.com Excellent service & clean rooms at an affordable rate.

• Outdoor Pool & Hot Tub • Internet • Coffeemaker, Hair Dryer & Mini-Fridge in Every Room • Laundry Facilities 1235 N. 7th • Bozeman, MT 59715

Winter hours: 11 am – 4 pm, Tue – Sat

60

• Region 4

406-587-3176

www.bozemaninn.com

MUSEUM OF THE ROCKIES

The Museum of the Rockies (MOR) offers a world-class, multi-faceted educational experience geared towards lifelong learning. Called “Montana’s most entertaining museum” by Lonely Planet, the Museum of the Rockies is Montana’s premier natural and cultural history museum, the most-visited museum in the state, and a Smithsonian Affiliate.

A must-see attraction, MOR is best known for its paleontology program and is home to famed paleontologist Jack Horner who was scientific advisor to the Jurassic Park movies and a commentator on many Discovery Channel specials. Dinosaurs under the Big Sky in the 11,000-square-foot Siebel Dinosaur showcases 25 years of Horner’s research.

MOR has the largest dinosaur fossil collection in the United States and many of its most famous fossils are on display, together with life-size dinosaur casts and models. Visitors will find exhibits of Native American culture, Montana history and a living history farm depicting homestead life in the 19th century.

Children of all ages enjoy Explore Yellowstone in the new Children’s Discovery Center where they can learn more about the wonders of Yellowstone in a safe, hands-on educational setting. Planetarium shows are offered daily and traveling exhibits change throughout the year.

Summer hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The rest of the year, the museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 12:30 to 5 p.m. Sundays.

Located on the MSU campus at 600 West Kagy Blvd. For a current listing of show times and exhibits, go to museumoftherockies.org or call (406) 994-2241.

A sculpture of a Triceratops is the centerpiece of the new Hall of Horns and Teeth at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman.

Theories about the purpose of their horns will be a central issue addressed in the exhibit. (John Little, Museum of the Rockies)

Our standard amenities are anything but.

• Restaurant Onsite • Pool & Hot Tub • Airport Shuttle • High-Speed Internet • Pets Allowed

Best Western PLUS GranTree Inn

1325 N. 7th Ave., Bozeman, MT 59715 | 406.587.5261 1.800.624.5865 | www.grantreeinn.com Each Best Western® branded hotel is independently owned and operated. ©2012 Best Western International, Inc. All rights reserved.

Bozeman

800 Wheat Dr. • Bozeman, MT 59715

(406) 586-1521

Free SuperStart® Breakfast • Free High Speed Internet • Business Center • Pets Allowed

www.super8.com 1-800-800-8000

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

61

Bridger

Located on State Highway 72 southwest of Billings.

Bridger was named after one of the first white men to explore Yellowstone Park, Jim Bridger. Bridger scouted many of the trails and knew the mountains so well, he guided many people through the area. The area is best known for its farm economy and supports a variety of small businesses, including a furniture manufacturing company and computer software firm.

The Pryor Mountains are located east of Bridger and cover about 300,000 acres. Bridger is the gateway to the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Drive southeast on U.S. Highway 310 to Lovell, Wyoming, then north on Wyoming Highway 37 to reach Devil’s Canyon Overlook.

This scenic view of Bighorn Canyon is where the canyon Crosscuts a 1,000-foot-high segment of the fault that makes up the Pryor Mountains.

The Pryor Mountains are home to about 130 wild, free-roaming mustangs believed to be descended from a herd that may have arrived as early as the 1700s. Visitors may catch a glimpse of them at the Pryor Mountains National Wild Horse Range, just north of the overlook. This rugged, desertlike country offers hiking, birding, and backcountry driving.

www.dryheadranch.com • (307) 548-6688 Cattle Drives & Horse Drives Come be a part of the real thing.

Experience the Cowboy lifestyle.

Dryhead Canyon Buffalo Jump Near Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range Live Cattle Drives Wyoming to Montana and Back!

Join us for a real working cattle ranch experience in the shadow of Montana’s Beartooth Mountains!

Two Cabins • Hot Tub • Aromatherapy Massage • Cattle Drives & Branding • Team Penning, Roping • River Float • Fly-Fishing • Seasonal Rodeo • Bbq

151 Schwend Rd. • Bridger, MT 59014

406-662-3460 • Cell: 406-690-8843 www.lonesomespur.com lonespur@nemont.net

Old Farm Equipment, Bridger

Columbus

(courtesy J. Stephen Conn)

Located at the Junction of I-90 & Hwy. 78, approx. 40 mi. w. of Billings.

Your travel through Montana’s incredible “hidden valley” begins here.

Nestled between the Yellowstone River and I-90, Columbus, the county seat, is a full service community. With a population of nearly 2,000, Columbus offers a wide variety of recreational, business and social services. Four city parks offer swimming, tennis, basketball, horseshoes and baseball fields with walking / jogging tracks. Camp, fish, or float the Yellowstone River a Itch-Kep-Pe Park. Exit I-90 at Columbus to start your trip to Yellowstone National Park via the beautiful Highway 78 to Red Lodge and the breathtaking Beartooth Pass.

Columbus began as a stage station on the Yellowstone Trail and is now a shipping center for the rich farm and ranch lands around it. Originally

called Stillwater by its founder and located two miles west of present day Columbus, it soon became known as Eagle’s Nest. Later it was listed as an Indian trading post called Sheep Dip. With the arrival of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1881, the town relocated to its present position. The railroad’s arrival was instrumental in the development of Columbus as a permanent city and the primary urban center in Stillwater County.

Prosperity came to Columbus when the Montana Sandstone Company was chosen to furnish the stone for the state capitol in Helena. Mountain View Cemetery, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, has many beautiful and ornate monuments cut by artisans from the sandstone.

The summer months hold something for everyone! The annual Stillwater Shindig at the Museum of the Beartooths and Stillwater County Fair are just a few.

River Quest Angler

1203 E. 3rd Ave. South Columbus, MT 59019

Yellowstone & Stillwater River Fishing

Flyfish Our Rivers with Excellent Guides for Wild Trout Columbus, MT 59019

406-322-4838 • 800-356-2850 riverqst@netzero.net

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• Region 4

(406) 322-4298

Nestled Along the Scenic Yellowstone River

9-Hole Course Tee Times Recommended Walk-ons Welcome

Driving Range • Putting Green • Golf Club & Cart Rental • Snacks & Beverages

colter pass, cooke city, silver gate

This unique mountain valley is nestled between Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley, the rugged peaks of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, and Wyoming’s Sunlight Basin. Cooke City, Silver Gate and Colter Pass are a true representative of “The Last Best Place.” These communities offer spectacular scenery and endless opportunities for both summer and winter recreation, with access to over 12 million acres of National Park Service, National Forest and Wilderness lands. The Beartooth Mountains and Yellowstone National Park provide endless terrain for recreation. Bear, moose, elk, wolves, and deer are just a few of the animals that make their home in this pristine landscape.

Cooke City is located 4 mi. E. of Yellowstone National Park. The surrounding area has long been a winter hotspot for snowmobiling and ATV’s. Miles of groomed trails and plenty of true backcountry riding attract riders from all over the world. The area boasts on average, 300 inches of snow per year. This full service community has year-round services, including cabin and motel lodging, restaurants and shopping to provide for all your needs.

Silver Gate sits quietly at 7,400 feet elevation, one mile from Yellowstone’s Northeast entrance and only 15 minutes from Yellowstone’s famed Lamar Valley. Non-motorized winter recreation opportunities are unsurpassed. Silver Gate is an ideal base camp for cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, photography and wildlife viewing excursions. In the summer, enjoy backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking and horseback riding. Silver Gate has log cabins and motel lodging, restaurants and gift shops.

Colter Pass is 3 miles east of Cooke City, and is accessible by automobile from May to October, and via snow travel only, from November to May. It sits at 8,200 ft. with an average snowfall of 500 inches a year. Colter Pass provides lodging and a starting point for all your outdoor activities.

Skyline Guest Ranch & Guide Service, Inc. P.O. Box 1074 Cooke City, MT 59020

www.flyfishyellowstone.com Guided Fly-Fishing • Hunting • Trail Rides • Bed & Breakfast (406) 838-2380 • Toll Free: (877) 238-8885

Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness (courtesy Brooke Maddox)

High Country Motel Motel & Cabins Some Kitchenettes P.O. Box 1146 • Hwy. 212 Cooke City, MT 59020 • (406) 838-2272

32 Rooms Restaurant • Sports Bar Casino • Live Poker Direct TV • Free WiFi Public Laundromat Online Reservations

~ Lodge Available ~ Group Parties Meetings Reunions

Lodge, Log Cabins & New 5-Room Motel Near Yellowstone National Park in the Heart of the Beartooth Mountains, Open Year-Round Bar & Restaurant ~ Kitchenettes ~ Big Screen Tv Snowmobiling, Back Country Skiing, Fishing, Hunting, & Hiking

(866) 738-2432 • www.cookecityantlerslodge.com P.O. Box 1152 • 311 Main St. E. • Cooke City, MT 59020

dard f Stan $10 of m Rate Roo

(406) 838-2251

210 Hwy. 212 Cooke City, MT 59020

www.cookecity.com

FISHTAIL AND DEAN

Step into classic Big Sky Country as you journey to Fishtail. The area guest ranches offer everything you would expect - dramatic views, quiet and privacy. Local outfitters provide guided fishing trips and mountain adventure on horseback. If you’re headed into the backcountry on your own, get everything you need in Fishtail, picnic at the Fishtail Family Park, or visit one of the restaurants in town.

Fishtail Family Fun Day, an annual event, is held in June. Previous years have seen parades, a carnival for kids, community yard sale, food and entertainment.

The small community of Dean, on the outskirts of Fishtail, hosts a variety of events all summer long. If you like off road adventure, rent an ATV at Dean - there are miles of trails and spectacular scenery waiting for you. You can also enjoy fine dining with panoramic views of the Beartooth Mountains.

Sin 190 ce 0 Truly a “general” store with a bit of everything including food and drink, clothing, hardware, camping, hunting & fishing supplies; hunting & fishing licenses. Handmade crafts, toys, wall hangings, candles & soaps made by local folks.

P.O. Box 130 • Fishtail, MT 59028

(406) 328-4260

www.fishtailgeneralstore.com • Become a Fan on Facebook!

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

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Laurel

Located 15 miles W. of Billings on I-94.

Laurel is a city rich in history and heritage. In 1877, Chief Joseph led his community of over 900 Nez Perce Indians through this area in an effort to avoid the U.S. Military and join forces with Sitting Bull in Canada.

A sculpture in Fireman’s Park commemorates this Indian flight.

The Canyon Creek Battlesite is just a short drive north. Two Lewis and Clark sites, Buffalo Mirage and “The Lodge Where All Danced” are located just west and south of Laurel. The rich Russian-German heritage is evident in buildings, cuisine and celebrations.

Excellent fishing and hunting abound here in the Yellowstone Valley!

In the summer there is rafting and boating on the Yellowstone River… in the winter, skiing and snowmobiling in the Beartooth Mountains. Laurel hosts a Farmer’s Market every Wednesday from July through September at the Town Square.

Laurel entertains over 15,000 people for the 4th of July celebration.

Laurel has the largest fireworks display in Montana. On July 3rd, the Laurel Jaycees sponsor a street dance. Then the 4th starts with the Chief Joseph Run. The day is packed full of activities for all ages. The parade starts at noon. After the parade, most people gather in Thomson Park, shop at the Food & Craft Fair, and wait for the fireworks at dusk. It really is a day the entire family can enjoy.

For more information, phone the Laurel Chamber of Commerce at (406) 628-8105 and request a visitor’s package.

Pelican Truck Plaza & RV Park

Cabins & Motel • Convenience Store • 24 Hour Restaurant Open Year Round • Propane • Gas • Diesel • Showers Laundry • Free Wireless Internet • Antiques

(406) 628-4324

Off I-90, Exit 437 • Laurel, MT Our standard amenities are anything but.

• Complimentary Continental Breakfast • Pool & Hot Tub • Fitness Center • High-Speed Internet • Pets Allowed

Best Western Yellowstone Crossing

205 SE 4th Street, Laurel, MT 59044 | 406.628.6888 1.800.WESTERN | www.bestwesternmontana.com Each Best Western® branded hotel is independently owned and operated. ©2012 Best Western International, Inc. All rights reserved.

Livingston

July 4 Parade, Livingston (photo courtesy Howard Hecht)

Flying Diamond Guide Service

12 Luccock Park Rd. • Livingston, MT 59047

(406) 222-1748 • (406) 222-7362 www.flyingdiamondguide.com

Bow & rifle hunting for elk, deer & bear • Overnight pack trips across the summer cattle grazing range to our 100 yr. old homestead • Day fishing trips • Horse back rides by the hour • Over-night wolf sighting tours

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• Region 4

Livingston

114 Loves Lane • Livingston, MT 59047 (406) 222-4400 • (800) 424-4777 www.choicehotels.com/hotel/mt036

• Free Wireless High-Speed Internet Access • Free Deluxe Continental Breakfast • Microwaves & Refrigerators in all Rooms • Indoor Heated Pool & Hot Tub • 100% Non-Smoking / Pet-Free Hotel

Rustic Decor • In-Room Coffee Fridge & Microwave New A/C & Heater • Laundry Cable TV • WiFi In All Rooms Laundry Facility On-Site

John & Tillie Lamey

#5 Rogers Lane • I-90, Exit 333 Livingston, MT 59047

(406) 222-3600

Newly Remodeled Rooms

McLeod Resort

Five cabins, a fishing guest-house, campground, central restroom & laundry, and a relaxing, get-away atmosphere.

(406) 932-6167 www.mcleodresort.com

P.O. Box 27 • McLeod, MT 59052 Livingston

Located at the junction of Interstate 90 & Highway 89, at Exit 333, just 25 miles east of Bozeman.

Livingston is often described as an art mecca and fly fishers’ paradise.

While this charming town, situated alongside the Yellowstone River and framed by the snowcapped peaks of four mountain ranges, has plenty to offer in the way of historic / cultural attractions, activities and events, it is most likely the scenic splendor that lures visitors back again and again. It’s this notable natural beauty that prompted Robert Redford to choose the Livingston area as the backdrop for the movie “A River Runs Through It.” A great place for a family picnic on the river is Sacajawea Park. The park features tennis courts, a playground, a river trail and a lagoon for bird watching and fishing.

Stroll through the downtown Livingston National Historic Districts, visit the two museums or enjoy the vintage Yellowstone Bus tour. Livingston Gallery Association offers ArtWalks every 4th Friday, June-Sept.

Before other entrances were created, Livingston was the “original

in Livingston, Montana

The BEST of both worlds…

Budget Rates at fine, independent inns.

Free WiFi • At Door Parking • Air Conditioned Kitchenettes • Outdoor Bar-B-Q Area Laundry Facilities • Pets Welcome • In Room Coffee

budgethostparkway@gmail.com

(406) 222-3840 • Reservations: (800) 727-7217 Take Livingston Exit 333 On I-90

1124 West Park St. • Livingston, MT 59047

Livingston

I-90 Exit 333 105 Centennial Drive Livingston, MT 59047

(406) 222-7711

www.super8.com 1-800-800-8000

Livingston

111 Rogers Lane • Livingston, MT 59047

(406) 222-0555

www.qualityinn.com • Free Hot Breakfast • High-Speed Internet • Indoor Pool • Laundry • Pets Allowed gateway city” to Yellowstone National Park located 52 miles south via Hwy. 89. The route to YNP is flanked by two mountain ranges along the picturesque Paradise Valley. Half way down the valley, at Emigrant, turn east and follow the signs to visit “historically romantic” Chico Hot Springs.

Enjoy this and other vacation resorts, B&B’s, fishing/whitewater trips, trailrides, cross-country and dog-sled excursions throughout Park County.

Check the chamber’s online calendar for event dates or view the Visitors Guide at www.livingston-chamber.com For more information, contact the Livingston Area Chamber at (406) 222-0850.

nye

The community of Nye is located at the upper end of the Stillwater “hidden valley.” The area was cherished by the Crow Indians, long before white settlers arrived. Ranches dominate the valley with cattle and sheep populating the fields. The sparkling waters of the Stillwater River offer superb fishing. The spectacular mountains hold mineral treasures which attracted prospectors as early as the 1860s.

The drive from Nye to the Stillwater River Trailhead is one of the most scenic in Big Sky Country. Enjoy a short walk to the falls, hike into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area, or take advantage of the local outfitters for an adventure-filled trip into the high country of the Beartooth Mountains.

Pray

Livingston Rodeo (courtesy Candace Fladager)

Located 21 miles S. of Livingston.

Pray is in the heart of the scenic and picturesque Paradise Valley.

Mountains surround this small town and the Yellowstone River and a world famous trout stream are nearby. Area residents are primarily engaged in cattle ranching and recreational activities.

Outfitters provide their services to clients on nearby lakes and streams and also on horseback pack-trips in the surrounding mountains. Crosscountry skiing, downhill skiing, snowmobiling and dog sledding are some of the winter activities enjoyed in this area.

Overnight accommodations are available at several bed and breakfasts, numerous campgrounds and hotels.

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

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Reed point

Located at Montana M.P. 392 on I-90, 23 miles east of Big Timber, 17 miles west of Columbus on the banks of the Yellowstone River.

The western-most Stillwater County community of Reed Point is one of the smallest towns along I-90 and the Yellowstone River. The picturesque setting gives it a feeling of serenity, peacefulness and quiet.

Access to the Yellowstone River is north of town. Reed Point is a haven for fishermen, river floaters and swimmers.

Attend the annual “Great Montana Sheep Drive” on Labor Day weekend.

Residents warmly welcome everyone for a wild and wooly time. Bring your sense of humor, enjoy the parade, carnival games, dozens of food and craft vendors and a street dance. It’s sure to be a memorable time for the whole family!

(courtesy Ed Thomes)

Roundup

Located at the Jct. of Hwy. 87 & Hwy. 12, approximately 50 miles north of Billings.

From Billings, a short drive north on Hwy. 87 through the Bull Mountains, brings you to the town of Roundup, nestled against the Musselshell River.

Watch for wildlife on the way! Outdoor summer activities include rodeos and motocross competitions, and fishing, picnics and camping along the banks of the Musselshell River.

For more information, contact the Roundup (Musselshell Valley) Chamber of Commerce: (406) 323-1966 or visit their website www. roundupchamber.net

“You Are A Stranger Only Once” 740 Main – Hwy. 12 & 87 Roundup, MT 59072

(406) 323-2303

www.billingsguide.com/bigskymotel

Autumn’s Inn

630 Main Street Roundup, MT 59072

Three Forks Horse Roundup (courtesy Jerem

y Wheaton)

(888) 422-1224 • (406) 323-1000 autumninn@midrivers.com

Continental Breakfast • Free WiFi • Business Center • Gift Shop / Nail Spa • Microwaves & Refrigerators • Suites & Apartments Available

Three Forks

Located 30 miles west of Bozeman, via I-90.

Three Forks is situated at the Headwaters of the Missouri River. It is the confluence of the Madison, Gallatin, and Jefferson Rivers.

The early travels and adventures of Lewis and Clark, led by Sacajawea, brings a colorful history to this small Gallatin Valley community.

Three Forks was a crossroads of American Indian trails. This brought fierce bloody battles between the Flatheads and the Crows. Even John Colter narrowly escaped death on the bluffs just north of town. Historic attractions surround the area. Explore Headwaters State Park, Madison Buffalo Jump State Monument and Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, which are just a few of the natural wonders.

Outdoor recreation is unsurpassed with hundreds of miles of accessible blue ribbon trout streams. The Madison, Gallatin, Jefferson and Missouri Rivers are among the world’s most famous. Excellent fishing and hunting opportunities attract visitors. Enjoy wildlife viewing, rock/mineral hunting, mountain biking, camping, outfitting, ice skating and canoeing.

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• Region 4

Broken Spur Motel Truck Parking • Free Continental Breakfast • Air Conditioning Wireless Internet • Clean, Comfortable Rooms Gift Shop: Montana Made Gifts, Jewelry & Souvenirs Directions: U.S. I-90, Take Exit 278 Through Town, Turn Right Onto State Hwy. 2

124 West Elm • P.O. Box 1009 Three Forks, MT 59752

(406) 285-3237 • (888) 354-3048 www.brokenspurmotel.com

Gardiner, Red Lodge & West Yellowstone Gateways to Yellowstone National Park

Bison at Yellowstone Lake (photo courtesy Richie Diesterheft)

Gardiner

Located 53 miles south of Livingston via Highway 89.

Gardiner is a small community situated at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park and is the only year-round entrance into the park. It is surrounded by snowcapped mountains, spacious valleys and offers residents and visitors alike a very liveable, clean, healthy environment. Gardiner is located in Park County down the road from Livingston, Montana.

The name Park County refers to Yellowstone National Park. The Yellowstone River, the nation’s longest still undammed and free flowing river, meanders out of the park northward through Paradise Valley. The Yellowstone River is designated a “Blue Ribbon” trout stream, the nation’s highest rating.

“THE TOWN”

For All Of Your Traveling Needs Located On Hwy. 89 & Park St. • Gardiner, MT 59030

(406) 848-7322

K Cafe K Motel K Lounge K Casino

Outside the North Gate to Yellowstone Park

228 Park St. • Gardiner, MT 59030 Open 7 days a week 9 a.m. to sundown

406-848-7904

www.outwestapparel.com

Souvenir Clothing • Best Selection • Finest Quality • Reasonable Prices

1-800-862-0557 • wildwestrafting.com • Half Day & Full Day • Saddle & Paddle • Scenic Float Family Fun for Everyone!

K Gift Shop K Gas Station K Sinclair C-Store MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

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Yellowstone Village Inn Your Base Camp for Yellowstone Nat’l Park

• Clean • Indoor Pool • WIFI • Contential Breakfast • Flat Screen TVs • Refrigerators • No Pets Gardiner, MT • 1-800-228-8158

www.yellowstonevinn.com

Hillcrest Cottages

At the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park www.hillcrestcottages.com

800-970-7353

• Single & 2-Room Cottages • Kitchenettes • Satellite TV • A/C • Non-Smoking

While the Yellowstone River is the heart of Park County, there are many 400 Scott St., Route 89 small streams and spring creeks to explore. Nearly half of the acreage Gardiner, MT 59030 in Park County is publicly owned and open for access making it easy to step out and stretch your legs, hunt, fish, picnic, or simply take a back road drive. With Yellowstone National Park at its door, there is another 2,219,823 acres to explore.

The park has 370 miles of paved roads and 1,210 miles of trails with 85 Located at North Entrance to Yellowstone Nat’l Park trail-heads to start your wandering. It is home to the largest concentration Free SuperStart® Breakfast • Free WiFi of large and small mammals in the lower 48 states.

• Indoor Heated Pool • Suites Available Gardiner is still a community that cherishes its history and works to preserve it, although it does not lack for modern conveniences. It is still 702 Scott St. W. • Gardiner, MT 59030 www.super8.com the kind of place you live for its natural setting. There are five designated 1-800-800-8000 wilderness areas that can be found within driving distance.

In appropriate seasons, one can choose to swim in the river or soak in a natural hot springs pool. Gardiner offers a rodeo, fishing and hunting, backpacking, horseback riding, dog sledding, rafting, kayaking and canoeing.

In the winter, Yellowstone Country is magically transformed under a blanket of snow, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are the most popular activities. Gardiner has grown to meet the needs of today’s visitors. It’s a good place to spend some time rich in history in the heart of some of the West’s finest country. For more information, call the Gardiner Chamber of Commerce at (406) 848-7971 or visit their website www. gardinerchamber.com

Yellowstone (406) 848-7401

Roosevelt Arch, North Entrance to Yellowstone (courtesy 12-Foot Hedgehog Productio ns, Flickr)

Gardiner (courtesy Jimmie, Flickr)

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• Region 4

Bikers on Beartooth Highway (photo courtesy Kate Skegg)

red lodge

Located 60 miles southwest of Billings via Highway 212.

Red Lodge is the center of a year-round Rocky Mountain playground.

Red Lodge is considered to be the most beautiful entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

It was named after the red tepees of the Crow Indians. The town, once the Crow summer camp, was established in 1884 when successful mining operations brought rapid growth. Many of the town’s buildings are listed on the National Historic Register.

The Beartooth All-American Road, named one of the most scenic roads in America, is a gateway to Yellowstone Park. Visitors travel from far away to experience this high alpine mountain pass and the fun town of Red Lodge’s excellent restaurants, galleries, shops and pubs. Take in the a museum or tee up at our golf course.

Red Lodge - Gateway to Yellowstone Park via the beautiful Beartooth All-American Road redlodgechamber@qwestoffice.net

(406) 446-1718

601 N. Broadway Red Lodge, MT 59068

Fabulous hiking trails take you to favorite fishing spots on lakes, streams or along the banks of Rock Creek. In town, a self-guided walking tour will familiarize you with the historic and colorful downtown district. The romance of Red Lodge draws couples for weddings, receptions and honeymoons.

Several local events are worth a trip to Red Lodge. July 2, 3 and 4 brings the Home of Champions Rodeo. Motorcycle enthusiasts will enjoy the Beartooth Rally in July. The Festival of Nations, held each August, celebrates the diversity of nationalities that originally settled the area.

A town for all seasons, Red Lodge is as fun in the winter as it is in the summer. Winter brings snowboarding, downhill and cross-country skiing in our winter paradise.

To learn more, contact the Red Lodge Area Chamber/Visitors Center & Central Reservations Service at (888) 281-0625.

702 S. Hauser Red Lodge, MT 59068

(406) 446-1321 • (888) 567-1321 www.lupineinn.com

Deluxe Continental Breakfast • High Speed Internet (WiFi) • HBO Pool • Spa • Fitness Room • Meeting Room • Guest Computer Business Services • Pets Allowed • Guest Laundry All King & Queen Beds • All Non-Smoking Rooms

Rock Creek Resort

• Premier Lodging • Unique Shopping • Fine Dining

Located along the Spectacular Beartooth Scenic Highway, Five Miles South of Red Lodge.

800-667-1119

www.rockcreekresort.com • info@rockcreekresort.com Stay in Our Finnish Home Built in 1901!

• Cozy & Comfortable • Personalized Attention • Private Suites • Hand-Made Breakfast Whether snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, sight-seeing, or sleeping in, this is your vacation spot!

510 Platt Ave. S. • Red Lodge, MT 59068 406-446-1824 • www.redlodge.com MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

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Snowmobiling Yellowstone (courtesy dchrisoh, Flickr)

West Yellowstone

Located at the western boundary of Yellowstone Park; Junction of Hwy. 20 & Hwy. 191, approximately 90 miles south of Bozeman.

First settled in 1907, West Yellowstone is the western gateway to Yellowstone Park.

With a full range of accommodations, this friendly community is a popular stop for vacationers heading into or out of the park. In winter, it’s the starting/stopping point for numerous cross-country skiing and snowmobile trails.

For more information, contact the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce at (406) 646-7701 or visit their website www.westyellow stonechamber.com

123 Hayden St. West Yellowstone, MT 59758

(406) 646-7586

www.lazygmotel.com Wireless Internet • Satellite TV

West Yellowstone

Your Ideal Choice For Yellowstone Hotels…

Toll Free: (800) 565-6803

(406) 646-4892 • Fax: (406) 646-4893 Indoor Pool • Hot Tub • Continental Breakfast

105 S. Electric St., Box 1745 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 www.yellowstoneclubhouseinn.com

West Yellowstone (courte

sy Thomas Duesing)

Yellowstone National Park

Located in the N.W. corner of Wyoming and overlapping Idaho and Montana borders. Five entrances, via: Hwy. 20 (West Yellowstone); Hwy. 89 (Gardiner); Hwy. 212 (Cooke City/Silver Gate); Hwy. 20/14/16 (W. from Cody, WY); and Hwy. 191 (N. from Jackson, WY).

Designated in 1872 as the world’s first national park, Yellowstone is also arguably the most beautiful and dramatic. The park’s two million-plus acres (3,472 sq. miles) are divided among mountain peaks, breathtaking canyons, pristine lakes, bubbling thermal features, lush forests, meadows & world-famous rivers and streams.

An abundance and variety of wildlife, over 50 species of mammals, including elk, deer, antelope, moose, buffalo, bighorn sheep, black bear and grizzly bear. Enjoy a protected status and roam the park freely. This allows visitors a unique opportunity to view species otherwise difficult, if

Yellowstone Townhouses

Vacation Rentals located at West Gate of Yellowstone Park

Office At: 335 Highway 20 • West Yellowstone, MT 59758

(866) 252-6636

townhouses@wyellowstone.com www.yellowstonetownhouses.com 301 Madison Ave. West Yellowstone, MT 59758

(406) 646-7656 • Resv. (800) 548-9551 www.allyellowstone.com

Open Year-Round • Complete Snowmobile Packages w/Rentals • Heated Indoor Pool • 100 Foot Waterslide • Hot Tubs

800-488-2750 • 406-646-7677 www.onehorsemotel.com

b

b Ground Level b Parking in Front of Rooms Washer/Dryer Facility b WiFi b Microwave b Refrigerator b Across from Town Park b No Smoking/Pets b Open Year-Round

216 Dunraven • West Yellowstone, MT 59758

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• Region 4

Kelly Inn West Yellowstone

104 South Canyon • P.O. Box 1482 West Yellowstone, MT 59758 Large Indoor Pool • Hot Tub • Continental Breakfast

(406) 646-4544 • Fax (406) 646-9838 Toll Free (800) 635-3559 www.yellowstonekellyinn.com

not impossible to view in the wild. The park boasts over 200 geysers, including the world’s most famous (Old Faithful) and the world’s largest (Steamboat, up to 400 ft.) — with over 10,000 other bubbling, steaming thermal features. These features are predominantly located in the western half of the park and easily viewed at points along the 70 mile drive between Mammoth Hot Springs and West Thumb (Grant Village), which goes through Norris, Madison and Old Faithful.

There’s an old saying that the best part about trout fishing is the scenery. Nowhere is this more true than on the rivers and streams that make their way through Yellowstone Park. In the western half of the park, the Gibbon and Firehole Rivers meander through areas of thermal activity and join at Madison Junction to form the legendary Madison River, with road access to the river between Madison and West Yellowstone.

In the northeast, the Yellowstone River and its tributaries (Gardner River, Hellroaring Creek) are the center of angling activity. Yellowstone and Lewis Lakes also provide opportunities to take cutthroat trout from deep, cold waters. Be sure to pick up a park fishing license available for $10 and a copy of the regulations/restrictions for park waters.

The 35 mile drive between Yellowstone Lake and Tower Junction follows the Yellowstone River and shows off another of the park’s famous features: the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the Upper and Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River. Here, the thundering Yellowstone River cascades over spectacular falls and through gorges that offer excellent (though not easily accessed) fishing.

There are a number of campgrounds, hotels and other facilities within the park or near park boundaries. A full range of services can be found in the surrounding towns of West Yellowstone, Gardiner and Cody, WY.

Yellowstone Adventures

Skidoo Snowmobile Rentals, Sales & Service P.O. Box 669 • 131 Dunraven St. • West Yellowstone, MT 59758

Grand Prismatic Spring (courtesy Trey Ratcl

iff)

In the park, there are hotels and services at Yellowstone Lake, Fishing Bridge, Old Faithful, Grant Village, Canyon Village, Roosevelt Lodge and Mammoth Hot Springs. Advance reservations are recommended for in-park hotels, although due to cancellations rooms can be occasionally obtained by checking at any hotel front desk or calling ahead.

There are five campgrounds that can be reserved in advance along with several campgrounds operated by the NPS that are first come, first served.

Call (307) 344-7311 for hotel and campground reservations in Yellowstone. Be sure to check with park personnel if you are considering an excursion to the backcountry.

We can take you to places you’ve only dreamed of!

(406) 646-7735 • Resv: (800) 231-5991

info@yellowstoneadventures.com www.yellowstoneadventures.com

Join us today in one of the most beautiful wild spots in the world, just outside Yellowstone.

307-587-4410 • KBarZ@vcn.com P.O. Box 2167 • Cody, WY

www.agonline.com/KBarZ

Located along the Yellowstone River Just Blocks from Yellowstone Park • Individual Cottages & Efficienies • Full Kitchens • Private Baths • Flat Screen TV w/Remote • A/C • Great Deck with Hot Tub • Pond Area with Goose

• Walkway Down to the River

See Website for Schedule www.yellowstoneimax.com Experience IMAX®, the largest motion picture system in the world.

Everything Else is Just a Movie Next to the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park

Toll-Free Reservations

406.646.4100

521 Scott Street W.

888.854.5862 toll free 101 S. Canyon • West Yellowstone, MT 59758

(877) 774-2836

www.riversidecottages.com

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

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Calendar of Events

For a Full List of Events and Event Details, Contact Area Chambers of Commerce/Visitor’s Bureaus.

APRIL BIG SKY – Big Sky Pond Skim Headwaters Spring Run-Off Competition cooke city – Sweet Corn Festival LIVINGSTON – Annual Railroad Swap Meet RED LODGE – Grizzly Peak Adventure Race THREE FORKS Annual Horse Roundup & Drive MAY BELGRADE – Chamber Golf Tournament BIG TIMBER – Bull-A-Rama Crazy Mountain Museum Festival Lewis & Clark MT Native Plants & Exhibits BOZEMAN – Watershed Festival cooke city – Beartooth Pass Opens GARDINER – Park to Paradise Triathlon HUNTLEY – Roaddogs Annual Spring Field Meet LAUREL – Aviation & Technology Week Rock the Block JUNE BELGRADE – Belgrade Fireman’s Breakfast BIG SKY – Gallatin Whitewater Festival BIG TIMBER – Gun Show Lewis & Clark MT Native Plants & Exhibits Sweet Grass Fest BILLINGS Custer’s Last Stand Reenactment BOZEMAN – Lewis & Clark Marathon FISHTAIL – Family Fun Day GARDINER – Gardiner NRA Rodeo Rodeo Dance Yellowstone Days 5K Fun Run & Walk Yellowstone Days Arts Faire LAUREL – Rock The Block LIVINGSTON – Roundup Hoedown RED LODGE Fore the Animals Golf Tournament Mason’s Mountain Run Music Festival ROUNDUP Runamuk Benefit Trail Ride THREE FORKS – Roughstock2Roping WEST YELLOWSTONE Janet Clarkson Memorial Triathlon Train Day Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo WILSALL – Wilsall Rodeo JULY ABSAROKEE – Absarokee Days Montana BBQ Cook Off BIG SKY – Big Sky Food Festival Celebrity Golf Tournament Gallatin River Celebration July 4th Music, Fireworks, 5K, Bike Races Pesca Festival TREK to Big Sky Fundraiser BIG TIMBER Lewis & Clark MT Native Plants & Exhibits Sweet Grass County Fair BILLINGS – Big Sky State Games Great American Hill Climb SummerFair BOZEMAN – Downtown Bozeman Crazy Days Gallatin County Fair CLARK – Clark Days COLUMBUS – Freedom Celebration Stillwater County Fair cooke city – 4th of July Fireworks & Fireman’s Picnic FISHTAIL – Family Fun Days HUNTLEY – Homesteader Days LAUREL – 4th of July Celebration: Run, Parade, Food & Craft Fair, Fireworks Chief Joseph Run

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• Region 4

LIVINGSTON – Depot Festival of the Arts Livingston Roundup Rodeo & Parade Montana Fiddlers Picnic Summerfest Along the Yellowstone Sustainable Day Yellowstone Boat Float NYE – Nye Goes Nuts RED LODGE – Beartooth Motorcycle Rally Rodeo & Parade ROUNDUP Independence Days Extravaganza THREE FORKS – Classic Auto Show Half Triathlon Headwaters Run / Walk Rodeo & Parade WEST YELLOWSTONE Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo Yellowstone Historic Center’s Heritage Celebration AUGUST ABSAROKEE – Art & Wine Festival BELGRADE Barnes Steam & Power Show Crazy Days Fall Festival BIG SKY – Classical Music Festival Dog Agility Competition Lone Peak’s Revenge Mountain Bike Race PBR Rodeo XC Motorcycle Race BIG TIMBER Lewis & Clark MT Native Plants & Exhibits BILLINGS – Artwalk Crow Fair Magic City Blues Festival MontanaFair BOZEMAN Bite of Bozeman Cruisin’ on Main Car Show Sweet Pea Festival (First Weekend) CLYDE PARK – Old Settlers Days COLUMBUS – Musician’s Rendezvous Stillwater Shindig HUNTLEY – Annual Threshing Bee LIVINGSTON – Bark in the Park Montana Fiddlers Picnic Park County Fair MANHATTAN – Potato Festival State Chili Cook-Off RED LODGE – Annual Festival of Nations BMW Beartooth Rendezvous ROUNDUP – Annual Cattle Drive SILVER GATE – Beartooth Awareness Days THREE FORKS Antique Airplane Assoc. Fly-In Montana Cowboy Mounted Shooting Rockin’ The Rivers Concert Roughstock2Roping WEST YELLOWSTONE Annual Yellowstone Rod Run National Fly Fishing Show Pineneedle Stampede Foot Race Smoking Waters Mountain Man Rendezvous Wild West Yellowstone Rodeo SEPTEMBER BELGRADE – Belgrade Fall Festival BIG SKY – Spruce Moose Music Festival BIG TIMBER Lewis & Clark MT Native Plants & Exhibits BILLINGS – Burn the Point GARDINER – BrewFest in the Park Yellowstone Music Festival LAUREL – Nez Perce Pipe Ceremony Octoberfest Rock The Block

LIVINGSTON – Oktoberfest Wind Festival RED LODGE – Founder’s Day Parade Fun Run for Charities Labor Day Arts Fair Oktoberfest The Hoedown REED POINT – Great Montana Sheep Drive THREE FORKS Fur Trade Symposium John Colter Run WEST YELLOWSTONE Old Faithful Fall Cycle Tour OCTOBER BIG SKY – Hatchfest Film & Art Festival BILLINGS – ArtWalk HarvestFest NILE Stock Show & Pro Rodeo BOZEMAN – Downtown Trick or Treat RED LODGE – Downtown Trick or Treat NOVEMBER BIG TIMBER – Crazy Mountain Christmas Women’s Club Bazaar GARDINER – Library Craft Bazaar WEST YELLOWSTONE Yellowstone Ski Festival DECEMBER BELGRADE – Festival Of Lights BIG SKY – Carving for a Cause Day Christmas Stroll Christmas Torchlight Parade New Year’s Eve Celebration & Ball Rails Under the Stars Snowboard Competition BIG TIMBER – Christmas Lighted Parade BILLINGS – ArtWalk & Christmas Stroll Chase Hawks Memorial Rodeo BOZEMAN – Christmas Stroll GARDINER – Christmas Stroll LAUREL – Christmas To Remember MANHATTAN – Christmas Stroll RED LODGE – Christmas Stroll & Parade THREE FORKS – Christmas Stroll WEST YELLOWSTONE Christmas Stroll and Parade of Lights West Yellowstone Sled Dog Races JANUARY BIG SKY Ski & Snowboard Freestyle Competition Sno-Ball & Ice Sculpture Contest Winter Trails Day FEBRUARY BIG SKY – Dummy Jump Half Pipe Jam Howlin’ at the Moon Snowshoe Shuffle Ophir School Pie Auction Special Olympics Montana Volcom Peanut Butter & Rail Jam RED LODGE – Backcountry Film Festival Monster Dog Pull Nordic Festival Winter Carnival MARCH BIG SKY – Dirtbag Ball & Powder 8 Competition Glide & Gorge Nordic Food Festival Huck-a-Berry Jam Nordic Ski Festival GARDINER – Jardine Ski Run RED LODGE – National Finals Ski-Joring WEST YELLOWSTONE World Snowmobile Expo Yellowstone Rendezvous Cross-Country Ski Race

Area Chambers of Commerce & Visitors Centers Belgrade • (406) 388-1616 • www.belgradechamber.org Big Sky • (406) 995-3000 • (800) 943-4111 • www.bigskychamber.com Big Timber (Sweet Grass County) • (406) 932-5131 • www.bigtimber.com Billings Area Chamber & CVB • (406) 245-4111 • (800) 735-2635 • www.visitbillings.com Bozeman • (406) 586-5421 • (800) 228-4224 • www.bozemanchamber.com Bridger Chamber • (406) 662-3180 Cooke City • (406) 838-2495 • www.cookecitychamber.org Gardiner • (406) 848-7971 • www.gardinerchamber.com Laurel • (406) 628-8105 • www.laurelmontana.org Livingston • (406) 222-0850 • www.livingston-chamber.com Manhattan Area Chamber • (406) 284-4162 • www.manhattanareachamber.com Red Lodge Area Chamber / VC • (406) 446-1718 • (888) 281-0625 • www.redlodge.com Roundup (Musselshell Valley) • (406) 323-1966 • www.roundupchamber.net Stillwater County (Absarokee & Columbus) • (. 406) 322-4505 • www.stillwater-chamber.org Three Forks • (406) 285-4753 • www.threeforksmontana.com West Yellowstone • (406) 646-7701 • www.westyellowstonechamber.com

State Parks and Recreation Areas Cooney This irrigation reservoir offers good rainbow trout and walleye fishing, camping and boating opportunities. This is the most popular recreation area in south-central Montana.

Boyd................................................................... summer (406) 445-2326 or..........................................................................winter (406) 252-4654

Brutus the Bear at Montana Grizzly Encounter in Bozeman (courtesy Lana Marie Tegeler, Timberline Photog raphy)

Greycliff Prairie Dog Town This protected blacktailed prairie dog community offers interpretive displays and opportunities to see these entertaining little animals. DayUse Only.

Big Timber........................................................................ (406) 247-2955 Lewis and Clark Caverns This is Montana’s first and best-known state park. It features one of the most highly decorated limestone caverns in the Northwest.

Three Forks...................................................................... (406) 287-3541 Madison Buffalo Jump Before the introduction of the horse, the Blackfeet, Flathead and Shoshone stampeded herds of bison over this cliff to obtain food and other necessities. Day-Use Only.

Bozeman.......................................................................... (406) 994-4042 Missouri Headwaters This park is located where the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin Rivers converge to form the Missouri River, a geographical focal point for Native Americans, trappers, traders and settlers.

Three Forks...................................................................... (406) 994-4042 Parker Homestead This sod-roofed log cabin is an example of the frontier homes of Montana’s pioneer settlers. Day-Use only.

Three Forks...................................................................... (406) 994-4042 Pictograph Cave Home to generations of prehistoric hunters. Visitors can view the ancient rock paintings, known as pictographs.

Billings.............................................................................. (406) 247-2955

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Points of Interest ABSAROKEE Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness BIG SKY Big Sky Resort - (406) 995-5769 • www.bigskyresort.com Historic Crail Ranch Lee Metcalf Spanish Peaks Wilderness Moonlight Basin Soldier’s Chapel BIG TIMBER C. Sharps Arms/Montana Armory Crazy Mountain Museum Prairie Dog Town - Located 8 miles east of Big Timber.

Yellowstone River Trout Hatchery BILLlNGS Alberta Bair Theater Black Otter Trail - The most historic and scenic drive in Billings!

Boothill Cemetery Swords Park - Resting place of H.M. Muggins Taylor, who carried the word of Custer’s defeat on horseback through 180 miles of Indian territory to Fort Ellis near Bozeman.

Moss Mansion 914 Division • (406) 256-5100 • www.mossmansion.com Peter Yegen Jr. Yellowstone County Museum Visitor Center and Cattle Drive Monument Western Heritage Center Yellowstone Art Museum Zoo Montana BOZEMAN American Computer Museum Bozeman Fish Technology Center Gallatin Canyon - 80 mile drive, view the Gallatin River, Spanish Peaks, and northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park.

Fishing, white-water rafting, camping and wildlife viewing.

Gallatin Pioneer Museum Hyalite Canyon Museum of the Rockies - 600 W. Kagy Blvd. • (406) 994-2254 • www.museumoftherockies.org Pioneer Museum - 317 W. Main Street • (406) 522-8122 COLUMBUS Museum of the Beartooths

GARDINER Paradise Valley Roosevelt Arch - Has marked the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park since 1903, when President Teddy Roosevelt dedicated it before an estimated 5,000 spectators.

Yellowstone National Park - See Page 66 LAUREL Chief Joseph Statue & Canyon Creek Battlefield Marker Commemorates 1877 Canyon Creek Battle between Nez Perce Indians led by Chief Joseph and the U.S. Cavalry led by General Sturgis. The actual site of the battle is 7.5 miles north on Secondary 532. (406) 628-8105 LIVINGSTON Depot Center Paradise Valley (South) - Scenic drive on Hwy. 89 or East River Road, view the Absaroka Range, Gallatin Mountains and Yellowstone River.

Shields Valley (North) - Scenic drive bordered by the snow capped Crazy Mountains and the Sheep Eater Mountains.

Yellowstone Gateway Museum Of Park County RED LODGE Beartooth Nature Center - 615 2nd St. E. • (406) 446-1133 • www.beartoothnaturecenter.org Carbon County Museum Cooney Reservoir State Park - Popular recreation area for boating, fishing, camping, wildlife watching and more.

Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center Museum of the Yellowstone Peaks To Plains Museum & Red Lodge Historic District West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center ROUNDUP Musselshell Valley Historical Museum Wildlife Museum THREE FORKS Headwaters Heritage Museum Madison Buffalo Jump State Historic Site WEST YELLOWSTONE Yellowstone National Park - See Page 66 Yellowstone IMAX Theatre - 101 S. Canyon, West Yellowstone • (406) 646-4100 or (888) 854-5862 • www.yellowstoneimax.com

So Many Views! Beartooth Highway Overlook (photo courtesy Jac Dupree)

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• Region 4

Reg. 1 pg. 6 Reg. 2 pg. 28

Region 5

5

Reg. 3 pg. 42

Northeast Montana

Reg. 6 pg. 83

Reg. 4 pg. 54

CANADA

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REGION 6

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Attractions culbertson

This old cow town was born on the prairie in 1887 with the arrival of the railroad. While the buffalo and Native Americans roamed freely over the plains, a town site was established and horse ranching was the order of the day, with the constant demand for cavalry mounts by military posts along the Missouri River. Big-Scale cattle ranching replaced the horse trade. With the arrival of homesteaders, the little cow town gradually became an agriculture and livestock center.

Culbertson is the Roosevelt County host for the Soil Conservation Service, Ag Stabilization & Conservation Office, MSU Extension Service, Ag Research, Justice of the Peace and other county functions, including law enforcement and road maintenance. Aircraft maintenance and a lighted runway are also located in Culbertson.

For more information please contact the Culbertson Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture at (406) 787-5271.

Springtime in Fort Peck (courtesy Raymond Hitchcock)

Tailored to Meet the Needs of the Hunter and Fisherman

Lakeridge Motel and

Tackle

• On Fort Peck Lake • 20 Minutes East of Glasgow on Highway 24 • Full RV Hook-Ups • Located At Face Of The Dam

Call or write for information or reservations:

(406) 526-3597 • In Fort Peck, MT lakeridge@nemontel.net

• Cabins w/Kitchenettes • Convenience Store • Gas • Beer • Groceries • Close to Restaurant • Fishing Tackle & Live Bait • Fishing & Hunting Licenses • Charter Fishing Available

Fort Peck Lake / Dam

Located on the Missouri River between Fort Peck and Musselshell River; bordered by Highway 2 to the north.

A relatively remote location and small population have contributed to Fort Peck Lake being one of the most outstanding fishing and hunting areas in the nation. Impounded by one of the world’s largest earth-fill dams, the lake stretches for nearly 135 miles with 1,600 miles of shoreline.

From these waters fishermen regularly catch large numbers of good size Sauger, Lake Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye, Small Mouth Bass, Chinook Salmon, Ling, and Rainbow Trout. The Fort Peck Lake area also supports a variety of big game — Mule deer, elk, antelope, mountain lion – as well as waterfowl, sharptail grouse and wild turkeys.

The Mammoth Lake, also popular with water sport enthusiasts, is surrounded by the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge (over 1,000,000 acres), with numerous boat ramps and campsites within the refuge. Wildlife auto tours can be taken from Glasgow. The Lake has 12 public recreation areas, which include boat ramps, picnic and camping facilities. Fort Peck has many Lewis & Clark Interpretive Sites for the visitor.

La Casa Motel

Glasgow • Commercial Rates Located on Highway 2 in Northeastern Montana.

• Winter Plug-Ins • In-Room Glasgow is on the Milk River in Northeastern Montana, approximately Coffee • Air Conditioned 60 miles south of the Canadian border, and 125 miles west of the North • Color Cable TV • HBO DSL / Wireless Internet Dakota state line. This is where buffalo once roamed the prairie lands All Major Credit Cards Accepted and today is the center of a vast cattle grazing and wheat growing region.

About 40,000 acres of the county are irrigated. Livestock outnumber 238 1st Ave. N. the people in Valley County with about 53,000 cattle and more than Glasgow, MT 59230 900 horses.

“You’ll Like Our Rooms, You’ll Like Our Rates.” (406) 228-9311 Glasgow is a recreational trade center. It has two shopping areas.

Downtown Glasgow on 2nd Ave. South, is home to specialty-retail shops: clothing, antiques, coffee shops, hardware, financial services, post office, library, salons and much more. The four-mile strip of U.S. Hwy. 2 is known as the Treasure Trail. It is home to motels, art and framing shops, groceries, gas, casinos, dining, outdoor supplies, car, recreation and implement dealers. Glasgow’s service and retail establishments are customer friendly and are known for going the extra mile to meet the customer’s needs.

The heart of Glasgow/Valley County lies in its people. They are known for their traditional values of hard work, friendliness, and their love for the land and nature’s bounty. They appreciate the past, and embrace the future. They work together to make their communities a better place to live, work and play. Yes, Glasgow and Valley County are ALIVE! Deer at Fort Peck Lake (photo courtesy Tim Schleicher)

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• Region 5

Jordan

Some of the best fishing on Fort Peck Reservoir

Located on State Highway 200.

Jordan, located in Garfield County in the heart of eastern Montana, is in an area that can truly offer excellent recreational possibilities. The area is remote and boasts outstanding hunting for antelope, trophy deer and elk, geese, grouse, ducks, wild turkey and more. There’s also excellent fishing for state record Small Mouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Cisco, Northern Pike, Walleye, Lake Trout and others. Recreation has in fact increasingly played a larger role in the local and state economic outlook.

Many of the area ranches earn extra money by leasing their extra acreage to outfitters. They have a large variety of activities such as branding, wagon trains, water-skiing, rodeos and barbecues.

Dinosaur tours are a main attraction. This is the site of three of the world’s six Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton finds. Paleontologists from several universities annually explore the Hell Creek Formation just north of Jordan where the world’s largest Triceratops was found. A visit to Jordan will definitely be worthwhile.

Fall hunts for elk, mule deer & antelope in the Missouri Breaks area.

Lodging • Boat Rental • Supplies P.O. Box 486 • Jordan, MT 59337 (406) 557-2345 www.hellcreekmarina.com

Open nd!

Year-Rou

Garfield Hotel & Motel

MT Hwy. 200 & Main St. Jordan, MT 59337

(406) 557-6215

garfield@midrivers.com www.midrivers.com/~garfield/ • Non-Smoking Rooms • Free Coffee • Cable TV • DD Phones • Newly Remodeled Rooms • Wireless Internet • Kitchenettes Available • Heat & Cool Units • RV Spaces

Great Northern

Malta

Hotel

Steak house • Lounge • Coffee Shop Malta’s Only Full Service Hotel Wireless Internet Large And Newly Renovated Sleeping Rooms Exceptional Service

2 South 1st E. • Malta (406) 654-2100 • gnhotel@ttc-cmc.net Serving Incredible Food From 6 a. m. To 9.30 p. m. Everyday

Sportsman Motel & Amanda Lynnes Espresso Inn 231 N. 1st St. E. • Hwy. 2 • Malta, MT 59538

(406) 654-2300

WiFi • Continental Breakfast • HBO Cable TV • Coffeemaker / Micro / Fridge • A/C • Reasonable Rates by the Night & Week • Nearby Shopping & Casinos Close to great fishing & bird watching on Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge, CMR Game Range & Summer Dinosaur Digs.

Located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and Highway 191.

Cowboys still ride the range in Phillips County and the place names evoke images that Hollywood has made famous - Ruby Gulch, Carson Coulee, Telegraph Creek, Cree Crossing or an old lonesome post office. Ranches still carry the names of their brands and local Native American names conjure up images of times and cultures fascinatingly different. The infamous Kid Curry (member of the notorious Wild Bunch) lived, worked and hid out in southern Phillips County. His old family homestead is still here and one of his numerous hideouts can be visited. You can still board the train in Malta (daily Amtrak service) although these days it is not recommended to hold it up.

We are hosts to the CM Russell National Wildlife Refuge (including the western portion of Fort Peck Lake) and Bowdoin Bird Refuge, which offer opportunities for deer, antelope, elk and upland game birds viewing and hunting. The Little Rocky Mountains are rich in mining history and offer a diverse mountain experience including hiking and gold panning.

Fishermen find Nelson Reservoir, the two rivers and local ponds a haven for Walleye, historic paddlefish, trout and many more varieties. Mineral bath pools and golf are also great attractions in Malta.

Malta is a premier site on the Montana Dinosaur Trail.

For more, please contact the Malta Chamber of Commerce at (406) 654-1776, stop by our Information Center on US 2 east or our downtown office located in the NW corner of the Great Northern Hotel or visit us online at www.maltachamber.com

Poplar

Located on Highway 2, east of Wolf Point.

Visitors are welcome to experience historic Poplar and share its unique beauty. Poplar is a legend location and the community has many interesting and varied chronicles to share, view, and capture.

The Missouri Valley is “beautiful beyond description.” The surrounding land is gently rolling with a myriad of badlands to view and explore.

Here, colors and views change by the hour. The community is indeed the epitome of Montana’s “Big Sky Country”.

While visiting Poplar, step down and enjoy western heritage, hospitality, Wild West Days, numerous Powwows, the mighty Missouri River Valley, old homesteads, fishing, abundant surrounding wildlife and most of all, the sparkling and matchless nights under the stars.

Examine numerous arts and crafts, quilts, paintings and fine handFull Service Restaurant, Bar & Casino work of all descriptions within the Poplar merchant’s establishments Cafe ~ 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. ~ 7 Days a Week and museum. Visitors will not be disappointed.

Bar & Casino ~ 8 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Poplar also features a public library, Fort Peck Community College and is the capital city of the Fort Peck Reservation. Tribal 203 2nd Ave. West • Poplar, MT 59255 government business is conducted on a daily basis here in the Tribal (406) 768-5221 Council Chambers. Plan a vacation to begin with a major yesteryear expedition through Poplar, along the Hi Line, a gateway to Glacier National Park.

Buckhorn Bar

&

Cafe

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Sand Springs

Hunt, fish, hike and explore the Northern Great Plains!

18 Miles N.W. Of Sand Springs • Hwy. 200 Sand Springs, MT 59077

(406) 557-2544

www.ranchvacation.net

Located on MT Highway 200 east of Lewistown.

Sand Springs is an unincorporated community in Garfield County.

The county is noteworthy as the site of the discovery and excavation of four of the world’s dozen or so major specimens of Tyrannosaurus Rex. Sand Springs was once populated by eager homesteaders who attempted to farm the land. However, many left after they endured the hardships of a dry land in the 1930s. Today, the land is used predominately by cattle ranchers. Sand Springs takes its name from the sandy soil and the springs in the area.

SCOBEY

Scobey is located in the heart of grain and cattle country.

The infamous “Outlaw Trail” running from Mexico to Canada runs right through Daniels County in which Scobey is located, crossing the Canadian border at Outlaw Coulee near Whitehall.

Montana Highway 13 South American Indian artifacts such as arrow heads, cutting tools and hammers can still be found in Scobey and surrounding areas from the Scobey, MT 59263 Assiniboine tribe.

Toll Free: (800) 562-2775 • (406) 487-5332 Get a taste of history at a re-constructed pioneer town west of Scobey. www.cattlekinginn.com • inn@cattlekinginn.com It boasts 50 buildings on its 50 acre site. Many of the buildings are restored to the early 1900 era.

Pioneer Town makes the past come alive with its boardwalks, antique tractors, machinery and cars. Entertainment centers are buzzing with activity during the annual Pioneer Days the last week in June. The theatre hosts the internationally famous “Dirty Shame Show” during Pioneer Days and an old fashioned “Threshermans breakfast” is served up in the cook cars. A parade, kids games, and a car show add to the festivities.

For more information please phone (406) 487-2061.

Poplar River South of Scobey (photo courtesy Trevor Manteranch)

Richland Motor Inn

1200 South Central Ave. • Sidney, MT 59270 (406) 433-6400 www.richlandmotorinn.com • Continental Breakfast • Cable TV • Hi-Speed Internet • Jacuzzi • Weight Room • Friendly Staff

Lone Tree Motor Inn

900 South Central Ave. • Sidney, MT 59270

(406) 433-4520

Free Continental Breakfast • High-Speed Internet Access • Suites • Fax Service Pets Allowed • Handicapped Accessible

MonDak Heritage Center

Homesteader Town Museum • Art Galleries • History Library With Area History & Genealogy • Gallery Store & Regional Crafts & Books FREE ADMISSION • Hours: Tues.-Fri. 10-4 • Saturday 1-4

• (406) 433-3500 •

www.mondakheritagecenter.org • mdhc@richland.org

120 Third Ave. S.E. • Sidney, MT 59270

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• Region 5

Sidney

Located 36 miles south of Culbertson, on State Route 16.

Sidney is a marketing center for sugar beets and wheat. It serves as an active oil drilling and coal mining region.

Tours can be arranged at the Northern Plains Soil and Water Research Center on North Central Ave. One of the largest auctioneer houses in the state, the Sidney Livestock Market Center on East Main Street conducts auctions every Wednesday.

During your stay in Sidney, visit the MonDak Heritage Center.

The center contains a 17 unit street scene typical of pioneer Montana.

Other exhibits include an art gallery, a gun collection, photographs, dinosaur bones and fossils.

From here you can enjoy anything. Join a wagon train, attend an American Indian powwow, angle for prehistoric paddlefish, or relax and put your feet up.

If it’s the old west you crave, you can find it in Sidney.

u Sunrise Motel & RV Park u 2144 S. Central Avenue • Sidney, MT 59270

(406) 482-3826

u High-Speed Wireless Internet u Non-Smoking Rooms u RV Spaces

Wolf Point

Located via U.S. Highway 2 and 13/25.

Wolf Point is the county seat of Roosevelt County and is the largest city in the county. Located in the southwest corner of Roosevelt County in the historic Missouri River Valley, Wolf Point is the trade center for N.E. Montana.

Wolf Point is on the main line of the Burlington Northern Railroad and is served by Amtrack and Big Sky Airlines. U.S. Hwy. 2 passes through Wolf Point providing an east-west route and Montana #13 comes from the south across the mighty Missouri and continues on north to the Canadian border. From the southeast, off Highway 13, take #25 into Wolf Point.

The history of the Wolf Point area goes back many years to when a traveler on the river in 1842 noted in his journals the many wolves sighted near old Wolf Point.

Several fur trading forts were operated in the area by the American Fur Company. One was Fort Charles located near the present site of the Missouri River Bridge. Other sites have been discovered, but the names are unknown.

In the 1860s and 70s, when the river steamboat was the principle mode of travel, Wolf Point was a refueling point as well as an American Indian trading post. During the 1870s, winter trappers stacked their wolf hides along the river to wait for spring and the steamboats to transport their cargo to markets in the east.

The name “Wolf Point” was here to stay. The little trading post grew into a small hamlet of several hundred in population. The railroad came to the area in the late 1880s and soon the romantic river boats were gone forever. In 1912, the Fort Peck Indian Reservation was opened to homesteaders and the town of Wolf Point moved from the river bank to the railroad, about one mile north.

Wolf Point has grown into a modern shopping center and is known throughout the United States for the “Wild Horse Stampede,” Montana’s oldest and best rodeo, and is held during the second weekend of July each year.

Wolf Point boasts a nine-hole golf course and excellent park and recreational facilities.

While in the area, we invite you to be a guest of an American Indian Powwow held on the Fort Peck Reservation.

Visit Wolf Point for a sample of hospitality and the friendliest community in Northeast Montana.

Bald Eagle (courtesy Jon Garvin)

Sherman Inn Eastern Montana’s Finest

200 E Main St. • Wolf Point, MT 59201

(800) 952-1100 • (406) 653-1100

www.shermaninn.com • sherman@shermaninn.com

Area Chambers of Commerce & Visitors Centers Circle • (406) 485-2741 • www.circle-montana.com Culbertson • (406) 787-5271 • www.culbertsonmt.com Fairview • (406) 742-5259 • www.midrivers.com/~fairview Glasgow • (406) 228-2222 • www.glasgowmt.net Jordan / Garfield County • (406) 557-6158 • www.garfieldcounty.com Malta • (406) 654-1776 • www.maltachamber.com Poplar • (406) 768-5204 • www.poplarmt.com Saco • (406) 527-3312 • www.sacomontana.net Scobey (Daniels County) • (406) 487-2061 • www.scobeymt.com Sheridan County • (406) 765-1733 • www.plentywood.com Sidney • (406) 433-1916 • www.sidneymt.com

Missouri River Breaks on Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge (photo courtesy US Fish & Wildlife Service)

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Points of Interest BAINVILLE

Bainville Historical Association Museum

Fort Union Trading Post CIRCLE

McCone County Museum CULBERTSON

Culbertson Museum and Visitor Information Center

Fort Union Trading Post FAIRVIEW

Snowden Bridge FORT PECK

Fort Peck Dam and Lake

Fort Peck Reservation

Fort Peck Theatre GLASGOW

Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge

Pioneer Museum JORDAN

Garfield County Museum MALTA

Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge is located seven miles east

of Malta on old U.S. Highway 2. Over 200 species of birds

can be seen throughout the year. The refuge features a self

guided auto tour and headquarters station. (406) 654-2863

Great Plains Dinosaur Museum & Field Station

Little Rocky Mountains or Island Mountains

Phillips County Museum & Tourist Information Center MEDICINE LAKE

Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge POPLAR

Fort Peck Indian Reservation

Poplar Museum

Tribal Museum SACO

Huntley School - Restored one room school.

SIDNEY

MonDak Heritage Center - 120 3rd Ave. S.E. • (406) 433-3500

• www.mondakheritagecenter.org WOLF POINT

Wolf Point Area Historical Society Museum ZORTMAN

Little Rocky Mountains

UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge

State Parks and Recreation Areas Hell Creek - Hell Creek Arm of Fort Peck provides facilities for most water sports, as well as, excellent walleye fishing. Hell Creek also serves as a launching point for boat camping in the wild and scenic Missouri Breaks.

(406) 557-2345

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Montana National Forests Beaverhead National Forest 420 Barrett Street • Dillon, MT 59725-3572 (406) 683-3900 Bitterroot National Forest 1801 North 1st Street • Hamilton, MT 59840 (406) 363-7100 Custer National Forest 1310 Main Street • Billings, MT 59105 (406) 657-6200 Deerlodge National Forest 420 Barrett Street • Dillon, MT 59725-3572 (406) 683-3900 Flathead National Forest 650 Wolfpack Way • Kalispell, MT 59901 (406) 758-5200 Gallatin National Forest Federal Bldg. • Box 130 • Bozeman, MT 59771 (406) 587-6701 Helena National Forest 2880 Skyway Drive • Helena, MT 59602 (406) 449-5201 Kootenai National Forest 1101 Hwy. 2 West • Libby, MT 59923 (406) 293-6211 Lewis & Clark National Forest 1101 15th Street North • Great Falls, MT 59401 (406) 791-7700 Lolo National Forest Ft. Missoula, Bldg. 24 • Missoula, MT 59804 (406) 329-3750

Calendar of Events

For a Full List of Events and Event Details, Contact Area Chambers of Commerce/Visitor’s Bureaus.

MAY GLASGOW – Bonnie City Blues & Brews Feather Fest JORDAN – Town & County Day JUNE BROCKTON – Badlands Celebration CULBERTSON – Frontier Days FORT PECK – Longest Dam Race Rock Creek Walleye Tournament FRAZER – Red Bottom Celebration JORDAN – Matched Bronc Ride MALTA – Car Show & Drag Races Milk River Gospel Jamboree Montana Dinosaur Festival POPLAR – Wild West Days SCOBEY – Pioneer Days & Antique Show SIDNEY – Fort Union Rendezvous Town & Country Festival JULY FAIRVIEW Old Timers Reunion & Summer Festival FORT PECK Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament HINSDALE Milk River Days & Cowboys Rodeo MALTA Historical Home & Garden Tour Flower Show

POPLAR – Fort Kipp Celebration Wahcinca Dakota Oyate Celebration SCOBEY – Lions Club Fireworks SIDNEY – Jaycees Fireworks MonDak Relay for Life Sunrise Festival Of The Arts WOLF POINT – Wild Horse Stampede ZORTMAN Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration AUGUST CULBERTSON Roosevelt County Fair GLASGOW – NE Montana Fair NE Montana Relay For Life MALTA Western Hoedown Dance & BBQ SCOBEY – Daniels County Fair SIDNEY – Benefit Golf Tournament Indian Arts Showcase Lone Tree Gun Show MonDak Harvest Fest Richland County Fair & Rodeo WOLF POINT – Wadopana Celebration SEPTEMBER CULBERTSON Threshing Bee & Antique Show Wagon Train Labor Day

JORDAN – Big Dry Open Golf Tournament MALTA – Annual Milk River Wagon Train SACO – Saco Fun Days SIDNEY – Living History Weekend NOVEMBER JORDAN – Turkey Turkey NASHUA – Fall Bazaar & Craft Show SCOBEY – Parade of Lights SIDNEY – Wine & Food Festival WOLF POINT Wine Tasting & Auction @ Elks Club DECEMBER JORDAN – Christmas Stroll SIDNEY – MonDak Ethnic Christmas Celebration WOLF POINT – Christmas Parade of Lights Optimist Annual Christmas Bazaar & Santa Visit Town Wide Open House

JANUARY JORDAN – Clinton Phipps Memorial Ice Fishing Tournament SIDNEY – MonDak Ag Days & Trade Show FEBRUARY GLASGOW – Ice Fishing Tournament WOLF POINT – Wolf Point Volunteer Fire Departments Annual Ball

Traveling Safety Tips • Whether you’re going 50 miles or 5,000 miles, always leave an itinerary with someone you know well and trust.

• If you are traveling by car or RV, always service / inspect your vehicle or have it inspected by a qualified mechanic. Don’t get stuck needing repairs or maintenance while on the road. At a minimum this inspection should include:

• Engine fluids • Overall running and operational condition • Transmission and drive train operation and fluid levels

• Tire tread, wear, and air pressure, Don’t forget the spare • Lights and signals • Horn • Windshield wipers

• Glass and mirrors • Take a list of any medications you are taking, and your physicians contact information • Don’t forget allergy medications, and if you wear medical bracelets or necklaces, put them on • Cell phone and charger • Phone number list or phone book • Always have a roadside emergency kit in your vehicle when traveling. At a minimum this should include:

• Flashlight • Basic tools • Jumper cables • High-visibility vest • Tire chains in the winter

• Reflective triangles or flares (Flares can be dangerous, and cause fires) • Gloves • Blanket • Always carry a First Aid Kit. • Carry a 2 ½ lb. or larger fire extinguisher (ABC Classification) and know how to use it • Your clothing should be appropriate for the weather conditions. If you’re traveling in adverse weather conditions, be prepared for the worst case scenario.

• Have a detailed map • Travel with your lights on • Always wear your safety restraints, and make sure your passengers do as well If you should breakdown • Get off the road, as far as the road’s edge and safety permits • Turn on your four-way flashers • It’s usually safest to remain in your vehicle. If you must get out, stay back, away from the shoulder of the road and the traffic • Wear your high-visibility vest when changing tires, and have a flashlight on to make you more visible at night • Put out the reflective triangle Have a safe trip! ~ Safejary www.worksafetyservices.com

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

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Sacagawea

Born to the Lemhi tribe of Shoshone Indians in present-day Idaho, tion returned to the Hidatsa-Mandan villages in August, 1806, where Sacagawea would grow up to be a near-legendary figure for her indis- Charbonneau and Sacagawea parted with Lewis and Clark and spent pensable role on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The daughter of a the next three years. For his efforts, Charbonneau was paid $500.33 Shoshone chief, she was kidnapped after a battle with Hidatsa Indians and 320 acres of land.

In 1809 Charbonneau, Sacagawea and their son, Jean Baptiste, travthat resulted in the deaths of four Shoshone warriors, as well as several women and children. She was only about ten years old. Taken back to eled to St. Louis, Missouri, at the invitation of William Clark, who had the Hidatsa village located near present-day Washburn, North Dakota, grown fond of the young Pompey and hoped to entice Charbonneau to settle there. However, Charbonneau and she quickly became assimilated to the Hidatsa Sacagawea soon left St. Louis, leaving their culture and learned to speak their language. son, Jean Baptiste, in Clark’s care. The boy Some time later, Sacagawea was sold to was soon enrolled in the St. Louis Academy Toussaint Charbonneau, a French Canadian boarding school. Sometime around 1810, Satrapper, as his wife. In the winter of 1804, the cagawea gave birth to a daughter, Lizette. Two Lewis and Clark Expedition were encamped years later, history records that Sacagawea near several Hidatsa villages where they built died on December 22, 1812 at Fort Manuel, Fort Mandan. a Missouri Fur Company trading post in While there, they interviewed several present-day South Dakota, of a disease called trappers who could assist as guides and inter“putrid fever” at the age of 25. However, oral preters. They quickly hired Charbonneau as traditions of the Shoshone say that Sacagawea an interpreter when they discovered his wife rejoined the Shoshone on their Wind River spoke the Shoshone language, knowing they reservation where she lived a long life, dying would need the help of the Shoshone tribes at in 1884. the headwaters of the Missouri River.

In August, 1813, William Clark was By the time Charbonneau and his wife known to have legally adopted Sacagawea’s joined the expedition at Fort Mandan, Satwo children, Jean Baptiste and Lizette. Jean cagawea was pregnant. The expedition welBaptiste Charbonneau lived a long and adcomed her, for her language skills, with WilSacagawea Dollar & venturous life, traveling to Europe and later liam Clark noting in his journal, “A woman Sacagawea Statue in Bismarck, ND becoming a guide with John Freemont and with a party of men is a token of peace.” (photo courtesy Hans Andersen) other mountain men. He died in 1866 at age Soon after joining the expedition, Sacagawea gave birth to her first child in February of 1805, a son named 61 on the trail to a gold strike in Montana. It is not believed that Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. He was soon nicknamed “Pompey” by Lizette survived childhood, as there is no later record of her among Clark. Carrying the baby on a cradleboard on her back, the “Corps Clark’s papers.

In the meantime, Toussaint Charbonneau continued his life of Discovery” headed up the Missouri River in April, 1805. The following month, Sacagawea rescued several items that had fallen out as a mountain man, working for the American Fur Company and of a capsized boat, including Lewis’ and Clarks’ journals. The Corps accompanying Prince Maximillian’s expedition in 1833. Over the Commanders were so pleased that they named the Sacagawea River years he had at least five different Indian wives. He died at Fort Mandan in 1843. in her honor.

Once the expedition reached Idaho, they were eager to find the ~ by Kathy Weiser, owner/editor Legends of America, www.legendsofamerica.com Shoshone to trade with them for horses to carry supplies as they continued their journey over the mountains. In this effort Sacagawea would prove invaluable. Recognizing several landmarks, Sacagawea Did you ever think, “I would love to attend an Indian event but was able to lead them to the Shoshone, and once found in August, maybe we’re not allowed on the reservation?” Guess what! The Indian 1805, helped in translations with her people. To her surprise, when reservations want you to visit. The following information should prove the expedition located the tribe, Sacagawea found the band was led useful and add a new dimension to your vacation. by her older brother, Cameahwait, who had become chief after their The reservations have special social and cultural / religious events and activities. Tribal powwows, hand games, shinny games and rodeos father’s death. The reunion helped in smoothing the way for the expeare special events usually open to the public. When visiting these events dition and gaining the valuable horses they desperately needed. and public places such as museums, churches and tribal facilities, it is Sacagawea would continue on with the expedition all the way to important that guests show respect and courtesy. the Pacific Ocean. While at Fort Clatsop, local Indians told the expe • Some cultural and religious ceremonies require special permission dition of a whale that had been stranded on a beach some miles to the to attend. In some cases, visitors are not allowed. Always check with south. Clark assembled a group of men to find the whale and possibly tribal offices. obtain some whale oil and blubber, which could be used to feed the • Powwows are social gatherings featuring generations-old drumming and dancing and traditional dress and food. Visitors are Corps. Sacagawea had yet to see the ocean, and after willfully asking always welcome to powwows. You should bring lawn chairs or blankets Clark, she was allowed to accompany the group to the sea. As Capfor seating. Guests may dance during the “Round Dance” or when tain Lewis wrote on January 6, 1806, “[T]he Indian woman was very invited by the emcee. Remember that the dance area is sacred. impo[r]tunate to be permited to go, and was therefore indulged; she • Flash photography is not allowed during contests, and it is polite observed that she had traveled a long way with us to see the great wato ask dancers and singers before taking pictures. ters, and that now that monstrous fish was also to be seen, she thought • The natural resources of Indian reservations are considered it very hard she could not be permitted to see either.” premier attractions. Visitors should contact Tribal offices for In 1806, the expedition began their trek back eastward, where regulations, permits, licenses, etc. concerning recreation, camping, fishing or hunting on a reservation. once again, Sacagawea was an invaluable guide. Clark praised her as For information contact, Office of Indian Affairs, Room 202, State his “pilot” as she recalled the trails from her childhood, one of which Capitol, Helena, MT 59620 or phone them at: (406) 444-3713. would later become known as Bozeman Pass, Montana. The expedi-

Visiting a Reservation

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Reg. 1 pg. 6 Reg. 2 pg. 28

Region 6

Reg. 5 pg. 75

Reg. 3 pg. 42

Southeast Montana

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Attractions Baker Lake (courtesy Tom Hart)

Stream Connecting Gem Lak e to Middle Lake (courtesy Tim Bocek)

Baker

Located at the Junction of Highway 12 & Highway 7, 78 miles east of Miles City.

Before you cross the border into North Dakota, be sure to stop at Baker.

Surrounded by golden sandstone formations and vast high prairies, Baker offers a wide variety of recreational opportunities. Sportsmen have a good chance of coming away with a trophy from the carefully managed wild game population (including deer, antelope, pheasants, wild turkeys and rabbits) in the Fallon County habitat.

If hunting isn’t your sport, check out Baker Lake for boating, excellent

O’Fallon Historical Museum

Free Admission, donations welcomed!

723 S. Main • Baker, MT 59313

(406) 778-3265

Year Around Hours: Fri.-Sat.-Sun.-Mon.: 8-12, 1-5 Tues.-Wed.-Thurs.: 8-5 www.falloncounty.net/ofallonmuseum

Spend a Night, Not a Fortune!

Wireless Internet (most rooms) • Coffee Maker & Free Coffee • Hair Dryer • Cable TV with HBO • Clean & Comfortable Beds • Refrigerators & Microwaves • Restaurants Nearby • Truck Parking

(406) 778-3341 or (800) 638-3708 • Fax (406) 778-2753

518 W. Montana Ave. • W. Hwy. 12 • Baker, MT 59313 www.thesagebrushinn.com • info@thesagebrushinn.com

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fishing and fun in the sun. In the winter, Baker’s high prairies provide beautiful snowmobile trails and cross-country skiing flats. Or, sharpen your blades and take a spin at the city’s lighted ice rink.

Finish the day by browsing through a museum or by simply watching Mother Nature paint the sandstone with various shimmering colors as the sun sets.

Visit www.bakermt.com to learn more about the Baker area.

Broadus

Located southeast of Miles City, at the junction of St. Hwy. 59 & U.S. Hwy. 212.

Broadus, “Gateway and Crossroads” of Southeastern Montana, is located just west of the famous Powder River.

Broadus challenges golfers to enjoy the nine-hole grass greens golf course or enjoy the city park on the edge of town. Join the cattle drive in August. You will have a horse of your own to ride and care for, or you can join the train by claiming a seat on a wagon. You can also learn to trail cattle on a real life cattle drive experience.

Powder River County has an abundance of antelope, Mule deer and Whitetail deer for hunting season. The last ten years have also found us with elk, so the hunting is great and lots of fun.

To learn more, visit www.broadusmontana.com

Buckboard Inn (701) 872-4794

Fri Pet end ly

Continental Breakfast, Cable TV, Wireless Internet, A/C, Clean, Quiet, Comfortable Rooms. Dining & Shopping Nearby.

26 Miles from Theodore Roosevelt Park

Hwy. 16 & I-94, Exit 1 • Beach, ND

Carter County Dinosaur Dig Site (photos courtesy Horatio3k, Flickr)

Colstrip

gasoline, groceries, eats, repairs and the local pubs. Take a break and stretch your legs in the city park, which boasts tennis courts, a volleyball court and plenty of room for picnics.

If you want some solitude and variety in your fishing, head downstream on the Yellowstone River. The lower Yellowstone has an amazing fishery all its own — Channel Catfish, Sauger, Ling, Walleye, Shovelnose Sturgeon and Trout. Custer has many resident experts who can provide the fisherman with directions and tips.

This is also a prime agate hunting area. Floating the river allows recreationists to search the many sand and gravel bars along the shore as well as those exposed in midstream. In your travels, stop and relax in Custer.

Crow Reservation

Ekalaka is a small western town nestled in the Russell Creek Valley of picturesque Carter County.

It is named in honor of Ijkalaka, the wife of David H. Russell, and the daughter of Eagle Man, an Oglala Sioux. Russell was the first white settler in the valley.

Ekalaka is the county seat of Carter County, population 450. Though small, the community meets the needs of the traveler with two motels, campgrounds with hook-ups, several restaurants; a grocery store, service station, and a collection of main street and cottage businesses and two city parks.

Noted for its wide-open spaces, beautiful blue skies, and tranquil scenery of open prairies spreading upward to stately forests, Ekalaka’s setting is a living painting. There’s lots of room, lots of time, lots of space, and leisurely meals among friendly people. Entertainment comes in measures of peace and quiet.

To learn more about the Ekalaka area, contact the Carter County Chamber of Commerce at (406) 975-2222 or visit us online at www. cartercountychamberofcommerce.com

Located on U.S. Highway 39, S.W. of Miles City.

Colstrip, the town that coal built, was born in 1924 when the Northern Pacific Railroad started mining coal nearby for fuel for their steam locomotives. Forty-four million tons of coal were produced before the diesel locomotives took over in 1958.

Colstrip sports a challenging 9-hole golf course complete with a proshop in the northern part of the city. We also have a heated swimming pool at centrally located Rye Park with the added attraction of a large water slide, all available to the public.

On the northwest edge of Colstrip is Castle Rock Lake, where fishing, swimming and limited boating can be enjoyed. The lake is surrounded by bike paths and picnic areas for summer fun and exercise.

Located just south of Billings, stretching south to Pryor, east to Fort Smith and approx. 5 miles west of Busby, then south to the Wyoming border.

The Crow Reservation covers a vast 2,500,000 acres in Bighorn County and encompasses the towns of Lodge Grass, Saint Xavier, Crow Agency, Pryor and Ft. Smith.

The Tepee Capital of the World, the Crow Reservation is also home to the famous Crow Fair and Rodeo Celebration, the premier Powwow for North America’s native people. There are over 800 tepees at the festival.

The Crow Fair is less than a mile from the Little Bighorn Battlefield. It is held the third weekend in August and is just one of the many celebrations and traditions which help keep the Crow culture alive and strong.

Custer

Located 30 miles north of Hardin on State Highway 47.

Custer is a friendly town with lots of surprises for the traveler. Along the nearby Yellowstone River there is fishing, camping, boating and waterskiing. Services available in Custer include a motel, antique and gift shop,

Carter County

Colstrip

Chamber of Commerce

6227 Main Street Colstrip, MT 59323

(406) 748-3400

Ekalaka

P.O. Box 108 • Ekalaka, Mt 59324

(406) 975-2222

www.super8.com 1-800-800-8000

cartercountychamberofcommerce@yahoo.com www.cartercountychamberofcommerce.com MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

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(courtesy Nomadic Lass, Flickr) Double Rainbow near Little Bighorn

Forsyth

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Located at the junction of Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 12.

Located on the banks of the Yellowstone River, Forsyth provides the comforts of friendly small town living, along with a variety of recreational opportunities. If hunting and fishing spark your fancy, the Forsyth area will certainly appeal to you. Big game hunting includes trophy antelope as well as mule deer and whitetail deer. Upland birds? You bet! Through the cooperation of Montana’s Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and area landowners, a few minutes in your vehicle puts you smack dab in the middle of ducks, geese, pheasants, grouse, partridges and wild turkeys.

Boating and fishing excitement flow with the wide Yellowstone River.

Two state parks give access to the river, with plenty of camping and picnic space. In winter, ice skating, cross-county skiing and snowmobiling are popular in the Forsyth area, and downhill skiing in the mountains is only three hours away. Forsyth can accommodate the traveler in all needs, with its motels, hotels and a variety of cafes and restaurants.

m p si t

] 10 Full Hookups ] 10 Electrical & Water Hookups ] 10 Spaces (no hookups) ] Tent Space ] Bath House (406) 356-7982 ] (406) 346-2454

Highway I-94, Exit 95 • 1/4 Mile South Forsyth, Montana

Westwind Motor Inn

Garryowen

Located at I-90, Exit 514.

Garryowen is one of the most historic sites in Custer Country and a “must see” for those interested in the Battle of the Little Bighorn and the history of the American West. A registered historic site, Garryowen is located at I-90, Exit 514 just south of Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and Custer National Cemetery. The site is just an hour drive from Billings, MT or from Sheridan, WY. From Garryowen, visitors can view all of the famous locations associated with the Battle of the Little Bighorn, including the site where Custer was last seen alive, Major Reno’s hilltop defense site, Weir Point, Last Stand Hill, Medicine Tail Coulee, the Crow’s Nest and Wolf Mountains.

For tourist information about Garryowen, call (406) 638-2020.

Rails Inn Motel Obadiah, Inc. Roy & Colleen Hoppert

Wireless Internet • Microwaves, Refrigerators & Coffee In All Rooms • Truck Parking • Winter Plug-Ins

(406) 346-2242 • 1-800-621-3754 Conveniently Located off I-94, Exit 93

P.O. Box 5025 • 290 Front St. Forsyth, MT 59327

Magnuson

Largest Most Comfortable Rooms In Forsyth Wireless Internet • Microwaves, Refrigerators & Coffee In All Rooms •Winter Plug-Ins All Rooms Non-Smoking

(406) 346-2038 • (888) 356-2038 Conveniently located off I-94 at Exit 93

P.O. Box 5025 • Forsyth, MT 59327

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1018 Front St. Forsyth, MT 59327 877-356-2115 • www.forsythsundownerinn.com

• Free WiFi • Deluxe Continental Breakfast • Guest Laundry • Coffee, Micro, Fridge • Cable TV • Full Remodel in 2007

Glendive

Located 72 miles northeast of Miles City on Interstate 94.

With Makoshika State Park, Montana State’s largest state park with its unforgiving badlands, in our back yard and the Yellowstone River flowing through the center of town, Glendive offers many activities, agate hunting, fishing, boating, golfing, hunting, and shopping. Glendive is becoming richly known as the “Dinosaur City.” Being on the Montana Dinosaur Trail, visitors can be awed by the displays of dinosaurs.

Take a historical walk through downtown Glendive. In May and June, paddlefish, (a pre-historic fish), snagging is the craze seventeen miles north on Highway 16. Check out the website www.glendivechamber.com for up to date event happenings.

Makoshika State Park (courtesy Tim Schleicher)

1903 N. Merrill Ave. Glendive, MT 59330-2061 (406) 377-4433 www.yellowstoneriverinn.net

Hotel • Casino • Restaurant ATM • Truck Parking • Airport Shuttle • Business Center • Winter Plug In’s Cable Remote TV’s • 1 Mile to Downtown • 3 Miles to Makoshika State Park Free High Speed Wireless Access • Refrigerators & Microwaves in every Room Indoor & Outdoor Access on 1st Floor • 150 Yds North of I 94 Glendive Exit 215

✓

GShowers lendive RV Park & Campground Laundry 50 Amp Services Long / Wide Pull ✓

✓

✓

Thrus ✓ 60 Channel Cable TV ✓ Swimming Pool ✓ Free WiFi Self-Contained Cabins w/Cable TV & A/C • RV’s • Tents Open March - October • Limited Services During Off-Season Near Museum & Restaurants

(406) 377-6721 • www.glendivervpark.com Open April 15 - October 31 Easy On / Easy Off

Exit 215 • Glendive, MT 59330 Hardin

Located 45 miles east of Billings on Interstate 90.

Hardin is most widely known for hosting Little Bighorn Days, a celebration of cultural heritage that features a Custer’s Last Stand Re-Enactment and parade, great food stands, street dances and arts and crafts booths.

The Hardin area is also host to a number of other intriguing historical events. In 1743, the French Verendryes brothers, the first white men to visit the Bighorn River area, met a tribe of Crow Indians whom they named “Beaux Hommes” (handsome men). The historical site has since been named the Rendezvous site.

Just east of Hardin where the Little Bighorn and Bighorn Rivers converge is the island where the Far West sternwheeler anchored in June, 1876, to evacuate wounded from the Reno and Benteen battles. The Far West also carried news of Custer’s defeat to the general public.

While here you can enjoy fishing, hunting, boating and hiking. The Bighorn River is considered a blue-ribbon trout stream. Bighorn Lake is admired for its Walleye fishing, water sports and 2,000 foot canyon cliffs.

For tourist information contact the Hardin Chamber of Commerce at (406) 665-1672 or hardinchamber@bhwi.net

Cat Coulee Beds & Birds

Bed & Breakfast Available Year-Round Ranch Style Meals • Private 1200 Acre Pheasant Shooting Preserve Open Sept.-March Meeting & Conference Room Available Located 14.5 Miles N. of I-94, Exit 67

Hardin

201 West 14th Street Hardin, MT 59034

(406) 665-1700

Hysham

Located between Miles City and Billings on Interstate 94.

Hysham, the county seat of Treasure County, is bordered just to the north by the Yellowstone River and to the south by beautiful rolling hills. Hysham has just about everything a visitor could need. Dropping down from the hills, newcomers will see this agricultural community spread before them in a panorama of green fields, pasture land and strips of grain.

Hysham has a free summer swimming pool and a city park with covered picnic facilities. For small airplanes, there is a lighted airport landing strip about two miles east of Hysham along a secondary highway. Treasure County has a museum on Hysham’s main street which includes a space exhibit on Colonel Frank Borman, Commander of 1968 Apollo 8 Mission. A local sculptor has placed several statues around Treasure County. Arriving in Hysham from I-94, see the lion in City Park along with more animals and historical characters around town.

The Howrey Island Recreation Area, located 7 miles west of Hysham on Highway 311, is approximately 321 BLM-administered acres in the floodplains of the Yellowstone River. This is an excellent location for agate hunting, fishing, bird and wildlife watching, and hiking.

www.super8.com 1-800-800-8000

48 Cat Coulee Lane Hysham, MT 59038 Cell: (406)

951-0096 or (406) 342-5692

MontanaTravelRecreation.com •

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(courtesy Scott Jones)

Little Bighorn Battlefield Memorial (photo courtesy winterking07, Flickr)

lame deer

Located in Southeastern Montana, along Highway 212.

The Northern Cheyenne Nation is located in the Southeastern section of Montana along Hwy. 212. There are four towns on the reservation: Busby, Lame Deer, Birney, and Rabbit Town near Ashland. The reservation is an area of 445,000 acres with a population of about 3,000 and over 9,000 enrolled members.

Lame Deer is the largest town and is the location of the tribal headquarters. The tribe was governed by a council of 44 chiefs until 1936.

They then adopted a system similar to the United States government, with a president and representatives elected by the people. There have been 17 presidents, including one woman. The current president, elected in 2008, is Leroy Spang.

Lame Deer is a thriving community with a First Interstate Bank, Boys and Girls Club, post office, video and hardware store. We have a trading post that has been in business since 1878. The store has had only six owners in 131 years, and is currently co-owned by Donna Hurff, the great-grandaughter of the original owner, and Martha Bearquiver. Lame Deer also boasts a college, bookstore, library, casino, clinic and tribalowned gas station.

The Northern Cheyenne Reservation is rich in history and tradition.

Little Wolf and Dull Knife, also known as Morning Star, are buried in the Lame Deer cemetery. They helped get their people back to the land they loved, the mountains of Montana.

In Busby, there is a monument to Two Moons. It was built by Walker P. Moncure in 1936 along with the Largest Wooden Tepi. Moncure was the owner of the Busby Store from 1900 to 1936.

The Cheyenne welcome visitors to the powwows. The largest one is held in Lame Deer on the 4th of July.

Lavina

Located about 45 miles northwest of Billings on Hwy. 3.

Lavina situated on the Musselshell River, is the most direct route to Canada from the south. It is a community where everyone is considered a friend and neighbor. Lavina is noted for its catfish and trout. Hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased at the Lavina Bar. Stop and fish in some of the lakes and streams or hunt the various wildlife that is in the area.

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Little Bighorn Battleground

Located 15 miles east of Hardin near Crow Agency on Hwy. 212.

On a hot Sunday in June, 1876, on the ridge rising above the valley of Montana’s Little Bighorn River, Lt. Col. George A. Custer, five companies of U.S. Calvary and approx. 210 officers and troopers faced hundreds of American Indian warriors in a bloody battle that would thereafter be known as Custer’s Last Stand. For Custer and his soldiers, the battle was deadly — no soldier survived. For the native Americans, the battle was a triumph in their four-century struggle to preserve their way of life.

It also turned out to be one of their last armed efforts.

Little Bighorn Battleground was dedicated in 1879 initially to honor Custer and the U.S. soldiers killed in the battle. After many years, Native Americans who fought in the battle were also formally recognized and memorialized. A huge marble memorial serves as a single headstone for the battle’s many casualties. In an eerie scene, simple white headstones dot the battlefield marking where bodies were found and originally buried before being moved to the foot of the memorial.

For a live interpretation, mark your calendar for Custer’s Last Stand Re-Enactment performed in June just west of Hardin.

The re-enactment is narrated from an American Indian’s point of view and is based on first-hand accounts handed down from American Indian warriors who took part in the battle. The hour long spectacle uses a cast of 300 to re-create Custer’s mission to drive the Sioux and Cheyenne onto reservations, the signing of the Laramie Treaty, Sitting Bulls dramatic Sun Dance and the furious, final battle that became Custer’s Last Stand.

Medicine Rocks

Located approx. 27 miles south of Baker & just north of Ekalaka on Highway 7.

The Medicine Rocks area was named by native Americans who believed the landscape was alive with “good medicine.” They are a sight to behold. The soft sandstone has been sculpted into graceful formations by years of weathering.

The local area is also a haven for sharp tailed grouse, mule deer and antelope. Be prepared to be amazed — the Medicine Rocks truly are magical.

Miles City

Located 43 miles E. of Forsyth via I-94.

Located at Many activities are available to tourists Exit 138 and residents in the Miles City area, ranging I-94 & MT Hwy. 59 from sports to viewing arts in the local galleries. Popular fishing sites may be found along the Tongue and Yellowstone Rivers • Complimentary Express Start® Breakfast and at Spotted Eagle Recreation Area. A • Indoor Pool and Hot Tub number of reservoirs in the Miles City area Indoor Pool / Hot Tub • High Speed Internet Access are available for fishing.

• Free High Speed Internet Access Deluxe Continental Breakfast The Miles City area is a mecca for • 6 Jacuzzi Extra Feature Rooms New Western Decor & Old-Fashioned Montana Hospitality hunters of deer, antelope, wild turkey, pheasant, grouse, ducks and geese during Located at Exit 138 I-94 and MT Hwy. 59 the appropriate seasons. One of the finest 1615 S. Haynes Avenue • Miles City, MT 59301 natural outdoor swimming pools in the state is located in Miles City. Situated at the west rdbls@midrivers.com 1720 S. Haynes • Miles City, MT 59301 end of Main Street, the pool, actually a small www.choicehotels.com/hotel/MT415 hiexpress@midrivers.com lake, has a sandy beach and is shaded by www.hiexpress.com/milescitymt cottonwood trees.

For little swimmers, Wibaux Park has a 40 square foot cement wading pool. The Yellowstone River is a popular place Our standard amenities are to boat and a boat ramp is available near the bridge on Highway 22. anything but.

Several special events are scheduled in Miles City annually. These include the “World Famous Bucking Horse Sale” the third weekend in May; • Full Hot Breakfast • Pool & Hot Tub • Fitness Center • High-Speed Internet • Pets Allowed an annual Quilt Fair the third Saturday in June & the Eastern Montana Fair with its carnival, rodeo, stage show & fair exhibits held in August.

Pompeys Pillar

Located 28 miles east of Billings on Interstate 94.

Capt. William Clark named Pompeys Pillar in honor of his guide Sacajawea’s son Baptiste, nicknamed “Pomp,” a Shoshone Indian name for “chief.” Pompeys Pillar bears the only remaining physical evidence of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Clark carved his name in the pillar on the return route of the expedition in 1806. The formation is also described in the Lewis and Clark Expedition Journals. Pompeys Pillar is also unique in that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) owns it and surrounding area, thus making it one of the few publicly owned national monuments in the U.S. and ensuring its preservation. For info. regarding viewing Clark’s signature, please call the BLM at (406) 255-2938.

Richey

Located 43 miles west of Sidney at Junction of Hwy. 200 & Hwy. 254.

Take a break from staring at the highway and rest your eyes on the beautiful waves of golden wheat and slate blue skies that characterizes Richey. Cool off or camp out at Kuester Dam and be sure to bring your fishing rod. The lake is stocked with northern pike, trout and perch.

Visit the sand dunes just three miles south of Richey and search for prehistoric treasures. A quick swing southeast of Richey will present you with an up-close view of the largest bolted oil storage tank in the U.S. It holds 860,000 gallons of crude oil! This farming and ranching community is just the stop for the road weary traveler.

TERRY

If you’re looking to step into the settings depicted in a Norman Rockwell painting, Terry, Montana may be just the place for you. Terry’s unique surrounding beauty and rich historical eastern Montana heritage will draw in visitors and it’s friendly small town lifestyle will always leave a lasting impression.

Terry is the county seat of Prairie County and sits just below the popular Terry Badlands, providing a stunning backdrop for outdoor enthusiasts. Popular outdoor activities include hiking, fishing and hunting. The banks of the Yellowstone River, located just north of Terry attract agate hunters near and far.

Terry may most notably be known as the home of a world-famous 1800’s English lady photographer, Evelyn Cameron, who began taking pictures to help support the couple’s ranch. Her pictures include a multitude of subjects and settings that reflect the beauty and ruggedness of the era and area. Each year, Evelyn Cameron Heritage Inc. hosts a summer gala.

Visit the county museum for local history and view a large collection of agates from the area. From community events and business owners with a ready handshake and smile, to activities the entire family can enjoy, Terry truly is “the friendly little town below the badlands!”

Best Western War Bonnet Inn

1015 S. Haynes, Box 1055, Miles City, MT 59301 | 406.234.4560 1.800.780.7234 | www.bestwesternmontana.com Each Best Western® branded hotel is independently owned and operated. ©2012 Best Western International, Inc. All rights reserved.

Miles City

1209 South Haynes Ave. • Miles City, MT 59301 (406) 232-8880 • www.econolodge.com econolodge@midrivers.net 2008-2009 Gold Award Winner

All rooms have refrigerator, microwave, coffee pots and irons & ironing boards • Free Wireless Internet • Free Continental Breakfast • Children Stay Free • Indoor Heated Pool • Handicap Accessible Rooms Available Wibaux

Located via Interstate 94 southeast of Glendive.

The first Montana community on Interstate 94, Wibaux is truly the “Gateway to Montana.”

Montana Visitor Information Center and rest area at Exit 242 in Wibaux has all of the maps and travel information you will need to complete your plans for a wonderful Montana vacation. As a bonus, you will find Wibaux (pronounced wee-bo) to be a friendly, western town with a charming historic commercial district.

Pierre Wibaux was a Frenchman who came to America in the 1880s to make his fortune in cattle. You can pick up a brochure for a self-guided walking history tour of Wibaux. Two sites you won’t want to miss are Pierre Wibaux’s statue and the beautiful old St. Peter’s Church with its picturesque covering of lava rock.

Children will enjoy Wibaux’s public outdoor swimming pool and new playground equipment at the city park downtown. For the outdoor enthusiasts, Wibaux has a public fish pond a mile south of town on Highway 7.

Beaver Creek, which flows through town, has produced some Walleye and Northern pike in excess of 10 pounds. Catfish and Bullheads are caught in the creek, also. Wildlife watchers also may want to take note. Wild turkeys, beaver and Whitetail deer are often seen right in town during the quiet morning hours, and a variety of songbirds provide enjoyment. Mule deer, antelope and upland birds also abound in the Wibaux area.

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State Parks and Recreation Areas Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area - Stunning canyon scenery, hiking trails, naturalist-guided trips, boating, fishing and camping make this one of Montana’s most attractive recreation sites. Bighorn Lake, created by 525 ft. high Yellowtail Dam, is located within the canyon’s spectacular limestone walls. 42 miles S. of Hardin on Hwy. 313.

Fort Smith..................................................................................................................................................................................................(406) 666-2412 Chief Plenty Coups State Park Home and burial site of Chief Plenty Coups, last chief of the Crow Indians. The home and store remain as evidence of the chief’s efforts to lead his people into adopting the lifestyle of the whites. Day-Use Only. Visitor center and interpretive displays explain the Crow culture. User fee. 35 miles S. of Billings Pryor..........................................................................................................................................................................................................(406) 252-1289 Medicine Rocks State Park - This was a place of “big medicine,” where American Indian hunting parties received inspiration. Haven for wildlife.

Intentionally preserved to its natural state. Step back in time and let your mind wander. N. on MT 7.

Ekalaka......................................................................................................................................................................................................(406) 232-0900 Makoshika State Park - To the Sioux Indians, Makoshika means “bad earth” or “bad land”. In addition to unusual scenery, the park contains fossil remains of such dinosaurs as the tyrannosaurus and triceratops, seven-mile scenic drive and a visitor center. User fee.

S.E. of Glendive on Snyder Ave...............................................................................................................................................................(406) 377-6256 One mile from Miles City on Snyder Ave. . ............................................................................................................................................. (406) 377-5601 Rosebud Battlefield State Park - Undeveloped site of the 1876 battle between Sioux Indians and General George Crook’s infantry. One of the U.S. history’s largest American Indian battles, it set the stage for an American Indian victory eight days later at the Battle of Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. N. of Decker on Secondary 314.

Decker...................................................................................................................................................................................................... (406) 232-0900 Tongue River Reservoir State Park - Scenic, 12 mile long reservoir offers boating, camping, concessions, and good fishing for Walleye, Northern Pike, Bass and Crappie. User fee. 6 miles N. on Sec. 314, then 1 mile E. on county road.

Phone........................................................................................................................................................................................................(406) 232-0900

Calendar of Events

For a Full List of Events and Event Details, Contact Area Chambers of Commerce/Visitor’s Bureaus.

APRIL GLENDIVE – Annual Makoshika Quilt Festival Spring Fling Home Garden & Sports Expo HARDIN – Big Horn Hospital Fish Fry Fiddler’s Jamboree MAY ALZADA – Johnny Morris Memorial Rodeo ASHLAND – Memorial Day Powwow & Rodeo HARDIN Undercover Gals & Big Horn Quilter’s Show LAME DEER – Northern Cheyenne Memorial Day Celebration MILES CITY – Bucking Horse Sale Western Art Roundup & Quick Draw JUNE BAKER – Bump ‘n Run Race BROADUS – Little Levi Rodeo Powder River Buffalo Shoot COLSTRIP – Colstrip Days (Last Weekend) Ekalaka – Bump N Run Competition FORSYTH – Matthew Quigley Shoot Rodeo Days GLENDIVE – Buzzard Day Campfire & Youth Program Cars in the Park Show HARDIN – 1876 Grand Ball Country Fun Day Custer’s Last Stand Re-Enactment Demolition Derby Little Big Horn Days Undercover Gals & Big Horn Quilter’s Show MILES CITY – Western Art Roundup & Quick Draw RICHEY – Vintage Car Show & Run TERRY – R/C Fun Fly JULY BROADUS – Centennial Fest Crazy Days Freedom Run COLSTRIP – Rosebud County Relay for Life Ekalaka – Carter County Wagon Train Youth Rodeo

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FORSYTH – Rosebud Treasure County Fair GLENDIVE – Eastern Montana Relay for Life HARDIN – Big Horn County Youth Fair St. Xavier Amateur Rodeo Undercover Gals & Big Horn Quilter’s Show HYSHAM – Parade, Fun Run & Fireworks LAME DEER – Pow Wow LODGE GRASS Valley Of The Chiefs Powwow & Rodeo RICHEY – Rodeo TERRY – Terry Roping Club’s 4th of July Rodeo Terry Yippee!

AUGUST BAKER – Fallon County Fair BROADUS – Powder River County Fair CROW AGENCY – Crow Fair And Rodeo Ekalaka – Carter County Horse Show Days Of ‘85 Fair, Rodeo, Parade Fair, Quilt Show, Art Show Fireman’s Barbeque & Entertainment Pancake Breakfast Parade & Rodeo Street Dance FORSYTH – Yellowstone River Duck Festival / Classic Car Show / Microbrew Fest GLENDIVE – Dawson County Fair & Rodeo HARDIN – County Fun Days Jailhouse Gallery Open House Kathy Miller Duck Derby HYSHAM – Fly-In / Drive In Breakfast @ Airport (First Sunday) MILES CITY – Art Auction Exhibit Demo Derby Eastern Montana Fair Relay for Life TERRY – Evelyn Cameron Gala Prairie County Fair WILBAUX – County Fair SEPTEMBER ASHLAND – Labor Day Powwow BROADUS – Last Chance Derby Stitch & Chatter Quilt Show

Ekalaka – Medicine Rocks Black Powder Shoot Puptown Round Robin Roping GLENDIVE – Bell Street Bridge Day Dawson College Rodeo MILES CITY – Art Auction Exhibit High Plains Classic Car Show Music on Wings Bluegrass Festival OCTOBER ALZADA – Cowboy Poetry, Music & Art Show Ekalaka – Alzada Poetry, Music & Art Show Glendive – Oktoberfest HARDIN – Harvest Polka Dance NOVEMBER Ekalaka Holiday Bazaar & Museum Open House FORSYTH Christmas Walk & Parade of Lights HARDIN – Holiday Wishes Bazaar LAME DEER Veteran’s Day Powwow DECEMBER COLSTRIP – Lighting of the Lights in Fireman’s Park (First Weekend) HARDIN Chamber of Commerce Open House & Bazaar HYSHAM – Holidays in Hysham, Parade & Booths (First Monday) WIBAUX – Appreciation Day & Craft Show JANUARY BUSBY Children’s Run from Ft. Robinson to Busby HARDIN – Chamber of Commerce Chili Cook Off MILES CITY Annual Southeastern MT Juried Art Exhibit FEBRUARY GLENDIVE – GATE (Glendive Agri-Trade Expo) MILES CITY – Cowtown Beef Breeders Show MARCH HARDIN – Chamber Town & Country Banquet

Points of Interest BAKER

O’Fallon Historical Museum

723 S. Main • (406) 778-3265 BROADUS

Powder River Taxidermy Wildlife Museum BUSBY

Rosebud Battlefield - 25 miles from Busby.

Two Moons Monument CROW AGENCY

Big Horn County Historical Museum &

State Visitor Center EKALAKA

Carter County Museum

Medicine Rocks State Park

Montana’s Dinosaur Trail FORSYTH

Rosebud County Courthouse FORT SMlTH

Yellowtail Dam Visitor Center

HARDIN

Montana Centennial Train Coach HYSHAM

Howery Island Wildlife Viewing Area

Isaac Homestead Wildlife Management Area LAME DEER

Buffalo Jump

Little Bighorn Battlefield - See page 88.

Mullin Picture Museum

Tribal Headquarters MILES CITY

Makoshika Dinosaur Museum

Montana Bar

Range Riders Museum POMPEYS PILLAR

Pompeys Pillar National Historic Landmark WIBAUX

St. Peter’s Catholic Church - Built in 1885, featuring stained

glass & a lava rock exterior covered with climbing vines.

Wibaux County Museum and Visitor Information Center

Area Chambers of Commerce & Visitors Centers Baker • (406) 778-2266 • (800) 862-2537 • www.bakermt.com Broadus Visitor Center • (406) 436-2992 • www.broadusmontana.com Carter County • (406) 975-2222 • www.cartercountychamberofcommerce.com Colstrip • (406) 748-3293 • www.colstripchamber.com Forsyth • (406) 347-5656 • www.forsythmt.com

Glendive • (406) 377-5601 • www.GlendiveChamber.com Hardin • (406) 665-1672 • www.thehardinchamber.com Hysham • (406) 342-5457 • www.hysham.org

Miles City • (406) 234-2890 • www.milescitychamber.com Northern Cheyenne Area (Lame Deer / Busby) • (406) 477-6284 • www.cheyennenation.com Powder River • (406) 436-2778 • www.powderriverchamber.org

Richey • www.richeymt.com Terry • (406) 635-5782 Wibaux • (406) 796-2412

Medicine Rocks (courtesy J. B. Chandler)

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General Hunting Regulations Who Do I Call?

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks State Headquarters

1420 East 6th Avenue, PO Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701..................................................................................................... (406) 444-2535 Hunter Education................................................................................................................................................................................. (406) 444-2535 Hunter Safety Requirements............................................................................................................................................................... (406) 444-2535 Wildlife Recovery Center..................................................................................................................................................................... (406) 444-1312 Enforcement Division.......................................................................................................................................................................... (406) 444-2452 Telephone Device for the Deaf............................................................................................................................................................ (406) 444-1200 Deer, elk, antelope, moose, sheep, goat, and all special drawings..................................................................................................... (406) 444-2535 Resident & Nonresident Licensing for fishing, upland game birds, migratory birds, black bear, and mountain lion...........................(406) 444-2535 Nonresident mailing list for deer and elk big game combination license and regulations...................................................................(406) 444-2950

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Regional Headquarters

Bozeman............................................................................................................................................................................................. (406) 994-4042 Billings................................................................................................................................................................................................. (406) 247-2940 Glasgow.............................................................................................................................................................................................. (406) 228-3700 Great Falls........................................................................................................................................................................................... (406) 454-5840 Kalispell............................................................................................................................................................................................... (406) 752-5501 Miles City............................................................................................................................................................................................. (406) 234-0900 Missoula.............................................................................................................................................................................................. (406) 542-5500

Federal Agencies

Bureau of Land Management contact for detailed maps..................................................................................................................... (406) 896-5000 Fish & Wildlife Services (Helena Field Office)..................................................................................................................................... (406) 449-5225 US Forest Service.............................................................................................................................................................................. (800) 832-1355

Tribal Lands

Blackfeet Nation.................................................................................................................................................... (406) 338-7521 or (406) 338-7522 Crow Tribe........................................................................................................................................................................................... (406) 638-3700 Flathead Tribe..................................................................................................................................................................................... (406) 675-2700 Fort Belknap........................................................................................................................................................................................ (406) 353-8473 Fort Peck............................................................................................................................................................................................. (406) 768-5155 Northern Cheyenne............................................................................................................................................................................. (406) 477-6284 Rocky Boys......................................................................................................................................................................................... (406) 395-4282

Montana State Agencies

Agriculture........................................................................................................................................................................................... (406) 444-3144 Guides & Outfitters.............................................................................................................................................................................. (406) 841-2373 Livestock............................................................................................................................................................................................. (406) 444-7323 State Parks & Lands............................................................................................................................................................................ (406) 444-2535 Tourism................................................................................................................................................................................................ (800) 847-4868

(courtesy Lana Marie Tegeler, Timberline Photography)

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Montana

Guides & Outfitters Iron Wheel Guest Ranch & Cargill Outfitters • Big Game Hunts: Elk, Black Bears, Deer, Mountain Lions • Fishing Trips: Madison, Big Hole, & Jefferson Rivers; Mountain Lakes • Horseback Riding, Lodge & Family Vacations

• Outfitter • Custom Tied Flies • Full Service Fly Shop • Guided Fishing Trips

37 Canyon St. • P.O. Box 1290 • West Yellowstone, MT 59758 (406) 646-7290 • www.arricks.com

John & Sherry Cargill

Beartooth Plateau Outfitters

(406) 494-2960

P.O. Box 1127 • Cooke City, MT 59020

Orvis Fly-Fishing Expedition Outfitter • Pack Trips Into Yellowstone Park & Beartooth Wilderness • 1-800-253-8545 www.beartoothoutfitters.com • ronnie@beartoothoutfitters.com MT #536

archery & rifle elk hunts

WY #160

License #201

40 Cedar Hills Rd. Whitehall, MT 59759 www.ironwheel.com

cargill@ironwheel.com

Big Wild Adventures

Flying Diamond Guide Service

“In Wildness Is The Preservation Of The World” Guided Wilderness Backpacking

(406) 222-1748 • (406) 222-7362 • www.flyingdiamondguide.com

222 Tom Miner Creek Rd. • Emigrant, MT 59027

(406) 848-7000 • www.bigwildadventures.com

12 Luccock Park Rd. • Livingston, MT 59047

Bow & rifle hunting for elk, deer & bear • Overnight pack trips across the summer cattle grazing range to our 100 yr. old homestead • Day fishing trips • Horse back rides by the hour • Over-night wolf sighting tours

Bella’s Prize (courtesy Jeremy Wheaton)

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Montana

Campgrounds & RV Parks

Camping Fish Creek (courtesy Neil Weigh

tman)

~ big timber ~

IFI

FREE W

2.5 Miles South On Hwy. 298

(406) 932-4387

www.springcreekcampground.com 65 RV Sites • Pull-Thrus • Full Hooks-Ups • River Sites • Cabins & Tent Sites • Country Store • Laundry Facilities • 3 Stocked Spring Fed Trout Ponds

~ bigfork ~

Outback Montana RV Park

& Campground 13772 Outback Ln. • Bigfork, MT 59911

(406) 837-6973 • (888) 900-6973

Camper Cabin Rentals • Many Pull-Thru Spaces www.outbackmontana.com • outback@cyberport.net

~ billings ~ Eastwood Estates MHP & RV Park I-90 Exit 452 • 1803 Hwy. 87 E. • Billings, MT 59101

(406) 245-7733

Pull-Thrus • Full Hookups • Table at Site • Showers • Restrooms • Dump Station • Private Phone • Laundry

~ ENNIS ~

1 Mile N. Of Ennis On Hwy. 287 Ennis, MT 59729 Free WiFi

(866) 682-5272

www.ennisrv.com

✓

GShowers lendive RV Park & Campground Laundry 50 Amp Services Long / Wide Pull ✓

✓

✓

Thrus ✓ 60 Channel Cable TV ✓ Swimming Pool ✓ Free WiFi

(406) 377-6721 • www.glendivervpark.com Open April 15 - October 31 • Exit 215 • Glendive, MT 59330

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• Region 6

~ dillon ~ 30 Sawmill Rd. Dillon, MT 59725

(406) 683-9860

John & Valerie Hathaway, Owners www.goldwest.visitmt.com/listings/11943.htm countrysidervpark@excite.com One of Montana’s “Top Rated” Parks

EZ On/Off I-15 Exit 59 • Free WiFi • Large Pull Thrus • Open All Year

~ Glasgow ~

Shady Rest RV Park

Lasar Drive • Glasgow, MT 59230

(406) 228-2769 (800) 422-8954

Toll Free

~ HELENA ~

Lincoln Road RV Park 850 Lincoln Road • Helena, MT 59604 Large Pull-through Spaces

(800) 797-3725 • www.lincolnroadrvpark.net

Missoula’s Highest Rated Park Wireless Internet!

9900 Jellystone Ave. Missoula, MT 59808 www.campjellystonemt.com

(800) 318-9644

~ ST. REGIS ~

pgroun am St. Regis

d

c

A Special Place . . .

~ sidney ~ RV Parking

Tent & Bathroom Facilities Check in Behind McDonalds Among the Shade Trees Hwy. 16 S. • Sidney, MT 59270

(406) 480-9119 • (970) 779-7100

~ st. regis ~

Nugget RV Park

P.O. Box A • 44 Frontage Rd. West St. Regis, MT 59866

105 Old Hwy. 10 East • St. Regis, MT 59866

www.campgroundstregis.com

www.nuggetrvpark.com • FREE WIFI

Free WiFi • (406)

649-2470

~ trout creek ~

Trout Creek Motel, RV Park & Cabins 2972 Hwy. 200 • Trout Creek, MT 59874

(406) 827-3268 www.trout-creek-lodging.com

~ W. YELLOWSTONE ~

On Hebgen Lake

(406) 649-2122

~ W. YELLOWSTONE ~

210 S. Electric W. Yellowstone, MT 59758

(406) 646-4466

www.grizzlyrv.com 815 8 Ave. S.W. • P.O. Box 869 White Sulphur Springs, MT 59645

Yellowstone Holiday RV Park & Cabins www.yellowstoneholiday.com

(406) 547-3890 • (888) 898-5386

(406) 646-4242 • (877) 646-4242

• All Pull-Thru Units • WiFi • Store • Playground

16990 Hebgen Lake Rd. West Yellowstone, MT 59758

www.ccmemberships.com

Camping in Glacier National Park (courtesy David Restivo, NPS)

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Bed & Breakfasts of Montana Experience Big Sky Hospitality

Symmes-Wicks House Bed and Breakfast

Blue Mountain

220 West Boulevard Lewistown, MT 59457

Bed & Breakfast

A little “peace” of heaven, nestled among the mountains of Missoula, Montana.

6980 Deadman Gulch Rd. • Missoula, MT 59804

(406) 538-9068

Tastefully Decorated Guest Rooms with Tiffany Glass & Period Antiques

(877) 251-4457 • (406) 251-4457

www.bluemountainbb.com • stay@bluemountainbb.com

Mt. Hwy. 200 Milepost 161 Mosby, MT 59058

The Ranch Bed & Breakfast LLC

hilangus@midrivers.com

2120 Hwy. 69 • Boulder, MT 59632

(406) 429-6801 Wireless Internet

“Where Friends Are Family”

Built in the 1870’s in the Beautiful Boulder Valley, Surrounded by The Bull Mountains, The Elkhorns & The Tobacco Root Mountains.

(406) 287-5835

Hwy. 69 at the 21 Mile Post Between Boulder & Whitehall in the Boulder River Valley.

IRON WHEEL GUEST RANCH

Bed & Breakfast • Trail Rides • Youth Camps • Fishing Float Trips • Family Vacations • Reunions & Retreats • Big Game Hunts • Lic. #201 John & Sherry Cargill

40 Cedar Hills Rd. • Whitehall, MT 59759 • (406) 494-2960 www.ironwheel.com • cargill@ironwheel.com

Enjoy The Beautiful Bitterroot Valley

Neownfly g Dra abin C

197 Pistol Lane Victor, MT 59875 (406) 642-3258 www.timeaftertimebb.com

• 3 Guest Rooms & Cabin • Gourmet Food • Spacious Rooms • Woods • Wildlife • Pond Member MT B&B Assn.

Gallatin National Forest (courtesy Forest Service, Northern Region)

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