MAPS INSIDE
Experience the Old West of America established 1863
Explore a scenic route full of adventure...
ROBBERS ROOST
VIRGINIA CITY & NEVADA CITY
EVERY JOURNEY A The HeartMAKE of Vigilante Country
SCENIC DRIVE TRAVEL BACK IN TIME TO HISTORIC
GHOST TOWNS SOAK IN THE SCENERY AND NATURAL
HOT SPRINGS 2022 OFFICIAL REGIONAL TRAVEL GUIDE SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
1.800.829.2969
w w w. v i rg i n i a c i t y. c o m
CANADA
Cardston Rexford
Yaak Bonners Ferry
Eureka Fortine Trego
Troy
Martin City Hungry Horse Essex
Kalispell Heron
Kila
Somers
Trout Creek
Rollins Proctor Dayton Elmo Big Arm
Thompson Falls Hot Springs
Elliston Haugan Plains De Borgia Paradise St. Regis
85 95
er
Augusta
Ulm
ID AH
Bonner Clinton
O
Stevensville
PINTLER SCENIC ROUTE
Victor Corvallis
Philipsburg
Hamilton
Garrison GRANTKOHRS RANCH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
Deer Lodge
Anaconda 569
Conner
Wise River
BIG HOLE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
Dewey Divide
Wisdom Riggins
278
Jackson Salmon
McCall
DRIVING DISTANCES Cascade Challis
Melrose PIONEER MTNS SCENIC BYWAY Polaris
Clancy
Silver Star
Twin Bridges
Horseshoe Bend
Ringling
Manhattan
Portland, OR 491 miles, 790 km
Los Angeles, CA Fairfield 878 miles, 1,413 km Las Vegas, NV 694 miles, 1,116 km Phoenix, AZ 867 miles, 1,395 km
Rexburg
Arco Yellowstone National Park 148 miles, 238 km Idaho Falls, ID Carey Denver, CO 577 miles, 928 km 176 miles, 283 km Salt Lake City, UT 363 miles, 584 km Shoshone
AIRPORTS
Absaroke
Gallatin Gateway
Fishtai
Nye Roscoe
Pray Emigrant
Big Sky
Silver Gate
Gardiner
Tower Junction
Mammoth Hot Springs
YELLOWSTONE Canyon Norris NATIONAL Madison PARK Junction
West Yellowstone
Old Faithful
Sun Valley
Greyclif R
McLeod
Bozeman
Norris
Laurin RUBY NEVADA RIVER Ennis CITY VALLEY SCENIC Alder 278 ROUTE VIRGINIA CITY Dillon MADISON Bannack Cameron RIVER VALLEY Grant SCENIC ROUTE 324 RED ROCK LAKES 324 Quake NATIONAL Lake WILDLIFE REFUGE BIG Dell SHEEP CR. BACKCOUNTRY Lima BYWAY Lakeview Monida
Big Timber
Clyde Park
Belgrade Livingston
LEWIS Three & CLARK Forks CAVERNS Pony Harrison
Minneapolis, MN Mud Lake 936 miles, 1,506 km
Wilsall
Logan
St. Anthony
Butte
Red
BEARTOOT ALL-AMERI
Grant Village
Grand Teton
26
D
Bert Mooney Idaho FallsAirport 406.494.3771 www.butteairport.com
BlackfootRegional Airport Helena
Cooke City
Lake West Thumb
26
406.442.2821 www.helenaairport.com
Harlow
Martinsdale
Townsend
Cardwell
Sheridan
Two Dot
IDAHO
Seattle, WA 478 miles, 769 km
White Sulphur Springs
Glacier National Park 245 miles, 394 km
Spokane, WA 264 miles, 424 km
Utica
Judith Gap
Montana City Winston
Calgary, AB, Canada 356 miles, 572 km Stanley
Hobson
Neihart
Jefferson City TIZER BOTANIC GARDEN & Boulder ARBORETUM
Whitehall
Stanford
Monarch
Basin
Butte
Denton
Raynesford Geyser
East Helena
Helena
Elliston
Georgetown Lake
Darby
New Meadows
Canyon Creek Marysville Avon
Belt
Craig Wolf Creek
Lincoln
Helmville
Drummond
Sula
Winifr
Stockett
Cascade
Greenough Ovando
Virgelle
Great Falls
Fairfield Vaughn
Condon
Missoula
Loma
Fort Benton
Seeley Lake
Florence
Grangeville
Brady
Bynum
St. Ignatius
Lolo
Craigmont
Big Sandy
Fort Shaw
Arlee
Hav
Box Elder
Conrad
Riv
Choteau Ronan
Rudyard
Dupuyer
Moiese
Alberton
Kooskia
ad
Swan Lake
Charlo Dixon
Superior
Orofino
Heart Butte the
Chester
Galata
Valier
Polson
Avon
Kellogg
Shelby
East Glacier Park Fla
Lakeside
Noxon
85 95
Bigfork
Cut Bank
Browning
Columbia Falls Coram
Marion
MONTANA
Sunburst
Lake McDonald West Glacier
Whitefish
Sweetgrass
Babb
Apgar
Libby
Sandpoint
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK St. Mary
Polebridge
B Bondurant
Alpine
Climax
Turner Loring
Crosby 85
Plentywood
Chinook
vre
Medicine Lake
Fort Belknap Agency
Hinsdale
Saco
Dodson
Malta
Froid
Saint Marie
Vandalia
Glasgow
Landusky
Culbertson
Wolf Point
Nashua
Williston
Poplar
Bainville Fairview
Lambert
Crane
Savage
Bloomfield
Circle Jordan
Brockway 253
Grass Range
Glendive
Sand Springs
Winnett
Cohagen
Terry
wton
Ingomar
Fallon
Ismay
Miles City
Roundup
Wibaux
253
Mosby
Melstone
Plevna
85
Baker
Forsyth
Hysham
Watford City
OTA NORTH DAK
Brusett
Lewistown
85
Sidney
Zortman
Roy
Ray
Lustre
Fort Peck
red
Rosebud
Bighorn
85
Custer Worden
Laurel
Billings Hardin
Columbus
Park City
ee
il
Rockvale
Bridger
Lodge
Saint Xavier
Pryor
Lame Deer
Crow Agency Garryowen
Cody
HI G
H WA Y
Broadus
Otter
Biddle
Alzada
Decker
WYOMING
Ranchester
TH ICAN ROAD
Olive
Birney
Wyola
Belfry
T R A IL
Busby
Lodge Grass
Fort Smith
Ashland
WA R RI O R
Belle Fourche
Spearfish
Greybull
Meeteetse
HIGHWAYS
Worland
Four Corners
16
789
ROUTE MARKERS
MAP SYMBOLS AND OTHER FEATURES
Ten Sleep Interstate
Interstate Route Principal Highways Other Highways Thermopolis
Dubois
Airports Amtrak Line Continental DivideWright Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Nez Perce National Historic Trail
U.S. Route State Route Other Route State Capital
16
MILES 0 25
Burris
50
75
100
KILOMETERS 0 25 50
Kinnear Moneta Waltman
Natrona Casper
Glenrock
75
Custer
Newcastle
16 85
789
Riverton
Greybull
85
Basin
120
85
Shell
Emblem
Wapiti
Buffalo
DAKOTA
Roberts
Joliet
Ekalaka
Colstrip
Pompeys Pillar
SOUTH
ff Reed Point
e
Scobey
Peerless
Whitewater
Westby
Whitetail Flaxville
Four Buttes
Opheim
100
MAPS INSIDE
NEVADA CITY. VISIT MONTANA
GATES OF THE MOUNTAINS. WANDERLUST CREW
PHILIPSBURG. DONNIE SEXTON
EY A
VE
TIZER GARDENS. ANDY AUSTIN
BIG HOLE BATTLEFIELD. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM
SCULPTURE IN THE WILD. JORDAN LEFLER
NS
Y
VIRGINIA CITY. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM
S BANNACK STATE PARK. VISIT MONTANA
GRANT-KOHRS RANCH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE. MOTBD
MAPS INSIDE
CONTENTS ATTRACTIONS / ACTIVITIES Scenic Drives ��������������������������2 Ghost Towns ���������������������������6 Ghost Tours �����������������������������9 Hot Springs & Water Parks ����10 Rockhounding & Geology ������12 Birding & Wildlife Watching ���14 Adventure on the Water ���������16 Ranches, Outfitters & Guide Services ������������������������������18 Public Lands �������������������������20 National Park Service Sites ���20
State Parks ����������������������������22 Lewis & Clark ������������������������23 American Indian Sites & Events ������������������������������23 Arts & Culture ������������������������24 Golf ���������������������������������������28 Breweries & Distilleries ����������30 Winter Adventures �����������������32 COMMUNITIES Helena Area ���������������������������34 Augusta, Lincoln & Ovando Area ��������������������38
Butte Area �����������������������������40 Virginia City & Ennis Area ������44 Anaconda & Philipsburg Area ���������������46 Dillon & Beaverhead County Area ������������������������50 Deer Lodge Area �������������������52 Lodging ��������������������������������56 Calendar of Events ��������������60 Rodeos & Farmers Markets ��62 Visitor Information ���������������63 Index ������������������������������������64
AREA CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE & VISITOR CENTERS ANACONDA CHAMBER 306 E. Park Ave., Anaconda, 59711 406.563.2400, www.anacondamt.org
AUGUSTA CHAMBER P.O. Box 2, Augusta, 59410 www.augustamontana.com
BEAVERHEAD CHAMBER 10 W. Reeder St., Dillon, 59725 406.683.5511, www.beaverheadchamber.org
BOULDER CHAMBER P.O. Box 278, Boulder, 59632 406.465.2106, www.bouldermtchamber.org
BUTTE CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 1000 George St., Butte, 59701 406.723.3177 • 800.735.6414 www.visitbutte.com
DRUMMOND CHAMBER P.O. Box 364, Drummond, 59832 www.townofdrummondmontana.com
ENNIS CHAMBER 201 E. Main St., Ennis, 59729 406.682.4388, www.ennischamber.com
HELENA CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU 225 Cruse Ave., Suite A, Helena, 59601 1.800.7HELENA • 406.442.4120 www.helenamt.com
VISIT HELENA 105 Reeder’s Alley, Helena, 59601 406.449.2107, www.helenamt.com
LINCOLN VALLEY CHAMBER 216 Stemple Pass Road, Lincoln, 59639 406.362.4949, www.lincolnmontana.com
PHILIPSBURG CHAMBER
MAKE EVERY JOURNEY A
SCENIC DRIVE
109 E. Broadway St., Philipsburg, 59858 406.859.3388, www.philipsburgmt.com
POWELL COUNTY CHAMBER
529 Main St., Deer Lodge, 59722 406.846.2094, www.powellcountymontana.com/deerlodge
RUBY VALLEY CHAMBER
Large haystacks formed using a traditional beaverslide, a device made of wooden poles and planks that makes it possible to build giant stacks up to 30 feet high. Stacks built in this way can withstand the elements for two to six years, while baled hay stored outdoors can begin to go bad after just a year. This was shot from a backroad in the Ophir Creek area just north of Avon looking toward the Flint Creek Range. Photo by John Lambing
TRAVEL BACK IN TIME TO HISTORIC
730 N. Montana St., Twin Bridges, 59754 www.rubyvalleychamber.com
TOWNSEND CHAMBER
ON THE COVER:
GHOST TOWNS
110 Broadway St., Townsend, 59644 406.266.4101, www.townsendmt.com
VIRGINIA CITY & NEVADA CITY CHAMBER P.O. Box 218, Virginia City, 59755 406.843.5555 • 800.829.2969 www.virginiacity.com
SIGN UP FOR OUR SOAK IN THE SCENERY NEWSLETTER: AND NATURAL 501 N. Whitehall St., Whitehall, 59759 www.southwestmt.com/ WHITEHALL CHAMBER
HOT SPRINGS
406.287.2260 www.whitehallchamberofcommerce.com
emailnewsletter
Southwest Montana Travel Guide is published annually by Southwest Montana. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of Southwest Montana is prohibited. Address all editorial and photo material to Southwest Montana, 1105 Main Street, Deer Lodge, MT 59722. We assume no responsibility for unsolicited material. All submitted material must have an SASE enclosed. Maps provide general information only. Maps are not accurate in miles or geographic distances. Refer to the official Montana Highway Map, available at all chambers of commerce, for accurate information before you travel. Information in this guide may have changed since its publication. Please verify all information prior to travel. Southwest Montana is not a regulatory agency and, therefore, has no authority to inspect businesses or require that they meet certain health, safety or travel industry standards for inclusion in this guide. Printed in the USA for free distribution. Alternative accessible formats of this document can be provided upon request. © 2022 Produced with accommodations tax funds.
800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM
1 1
SCENIC DRIVES
DILLON, MONTANA. USDA PHOTO BY PRESTON KERES
MILES OF DISCOVERY: SCENIC DRIVING Around every bend and over every hill awaits another beautiful view—at least that’s the case when you’re driving through Southwest Montana. The point of the drive is the drive itself, each bend a new opportunity to dig deeper and explore a little further. Here, we’ve suggested a few of our favorite routes and some things to do and see along the way. Be sure to have your camera handy and allow plenty of time for “Pull over! I have to get a picture of that.”
1
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK TO GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
DAY 1: WEST YELLOWSTONE TO BUTTE VIA MADISON AND RUBY VALLEYS (167 miles) • From West Yellowstone, head north along U.S. Highway 191, turn left onto U.S. Highway 287. It is only 8 miles from West Yellowstone to the junction. • Stay on U.S. Highway 287, continuing northwest through the Madison River Valley with a stop at the Earthquake Lake Visitor Center. • Continue northwest on U.S. Highway 287 into Ennis, a fly-fishing mecca and home to quaint shops and galleries. • Head west out of town on Montana Highway 287 (U.S. Highway 287 heads north from Ennis). Stop and visit the ghost towns of Virginia City and Nevada City. • Continue north on Montana Highway 41, then take Montana Highway 55 to Whitehall and admire the town’s murals depicting the Lewis and Clark Expedition. • Leaving Whitehall, take I-90 northwest to Butte. Visit the Butte Visitor Center for a historic trolley tour, the World Museum of Mining, the historic landmark district or stretch your legs on one of the many urban trails. 2
SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
DAY 2: BUTTE TO WEST GLACIER VIA THE BLACKFOOT RIVER VALLEY (245 miles) • Leaving Butte, continue west on I-90. Stop in Deer Lodge to tour the Old Montana Prison Complex, the Montana Auto Museum and the Frontier Museum. Don’t miss the GrantKohrs Ranch National Historic Site, the only working cattle ranch in the National Park Service. • From Deer Lodge, continue west on I-90 until reaching Garrison. Veer east on U.S. Highway 12 to Avon, turn north onto Montana Highway 141. Turn west on Montana Highway 200, stop in Ovando for a meal at Trixi's Antler Saloon. • Continue on Montana Highway 200 to Montana Highway 83. • Head northwest on Montana Highway 83 following along the majestic Mission Mountains and Bob Marshall/ Scapegoat Wildernesses to Bigfork. •H ead north on Montana Highway 35 toward Kalispell, take U.S. Highway 2 north to West Glacier, the west entrance to Glacier National Park.
SCENIC DRIVES Yaak
Rexford
Eureka Polebridge
Fortine Trego Troy
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK St. Mary Lake McDonald West Glacier
Martin City Hungry Horse Essex
Kalispell Kila
Marion
Lakeside
Noxon Trout Creek
Rollins Proctor Dayton Elmo Big Arm
Thompson Falls Hot Springs
Charlo
Florence
2
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK ALTERNATE ROUTE
Corvallis
Hamilton
Wolf Creek
Marysville
Garrison
Deer Lodge
Philipsburg
Boulder
569
Wise River
Sula
Dewey Divide Wisdom BIG HOLE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
Melrose PIONEER MTNS SCENIC BYWAY Polaris
278
Jackson
278
Bannack State Park
Butte Whitehall Silver Star
Twin Bridges
1
Dillon
Three Forks
LEWIS & CLARK CAVERNS
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK ALTERNATE ROUTE: EAST GLACIER TO WEST YELLOWSTONE (360 MILES) •L eaving Glacier National Park at East Glacier, drive east on U.S. Highway 2 and then south on U.S. Highway 89. •A t Choteau, turn south onto U.S. Highway 287 toward Augusta. This route follows the Rocky Mountain Front, where the towering peaks of the Rockies meet Montana’s rolling plains. •N ear Wolf Creek, travel south on I-15 and take exit 209 to experience the Gates of the Mountains. • Continue south along I-15 to the city of Helena. The capital city is a great spot for an overnight stay. • From Helena, head south on I-15 for 18 miles then take exit 176 to Tizer Botanical Garderns, Montana's only full-time botanical garden and arboretum.
NEVADA CITY
Wilsall
2
Gallatin NorrisGateway
Big Sky
324
RED ROCK LAKES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Dell Lima
Monida
Lakeview
Quake Lake
Greycliff Reed
McLeod
Bozeman
Ennis
VIRGINIA CITY Cameron
Big Timber
Clyde Park
Belgrade Livingston
Absarokee Fishtail
Nye Roscoe
Pray Emigrant
Gardiner
324
BIG SHEEP CR. BACKCOUNTRY BYWAY
Ringling
Manhattan
Harrison
Harlowto
Martinsdale
Logan
Pony
Alder
Two Dot
2
Cardwell
Sheridan
Laurin
White Sulphur Springs
Jefferson Townsend City TIZER BOTANIC GARDENS & ARBORETUM
Grant
2
Utica
Judith Gap
Montana City Winston
Elliston Clancy
GRANT-KOHRS RANCH NATIONAL HISTORIC Basin SITE
Anaconda
Conner
Hobson
Neihart
East Helena
Helena
Georgetown Lake
Darby
Stanford
Monarch
Canyon Creek Avon
PINTLER SCENIC ROUTE
Victor
Denton
Raynesford Geyser
Craig
Lincoln
Ovando Greenough Helmville
Drummond
Stevensville
Stockett
Cascade
nt
Clinton
F ro
Lolo
Belt
Ulm
2
ain
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK TO GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
Bonner
Winifred
Fort Shaw
unt
Missoula
Alberton
1
Seeley Lake
Arlee
Augusta
Virgelle
Great Falls
Fairfield Vaughn
Condon
St. Ignatius
Dixon
Loma
Fort Benton
Choteau
Mo
Superior
Big Sandy
Brady
Bynum
Moiese
Havre
Box Elder
Conrad
er
1 Ronan
Rudyard
Dupuyer
Riv
ky
Paradise
ad
Chester
Galata
Valier
Heart Butte the
Swan Lake
Polson
Plains
2
Roc
Haugan De Borgia St. Regis
Shelby
East Glacier Park Fla
Bigfork
Somers
Cut Bank
Browning
Columbia Falls Coram
Whitefish
Heron
Sunburst
Apgar
Libby
Sweetgrass
Babb
Mammoth Hot Springs
Silver Cooke Gate City Tower Junction
YELLOWSTONE
Canyon Norris NATIONAL Madison PARK Junction West Lake Yellowstone West Thumb Old Faithful Grant Village
Red Lo
BEARTOOTH ALL-AMERICAN
• Continue 10 miles to exit 164 to Boulder, turn onto Montana Highway 69. Just south of Boulder visit Elkhorn Ghost Town before continuing south 34 miles to Cardwell. • Turn left at Montana Highway 2 and stop at Lewis & Clark Caverns, best known for its limestone caverns. • Leaving the caverns turn left onto Montana Highway 2 for 5 miles. Turn right on Montana Highway 287, continue for 35 miles to Ennis. Turn left to continue on Montana Highway 287 for 65 miles. Turn right on Montana Highway 191 for 8 miles into West Yellowstone. 800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM
3
SCENIC DRIVES
BLACKFOOT RIVER. RICK & SUSIE GRAETZ
3
BLACKFOOT RIVER RUN: MISSOULA TO HELENA VIA BLACKFOOT RIVER VALLEY (150 miles) • Heading east from Missoula on I-90 to Bonner, exit onto Montana Highway 200 along the Blackfoot River Valley. Between mile markers 22 and 23, turn right onto Garnet Range Road for an 11-mile side trip up to the very well-preserved Garnet Ghost Town. • Continue east, turning south upon reaching Montana Highway 141. Enjoy a quiet drive and wildlife watching opportunities through the picturesque valley near the Garnet Range. • At Avon, merge onto U.S. Highway 12 and drive east over spectacular MacDonald Pass into Helena.
PINTLER SCENIC ROUTE. ERIC BUNTING
4
PIONEER MOUNTAINS SCENIC BYWAY. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
5
4
PIONEER MOUNTAINS SCENIC BYWAY: DILLON TO ANACONDA VIA PIONEER MOUNTAINS BYWAY (118 miles) • From Dillon head south on I-15 to exit 59, Montana Highway 278, toward Jackson and Wisdom. • Travel west for 21 miles and turn left onto Bannack Bench Road to visit Bannack State Park, Montana's first territorial capital turned ghost town. • Turn north onto the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway, a stunning drive following Wise River through historic ranching and mining communities. • Stop for a swim at Elkhorn Hot Springs or dig for crystals at Crystal Park. • At Wise River, turn west on Montana Highway 43 and then continue north onto Montana Highway 569 to reach Anaconda and to access I-90.
SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
PINTLER SCENIC ROUTE LOOP: BUTTE TO ANACONDA, PHILIPSBURG, DRUMMOND, DEER LODGE (132 miles) •F rom Butte, head west on I-90, taking exit 208 toward Anaconda and the start of the Pintler Scenic Highway (Veterans Memorial Highway/MT Hwy 1). • I n Anaconda play a round at the Jack Nicklausdesigned Old Works Golf Course and look south to view the historic Anaconda Smoke Stack. • C ontinue west through Anaconda to Georgetown Lake and on to Philipsburg. Here you can dig for sapphires or shop at the old-time candy shop. •C ontinue north to Drummond and stop in at Parker’s Restaurant to try one of more than 100 different hamburgers on their menu. •H op back onto I-90 east toward Butte with another stop in Deer Lodge, home to the Grant-Kohrs National Historic Site that commemorates and preserves the Western cattle industry. Tour the Old Montana Prison, the first Territorial Prison in the western United States before heading back to Butte on I-90.
IMMATURE RED-TAILED HAWK AT RED ROCKS LAKES NWR. TEMPEST TECHNOLOGIES
6
SWAN’S ROUTE: DILLON TO RED ROCK LAKES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE, (153 miles) • From Dillon, get on I-15 S. Stop at Clark Canyon Reservoir along the way for some wildlife viewing and fishing opportunities. • Continue on I-15 to Lima, a popular destination for fossil hunters, wildlife viewing and year-round outdoor recreation. • From Lima continue to Monida. Take exit 0 and make a left on to South Valley Road. Follow the gravel road for 29 miles, through the Centennial Valley, to Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, home of the largest population of trumpeter swans in North America. The South Valley Road is accessible in summer.
SCENIC DRIVES Yaak
Rexford
Eureka Polebridge
Fortine Trego Troy
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK St. Mary Lake McDonald West Glacier
Martin City Hungry Horse Essex
Kalispell Kila
Marion
Lakeside
Noxon Trout Creek
Rollins Proctor Dayton Elmo Big Arm
Thompson Falls Hot Springs
Heart Butte the
ad
Charlo
Florence Stevensville Victor Corvallis
Hamilton
Bonner Clinton
Ovando Greenough Helmville
Drummond
Philipsburg
Deer Lodge
4 5
5 6
Wisdom
PINTLER SCENIC ROUTE LOOP
BIG HOLE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
Boulder
Butte
Wise River
Melrose PIONEER MTNS SCENIC BYWAY Polaris
278
Jackson
5
278
PIONEER SCENIC BYWAY
Bannack Grant 324
Whitehall Silver Star
Twin Bridges
Three Forks
Dillon
Wilsall
Manhattan
Pony
Gallatin NorrisGateway
NEVADA Ennis CITY Alder VIRGINIA CITY Cameron
Big Sky
Dell Lima
Monida
6
Lakeview
Quake Lake
Greycliff Reed
McLeod
Bozeman
Absarokee Fishtail
Nye Roscoe
Pray Emigrant
Gardiner RED ROCK LAKES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Big Timber
Clyde Park
Belgrade Livingston
Harrison
Harlowto
Ringling
Logan
Cardwell LEWIS & CLARK CAVERNS
Two Dot Martinsdale
Laurin
6
BIG SHEEP CR. BACKCOUNTRY BYWAY
White Sulphur Springs
Jefferson Townsend City TIZER BOTANIC GARDENS & ARBORETUM
Sheridan
324
SWAN’S ROUTE
Utica
Judith Gap
Montana City Winston
Elliston Clancy
GRANT-KOHRS RANCH NATIONAL HISTORIC Basin SITE
569
Dewey Divide
BLACKFOOT RIVER RUN
Hobson
Neihart
East Helena
Helena
Anaconda
Sula
4
Wolf Creek
Marysville
Avon Garrison
Conner
3
Stanford
Monarch
Canyon Creek
3
PINTLER SCENIC ROUTE
Craig
Lincoln
Georgetown Lake
Darby
Denton
Raynesford Geyser
nt
Lolo
Stockett
F ro
Missoula
Alberton
Belt
Ulm Cascade
ain
Seeley Lake
Arlee
Winifred
Fort Shaw
unt
St. Ignatius
Dixon
Augusta
Virgelle
Great Falls
Fairfield Vaughn
Mo
Superior
Moiese
Loma
Fort Benton
Condon ky
Paradise
Big Sandy
Brady
Bynum
Polson
Plains
Havre
Box Elder
Conrad
er
Choteau Ronan
Rudyard
Dupuyer
Riv
Swan Lake
Chester
Galata
Valier
Roc
Haugan De Borgia St. Regis
Shelby
East Glacier Park Fla
Bigfork
Somers
Cut Bank
Browning
Columbia Falls Coram
Whitefish
Heron
Sunburst
Apgar
Libby
Sweetgrass
Babb
Mammoth Hot Springs
Silver Cooke Gate City Tower Junction
YELLOWSTONE
Canyon Norris NATIONAL Madison PARK Junction West Lake Yellowstone West Thumb Old Faithful Grant Village
Red Lo
BEARTOOTH ALL-AMERICAN
DIG DEEPER: Southwest Montana’s picturesque landscapes and historic buildings are more popular than ever for major
movies and television series including Return to Lonesome Dove, Yellowstone, Mickey and the Bear. Look for new movies and TV series including Please Baby Please, Bring on the Dancing Horses, Warm Springs, Last Survivors, Father Stu, and Broke.
800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM
5
GHOST TOWNS
CANYON CREEK CHARCOAL KILNS. RICK AND SUSIE GRAETZ
GHOST TOWNS Explore the past and visit the many ghost towns that helped influence Montana today. From the first territorial capitol of Bannack to the most "alive" ghost town of Virginia City to the many towns nestled in the mountains, Southwest Montana is the place to uncover the Old West. For directions and information, visit www.southwestmt.com. 1 VIRGINIA CITY / NEVADA CITY 1.
3 COOLIDGE 3.
Virginia City is a vast National Historic Landmark, housing America’s finest collection of 1860s “boom town” buildings on their original sites plus collections of Old West artifacts. Nearby Nevada City is an open-air museum with more than 100 buildings, thousands of artifacts and gem mining. 406.843.5247, www.virginiacitymt.com, www.montanaheritagecommission.mt.gov
Located in the eastern Pioneer Mountains above 7,000 feet, Coolidge was the last silver boom town in Montana. A narrowgauge railroad was built for mine access, but the quantity of silver ore did not justify the expense of the rail line or the huge mill that was built. Coolidge can be reached by a 5-mile gravel road and a half-mile hike at Mono Creek along the Pioneer Scenic Byway. 406.832.3178, www.southwestmt.com/ specialfeatures/ghosttowns/coolidge.htm
2. 2 BANNACK STATE PARK The discovery of gold on Grasshopper Creek in 1862 triggered a major gold rush to what would become Montana. Bannack was founded that fall and became the first territorial capital. Bannack is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the country and was once home to the infamous Sheriff Henry Plummer and his gang of outlaws. More than 50 buildings still stand in Bannack. The visitor center is open from May through October. Town tours, mill tours, living history, gold panning and Saturday entertainment programs are scheduled from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Bannack Days, a celebration of pioneer life, takes place the third weekend of July. The park and campground are open all year. Bannack is located 25 miles southwest of Dillon off Highway 278. 406.834.3413, www.fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/bannack-state-park
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4 QUARTZ HILL (VIPOND DISTRICT) 3. The Vipond brothers built a road to Dewey in 1872 to transport the rich silver ore discovered there in 1868. Numerous old buildings and mining sites are found in the area. The Quartz Hill mining camp can be reached via the Quartz Hill Road about a half mile south of Dewey on Montana Highway 43. Take Quartz Hill Road about 5 miles to the area. 406.683.5511, www.southwestmt.com/specialfeatures/ghosttowns/ quartzhillandvipond.htm
DIG DEEPER: There are over 60 ghost towns
in Montana, with almost half located in Southwest Montana, many with intact buildings that preserve the state’s rich history. Three of the state's five spookiest ghost towns are in Southwest Montana.
GHOST TOWNS
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK St. Mary
bridge
ish
pell
a
mers
the
eside
Rollins ctor yton mo ig Arm
Heart Butte
ad
er
Charlo
Ghost Town
Choteau
Fairfield Vaughn
Augusta
Arlee
St. Ignatius
Ulm
Lolo
lorence
ensville
Craig
Lincoln
Ovando
Greenough Bonner Clinton 14
Wolf Creek
Helmville Canyon Creek
Drummond
Avon Garrison
Victor
Stockett
Cascade
Seeley Lake
Missoula
n
Great Falls
Fort Shaw
Moiese
ixon
Fort Benton
Ghost Tour
Condon
Ronan
Box Elder
Havre
Fort Belknap Agency
Dodson
Marysville 13
Helena
Elliston
12 11 3 Deer 10
Hinsd
Saco
Malta
Vandalia
Gla
Big Sandy BANNACK STATE PARK. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Brady
Bynum
Polson
Rudyard
Dupuyer
GARNET GHOST TOWN. HUNTER DAY Conrad
Riv
Swan Lake
Chester
Galata
Valier
Whitewater
Chinook
Shelby
East Glacier Park
Fla
Loring
Cut Bank
Browning
Coram Martin City Hungry Horse Essex
Bigfork
Turner
Sunburst
Lake Apgar McDonald Columbia West Glacier
Falls
Sweetgrass
Babb
5
East Helena
Landusky
White Sulphur Springs
Zortman
Once a thriving smelting town, the little that remains of Glendale includes a stone Confederate office building, a smelter stack and a few other buildings. During the boom Winifred period of the 1880s, the town boasted a population of Brusett 2,000. In order to supply charcoal for the smelter, the Belt Roy Denton Raynesford Canyon Creek charcoal kilns were built about 5 miles up Geyser Canyon Creek beyond Glendale. Numerous beehive-shaped Stanford Lewistown kilns remain. Take the Melrose exit off I-15 and head west Sand Springs Monarch Winnett Hobson on Trapper Creek Road for 5 miles to Glendale. To reach Grass Mosby Neihart Utica the kilns, turn right on CanyonRange Creek Road at Glendale and travel about 5 miles. 406.832.3178, 406.683.3900, www.fs.usda.gov/main/bdnf/learning/history-culture Judith Gap
Montana City Winston
Clancy
Virgelle 5 GLENDALE 5. AND CANYON CREEK CHARCOAL KILNS Loma
6 FARLIN 6. Two Dot
Melstone
Ingomar
Harlowton
The boom years for Farlin were 1905 andRoundup 1906 when Martinsdale Hysham Lodge Basin 15 ton the Indian Queen produced half a million pounds of Townsend Ringling 9 Georgetown Lake copper. Farlin had its own post office and school. Today,Bighorn Boulder Anaconda rby a few cabins remain along Birch Creek Road, and the Custer 569 nner 4 Butte Worden schoolhouse is a short hike up a side gulch. Take the Birch Wilsall Wise Logan Cardwell Big River Creek exit between Glen and Dillon and go west forPompeys 6 miles. Manhattan Sula Pillar Timber Clyde Park Dewey Three Belgrade 406.683.5511, www.southwestmt.com/specialfeatures/ Greycliff Whitehall Silver Forks Reed Point Star Livingston Laurel 4 Divide Harrison Billings Hardin ghosttowns/farlin.htm Columbus Crow Wisdom 5 7 Pony 8 McLeod Melrose Agency Gallatin Twin Bozeman Park Gateway Sheridan Absarokee Norris Bridges 278 City 7. 7 ROCHESTER 3 Rockvale Saint Xavier Fishtail Garryowe Nevada Jackson Joliet City Laurin 6 Lodge Roberts The Watseca gold was discovered in 1869, and Nye mine Ennis Pray Pryor Polaris Fort Smith Grass 11 Roscoe Emigrant Bridger Alder the town of Rochester sprang up. The Watseca mine 278 Bannack 2 2 Big Sky Virginia Dillon City operated until theRed 1980s. 1 Cameron Lodge A few stone buildings, a wooden Wyola Belfry the old cemetery Cooke Grant headframe, a modern gold mill and Silver Gardiner City Gate 324 remain. Rochester is located approximately 12 miles from 324 Quake Tower Junction Mammoth Twin Bridges. 406.684.5121, www.southwestmt.com/ Lake BEARTOOTH Hot Springs ALL-AMERICAN ROAD YELLOWSTONE 1 3 specialfeatures/ghosttowns/rochester.htm Dell Canyon
vallis
Philipsburg
Lima
Monida
Jefferson City
Lakeview
Norris NATIONAL Madison PARK Junction West Lake Yellowstone West Thumb Old Faithful Grant Village
800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM
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GHOST TOWNS
COOLIDGE GHOST TOWN. USDA PHOTO BY PRESTON KERES
8 PONY 8.
12 CHARTER OAK MINE AND MILL
This town is named after Tecumseh “Pony” Smith, discoverer of the placer gold deposits in 1867. Although Pony has seen better days, this picturesque little town refuses to die. Many old, abandoned buildings remain, including the Morris State Bank and the Morris Elling stamp mill. It is located 6 miles southwest of Harrison on Montana Highway 283. www.southwestmt.com/ specialfeatures/ghosttowns/pony.htm
The Charter Oak Mine and Mill was a lode mine and mill, active off and on from 1916 to 1955. It is located near the Little Blackfoot River south of the community of Elliston. It contains standing buildings and mining/milling buildings and equipment. The mine has been stabilized and is open for public visitation on select summer weekends. 406.449.5201, www.southwestmt.com/specialfeatures/ghosttowns/ charteroak.htm
9 ELKHORN STATE PARK 9. Rich silver deposits were discovered here in 1870, and the population of Elkhorn soon reached nearly 2,500. Much of the remaining town site is owned by private individuals, so be sure to heed the “no trespassing” signs. Fraternity Hall and the adjacent Gillian Hall are managed by Montana State Parks. From I-15, take the Boulder exit, go 7 miles south on Montana Highway 69, then travel 11 miles north on Lower Valley Road and take Elkhorn Road/FS-258. 406.495.3270, www.fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/elkhorn 10 9 COMET The Comet Mine was developed in the 1880s and a large mill was built in 1926. During this period, it is reported that Comet had 22 saloons. The town is on private property now but is open to the public. It is located approximately 5 miles north of I-15 on High Ore Road between Boulder and Basin. 11 RIMINI History has it that Rimini was either named after a city in Italy or a drama production that traveled through during the town’s formative years. Several of Rimini’s old buildings are inhabited today and make up the Rimini community. Rimini is located about 17 miles west of Helena just off U.S. Highway 12. Turn south on Rimini Road to reach the old town site. 406.442.4120, www.southwestmt.com/listings/6775.htm
NEVADA CITY. ANDY AUSTIN
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13 MARYSVILLE Once a thriving gold camp, Marysville is now a small community with several buildings listed on the National Historic Register. There is a lot to see here in this almostghost town. The town is not deserted, and some mining still goes on. The Catholic Church and general store still serve the community. Marysville is just 21 miles northwest of Helena. Leaving Helena, take Lincoln Road heading west for approximately 7 miles. Turn left onto Marysville Road and follow for about 6 miles. 406.442.4120, www.southwestmt.com/listings/6757.htm 14 GARNET Gold was discovered at the Nancy Hanks Mine in 1898. Garnet’s population boomed to nearly 1,000 people, but by 1950 the town was deserted. More than 30 buildings have been preserved. Garnet offers a visitor center, interpretive signs and self-guided trails. From I-90, take either of the Drummond or Bearmouth exits, then follow the north side frontage road to the Bear Gulch Road and proceed 11 miles up the gravel road. This road is not suitable for trailers or motor homes. Use access 30 miles east of Missoula on Montana Highway 200. 406.329.3914, www.garnetghosttown.org 15 GRANITE GHOST TOWN STATE PARK The remnants of this once-thriving 1890s silver boom town bear stark witness to Montana’s boom-and-bust mining history. Montana State Parks preserves the Granite Mine Superintendent’s House and ruins of the old Miners Union Hall. The road is narrow, steep and winding; a vehicle with good clearance is recommended. From the flashing light/ stop sign in the middle of Philipsburg, turn right. Just past the railroad trestle, turn left. Follow this gravel road for approximately 1 mile, then turn right at the sign marking the way. Granite is about 4 miles from Philipsburg. 406.859.3388, www.philipsburgmt.com/ghost-towns.php
GHOST TOURS
SPOOKS AND SPIRITS HAUNTED TOURS. HUNTER FISK
GHOST TOURS In addition to spectacular natural beauty, Montana is known for having a penchant for the peculiar. With the state’s history of Copper Kings, trying hardships and rowdy residents, it’s no surprise that many of Montana’s ghost towns and historical sites have tales of lingering souls and spooky spirits. Whether you are a thrill seeker, ghost hunter or history buff, a ghost tour will provide a different type of adventure. For information about additional haunted locales, contact the Southwest Montana office: 800.879.1159 or www.southwestmt.com/ghosts/ghost-tours/ 1 VIRGINIA CITY / NEVADA CITY 1.
3 OLD PRISON MUSEUM − DEER LODGE
The frenzied energy of the gold rush at Alder Gulch produced a spirited history in this part of Montana—famous local ghosts include a gunslinger walking through the walls of the Hangman’s Building, Virginia Slade thundering down the hill on her black stallion and Sister Irene, who cared for the sick. You can stay with ghosts at Fairweather Inn or Nevada City Hotel, where guests and staff have reported strange noises, mysterious footsteps and visions of previous inhabitants. 406.843.5247, www.virginiacitymt.com, www.montanaheritagecommission.mt.gov
From 1871 to 1979, inmates at the Territorial/Montana State Prison in Deer Lodge left pieces of their souls behind. More than 200 men took their last breaths within these walls, where it’s said the dead are not at rest. Visitors may encounter foul odors, cell doors clanging and heavy footsteps clomping down deserted corridors. Ask about ghost tours. 406.846.3111, www.pcmaf.org/explore/our-museums/old-montana-prison/
2 BANNACK STATE PARK Bannack’s haunted history has little to do with its infamous gold rush beginnings. The spirit of 16-year-old Dorothy Dunn, who drowned in 1916, is said to be fond of showing glimpses of herself to children visiting the Meade Hotel. On the park’s seasonal ghost walks you may encounter some of Bannack’s most illustrious citizens. 406.834.3413, www.bannack.org, www.stateparks.mt.gov/bannack
DIG DEEPER: The Travel Channel’s Ghost
Adventures visited the Old Montana State Prison in 2015, where the crew experienced unexplainable technical issues with their cameras including a battery explosion.
4 SPOOKS AND SPIRITS HAUNTED TOURS Enjoy an interactive two-hour tour of Butte's historically verified hauntings found under the Big Sky. Small to large groups can participate in this interesting history of the Mining City's haunted buildings. 406.723.3177, www.facebook.com/spooksandspiritshauntedtours/ 5 HELENA Board the Last Chance Tour Train Trolley and hear stories of Helena's haunted past. Visit Reeder's Alley and Benton Avenue Cemetery. Each October, visit the original Montana Club and the original Governor’s Mansion. Join a spirit guide on a historical tour of Montana’s oldest gentleman’s club, including scandals and unmentionables, or explore the neighborhood surrounding the Original Governor's Mansion and enjoy the spine-tingling side of its history. 406.449.2107, www.helenamt.com
800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM
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HOT SPRINGS & WATER PARKS
HOT SPRINGS & WATER PARKS Southwest Montana's proximity to the geothermal activity of Yellowstone National Park has given this region a variety of developed year-round hot springs facilities. From simple soaking pools to resort locations, warm water awaits. 1. FAIRMONT HOT SPRINGS RESORT 1
Rexford
Eureka GLACIER Enjoy two Olympic-sized swimming pools and Yaak two mineral soaking pools—one of each located indoors and outdoors—plus a Fortine 350-footPolebridge NATIONAL Trego PARK St. Mary enclosed waterslide. Lodging, a golf course, a spa and dining are located Lake Apgar McDonald on-site. 406.797.3241, 800.332.3272, www.fairmontmontana.com Troy Libby
Trout Creek
3 3. BROADWATER HOT SPRINGS & FITNESS
Bigfork
Heart Butte
Fla
the
ad
Arlee
5 5. NORRIS HOT SPRINGS
Florence Stevensville
A unique wooden pool and lush wetlands make this historic hot springs Victor a special location. A café serves delicious organic entrées from on-site Corvallis gardens plus local produce, microbrews and wines. 406.685.3303, Hamilton www.norrishotsprings.com
Fort Bento
Darby
Fort Shaw Ulm
Seeley Lake
Helmville
Marysville
Helena
Avon Garrison
1
9
Wisdom
Melrose
4
278
Jackson
6
278
Dillon
Bannack
2
Logan
Cardwell
Sheridan
Alder
White Sulphur Springs
Townsend Boulder
Harrison Pony
Laurin
Polaris
Montana City Winston
Three Forks
Whitehall
Silver Star Twin Bridges
East Helena
Jefferson City
Basin
7 Butte
Dewey Divide
8
Clancy
Georgetown Lake
Wise River
3
Elliston
Deer Lodge
Philipsburg
Anaconda
M
Wolf Creek
Canyon Creek
Drummond
Sula
Montana’s newest destination waterpark located in Butte’s Stodden Park is managed by Butte-Silver Bow Parks and Recreation Department. Ridge Waters features Montana’s longest lazy river, diving board, water basketball goal, water volleyball, six-way tippy tree, climbing wall, gusher jet, two slides, play structure with a slide, and rope climb, aqua arch and concession stand. Enjoy the Spirit of Columbia Gardens Carousel. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day. 406.497.6585, www.co.silverbow. mt.us/2092/Ridge-Waters-Waterpark
Craig
Lincoln
Ovando
Belt
Stockett
Cascade
569
7 7. RIDGE WATERS WATER PARK
Great Falls
Fairfield Vaughn
Augusta
Conner
William Clark noted this hot springs in his journal in 1806. Cabins, a full-service restaurant, a large Western-style bar and a dance hall are all centered around a natural hot springs mineral pool. 406.834.3151, www.jacksonhotspringslodge.com
Brady
Bynum
Condon
Clinton
10 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
er
Choteau
This year-round resort offers two outdoor hot mineral pools, a Grecian sauna Alberton Missoula and a restaurant and bar. Accommodations include rustic cabins, modern Greenough Bonner cabins and lodge rooms. 406.834.3434, www.elkhornhotsprings.com Lolo
Located at Memorial Park and managed by Helena Parks and Recreation, the waterpark features a splash deck, lazy river, slides, zero depth, and concessions stand. Open June through August. 406.447.1559, www.lastchancesplash.com
Dupuyer
BOULDER HOT SPRINGS. ANDY AUSTIN Conrad
Riv
St. Ignatius
Dixon
Ches
Galata
Valier
Polson
Superior
8. LAST CHANCE SPLASH WATERPARK AND POOL 8
Shelby
East Glacier Park
Swan Lake
Come soak in the pools and enjoy Big Sky Country. Pools are outdoors Ronan and available to comfortably swim in year-round. NoHaugan city waterPlains is used inCharlo De Borgia Paradise St. Regis Moiese the pools or spas. 406.443.5777, www.thebroadwater.com
6 6. JACKSON HOT SPRINGS
Cut Bank
Browning
Martin City Hungry Horse Essex
Dayton Elmo Big Arm
Thompson Falls Hot Springs
4 4. ELKHORN HOT SPRINGS
Sunburst
Columbia West Glacier Falls Coram
2. BOULDER HOT SPRINGS INN, SPA & RETREAT CENTER Whitefish 2 This hundred-year-old historic inn in a natural, healing, relaxing Kalispell Kila environment offers outdoor and indoor pools filled with geothermal Marion Heron Somers waters for soaking and swimming. 406.225.4339, Noxon Lakeside Rollins www.boulderhotsprings.com Proctor
Sweetgrass
Babb
5
Norris
Manhattan
Belgrade L
Bozema
Gallatin Gateway
Nevada Ennis City Virginia City Cameron
Big Sky
Grant 324
Quake Lake
324
Dell Lima
Monida
Lakeview
Mammo Hot Sprin
C Norris Mad Jun
West Yellowstone
Old Faithful
9 9. BASIN RADON MINES Since the 1960s, a few radon mines in the Basin/ Boulder area have marketed themselves as health mines, citing the reputed health-giving benefits of radon exposure. 406.225.4039, www.discoverjeffersonmt.org
W Th
GEnuInE. MonTana. ExpErIEncE. Hot SpringS
Lodging
dining
goLf
Spa
Visit our website to see all of our online packages and specials! FairmontMontana.com | 800.332.3272 I-90 Exit 211, 15 miles west of Butte, MT 800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 11
ROCKHOUNDING & GEOLOGY
CRYSTAL PARK ALONG THE PIONEER SCENIC BIWAY SOUTH OF WISE RIVER. USDA FOREST SERVICE
ROCKHOUNDING & GEOLOGY Even today, you can tap into the euphoria of making a find in Montana. Many sites are open to the public. We’ve suggested a few options below, but we also recommend you contact the local Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Mineral Museum at Montana Tech or World Museum of Mining in Butte for other opportunities.
1 LIMA AREA
6 VIRGINIA CITY AREA
Prehistoric ocean seabeds west of the Rocky Mountain Continental Divide and prehistoric tropical swamplands east of the divide feature displays of tempered rocks, lava and fossils. 406.276.3535
Flecks of gold still sparkle in tailings between Virginia City and Alder. Pan for gold at the River of Gold and visit Alder Gulch Mining Museum. 406.843.5247, www.virginiacitymt.com
2 CRYSTAL PARK This unique public dig site offers rockhounds the chance to find amethyst and smoky, brilliant clear quartz scepters in normal form, double terminated, and Japanese Law Twin forms. 406.683.3900, www.southwestmt.com/listings/11967.htm 3 HUMBUG SPIRES The Humbug Spires Primitive Area is a non-motorized area popular for rock climbing. Impressive outcroppings of quartz monzonite, part of the Boulder Batholith, rise 300 to 600 feet. www.southwestmt.com/listings/904.htm 4 RUBY RESERVOIR Calcite, opalite and garnets are found south of Alder. Some people find gem-quality almandine garnets by screening the gravel along the shores of the reservoir. www.southwestmt.com/specialfeatures/rockhounding 5 SHERIDAN AREA The area near Indian Creek offers white and banded masses of calcite. 406.842.5431, www.southwestmt.com/communities/Sheridan.htm
12 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
7 LEWIS & CLARK CAVERNS − WHITEHALL Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is Montana’s first and best-known state park featuring one of the most decorated limestone caverns in the Northwest. See page 22 for more information. 406.287.3541, www.fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/ lewis-and-clark-caverns 8 RINGING ROCKS – WHITEHALL The rocks in this unique geologic area chime when tapped lightly with a hammer. It is believed that the ringing is a combination of the composition of the rock and the way the joining patterns have developed as the rocks have eroded away. If a boulder is removed from the pile, it doesn’t ring. Please don’t disturb this natural phenomenon! www.southwestmt.com/listings/16408.htm 9 BUTTE AREA Smoky quartz and amethyst can be found in the porphyry deposits in the Delmoe Lake area. Check out the Mineral Museum at Montana Tech. 406.496.4414 10 ANACONDA AREA Find old tailings of scheelite and epidote at Cable Mountain, northeast of Georgetown Lake. Argillite and quartzite can be found west of Georgetown Lake. 406.563.2400, www.anacondamt.org
ROCKHOUNDING & GEOLOGY
bridge
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK St. Mary Lake McDonald West Glacier
Martin City Hungry Horse Essex
pell
a
omers
Bigfork
the
eside
Rollins ctor yton mo ig Arm
Heart Butte ad
er
Swan Lake
Charlo
Virgelle 11 PHILIPSBURG AREA Loma
Fort Benton
Augusta
Fort Shaw
St. Ignatius
Arlee
Ulm Cascade
Seeley Lake
Missoula
n Lolo
lorence
ensville
Garrison
Victor
rvallis
ton
Helena
Philipsburg 11
Anaconda 10 569
nner
Wise River
Sula
Dewey Divide Wisdom
Melrose
2
278
Jackson
Polaris 278
Deer Lodge
Malta
Glasgow
Landusky
Zortman
Roy
Denton
Jord
Stanford The Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine and Gold Fever Rock Shop is an Lewistown Sand Springs excellent place toHobson mine for beautiful MontanaWinnett sapphires. Tools are Grass Mosby Neihart provided. 406.227.8989, www.sapphiremine.com Range Utica
Coh
13 BOULDER RIVER
East Helena
Judith Gap
Montana City Winston
White Sulphur Springs
Jefferson City
Townsend Boulder
Melstone
Ingomar
Nice cubic crystal of barite can be found about 5 miles west of the WhitehouseTwo Campground along the Boulder River. 406.465.2106, Dot Harlowton Roundup www.bouldermtchamber.com Martinsdale Hysham
Ringling
Bighorn
14 EARTHQUAKE LAKE
Custer
Butte
In 1959 an earthquake in the Madison Canyon River Area, near West Worden Wilsall Logan Yellowstone, formed Quake Lake. The earthquake created a massive Cardwell Big Pompeys Manhattan Pillar the flow Timber Clyde Parkof about landslide 80 million tons of rock, which stopped Three Belgrade Greycliff 3 Silver Whitehall 7 Forks of the Madison River inReed thePoint Madison River Canyon The Livingston Laurel Star Harrison Billingsgorge. Columbus Hardin fromCrow Earthquake Lake Visitor Center displays a Memorial Boulder Pony McLeod Twin Agency Gallatin Bozeman Bridges Park names of the 28 people who Sheridan Gateway the earthquake with a plaque of the Absarokee Norris City Rockvale Saint Xavier Garryowen 5 Nevada died and the eventsFishtail of the earthquake. www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ Joliet City Laurin Lodge Roberts Nye Ennis Pryor Pray custergallatin/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5127785 Fort Smith Grass Roscoe Emigrant Bridger Alder 6 9
8
4
Virginia City
Big Sky
Cameron
Gardiner
324
Dell
1
Lima
Monida
Lakeview
Belfry
Wyola
Mammoth Hot Springs
Faithful
Horseback Riding Fishing Access Four Wheeling/ATV
Silver Cooke Gate City
OneTower of the most beautiful scenic drives in Montana, this canyon Junction BEARTOOTH was the most difficult section along the route from Helena to YELLOWSTONE ALL-AMERICAN ROAD 14 Canyon Fort Benton. Stagecoach drivers and teamsters feared the Norris NATIONAL Madisonnarrow PARK canyon and swift-flowing Prickly Pear Creek. To access Junction West Lake canyon, take I-15 north from Helena. the Yellowstone West Thumbwww.southwestmt.com/communities/wolfcreek.htm Old
Quake Lake
324
Red Lodge
DIG DEEPER: Wolf Creek (Prickly Pear) Canyon
Grant
ACTIVITY KEY Camping Biking
Vandalia
Monarch
Clancy
Basin
13
Dillon
Bannack
12
Elliston
Georgetown Lake
rby
Raynesford
Canyon Creek
Avon
Hinsdale
Saco
12 HELENA AREA Geyser
Wolf Creek
Marysville Drummond
Belt
Stockett
Craig
Lincoln
Ovando Greenough Bonner Helmville Clinton
Dodson
Indoor “mining” can be done at Sapphire Gallery and Gem Mountain. There is outdoor mining with a seasonal water flume at Montana Gems of Philipsburg. 406.859.3388, Winifred Brusett www.philipsburgmt.com
Great Falls
Fairfield Vaughn
Condon
Moiese
ixon
Fort Belknap Agency
Big Sandy CRYSTAL PARK ALONG THE PIONEER SCENIC BYWAY SOUTH OF WISE RIVER. USDA PHOTO BY PRESTON KERES
Choteau Ronan
Havre
Box Elder
Brady
Bynum
Polson
Rudyard
Dupuyer
Conrad
Riv
Chester
Galata
Valier
Whitewater
Chinook
Shelby
East Glacier Park Fla
Loring
Cut Bank
Browning
Columbia Falls Coram
O
Turner
Sunburst
Apgar
ish
Sweetgrass
Babb
Hiking Rock Climbing Watchable Wildlife
Grant Village
800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 13
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Bu
Decke
BIRDING & WILDLIFE WATCHING
ELK. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
BIRDING & WILDLIFE WATCHING Throughout Southwest Montana visitors have an opportunity to view, hunt, or fish a variety of wildlife. Whether it’s birds, deer, elk or moose you can observe wildlife on any day of the year. There are few activities that can make you feel “in touch” with nature like watching wildlife. For more information on birding, call 800.879.1159 or visit www.southwestmt.com/specialfeatures/birdingtrails.
5 DEER LODGE – GRANT-KOHRS RANCH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
For more information on state wildlife areas, call 406.444.3570 or visit www.fwp.mt.gov.
Here you can find plenty of healthy riparian habitat populated by diverse bird species. www.southwestmt.com/ specialfeatures/birdingtrails/grantkohrsranch/
1 RED ROCK LAKES NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE This remote area has one of the largest populations of trumpeter swans in the lower 48 states as well as a bevy of other birds. Best viewing is June to July for breeding birds. www.fws.gov/refuge/red_rock_lakes/ 2 CLARK CANYON RESERVOIR & BANNACK STATE PARK The sprawling reservoir teems with birds and other wildlife along its shores and in the surrounding foothills, the streams and flats of the territorial capital. www.bannack.org 3 GEORGETOWN LAKE & WEST OF ANACONDA This scenic high mountain lake is surrounded by forest providing a home for many resident waterfowl, raptors and other birds. Look for moose, elk and deer around the lake. As you drive west from Anaconda look for bighorn sheep along Montana Highway 1. www.southwestmt.com/communities/anaconda.htm SANDHILL CRANES AT LAKE HELENA. CHRIS MCGOWAN
4 OVANDO Browns Lake, Blackfoot Waterfowl Production Area and the Aunt Molly Wildlife Management Area is where you will see eagles, loons, herons, trumpeter swans, buffleheads and other waterfowl. www.southwestmt.com/communities/ovando.htm
DIG DEEPER: Of the 428 bird species recorded in Montana, 316 can be found in Southwest Montana.
ACTIVITY KEY Camping Biking
14 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
Horseback Riding Fishing Access Four Wheeling/ATV
Hiking Rock Climbing
BIRDING & WILDLIFE WATCHING
USDA FOREST SERVICE
USDA FOREST SERVICE
USDA FOREST SERVICE
6 HELENA VALLEY / CANYON FERRY WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA Located on one of North America’s major north-south migration routes, this network of dikes and ponds provides nesting birds plenty of protection. www.myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/landsMgmt/siteDetail. action?lmsId=39753388 7 BIG HOLE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD This quiet high-valley landscape near Wisdom is rich in diverse bird species. www.nps.gov/biho/learn/nature/birds.htm 8 WARM SPRINGS WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA Autumn brings 28 species of shorebirds to this series of human-made ponds in the Upper Clark Fork Valley and winter is the time to spot rough-legged hawks, prairie falcons and gyrfalcons. www.myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/landsMgmt/ siteDetail.action?lmsId=39754067 9 TIZER BOTANIC GARDENS & ARBORETUM Tizer is one of only three privately owned internationally accredited arboretums in the United States. Open April to September. www.tizergardens.com 10 ENNIS LAKE AREA Just north of Ennis, this 3,692-acre lake beckons with exceptional bird-watching, solitude and more. www.ennischamber.com 11 BEARTOOTH WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA / AUGUSTA
STATE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAS For opportunities to view wildlife, visit one of the 19 Montana Wildlife Management Areas in Southwest Montana. They provide vital habitat for a variety of wildlife including bears, bighorn sheep, birds, deer, elk, furbearers, moose, mountain goats, wolves and an array of other game and nongame species. 406.444.2535, www.dnr.state. mn.us/wmas/index.html Here are just a few popular wildlife management areas to visit for wildlife viewing opportunities: • Deer Lodge: Spotted Dog • Helmville: Nevada Lake, Aunt Molly, Blackfoot-Clearwater • Helena: Canyon Ferry, Lake Helena • Ennis: Wall Creek, Bear Creek
All of Montana’s big game species call this area home at various times of the year, as do upland game birds, raptors, songbirds, furbearers and small mammals. www. southwestmt.com/specialfeatures/birdingtrails/beartooth/ 12 MOUNT HAGGIN WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA Montana's largest at, 54,000 acres. Moose, elk, cranes and other native species abound. Cross country skiing in winter. From Anaconda, SE on Highway 1 to Mill Creek State Highway 273. 406.444.2535
REMEMBER - GIVE ANIMALS THEIR SPACE
for the best viewing so they do not run away. Keep your distance and avoid chasing or touching wildlife. Help Keep Wildlife Wild and Healthy—Human food is not healthy for wild animals, and they do not need food from humans to survive. Wildlife can become a nuisance for others if they become used to human food. 800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 15
ADVENTURE ON THE WATER
WADE LAKE NEAR ENNIS. USDA FOREST SERVICE
ADVENTURE ON THE WATER Southwest Montana has an abundance of year-round access to rivers and lakes. Whether it’s whitewater or calm-water rafting or canoeing—or spending a day on a lake sailing, waterskiing, or touring—there’s a place for you. Some of the best blue-ribbon trout streams, rivers, and lakes with majestic mountains, bald eagles, and waterfowl are the backdrop to your fishing, boating, and hiking experiences. 406.444.2535, www.fwp.mt.gov/fish 1 CLARK FORK RIVER The Clark Fork offers boaters, floaters and anglers mile upon mile of beautiful recreation. The river offers excellent trout fishing, and the light use from anglers and floaters ensures hours of uninterrupted enjoyment. 2 JEFFERSON RIVER The Jefferson, along with the Madison and Gallatin rivers, is one of the three forks that form the Missouri River. This river offers a day of solitude on the water. 3 HAUSER LAKE RESERVOIR Fish for rainbow trout, brown trout, walleye and perch at this 3,200 acre reservoir on the Missouri River. Operated by the Bureau of Land Management, several campgrounds are located nearby. Explore the picturesque “Devil’s Elbow” of Hauser Lake. It offers stunning views of the Big Belt and Elkhorn mountains. 4 HOLTER LAKE Located near Helena, this is a popular location for both day trips and overnight camping. Rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, walleyes and perch are found in this beautiful lake setting. 16 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
5 MADISON RIVER The Madison deserves its reputation as the best trout stream in Montana. The “Fifty Mile Riffle” between Quake Lake and Bear Trap Canyon is home to vast quantities of trophy trout. 6 ENNIS LAKE At the McAllister junction on U.S. Highway 287 turn onto Ennis Lake Road. Ennis Lake is a 3,692-acre lake that has designated areas for camping, fishing, boating and a beach area for swimming. There is also a good birding loop that circles the lake. www.bigskyfishing.com/lakes/southern-montana-lakes/ ennis-lake/ 7 BEAVERHEAD RIVER With its willowy banks and tight twists, the Beaverhead offers plenty of challenges even to skilled anglers. However, the river boasts more trophy brown trout than any other waterway in the state. 8 DEARBORN RIVER Extending from the Scapegoat Wilderness, floating is the best way to fish for rainbow and cutthroat trout along the 70-mile stretch. www.bigskyfishing.com/River-Fishing/centralrivers/dearborn-river.php
ADVENTURE ON THE WATER
9 BIG HOLE RIVER Over its 150-mile course, the Big Hole offers a chance to fish for trophy rainbow, brook and brown trout and for fluvial arctic grayling—a fish unique to the Big Hole in the lower 48.
10 BLACKFOOT RIVER This is the river that braids its way through the dramatic prose of Norman Maclean’s A River Runs Through It, and it remains one of Montana’s wildest and most productive fisheries. GLACIER Sweetgrass Babb NATIONAL bridge Sunburst St. MaryRIVER 11 PARK MISSOURI Below Holter most popular Lake Dam, this is one of CutMontana’s Bank Apgar McDonald destination fisheriesBrowning with enormous trout found in dense, West Glacier Columbia Shelby shallow-water pods. Falls Coram Martin City sh East Glacier Galata Hungry Park Valier 12Horse CLARK CANYON RESERVOIR ell Essex Here you’ll find some of Heart the Butte finest stillwater fishing for large a Dupuyer Fla in the state. Bigfork rainbow trout t he mers ad
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Belt SUN RIVER-GIBSON RESERVOIR 18 Roy Denton Raynesfordon the Sun Located River Gibson Reservoir built to Geyser control flooding is located just south of the Bob Marshall Stanford Wilderness, 20 miles northwest of Augusta. Enjoy Lewistown Monarch Winnett Hobson camping, boating, and fishing with spectacular views Grass Mosby Neihart of the wilderness. cutthroat, and Range Utica Rainbow, westslope brown trout provide for great fishing opportunities. The Sun River continues northeast providing additional fishing opportunities. Judith Gap Melstone
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15 RUBY RESERVOIR Loring Whitew Stocked with trout, this remote reservoir is lined by Chinookfishing when water peaceful willows and makes for good levels permit. Rudyard Chester Havre Fort Box Belknap 16 NEVADA LAKE Dodson Elder (NEVADA CREEK RESERVOIR) Agency Located 34 miles from Lincoln, Nevada Lake is a great little Malta fishing hole. Tucked between two mountain ranges, the Big Sandy reservoir is host to excellent fishing and beautiful scenery. Virgelle LAKES 17 BROWN’S-KLEINSCHMIDT-UPSATA Loma Zortmanlakes Located between Helmville and OvandoLandusky these small offer great fishing and bird viewing around marshy areas. Fish for trout, bass, perch, and bluegill at Brown’s Lake; and walleye and northern pike at Kleinschmidt Lake. Winifred
Great Falls
Fairfield Vaughn
Condon
Ronan
14 CANYON FERRY LAKE If you’re looking for walleye, look no further than this scenic lake. Big, plentiful walleye lurk in its waters, coexisting with fat, red-fleshed rainbows.
Fort Benton
Choteau
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Charlo
Brady
Bynum
13 GEORGETOWN LAKE Yearlong fishing for kokanee salmon and rainbow and brook trout along with its breathtaking scenery make Georgetown Lake the perfect setting for fishing and boating.
Manhattan
Clyde Park
Greycliff Reed Point
Bozeman
Fishtail
Gardiner Mammoth Hot Springs
Nye Roscoe
Silver Cooke Gate City Tower Junction
YELLOWSTONE
Laurel
Park City
Absarokee
Pray Emigrant
Pompeys Pillar
Billings
Columbus
McLeod
Gallatin Gateway
Big Sky
Worden
Big Timber
Belgrade Livingston
Big
Roberts
Red Lodge
BEARTOOTH ALL-AMERICAN ROAD
Joliet
Rockvale
Bridger
Pryor
Hardin
Saint Xavier Fort Smith
Belfry
Canyon Norris NATIONAL Madison BEAVERHEAD PARK RIVER. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Junction West Lake Yellowstone West Thumb Old Faithful Grant 800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 17 Village
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RANCHES, OUTFITTERS & GUIDE SERVICES
COURTESY OF IRON WHEEL GUEST RANCH
RANCHES, OUTFITTERS & GUIDE SERVICES Southwest Montana offers a variety of ranch experiences. Visitors can choose to saddle up at dude ranch, delve into the rough and rowdy activities of a working ranch or pamper themselves at a glamorous resort ranch. Perhaps the opportunity to spend a day enjoying the rich beauty found in this region of Montana is all that is needed.
MONTANA OUTFITTERS & GUIDES ASSOCIATION Montana outfitters and guides are prepared to showcase all Montana offers in outdoor recreation whether it is for a half day or a week.
SNOWCREST MOUNTAINS. L BALLARD
Outfitters and guides offer: • Horseback Riding • Fishing • Hunting • Rafting & Floating • Hiking • Pack Trips • Camping • Wildlife Viewing • Photography • National Park Tours • Snowmobiling • ATVing • Activities for Disabled Clients
Many outfitters offer schools, seminars and clinics pertaining to the outfitter and guide lifestyle. 406.449.3587, www.montanaoutfitters.org Additional information on fishing outfitters is available at www.foam-mt.org. 18 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
DUDE RANCHES Dude ranches offer an authentic western experience where horseback riding in the mountains, valleys and prairies is a central activity. Dude ranches can also include horsemanship clinics, kids' programs, hiking on mountain trails, rafting, fishing, interpretive tours, campfires, cookouts and more. This all-inclusive vacation includes lodging, meals and activities. www.montanadra.com WORKING RANCHES Working ranches help preserve the authentic cowboy lifestyle and heritage. Working ranches offer a variety of activities including cattle drives, round ups, chores, fence mending, tending to livestock and moving cattle. Horseback riding is the main activity and ranch horses are used to move cattle. Working ranches usually accommodate smaller group sizes. www.montanaworkingranches.com RESORT RANCH – THE RANCH AT ROCK CREEK Offering traditional activities of horseback riding and fishing, the Ranch at Rock Creek offers creature comforts, lavish all-inclusive amenities and world-class luxury accommodations. This deluxe ranch is the only 5-star ranch resort in the Forbes Travel Guide and is featured in Top 10 lists of the finest vacation resorts in the world. 877.786.1545, www.theranchatrockcreek.com
Come see for yourself !
Don’t miss “Who Speaks to You?” Portraits from the Permanent Collection Become a MEMBER and enjoy unlimited admission!
225 N Roberts, Helena Open Mon - Sat, 9 am - 5 pm Closed Sundays and Holidays (406) 444-2694 mhs.mt.gov
800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 19
PUBLIC LANDS
Yaak
Rexford
Eureka Polebridge
Fortine Trego Troy
Heron
Sunburst
Lake McDonald West Glacier
Browning
Columbia Falls Coram
Whitefish
Martin City Hungry Horse Essex
Kalispell Marion
Noxon
Kila
Somers
Bigfork
Fla
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Bynum
Fort Bento
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Great Falls
Fairfield Vaughn
Augusta
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Seeley Lake
Hamilton Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, created in 1972, commemorates the Western cattle industry from its Darby 1850s inception through recent times. The original ranch was Conner established in 1862 by a Canadian fur trader, Johnny Grant, at Cottonwood Creek, Montana, along the banks of the Clark Sula Fork River. The site offers tours, ranger-led activities for adults and kids, and 7 miles of trails to experience parts of the ranch. 406.846.2070, https://www.nps.gov/grko/index.htm
Philipsburg
KOHRS RANCH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
Deer Lodge
Basin
Georgetown Lake
Anaconda 569
Butte
Wise River
BIG HOLE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
Dewey Divide
Wisdom
Melrose
278
Jackson
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278
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Logan
Cardwell
Sheridan
Alder
White Sulphur Springs
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Whitehall
Silver Star
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NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Craig Lincoln Missoula Big Hole National Battlefield preserves a Nez Perce War Alberton Ovando Wolf Creek Greenough battlefield located in Montana, United States. The Nez Perce Bonner Helmville Lolo Canyon Creek Clinton fought a delaying action against the 7th Infantry Regiment here Marysville on August 9 and 10, 1877, during their failed attempt to escapeFlorence Drummond Helena East Avon to Canada. The 655-acre park has a visitor center with fully Helena Stevensville accessible exhibits, a 26-minute film, and four trails to explore Victor Montana Elliston Garrison City Winston Clancy GRANTthe park. 406.689.3155, www.nps.gov/biho/contacts.htm Corvallis
Ches
Galata
Valier
Heart Butte Dupuyer WHITETAIL RANGE NEAR BUTTE. USDA FOREST SERVICE
Fallsit’s Hot Polson recreation, adventure, and sightseeing. Whether enjoying Springs urban trails and parks, exploring the many ghost towns and Condon Ronan Haugan historic sites, trekking backcountry trails, camping, fishing Plains Charlo De Borgia St. Regis orParadise blue-ribbon rivers, lakes and streams, viewing wildlife, Moiese enjoying winter sports, Southwest Montana welcomes you for Dixon St. Ignatius Superior an outdoor experience to remember. Arlee
Cut Bank
East Glacier Park
Lakeside
Rollins Proctor Dayton Explore over 6 million acres of breathtaking Trout scenery. Southwest Elmo Montana’s public lands offer an array ofCreek opportunities Big Arm Thompson for
Sweetgrass
Babb
Apgar
Libby
WELCOME TO YOUR PUBLIC LANDS
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK St. Mary
Three Forks
Norris
Manhattan
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Bozema
Gallatin Gateway
Nevada Ennis City Virginia City Cameron
Big Sky
Grant 324
Quake Lake
324
Wilderness Area BLM WADE LAKE NEAR ENNIS. USDA FOREST SERVICE
20 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
National Forest
Dell Lima
Monida
Lakeview
Mammo Hot Sprin
Norris Mad Jun
West Yellowstone
Old Faithful
Th
PUBLIC LANDS
WHITETAIL RANGE. USDA FOREST SERVICE
NATIONAL FORESTS AND BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT Straddling the continental divide are more than 6 million acres with rugged mountain ranges, high mountain lakes, rivers, and streams, unique geologic formations, wildlife, and thousands of miles of trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and motorized vehicle adventures for the entire family or solitude for the solo traveler. TRAILS (See page 22 for contact information.) There’s lots of "shoulder room" for visitors to enjoy Southwest Montana’s natural beauty on largely uncrowded trails. Whether you want to trek wilderness and backcountry areas, spend a couple hours stretching your legs, or explore areas on a motorized vehicle there is a trail suited to your curiosity and sense of adventure. The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail offers hundreds of miles to trek with four gateway communities to welcome visitors to start their hiking adventure, spend a long weekend, resupply, or as a can’t-miss stop on a road trip through Southwest Montana. Every community boasts urban trails from abandoned railroads and trails to connect with parks, points of interest, and backcountry trails. There are many areas where the popularity of E-bikes, ATVs, and motorcycles are welcome. Check with local visitor centers or public land offices for more information on open roads and trails to enjoy. CAMPING There are many ways to enjoy camping, including primitive to urban-style campgrounds and historic cabins and lookouts. Most campgrounds are open May through September, offering opportunities for fishing, swimming, water sports and wildlife viewing. CANYON FERRY AND CLARK CANYON RESERVOIRS BUREAU OF RECLAMATION The Bureau of Reclamation oversees water resources on dams and reservoirs to provide a variety of irrigation and power benefits, including recreation. Fishing, camping and boating are popular activities that can be enjoyed and provide some of the best year-round fishing for rainbow trout and walleye. MONTANA STATE PARKS (See page 22 for contact information.) Discover some of the greatest natural and cultural treasures on earth in Southwest Montana at one of 10 state parks that celebrates our history and unique geologic formations. These areas offer interpretation, camping, hiking, fishing, swimming and boating experiences. URBAN TRAILS AND PARKS (See page 1 for contact information for a local chamber of commerce/visitor center.) Every community in Southwest Montana boasts urban trails that provide connections to local parks, points of interest and backcountry trails. Whether it’s a picnic, family gathering or pet-friendly park, our local communities welcome visitors at local parks.
MILWAUKEE RAILROAD-THOMPSON PARK, BUTTE. USDA FOREST SERVICE
800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 21
STATE PARKS
LEWIS & CLARK CAVERNS. WANDERLUST CREW
MONTANA STATE PARKS Southwest Montana’s state parks take visitors back in history through interpretation, special events and tours. Explore landscapes and rich history away from the crowds of Montana’s national parks. From interpretive programs to visitor centers and marked trails, our state parks feature amenities to help guide your adventures. Visit www.stateparks.mt.gov. 1 BANNACK STATE PARK − DILLON The site of Montana’s first major gold discovery in 1862, Bannack was Montana’s first territorial capital. Now a preserved ghost town, the state park takes visitors back to life in the Old West through reenactments, special events and old-fashioned ice skating in the winter. 406.834.3413, www.fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/bannack-state-park 2 LEWIS & CLARK CAVERNS − WHITEHALL This state park, easily accessed off I-90 near Whitehall, features one of the largest-known limestone caverns in the Northwest. Experience the amazing geologic wonders of the caverns lined with stalactites, stalagmites, columns and helictites with guided tours in the summer and candlelight tours in December. 406.287.3541, www.fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/lewis-and-clark-caverns 3 SPRING MEADOW LAKE − HELENA This family-friendly urban park in Helena is perfect for a day of swimming, fishing, hiking and more. 406.495.3270, www.fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/spring-meadow-state-park 4 BLACK SANDY − HELENA Come visit and enjoy one of the few public parks on the shores of Hauser Reservoir. Black Sandy State Park is an extremely popular weekend boating, fishing, camping and water skiing location. 406.495.3270, www.fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/black-sandy
22 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
5 LOST CREEK − ANACONDA Near Anaconda, enjoy a short hiking trail to view the spectacular Lost Creek Falls, cascading over a 50-foot drop. Scan the limestone cliffs for bighorn sheep and mountain goats. 406.287.3541, www.fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/lost-creek 6 ANACONDA SMOKE STACK − ANACONDA At 585 feet, the 100-year-old Anaconda Smoke Stack is one of the tallest free-standing brick structures in the world. 406.563.2400, www.fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/anaconda-smoke-stack 7 ELKHORN STATE PARK See more information on page 8. 8 GRANITE GHOST TOWN − PHILIPSBURG See more information on page 8. 9 BEAVERHEAD ROCK − DILLON See more information on page 23. 10 CLARK’S LOOKOUT − DILLON See more information on page 23.
ACTIVITY KEY Camping Biking
Horseback Riding Fishing Access Four Wheeling/ATV
Hiking Rock Climbing Sightseeing
LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL | AMERICAN INDIANS
LEWIS & CLARK
2 CLARK’S LOOKOUT STATE PARK − DILLON Located above the Beaverhead River near Dillon, this is the site where Captain Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition viewed the route ahead on August 13, 1805. Admire the same magnificent view Clark did that day. Interpretive signs explain the expedition’s navigational methods and a monument shows Clark’s compass readings. 406.834.3413, www.stateparks.mt.gov/clarks-lookout/
The Lewis and Clark Expedition made their way through what would eventually become the state of Montana in 1805. Moving up the Missouri River they encountered amazing natural wonders, endured grueling hardships, were met and aided by many American Indian tribes and crossed Lemhi Pass in the Rocky Mountains in their pursuit of a Northern Route to the Pacific Ocean. www.southwestmt.com/specialfeatures/lewisandclark/
3 GATES OF THE MOUNTAINS − HELENA Meriwether Lewis named this spectacular canyon north of Helena. Steep limestone cliffs flanking the Missouri River create the illusion of a gate that seems to open as you travel toward these cliffs. Enjoy a leisurely, narrated boat tour during the summer months. 406.458.5241, www.gatesofthemountains.com
1 BEAVERHEAD ROCK STATE PARK − DILLON On the Lewis and Clark expedition, Sacagawea recognized this natural landmark, resembling the head of a beaver. This gave the expedition hope that they were in the vicinity of Sacagawea’s relatives, from whom they would acquire horses. 406.834.3413, www.stateparks.mt.gov/beaverhead-rock/
4 WHITEHALL LEWIS & CLARK MURALS When you pull into the quaint town of Whitehall, you’ll notice something unique. A variety of vibrant murals adorns the town, depicting Lewis and Clark historic Montana events that provide a glimpse of the area during a unique time in history.
AMERICAN INDIAN SITES & EVENTS Southwest Montana encompasses the traditional hunting grounds of many American Indian people, stretching back more than a thousand years. In addition, there are several sites significant to the native tribes that came later—the Blackfeet, Nez Perce, Shoshone and Salish—throughout the region. www.southwestmt.com. Eureka
ne ego
Polebridge
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK St. Mary
DIG DEEPER: Lewis and Clark NHT National Sweetgrass
Babb
Sunburst
Parks Passport stamp Cut books Lake Bank can be purchased Apgar McDonald Browning West Glacier online from www.eParks.com. YouShelby can also buy Columbia Falls Coram Rudyard Martin City Chester Whitefish passport Glacier GalataBattlefield booksEastPark at the Big Hole National Hungry Valier Horse Kalispell Essex Butte sites. and other nationalHeart park Kila Dupuyer
Marion
Bigfork
Somers
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Charlo
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Superior
Brady
Bynum
Augusta
Fort Shaw
Moiese St. Ignatius
Dixon
Ulm Cascade
Seeley Lake
Arlee
Missoula
Alberton Lolo
Marysville
Florence
Drummond
Stevensville
Helena
Avon
Philipsburg
Hamilton
8
Georgetown Lake
5
Deer Lodge
569
Conner
Wise River
Sula
Dewey Divide
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Wisdom
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Jackson
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Silver Star
Melrose
278
Bannack
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Grant
278
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Lakeview
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6 CAMP FORTUNATE Lamb After passing Beaverhead Rock, the Corps of Discovery Winifred Bloomfield followed the river south where it met the Shoshone. There, Nez Perce National Brusett Circle Belt Historic Trail Roy Cameahwait, and Denton Sacagawea recognized her brother, Chief Jordan Stockett Raynesford Brockway Geyser through her translations, horses were obtained for the trip Montana State Park Stanford Lewistown west. Today, travelers can walkSand inSprings the footsteps of SacagaweaGlendive Monarch Winnett Cohagen Hobson Grass and her brother by visitingMosby Lewis and Clark Memorial, Lewis & Clark orUtica Neihart Range American Indian Camp Fortunate Overlook and Cameahwait Campground Terry Fallon Site or Event (Clark Canyon Dam and Recreation Area, exit 43 off I-15). Judith Gap Melstone Ingomar Ismay White Sulphur 406.683.6472, www.usbr.gov/gp/mtao/clarkcanyon Springs Two
Jefferson City
Basin
Zortman
253
East Helena
Clancy
Anaconda 6
Darby
3
Elliston
Garrison
Victor Corvallis
Wolf Creek
3
Canyon Creek
Peck
Landusky
253
Craig
Lincoln
Ovando Greenough Bonner Helmville Clinton
Virgelle
Lewis & Clark Great National Historic Falls Trail
Fairfield Vaughn
Condon
Ronan
Loma
Fort Benton
Choteau
Polson
Springs
Big Sandy
Conrad
Riv
Swan Lake
Box Elder
5 BIG HOLE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL Whitetail Four HISTORIC SITE Flaxville Buttes Opheim Turner Big Hole National Battlefield is a memorial to the brave men Scobey Plentywood Peerless Loring Whitewater and women who fought and died here in August of 1877. The Chinook Medicine Lake historic site features a visitor center with interpretive video and Havre Hinsdale Fort Saint a museum with photographs, artifacts and interpretive displays. Saco Lustre Belknap Marie Dodson Vandalia Malta Culbertso You canAgency also take a self-guided tour of the battlefield and visit Wolf Poplar Nashua Glasgow Point River. the deeply moving teepee memorial along the Big Hole 406.689.3155, www.nps.gov/biho Fort
Manhattan
Clyde Park
Belgrade Livingston
Bozeman
Gallatin Gateway
Harlowton
Miles City
Roundup
Forsyth 7 LAST CHANCE COMMUNITYHysham POWWOW − HELENA Bighorn While all powwows are family-oriented events,Rosebud the Last Chance Custer Community Powwow holds particular appeal because of its Worden Colstrip Big focus: honoring the children. The three-day powwow is held Pompeys Pillar Timber Greycliff every September at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds in Reed Point Lame Laurel Billings Hardin Deer Columbus Crow Helena. 406.439.5631, www.lastchancepowwow.com Ashland Olive McLeod Agency Absarokee Fishtail
Park City
WA R RI O R
Rockvale
Saint Xavier
Garryowen
Busby
T R A IL
HI G
H WA Y
Broadus
JolietAMERICAN INDIAN ALLIANCE POWWOW − BUTTE 8 NORTH Lodge Roberts Nye Pryor Pray Birney Fort Smith Grass Roscoe Emigrant Bridger The North American Indian Alliance Powwow offers Big Sky Otter Biddle Red Lodge participants and visitors an unforgettable immersion in colorful Wyola Belfry Silver Cooke Decker Gardiner Gate City regalia, captivating dancing and moving and traditional music, Tower Junction Mammoth while creating new community bonds across tribes and Hot Springs YELLOWSTONE Canyon cultures. The three-day powwow takes place at the Butte Civic Norris NATIONAL Madison PARK Junction Center every September. 406.782.0461 West Lake BEARTOOTH ALL-AMERICAN ROAD
Yellowstone
Old Faithful
West Thumb
Grant Village
800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 23
ARTS & CULTURE
MONTANA FOLK FEST IN BUTTE. TEMPEST TECHNOLOGIES
ARTS & CULTURE Art galleries in Southwest Montana offer diverse displays of original, historic, reproductive and unique made in Montana pieces. Performing arts include children’s theater, concerts, symphonies, festivals and plays featuring both professional and amateur talent. Many of the facilities offering cultural attractions are in preserved and historic venues.
ANACONDA
Charles W. Clark Chateau This historic mansion features changing art exhibits, marvelous collections and elegant architecture. 406.490.6678, www.clarkchateaubutte.wordpress.com, www.facebook.com/ clarkchateau
Fred Boyer Studio A living legend sculptor, Boyer's work depicts nature frozen in time. 406.797.3386, www.fredboyer.com
Covellite Theatre & Uptown Lounge Built in 1896-97 as a First Presbyterian Church this historic facility is now home to a medium sized theatre (350 seats) where music and events are held. Downstairs is the Uptown Lounge and intimate location for small music and events for about 150 people. 406.533.9050, www.covellitetheatre.com
Copper Village Museum And Art Center Includes a historical museum, archives and art center along with a retail shop and historical society. 406.563.2422, www.facebook.com/coppervillagemuseumandartcenter
Washoe Theatre Anaconda’s historic 1930s working movie theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites. 406.563.6161, www.discoveranaconda.com
AUGUSTA
Latigo and Lace Features art that reflects the old western heritage of the area, local scenery and wildlife. 406.562.3665, www.latigoandlace.com Tippets Fine Art Nationally recognized artists exhibiting paintings of the western landscape. 406.562.3611, www.lindatippetts.com
BUTTE
Butte Civic Center This multi-functional facility hosts more than basketball tournaments with two large arenas the Civic Center is often booked for concerts, tradeshows, and events appealing to a wide range of audiences. 406.497.6400, www.butteciviccenter.com
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Main Stope Gallery of Original Art Joint venture gallery consisting of a number of Montana member artists. 406.723.9195, www.mainstopegallery.com Mother Lode Theatre Home to the Mother Lode Series, Butte Symphony, Butte Community Concerts, special events and the Orphan Girl Children's Theatre. 406.723.3602, www.buttearts.org
DEER LODGE
The Art Gallery Across from the Old Montana Prison, the gallery features summer exhibits and local art year-round. 406.846.3111 Cutler Bros. Production Live theatre, musicals, and comedy acts year-round! 406.846.4096, www.cutlerbros.com Rialto Community Theatre Live performances by national and local talent with weekend movies showing throughout the year. 406.846.7900, www.deerlodgerialto.com
OLDEST CANDY STORE IN VIRGINIA CITY, MT
ROBBERS ROOST
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ARTS & CULTURE
SYMPHONY UNDER THE STARS IN HELENA. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
TREE CIRCUS BY ARTIST PATRICK DOUGHERTY AT BLACKFOOT PATHWAYS: SCULPTURE IN THE WILD NEAR LINCOLN. KEVIN O’DWYER
DILLON
Beaverhead County Museum Started by the Daughters of the American Revolution, this museum is a collection of buildings, brands, artifacts, art, and a lifelike Lewis & Clark Diorama. The campus is comprised of the museum, cabins, the Argenta School, the Depot with a boarded sidewalk complete with ranch brands from the county. 406.683.5027, www.beaverheadcounty.org/ departments/beaverhead-county-museum/ Tendoy Fine Art This gallery displays original paintings, pottery, stained glass, weaving, carved wood and jewelry. Tendoy Fine Art is a nonprofit cooperative art gallery specializing in works by area artists. 406.660.3007, www.tendoyfineartgallery.com University Of Montana Western Gallery/Museum A collection of traveling exhibits, student art, and a permanent art collection including C.M. Russell and Ansel Adams. 406.683.7232, www.umwestern.edu 26 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
AN RI RA IRISH FESTIVAL IN BUTTE. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
DRUMMOND
Ohrmann Museum & Gallery Featuring paintings and sculptures by rancher-turned-artist Bill Ohrmann. 406.288.3319, www.ohrmannmuseum.com
ENNIS
Carleton McCambridge Fine Art Representational oil paintings depict the beauty and intrigue of the West. 612.722.2744, www.carletonmccambridge.com Cattleman Gallery A collection of Western Art, prints and more from local artists and nationally known artists. 406.682.5775
DIG DEEPER: Quilt shops abound! In the pioneer
days, quilting and needlework were essential to survival on the frontier. From shops to retreats, quilting still adds a splash of color to life in Southwest Montana today. www.southwestmt.com/specialfeatures/quilting
HELENA
1+1=1 Gallery 1+1=1 is not just a fine art gallery—it's a gathering spot. 406.431.9931, www.1plus1is1.com A.l. Swanson Craftsman Studios Offers handmade fine furniture and luxurious consumer goods and teaches woodworking courses. 406.443.3342, www.alswanson.com Archie Bray Foundation Established in 1951, the Bray attracts artists from around the world. 406.443.3503, www.archiebray.org Art Space LLC An inspiring set of available paintings in the gallery, steady north light, and just enough quiet to create your own work. 406.404.6359, www.theartspacellc.com Basin Creek Pottery & Gallery A selection of handmade work by artists and craftspeople from Montana and beyond. 406.225.3218, www.basincreekpottery.com Ghost Art Gallery Features paintings of buildings and themes from the surrounding ghost towns. 406.443.4536, www.ghostartgallery.com Grandstreet Theatre Offering up to 10 productions each year, this Montana theater blends modern comfort with historic ambience. 406.447.1574, www.grandstreettheatre.com Helena Symphony The Helena Symphony performs in the Helena Civic Center and the Cathedral of Saint Helena. 406.442.1860, www.helenasymphony.org Holter Museum of Art Includes the best in regional fine arts and crafts with new shows opening every six weeks. 406.442.6400, www.holtermuseum.org Mary Montana Gallery Showcases the work of Mary Montana and numerous other artists. 406.475.3811 Montana Historical Society Museum Collects, preserves, and interprets fine art and Montana artifacts, including works from Charlie Russell. 406.444.2694, www.mhs.mt.gov/museum Mountain Sage Gallery Enjoy a variety of styles from realism to abstract, including Montana landscapes, historical sites, wildlife and more. 406.457.8240, www.mountainsagegallery.com Myrna Loy Center This independent movie theater is housed in the former 1886 country jailhouse and shows two films every evening. 406.443.0287, www.myrnaloycenter.com Turman Larison Contemporary Since 2000, the gallery has been exhibiting contemporary artists of national and international acclaim. 406.443.0340, www.turmanlarison.com
ARCHIE BRAY FOUNDATION RESIDENT ARTIST. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
LINCOLN
Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild This outdoor park celebrates the rich environmental, industrial and cultural heritage of the Blackfoot Valley. www.sculptureinthewild.com
PHILIPSBURG
Philipsburg Theatre Historic Montana theatre is open year-round with a variety of programming from the nonprofit Philipsburg Playhouse Productions. 406.859.0013, www.philipsburgtheatre.com St. Timothy’s Summer Music Festival Playing host to some of the world’s best chamber groups, this festival is held on a hillside 600 feet above Georgetown Lake. 888.407.4071, www.sttimothysmusic.org
VIRGINIA CITY
Brewery Follies Enjoy adult comedy performances of the Brewery Follies at Montana’s first brewery. 800.829.2969, www.breweryfollies.net Virginia City Players The oldest continuously operating summer stock theater west of the Mississippi features melodramas and comedies in a 19th-century-style opera house. 800.829.2969, www.virginiacityplayers.com 800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 27
GOLF
GOLF Great value and gorgeous vistas are the common denominators among Southwest Montana’s courses. And no matter where you decide to settle for the evening, there’s always a green nearby. COURTESY OF FAIRMONT GOLF COURSE
1
ANACONDA
Anaconda Country Club 1521 Country Club Road 406.797.3220 www.golfanaconda.com Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Golf Course 1500 Fairmont Road 800.332.3272, 406.797.3241 www.fairmontmontana.com
5 Rexford YaakENNIS
7
Eureka
TOWNSEND
GLACIER Sweetgrass Babb Madison Meadows Golf Course Old Baldy Golf Course NATIONAL Polebridge Fortine Sunburst Trego Drive PARK St. Mary 99 Delger Lane 108 Golf Course
Lake 406.682.7468 406.461.5116Cut Bank Apgar McDonald Browning www.madisonmeadowsgolfcourse.com Libby Columbia West Glacier www.facebook.com/oldbaldygolf
Troy
6
HELENA
Falls
Whitefish Kalispell
Shelby
Coram Martin City Hungry Horse Essex
East Glacier Park Heart Butte
Kila Bill Robert's Municipal Golf Bigfork Course Flat Marion Heron hea Somers dR 2201 N. Benton Ave. ive Noxon Lakeside r Rollins 406.442.2191 Proctor Swan Lake Dayton Trout www.billrobertsgolf.com Elmo Creek Big Arm Thompson Jack Nicklaus Old Works Golf Course Falls Polson Hot Springs Fox Ridge Golf Course 1205 Pizzini Way Condon 4020Haugan Lake Helena Drive Ronan 406.563.5989 Plains Charlo De Borgia 406.227.8304 Paradise www.playoldworks.com St. Regis Moiese www.foxridgegolfcourse.com St. Ignatius
2
BUTTE
Highland View Golf Course Stodden Park, 3150 S. Utah Avenue 406.497.6578 www.co.silverbow.mt.us/452/HighlandView-Golf-Course 3
Superior
DEER LODGE
Deer Park Golf Course 838 Golf Course Road 406.846.1625 www.deer-park-golf-course.business.site 4
Lolo
Clinton
Conrad
Fort Benton
Choteau
Fort Shaw Ulm Cascade
Helmville
Elliston
Lodge
569
2 Butte
Wise River
Sula
Dewey Divide Wisdom
Melrose
278
Jackson
22
4 4
Nevada City
Dillon
Townsend
R
Logan
Three Forks
Norris
Sheridan
Alder
7
Cardwell
Harrison Pony
Twin Bridges
4
Grant
Jefferson City
Whitehall
Silver Star
Polaris
Bannack
East Helena White Sulphur Montana Springs City Winston
Boulder
Anaconda 1
Darby
Old Works Golf Course, sits on the site of Anaconda’s first copper smelter. Relics from this mining history can be found scattered throughout the course, making it a unique Montana experience.
Basin
Georgetown Lake
Conner
6
Clancy
3 Deer
Philipsburg
Hamilton
M
Wolf Creek
Helena
Garrison
Corvallis
R
Canyon Creek
Avon
Victor
Belt Stockett
Craig
Lincoln
Ovando
Drummond
Stevensville
Great Falls
Fairfield Vaughn
Augusta
278
DIG DEEPER: The Jack Nicklaus signature golf course,
Brady
Bynum
Marysville
Florence
DILLON
Beaverhead Golf Course 1260 Montana Highway 41 406.683.9933 www.beaverheadgolf.com
Dupuyer
Dixon
Norwegian Wood Golf Arlee Course Seeley Lake 8445 Canyon Ferry Road Alberton Missoula 406.475.3229 www.norwegianwoodgolf.com BonnerGreenough
Chest
Galata
Valier
5
Manhattan
Belgrade L
Bozema
Gallatin Gateway
Ennis
Virginia City Cameron
E
Big Sky
324
Quake Lake
324
Dell Lima
Monida
Lakeview
Mammot Hot Spring
C Norris Madi Junc
West Yellowstone
Old Faithful
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W Thu
Your basecamp to
Adventure discoveranaconda.com
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BREWERIES & DISTILLERIES
BREWERIES & DISTILLERIES With Montana ranking second in the nation for most breweries per capita and a growing number of distilleries, Southwest Montana is the perfect place to try out some tasty brews and spirits. 1
ANACONDA
Smelter City Brewing 101 Main St. 406.563.0344 www.facebook.com/SmelterCityBrewing 2
Headframe Spirits 21 S. Montana St. 406.299.2886 www.headframespirits.com
DILLON
Beaverhead Brewing Company 218 S. Montana St. 406.988.0011 www.beaverheadbeer.com 4
Rexford
Eureka
GLACIER
Babb
Columbia Falls Coram
ENNIS
Burnt Tree Brewing 311 East Main St. 406.682.5552 www.burnttreebrewing.com Willie's Distillery 312 Main St. 406.682.4117 www.williesdistillery.com
Martin City
Rollins Proctor Dayton Elmo Big Arm
HELENA
Blackfoot River Brewing Company 66 S. Park Ave. 406.449.3005 www.blackfootriverbrewing.com Copper Furrow Brewing 2801 N Roberts St. 406.422.5975 www.copperfurrow.com 30 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
Sunburst TOWNSEND
Canyon Cut Ferry BankBrewing Co. St. Shelby 406.266.9939 East Glacier Galata www.cfbrew.com Park Valier Heart Butte
Conrad
Swan Lake
Ronan
Haugan De Borgia St. Regis
Brady
Bynum
Mt Ascension Brewing Company Thompson 317 N. Cruse Ave Falls Polson Hot Springs www.mtascensionbrewing.com
Trout Creek
6
PHILIPSBURG
Augusta
Fort Shaw
6
Ulm Cascade
Missoula
Greenough Bonner
Ovando
Corvallis
SHERIDAN Hamilton
Philipsburg
Ruby Valley Brew Darby 111 S. Main St. Conner 406.842.5977 www.rubyvalleybrew.comSula
Deer Lodge
6
Georgetown Lake
Anaconda
2 Butte
Dewey Divide Wisdom
Jackson
22
Melrose
Twin Bridges
3
7
9
Townsend
Nevada City
R
Logan
Cardwell
Three Forks
Norris
Sheridan
Alder
Dillon
Grant
Jefferson City
Harrison Pony
Polaris
Bannack
East Helena White Sulphur Montana City 8 Winston Springs
Whitehall
Silver Star
9
278
4 4
Basin
M
Boulder
569
R
Wolf Creek
Clancy
81 Wise River
Belt Stockett
Craig
Lincoln
Helmville Lolo Canyon Creek Philipsburg Brewing Company Clinton 7 Marysville 101 W. Broadway St. Florence Drummond Helena 406.859.2739 Avon Stevensville 5 www.philipsburgbrew.com Elliston Garrison Victor
7
Great Falls
Fairfield Vaughn
Condon
Lake
Alberton
Fort Benton
Choteau
Plains Charlo Ten Mile Creek Brewery Paradise 48 N. Last Chance Gulch Moiese St. Ignatius Dixon 406.502.1382 Superior Arlee Seeley www.tenmilecreekbrewing.com
Chest
Dupuyer
r
278
5
Sweetgrass
9
Browning 300 Broadway
Hungry Missouri RiverWhitefish Brewing Company Horse 451 Spencer St., Kalispell East Helena Essex Kila 406.422.4936Marion Fla Bigfork the Heron Somers ad www.missouririverbrewingco.com Riv Noxon Lakeside e
Quarry Brewing 124 W. Broadway St. 406.723.0245 www.wedig.beer 3
Yaak
WINSTON
Stonehouse Distillery 37 Muffley Ln. 406.465.2816 www.stonehouse-distillery.com
Lewis & Clark Brewing Company NATIONAL Polebridge Fortine 1517 DodgeTrego Ave. PARK St. Mary Lake 406.442.5960 Apgar McDonald Troy www.lewisandclarkbrewing.com West Glacier Libby
BUTTE
Butte Brewing Company 465 E. Galena St. 406.299.3953 www.buttebrewing.com
8
Gulch Distillers 790 Front St. 406.449.2393 www.gulchdistillers.com
4
Manhattan
Belgrade L
Bozema
Gallatin Gateway
Ennis
Virginia City Cameron
E
Big Sky
324
Quake Lake
324
Dell Lima
Monida
Lakeview
Mammot Hot Spring
C Norris Madi Junc
West Yellowstone
Old Faithful
W Thu
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WINTER ADVENTURES
WINTER ADVENTURES Enjoy untrammeled winter adventures, whether its downhill or cross country skiing, snowmobiling, fat-tire biking, ice fishing, or skating. There are hundreds of miles of groomed ski and snowmobile trails, downhill ski areas with vertical drops over 2,000 feet and breathtaking views, and ice fishing on many lakes.
MAVERICK MOUNTAIN SKI AREA. AARON THEISEN
DOWNHILL SKIING & SNOWBOARDING Discovery Ski Area − Anaconda area 406.563.2184, www.skidiscovery.com Great Divide Ski Area – Helena area 406.449.3746, www.skigd.com Maverick Ski Area – Dillon area 406.834.3454, www.skimaverick.com
ICE FISHING
Canyon Ferry Reservoir – Helena area 406.683.6472, www.southwestmt.com/winteractivities/icefishing Clark Canyon Reservoir – Dillon area 406.683.6472, www.southwestmt.com/listings/12671.htm Georgetown Lake – Anaconda area 406.683.3900, www.fs.usda.gov/activity/bdnf/recreation/fishing
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
FAT-TIRE MOUNTAIN BIKING
Thompson Park (groomed) – Butte area 406.494.2147, 406.533.8541, www.facebook.com/friends-ofthompson-park-100327408390533 South Hills − Helena Area www.pricklypearlt.org/trails Lewis & Clark Caverns - Cardwell 406.287.3541 www.fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/lewis-and-clark-caverns
SNOWMOBILING
Montana State Parks Snowmobile Trail Pass/Permits, interactive trail and avalanche information is available at 406.444.2535, www.mtrecmaps.com Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest 406.689.3900, www.fs.usda.gov/bdnf Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest 406.449.5201, www.fs.usda.gov/hlcnf
Chief Joseph – Wisdom area 406.689.3243, www.fs.usda.gov/activity/bdnf/recreation/wintersports
ICE SKATING
Echo Lake – Anaconda/Philipsburg areas 406.859.3211, www.echolaketrails.org
Butte Community Ice Center 406.782.2901
Homestake Lodge – Butte area 406.284.1725, www.homestakelodge.com
Butte Parks and Recreation 406.497.6535
MacDonald Pass – Helena area 406.449.5201, www.lcnsc.org/macdonald-pass
Bannack State Park 406.834.3548 (fee area)
Helena Parks and Recreation 406.447.8463
Moulton – Butte area 406.494.2147, www.milehighnordic.org
High Altitude Speed Skating Center 406.723.4839, www.facebook.com/butte-high-altitude-skatingcenter-188832614462322/
Mount Haggin – Butte/Anaconda area 406.498.9615, www.milehighnordic.org
Philipsburg 406.859.3821
DIG DEEPER: The Yellowstone Trail was the first transcontinental automobile highway in the United States through the northern tier of states from Washington through Massachusetts. Started in 1912, it passes through Southwest Montana from Harrison to Drummond. www.yellowstonetrail.org
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HELENA AREA
Yaak
Rexford
Eureka Polebridge
Fortine Trego Troy
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK St. Mary Lake McDonald West Glacier
Martin City Hungry Horse Essex
Kalispell Marion
Somers
Bigfork
HELENA AREA
Thompson Falls Hot Springs
Rollins Proctor Dayton Elmo Big Arm
the
ad
Swan Lake
CATHEDRAL OF ST. HELENA Alberton Patterned after the renowned Votive Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Vienna, Austria, St. Helena’s 230-foot spires Lolo dominate the Helena skyline. The impressive interior features 59 spectacular Munich-style stained-glass panels crafted in Florence Germany by renowned artist F.X. Zettler. 406.442.5825, Stevensville www.sthelenas.org
er
Brady
Bynum
Fort Ben
Choteau Fairfield Vaughn Augusta
Great Falls
Fort Shaw
B Stocke
Ulm Cascade Ovando
Missoula
Craig
Lincoln
Greenough Bonner Helmville Clinton
Wolf Creek
Canyon Creek
East Helena
Marysville Drummond
Avon Garrison
Victor
EXPLORATION WORKS Corvallis A museum of science and culture for children and adults, Hamilton Exploration Works is 3,500 square feet of hands-on fun and science education. For those who like to play, create, Darby discover and explore, Exploration Works is the place to be. Conner 406.457.1800, www.explorationworks.org
Dupuyer
ConradHELENA. AARON THEISEN
Riv
Polson
Lake
Ch
Galata
Valier
Heart Butte
BOULDER, CLANCY, EAST HELENA, HELENA, Condon JEFFERSON CITY, TOWNSEND Ronan Haugan Plains Charlo Deattributed Borgia Mining, agriculture and transportation to the lifestyle Paradise St. Regis and wealth for the Helena region. Helena became known as Moiese the “Queen City of the Rockies” for the fabulous mansions Dixonand St. Ignatius Superior early elite. flamboyant business blocks financed by Montanan’s Arlee Seeley Helena was named the state capital in 1894.
Helena
Elliston
Clancy
Deer Lodge
Philipsburg
Basin
Georgetown Lake
Anaconda 569
Wise River Dewey
Sula
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Shelby
East Glacier Park Fla
Lakeside
Noxon Trout Creek
Kila
Cut Bank
Browning
Columbia Falls Coram
Whitefish
Heron
Sunburst
Apgar
Libby
Sweetgrass
Babb
Divide Wisdom
Melrose
Butte Silver Star Twin
Montana City Winston
Jefferson City Townsend Boulder
Cardwell
Whitehall Harrison Pony
W S
Logan
Be
Three Forks Gallatin
MONTANA SPIRIT
LIVES HERE The West Starts at the Helena Last Chance Stampede & Fair
JULY 27-31, 2022
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HELENA AREA
STATE CAPITOL BUILDING. ANDY AUSTIN
REEDER'S ALLEY. ANDY AUSTIN
GATES OF THE MOUNTAINS Meriwether Lewis named this spectacular canyon north of Helena. Steep limestone cliffs flanking the Missouri River create the illusion of a gate that seems to open as you travel toward these cliffs. Enjoy a leisurely, narrated boat tour during the summer months. 406.458.5241, www.gatesofthemountains.com
MONTANA LEARNING CENTER The Montana Learning Center at Canyon Ferry Lake, just 20 miles northeast of Helena provides visitors with the perfect place for teaching, learning, experiencing the outdoors, and viewing the night sky with multiple state-of-the-art telescopes. The center is the largest public-use observatory in Montana. 406.475.3638, www.montanalearning.org/astronomy/
GREAT NORTHERN CAROUSEL Thirty-eight hand-sculpted animals and century-old stained glass from the famed Broadwater Hotel promise a memorable ride. Enjoy the enclosed carousel year-round. 406.457.5353, www.gncarousel.com
MONTANA MILITARY MUSEUM Montana’s official military repository offers a rich collection of memorabilia, artifacts and archives ranging from Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery through modern times. The museum is located just west of town at the Fort Harrison complex. 406.324.3550, www.montanamilitarymuseum.org
LAST CHANCE GULCH Prospectors took “one last chance” that paid off in 1864. Helena grew along the gulch that today is the most historic mile in Montana. Victorian-era buildings now line the site where digs produced millions in gold. Enjoy great shopping, dining, art galleries and history. 406.447.1535, www.downtownhelena.com LAST CHANCE TOUR TRAIN Step aboard and experience Helena’s history on this one-hour, narrated train ride through the state capital. You’ll view the original Governor’s Mansion, the current executive residence, the state Capitol, the historic Guardian of the Gulch and much more. It’s the best way to see it all. 406.442.1023, www.lctours.com MONTANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM Founded in 1865, the society houses art, artifacts, archives and photographs. The museum features the work of cowboy artist C.M. Russell and American Indian and Montana history exhibits. Discover your roots at the Research Center and find a Montana treasure at the gift store. 406.444.2694, www.mhs.mt.gov/museum 36 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
MOUNT HELENA CITY PARK Acres of hiking and biking trails in the South Hills and on National Register-listed Mount Helena offer great panoramic vistas and diverse landscapes in all seasons. The city trail system rivals biking destinations like Moab, Utah and includes runs from butter-smooth single track to challenging rock garden trails. www.helenamt.com/content/hiking-helena-montana-trails ORIGINAL GOVERNOR’S MANSION Take a guided tour of the 1888 Queen Anne-style mansion that served as the official home of Montana’s governors from 1913 to 1959. 406.444.4794, www.mhs.mt.gov/education/ogmtours REEDER’S ALLEY This quaint alley, once home to miners, is Helena’s most intact territorial-period neighborhood. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, visitors can take a self-guided tour. The Montana Heritage Commission, the managing entity for Virginia City and Nevada City, maintains this historic state-owned property. 406.843.5247, www.reedersalley.com
HELENA AREA STATE CAPITOL BUILDING Montana’s stunning neoclassical-style Capitol reflects the American Renaissance of the late 19th century. The building, fully restored to its 1902 appearance, features a dome of Montana copper. Self-guided tours emphasize the blending of fine Western art and classical architecture that makes the Montana Capitol unique. 406.444.2694, www.mhs.mt.gov/ education TIZER BOTANIC GARDEN AND ARBORETUM Situated in the heart of the Elkhorn Mountains, there are seven acres of perennials, annuals, roses, wildflowers, herbs, vegetables and more than 12,000 bulbs. Features include theme gardens, shade gardens and a Lewis and Clark garden. The gardens are located in Jefferson County, 18 miles south of Helena. 406.933.8789, www.tizergardens.com
JEFFERSON COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM − CLANCY Housed in an 1898 schoolhouse at Clancy, the museum interprets pioneer living and features a 19th-century classroom in a hand-built frontier town and hosts traveling exhibits. 406.933.5528, www.jeffersoncounty-mt.gov/Museum_Clancy.html EAST HELENA Freight wagons once camped where East Helena’s business district grew. The nation’s longest operating lead smelter opened here in 1888 and processed 70,000 tons annually until it closed in 2001. Today, the resilient community offers visitors a charming main street, warm hospitality and a good meal. 406.227.5321, www.easthelenamt.us JEFFERSON CITY Named to honor President Thomas Jefferson, the town began as a stagecoach stop for passengers and freight between Fort Benton and Virginia City. In the early years, this area yielded millions of dollars in gold and silver. 406.225.4015, www.bouldermtchamber.org/plan-a-trip, www.discoverjeffersonmt.org
WOLF CREEK (PRICKLY PEAR) CANYON One of the most beautiful scenic drives in Montana, this canyon was the most difficult section along the route from Helena to Fort Benton. Stagecoach drivers and teamsters feared the narrow canyon and swift-flowing Prickly Pear Creek. To access the canyon, take I-15 north from Helena. TOWNSEND www.southwestmt.com/communities/wolfcreek.htm Along the Missouri River and Lewis and Clark’s epic route, Townsend sits at the pristine south end of Canyon Ferry Lake. HELENA CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES It is home to excellent hunting, fishing and seasonal cattle For more information on the Archie Bray Foundation, the drives. 406.266.4101, www.townsendmt.com Holter Museum of Art, the Myrna Loy Center and Grandstreet Theatre, please see page 27. HISTORIC CANTON CHURCH − TOWNSEND A Colonial-style church dating to 1875, the historic Canton Church reflects the roots of many local settlers who came here NEARBY COMMUNITIES from Canton, New York. The church was moved to its present location on Montana Highway 284 east of Townsend in 1952 BOULDER when Canyon Ferry Reservoir was filled. Historic Boulder, the Jefferson County seat, is home to the 406.266.4101, www.canton-church.org magnificent 1888 Jefferson County Courthouse and Boulder Hot Springs, both listed on the National Register. Elkhorn THE BROADWATER COUNTY MUSEUM – TOWNSEND Ghost Town is nearby, along with Radon Health Mines The museum preserves local American Indian, Lewis and which, while there is no guarantee, some claim improves Clark and Broadwater County history through its exhibits and health and eases arthritis, lupus, asthma and other ailments. collected artifacts. The facility features an extensive library with 406.465.2106, www.bouldermtchamber.com, copies of most of the early local newspapers. 406.266.5252, www.discoverjeffersonmt.org www.broadwatercountymuseum.com JEFFERSON COUNTY HERITAGE CENTER − BOULDER Located in an 1888 bank building on nearby Boulder’s Main Street, the center preserves the rich history and culture of Jefferson County. The center houses a museum, library and genealogy collections. 406.422.9879, www.theheritagecenter.yolasite.com CLANCY South of Helena in Jefferson County, Clancy began in 1873 as a gold camp but soon became famous for its silver mines. Clancy district silver, hauled by oxen team to Fort Benton and shipped to Swansea, Wales, for smelting, was so rich it still made a profit even after all that travel. 406.224.5106
GATES OF THE MOUNTAINS. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
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AUGUSTA, LINCOLN & OVANDO AREA
AUGUSTA, LINCOLN & OVANDO AREA AUGUSTA Augusta sits on the northern edge of Southwest Montana and is a gateway to the immense Bob Marshall Wilderness and adjoining Scapegoat Wilderness. A friendly town in a scenic location, there are restaurants, motels and a full array of visitor services. 406.562.3491, www.augustamontana.com
EAST BOB MARSHALL WILDERNESS. KYLE SCHMAUCH
LINCOLN-SCAPEGOAT AREA Stretching from Ovando to Augusta along the Upper Blackfoot River, this area includes much of the Scapegoat Wilderness, part of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex. The Scapegoat Wilderness earned a place in history as the first citizen-initiated wilderness area in the nation.
OLD NORTH TRAIL − AUGUSTA The Augusta area provides access to over a million acres of rugged beauty in the high country with nearby lakes and rivers for excellent fishing. The Blackfeet called it the “Old North Trail,” following it along the east side of the Rockies from their northern hunting grounds to their southern winter encampments.
OVANDO Montana's 2018 Community of the Year, home to the famous institution Trixi's Antler Saloon. Mountain meadows ablaze with wildflowers and the mountain peaks of the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat wilderness areas greet Ovando visitors. A number of guides and outfitters in the area can take you into the wild lands and several guest ranches offer accommodations. 406.793.0018, www.ovandomontana.net
BRAND BAR MUSEUM − OVANDO Located in the town square of Ovando, the Brand Bar Museum houses a collection of local memorabilia, stories of settlers, homestead maps and historic information. There isn’t always an attendant present, so please ask someone at Blackfoot Commercial Company or Blackfoot Angler to open the door for you. 406.793.5685, www.southwestmt.com/listings/12897.htm
UPPER BLACKFOOT VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUM − LINCOLN Rexford Eureka Yaak LINCOLN GLACIER This museum collection of displays and Sweetgrass Lincoln Gulch Gold Babb The Sun River Canyon, the Blackfoot River Valley and pristine NATIONAL artifacts preserves the local history and character of Polebridge Mine Fortine Sunburst Mary wilderness surround Lincoln. Its charming NationalTrego RegisterPARKthe St. Lincoln, Blackfoot Valley and its residents. Located in listed community center is a focal point. Visit the Hi-Country Lake the Hi-Country Trading Lincoln behind Post, the museum Cut Bank Apgar McDonald Troy Trading Post, the Helena National Forest Ranger Station, which features Browning logging, mining and agricultural equipment and local West Glacier Libby Columbia displays a mounted 830-pound grizzly bear, and Blackfoot Shelby historic buildings. 406.362.4949, www.lincolnmontana.com Falls Coram Martin City Pathways: Sculpture in the Wild. www.lincolnmontana.com Whitefish East Glacier Galata Hungry Horse
Kalispell Kila
Marion
Heron
Somers
Park
Essex
Bigfork
the
Lakeside
Noxon Trout Creek
Rollins Proctor Dayton Elmo Big Arm
Thompson Falls Hot Springs Haugan De Borgia St. Regis
Heart Butte
Fla
ad
Swan Lake
Plains
Charlo
Paradise
er
Superior
Arlee
Lolo Florence Stevensville
BLACKFOOT PATHWAYS: SCULPTURE IN THE WILD. ERIC BUNTING Hamilton
38 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
Darby Conner
Fairfield Vaughn
Condon
Augusta
Great Falls
Fort Shaw
St. Ignatius
Ulm
Seeley Lake
Cascade
Ovando Lincoln
Greenough Bonner Helmville Clinton
Craig
Bel Stockett
M
Wolf Creek
Canyon Creek Marysville
Drummond
Avon Garrison
Victor Corvallis
Fort Bento
Choteau
Missoula
Alberton
Brady
Bynum
Moiese Dixon
Dupuyer
Conrad
Riv
Polson
Ronan
Ches
Valier
Elliston
Deer Lodge
Philipsburg
Clancy Basin
Georgetown Lake
Anaconda 569
East Helena
Helena
Butte
Montana City Winston
Jefferson City
Townsend Boulder
Wh Sp
WASH SAPPHIRE GRAVEL GEM CUTTING
Returned in as little as 90 days!
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GOLD & SILVER SAPPHIRE JEWELRY THUNDER EGGS KNIVES
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800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 39
BUTTE AREA Yaak
Rexford
Eureka Polebridge
Fortine Trego Troy
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK St. Mary Lake McDonald West Glacier
Martin City Hungry Horse Essex
Kalispell Kila
Marion
Somers
Bigfork
the
Trout Creek
Rollins Proctor Dayton Elmo Big Arm
Thompson Falls Hot Springs Haugan De Borgia St. Regis
Conrad
Riv
COURTESY OF HOLY TRINITY ORTHODOX CHURCH
er
Swan Lake
Charlo
Paradise
Superior
Brady
Bynum
Fort
Choteau
Dixon
Augusta
Fort Shaw
St. Ignatius
BUTTE, BASIN, WHITEHALL
Ulm
Stockett
Cascade MAI WAH SOCIETY ANNUAL CHINESE NEW YEAR PARADE PROCESSION. TRAVIS MCADAMS
Seeley Lake
Arlee
Alberton
Great Falls
Fairfield Vaughn
Condon
Ronan
Moiese
WORLD MUSEUM OF MINING. ANDY AUSTIN
Missoula Bonner
Stevensville
Victor BERKELEY PIT View one of the largest truck-operated open-pit copper Corvallis mines in the nation: 1½ miles across, 3 miles around and Hamilton 1,700 feet deep. Along with the viewing stand is a gift shop and personnel to assist with local information. 406.723.3177, 800.735.6814, www.pitwatch.org Darby
Marysville
Helena
Avon
Elliston
Deer Lodge
Philipsburg
Basin
Anaconda 569
Butte
Wise River Dewey Divide Wisdom
Melrose
Townsend Boulder Three Forks
Logan
Cardwell
Sheridan
Alder
White Sulp Springs
Jefferson City
Manhatta
Belg
Harrison Pony
Laurin
Dillon
Montana City Winston
Whitehall
Silver Star Twin Bridges
East Helena
Clancy
Georgetown Lake
BUTTE-SILVER BOW ARCHIVES 278 A collection of manuscripts, documents, and photographs Jackson relating to story of Butte can be viewed. Some of the Polaris collections housed at the Archives include cemetery 278 records, voting registration, naturalization and union records. 406.782.3280, www.buttearchives.org Bannack BUTTE VISITOR CENTER Open year-round, the visitor center houses a collection of George F. Grant hand-tied fishing flies, native Montana taxidermy mounts, exhibits on Butte’s mining history and the first stop visitors make when delving into Butte’s history and outdoor recreational opportunities. 406.723.3177, www.visitbutte.com
Wolf Creek
Canyon Creek
Garrison
Conner
BUTTE MULE HISTORIC TOURS Board a side-by-side vehicle from the Miner’s Hotel to learn Sula of Butte’s days of prostitution and prohibition or view the headframes and mine yards dotting Butte’s landscape. 406.723.8928, www.buttemuletours.com
Craig
Lincoln
Ovando
Helmville Lolo and Birthplace to labor unions, battleground of industrial titans Clinton home to thousands of immigrants, Butte’s mining past brought wealth and colorful characters. Today, Butte is home to festivals, Florence Drummond locally owned/operated restaurants and outdoor recreation.
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Dupuyer
Polson
Plains
BUTTE AREA
ad
Galata
Valier
Heart Butte
Fla
Lakeside
Shelby
East Glacier Park
MOUNTAIN BIKING NEAR BUTTE. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Noxon
Cut Bank
Browning
Columbia Falls Coram
Whitefish
Heron
Sunburst
Apgar
Libby
Sweetgrass
Babb
Norris
Boz
Gallatin Gateway
Nevada Ennis City Virginia City Cameron
Big Sky
Grant 324
Quake Lake
324
Dell Lima
Monida
Lakeview
M Ho
West Yellowston
O Fa
BUTTE AREA
HIKING IN THOMPSON PARK. USDA FOREST SERVICE
COPPER KING MANSION A designated National Historic Place, the mansion was built for copper baron William A. Clark. This home depicts the wealthy lifestyle of the 20th century with exquisite architectural detail, 32 rooms of antiques and serves as a bed & breakfast. Guided tours are available during the warm season and year-round for lodging guests. 406.782.7580, www.thecopperkingmansion.com COPPERWAY TRAILS This network of non-motorized urban trails connects to surrounding open spaces utilizing many of Butte’s railroad and stream corridors. 406.723.3177, www.co.silverbow. mt.us/454/trails-outdoor-recreation DUMAS BROTHEL Butte’s longest running brothel closed in 1982. Paranormal activity, colorful stories, and tours are available. www.dumas-brothel.com GRANITE MOUNTAIN MINE MEMORIAL Dedicated to the 168 men who died in a hard rock mine disaster in 1917, this exhibit features letters from the families of the fallen miners and memorial bricks. This memorial offers a stunning panoramic view of Butte and is open all year. 406.782.3280, www.minememorial.org HOLY TRINITY SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH View the freehand painted frescoes on the walls and ceiling visually conveying the word of God. The church is available for tours; please call for appointments. Donations are appreciated to sustain charities the Church supports. 406.723.7889, www.holytrinitybutte.org
BUTTE TROLLEY. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
THE MAI WAH SOCIETY In the heart of Butte’s old Chinatown, this historic building houses displays and artifacts relating the story of Chinese immigrants. 406.723.3177, www.maiwah.org MINERAL MUSEUM Not just for the rockhound, this fascinating collection holds 1,500 specimens and real-time data from Montana’s seismic network. The museum is open year-round on the Montana Tech campus. 406.496.4414, www.mbmg.mtech.edu/mineralmuseum NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK DISTRICT AND HEADFRAMES Uptown Butte is filled with fine, well-preserved examples of early-20th-century architecture, a testament to the wealth and lifestyle from Butte’s early mining heyday. Also dotting Butte’s landscape are 14 black steel structures, the remnants of the hoist houses to over 10,000 miles of underground mine tunnels honeycombing the Butte hill. A variety of tours are available. 406.723.3177, www.visitbutte.com OLD BUTTE HISTORICAL ADVENTURES Explore the colorful side of Butte history with a tour into an authentic underground speakeasy from the prohibition era, the city jail frequently housed by Evel Knievel, and a brothel. 406.498.3424, www.buttetour.info OLD LEXINGTON STAMP MILL AND GARDENS Located in historic uptown Butte, the Lexington was Butte’s first stamp mill used to crush extracted ore for smelting. The mill is surrounded by native plant gardens, including a replica of the historic Columbia Gardens Amusement Park’s butterfly. 406.723.3177, 406.723.3177, www.visitbutte.com 800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 41
BUTTE AREA
OUR LADY OF THE ROCKIES. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
COPPER KING MANSION. CHERYL ACKERMAN
OUR LADY OF THE ROCKIES Take a bus tour for a close-up look at the 90-foot statue overlooking Butte from 8,015 feet. The statue is dedicated to women, especially mothers. The views from the statue are spectacular. 406.782.1221, 800.800.LADY, www.southwestmt.com/listings/11122.htm
WORLD MUSEUM OF MINING, EXHIBITS & MINE TOUR Situated on an actual mine yard, the museum preserves the rich historical legacy of mining and related culture of Butte. Bring the family to explore this mining camp and descend 65 to 100 feet into the earth on a tour of an underground mining tunnel. 406.723.7211, www.miningmuseum.org
PICCADILLY TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM The Piccadilly Museum is the public showcase for a large collection oftransportation memorabilia gathered over 25 years by several individuals who have traveled to more than 100 countries around the world. 406.723.3034, www. piccmuseum.com SILVER BOW DRIVE IN Watch a movie under the stars in this old-fashioned way sure to ignite the senses. Located outside city limits southwest of Butte, this drive-in theater is open seasonally. 406.782.8095, www.silverbowdrivein.com SPIRIT OF COLUMBIA GARDENS CAROUSEL Located at Stodden Park, next to Ridge Waters Waterpark and destination playground, the carousel is available for year-round fun. Hand-carved ponies and seats, each with a story and a sponsor, are sure to please riders of all ages. 406.494.7775, www.buttecarousel.com THOMPSON PARK Enjoy year round use on 3,500 acres for non-motorized recreation and picnicking 10 minutes from Butte on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. Over 30 miles of summer and 14 miles of groomed winter trails with interpretive signage connect to the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, and take recreationists on the Milwaukee Road through tunnels and across a train trestle. 406.494.2147, 406.497.6535, www.co.silverbow.mt.us/453/Thompson-Park TROLLEY TOUR The Butte Trolley is temperature controlled and enclosed. Tour Butte’s historic sites during the summer months. 406.723.3177, www.buttechamber.org 42 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
NEARBY COMMUNITIES BASIN Basin is a mining community home to several historic buildings and radon mines, used for their claimed health benefits. It’s also a haven for musicians and other artists. 406.225.4039, www.discoverjeffersonmt.org WHITEHALL In the Jefferson River Valley, Whitehall is a good base for fishing and hunting. It has a nice city park and a historical museum. Be sure to check out the Lewis and Clark Murals. 406.287.2260, www.townofwhitehall.org, www.discoverjeffersonmt.org LEWIS & CLARK BICENTENNIAL MURALS In Whitehall, more than a dozen billboard-size murals depict scenes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition through the Jefferson Valley. 406.287.2260 LEWIS & CLARK CAVERNS STATE PARK Off I-90 east of Cardwell, Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park offers year-round cabin rentals, camping and picnicking. Daily guided tours May through September in the lighted caves are also available with candlelight tours starting in December. 406.287.3541, www.stateparks.mt.gov/lewis-and-clark-caverns JEFFERSON VALLEY MUSEUM In Whitehall, artifacts and memorabilia depict the history and heritage of the Jefferson Valley area. 406.287.7813
WORLD MUSEUM OF MINING
a
a
406.723.7211 www.miningmuseum.org /worldmuseumofmining 155 Museum Way, Butte, MT 59701
W H E R E H I S T O R Y T E L L S A S T O R Y. Advertisement Drafts V2.indd 1
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Polebridge
Fortine Trego
VIRGINIA CITY & ENNIS AREA Troy
Sunburst
Lake McDonald West Glacier
Apgar
Libby
Martin City Hungry Horse Essex
Kalispell Kila
Marion
Heron
Somers
Bigfork
Thompson Falls Hot Springs Haugan De Borgia St. Regis
Rollins Proctor Dayton Elmo Big Arm
Heart Butte the
ad
Charlo
Paradise
er
Brady
Bynum
Fort Benton
Choteau
Augusta
Fort Shaw
St. Ignatius
Dixon Arlee
Lolo
Seeley Lake
R
Craig
Marysville
Drummond
ALDER, ENNIS, LAURIN, NEVADA CITY, SHERIDAN, SILVER STAR, Stevensville TWIN BRIDGES, VIRGINIA CITY Garrison Victor Nowhere is the mix of Montana’s past and present more evident than this region. Virginia and Nevada cities remainCorvallis virtually unchanged from the Philipsburg mining glory days of the 1860’s gold Hamilton rush. Meanwhile, Ennis is a working cowboy town, catering to visitors with art galleries, quaint Georgetown shops and Lake anglers looking to do some serious fishing along the Madison River. Anaconda Darby
Helena
Avon
Elliston
Deer Lodge
Butte
Wise River
Sula
ALDER GULCH SHORTLINE RAILROAD Dewey From Memorial Day through Labor Day, the Shortline Railroad, a 1½-mile Divide Silver scenic train ride, goes through the dredge tailings between Virginia City Star Wisdom Melrose Twin and Nevada City. Be sure to check out the 1910 steam locomotive on Bridges display in Nevada City. 406.843.5247, 800.829.2969, 278 www.virginiacitymt.com Jackson
HANGMAN’S BUILDING & BOOT HILL 278 Five lonely grave markers on Boot Hill tell the story of road agents who were hanged in 1864. At Hangman’s Building in Virginia City youBannack can still see the rope burns on the crossbeam from the fateful event. Grant THE HISTORIC TOUR COMPANY 324 Ride this Fire Truck Tour for an accurate and entertaining description of Virginia City’s past and present. Learn about the city’s determined founders, early development, Alder Gulch gold, vigilantes, road agents, historical buildings and more. It is open daily from May to September. 406.600.2598 ROBBER’S ROOST This stagecoach stop was built on the site of a roadhouse where outlaws planned their holdups. (Don’t worry, the roads are safer now.) Find this gem four miles south of Sheridan on Montana Highway 287.
Dillon
Montana City Winston
Mo
White Sulphur Springs
Townsend Boulder
Three Forks
Sheridan Nevada City
Ri
Logan
Cardwell
Harrison Pony
Alder
N
Jefferson City
Whitehall
Laurin
Polaris
East Helena
Clancy Basin
569
Conner
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Stockett
Lincoln Ovando Wolf AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT VIRGINIA CITY. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM Creek Greenough Bonner Helmville Canyon Creek Clinton
VIRGINIA CITY & ENNIS AREA Florence
Belt
Ulm Cascade
Missoula
USDA FOREST SERVICE
Great Falls
Fairfield Vaughn
Condon
Ronan
Moiese
Alberton
VIRGINIA CITY
Dupuyer
Conrad
Riv
Swan Lake
Cheste
Galata
Valier
Polson
Plains
Superior
Shelby
East Glacier Park Fla
Lakeside
Noxon
Cut Bank
Browning
Columbia Falls Coram
Whitefish
Trout Creek
NATIONAL PARK St. Mary
Norris
Manhattan
Belg Liv
Bo
Gallatin Gateway
Ennis
Virginia City
Em
Big Sky Cameron
G
324
Quake Lake Dell Lima
Monida
Lakeview
Mammoth Hot Springs
Ca Norris Madis Juncti
West Yellowstone
Old Faithful
We Thum
VIRGINIA CITY & ENNIS AREA
THOMPSON-HICKMAN MUSEUM Exhibits include Civil War era guns, photos, American Indian artifacts, a 100-year-old birthday cake, geological rock examples, fascinating oddities and much more. VIGILANTE CARRIAGES Narrated 35 minute stagecoach tour. This authentic stagecoach will take you up the Alder Gulch to the Point of Discovery, the location of the largest placer gold strike in history. Enjoy the comfort of our luxurious padded leather seats and open windows. Daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. mid-May to mid-September. 406.633.3397, www.vigilantecarriages.com VIGILANTE TRAIL The Vigilante Trail, originally dedicated in 1924, provides a corridor for Montana tourists from Butte to West Yellowstone. The trail was marked with the vigilante code, 3-7-77, on bright signs to ensure that visitors would not lose their way. This code served as a warning for frontier ruffians and criminals to leave the area immediately—or else. The trail cuts through the heart of Southwest Montana, taking travelers along the road that was frequented by so many of the early Montana settlers. Rich in territorial history, outdoor recreational opportunities, and genuine Montana hospitality, a trip along the Vigilante Trail provides a memorable experience for all visitors. www.southwestmt.com/itineraries/vigilantetrail VIRGINIA CITY / NEVADA CITY Virginia City is a vast National Historic Landmark and territorial capital, housing America’s finest collection of 1860s “boom town” buildings on their original sites and collections of Old West artifacts. Nearby Nevada City is an open-air museum with more than 100 buildings, thousands of artifacts and gem mining. Historical reenactments or “Living History” weekends are a popular summer attraction. 800.829.2969, www.virginiacitymt.com VIRGINIA CITY & ENNIS AREA CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES For more information on the Virginia City Players and the Brewery Follies, please see page 27.
ENNIS MADISON VALLEY HISTORY MUSEUM This museum in Ennis is home to collections of artifacts, tapes, photographs and stories of historical importance to the region and home to the famous “Beast.” It is approximately 4 miles from Ennis on Montana Highway 287 toward Virginia City. 406.682.4685 ENNIS NATIONAL FISH HATCHERY This is one of three rainbow trout brood stock hatcheries in the federal hatchery system featuring a visitor center, display pond and tours. It is located 12 miles southwest of Ennis. 406.682.4847, www.fws.gov/ennis
EARTHQUAKE LAKE VISITOR CENTER In 1959, a violent earthquake triggered a massive landslide that killed 28 people and created Earthquake Lake. Interpretive displays, movies and talks, and a bookstore can be found here. The center is located 44 miles south of Ennis. 406.682.7620, www.fs.usda.gov/detail/custergallatin/ specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5127785 BEAR TRAP CANYON Eight miles of whitewater and wilderness begin at the spillway of Ennis Lake Dam. Hiking and fishing are accessed via the trails. Kayakers and rafters should be very experienced or hire a guide. 406.688.3200, www.blm.gov/visit/search-details/16202/2
NEARBY COMMUNITIES ALDER Hunt for garnets south of town. Visit the Red Rock Gem Mine 2 miles east of town; it’s open to the public for a fee. 406.842.5770, www.rubyvalleychamber.com LAURIN This quaint, turn-of-the-century village situated on the banks of the Ruby River boasts a trophy trout stream, a historic Catholic church and other architectural gems. 406.842.5770, www.rubyvalleychamber.com SHERIDAN In the heart of the Ruby Valley, this friendly, quintessential small town is a gateway to the scenic Tobacco Root and Ruby mountains. Within a few miles of town, outdoor adventures in hiking, fishing (with or without ice), hunting, bicycling and ATV trips can be enjoyed. 406.842.5770, www.southwestmt.com/communities/sheridan.htm SILVER STAR Nestled along the Jefferson River (one of the five blue-ribbon trout rivers in Montana) with the majestic Tobacco Root Mountains as its backdrop, it is a well-known experience for hunting and fishing. www.southwestmt.com/communities/ sheridan.htm TWIN BRIDGES Three blue-ribbon trout streams converge in this ranching town to form the Jefferson River and is a mecca for flyfishing. Stop by R.L. Winston Rod and Co. and tour their showroom featuring premium, custom-made fishing rods. A local museum features unique displays of local and American Indian history. There are also special camping facilities for touring cyclists and a kids' fishing pond. 406.684.5243, www.twinbridgesmt.com/chamber-of-commerce LEWIS & CLARK INTERPRETIVE PARK − TWIN BRIDGES Located at the entrance to the county fairgrounds in Twin Bridges, the park offers the public insight into the five days the Corps of Discovery spent in this area. Don’t miss the six-foot bronze statue of Sacagawea. 406.684.5824, www.southwestmt.com/listings/15096.htm 800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 45
ANACONDA & PHILIPSBURG AREA
Yaak
Rexford
Eureka Polebridge
Fortine Trego Troy
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK St. Mary Lake McDonald West Glacier
Martin City Hungry Horse Essex
Kalispell Marion
Kila
Somers
Bigfork
Rollins Proctor Dayton Trout Elmo Creek COURTESY OF MONTANA ZIPLINE ADVENTURES Big Arm Thompson
Falls
Hot Springs
She
East Glacier Park
Valier
Heart Butte
Fla
the
Lakeside
Noxon
Cut Bank
Browning
Columbia Falls Coram
Whitefish
Heron
Sunburst
Apgar
Libby
Sweetgrass
Babb
ad
Dupuyer
Conrad
Riv
er
Swan Lake
Brady
Bynum
GEORGETOWN Choteau LAKE. ANDY AUSTIN
Polson
ANACONDA & PHILIPSBURG AREA
Condon Ronan Haugan Plains Charlo De Borgia communities truly hidden gems. Take in a round St. Regisare Paradise Moiese
Fairfield Vaughn
Augusta
Nestled in the Pintler Scenic Route, these two of golf on Anaconda’s Jack Fort Shaw Nicklaus designed Old Works Golf Course then walk along the business district for shopping and dining. Philipsburg, a 19th St. Ignatius Dixon century mining town, offers a main street full of unique shops including an old-time candy store, soda fountain, sapphire mining Superior Cascade and jewelry shops. Arlee Seeley Lake
ANACONDA ANACONDA COURTHOUSE
Missoula
Alberton Lolo
Construction began on the courthouse in June of 1898 and was completed in Florence the early spring of 1900 at a cost of $199,539. The building boasts a rotunda, circular staircases, frescoes and a dumbwaiter so the clerk of the court Stevensville wouldn’t have to carry books up and down stairs. Victor www.discoveranaconda.com Corvallis
ANACONDA VISITOR CENTER
Hamilton
This building is a replica of an old train depot and includes information on Darby Anaconda’s many attractions and adventures. Vintage bus tours begin here. Conner 406.563.2400, www.discoveranaconda.com GEORGETOWN LAKE
Greenough Bonner Helmville Clinton
MONTANA ZIPLINE ADVENTURES Nestled just outside of Anaconda along the Pintler Scenic Highway is a high adventure completely unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. You will be immersed in the unparalleled beauty of the panoramic Pintler Wilderness while ziplining Montana’s longest zipline course over 9,300 feet. 406.560.3115, www.montanazip.com/adventures 46 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
Canyon Creek
Helena
Avon Garrison
Elliston
Deer Lodge
Philipsburg
Anaconda
569
Basin
Butte
Wise River Dewey Divide Wisdom
Melrose
278
Jackson
278
Dillon
Bannack
Jefferson City
Townsen Boulder
Cardwell
Harrison Pony
Sheridan Laurin
Polaris
Montan City W
Whitehall
Silver Star Twin Bridges
East Helena
Clancy
Georgetown Lake
Nestled in the mountains, picturesque Georgetown Lake is a popular recreation area for boating, fishing, camping and windsurfing.
The library was built in 1898 with classic beauty and is located on Main Street in Anaconda. 406.563.6932, www.hearstfreelibrary.org
Wolf Creek
Marysville Drummond
Sula
HEARST FREE LIBRARY
Craig
Lincoln
Ovando
Alder
Th Fo
Norri
Nevada Ennis City Virginia City Cameron
Grant 324
Qu L
324
Dell Lima
Monida
Lakeview
800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 47
ANACONDA & PHILIPSBURG AREA
THE SWEET PALACE IN PHILIPSBURG. AARON THEISEN
OLD WORKS HISTORICAL TRAIL Interpretive plaques address the history of the Old Works smelter. Kiosks and benches are provided for resting along the 1¼-mile-long paved trail. 406.563.2400, www.discoveranaconda.com VINTAGE BUS TOURS Tours are offered Monday through Saturday from the visitor center. Tours include historic attractions and buildings from Anaconda’s early smelting days. Tours run from mid-May through mid-September. 406.563.2400, www.discoveranaconda.com WALKING TOUR Tour Anaconda’s four national historic districts that tell the story of the city’s past. View unique homes and striking downtown architecture. www.discoveranaconda.com WASHOE PARK Dedicated in the 1890s and expanded just after 1910, this historic park is located in Anaconda. Park attractions include the historic Glover Cabin (the oldest standing building in Anaconda), a swimming pool, tennis courts, approximately 6 miles of walking trails, a large picnic area, a playground and Legion Baseball Field. 406.563.3408, www.discoveranaconda.com WASHOE PARK TROUT HATCHERY Located in Anaconda’s Washoe Park, the hatchery originally opened in 1908 and is the state’s oldest-run fish hatchery facility still in existence. The visitor center is open daily with underwater trout stream viewing. 406.563.2531, www.myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/landsMgmt/ siteDetail.action?lmsId=39754097
48 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
PHILIPSBURG. ERIC BUNTING
PHILIPSBURG GEM MINES The Philipsburg area is home to a well-known cache of sapphire and ruby gems discovered over a century ago. Area businesses allow digging for a fee. GEM MONTANA 406.859.6463, www.gemmountainmt.com GRANITE COUNTY MUSEUM Explore the daily routine of the turn-of-the-century underground miner. This museum in Philipsburg features a replicated silver mine complete with equipment, a prospector’s cabin and a fire assay lab. 406.859.3020, www.granitecountymuseum.com MONTANA GEMS 406.859.6725, www.montanagems.net SAPPHIRE GALLERY 800.525.0169, www.sapphiregallery.com THE MONTANA LAW ENFORCEMENT MUSEUM This museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the men and women of Montana’s law enforcement and is open May through September. 406.859.6536, www.mlem.org THE SWEET PALACE Chocolate and fresh fudge aromas greet you even before you step inside this glorious Victorian confectionery. See saltwater taffy pulled and wrapped by an antique wrapper. Over 1000 selections of candies, including hand-dipped fine chocolates. ANACONDA & PHILIPSBURG CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES For more information on the Copper Village Museum and Art Center, Philipsburg Theatre, Washoe Theatre and St. Timothy’s Summer Music Festival, see pages 24 and 27.
800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 49
Yaak
Rexford
Eureka
DILLON & BEAVERHEAD COUNTY AREA
Polebridge
Fortine Trego
Troy
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK St. Mary Lake McDonald West Glacier
Martin City Hungry Horse Essex
Kalispell Kila
Marion
Somers
Bigfork
Thompson Falls Hot Springs Haugan De Borgia St. Regis
Rollins Proctor Dayton Elmo Big Arm
Cut Bank Shelby
East Glacier Park
the
ad
Dupuyer
Conrad
Riv
er
Swan Lake
Charlo
Paradise
Superior
Brady
Bynum
Fairfield Vaughn
Condon
Ronan
Augusta
St. Ignatius
Dixon Arlee
Great Falls
Fort Shaw
Moiese
Ulm Cascade
Seeley Lake
Alberton
Craig
Ovando
Wolf Creek
Greenough Bonner MONIDA, POLARIS, WISDOM, Helmville WISE RIVER Lolo Canyon Creek Clinton
Lewis and Clark met the Shoshone Indians near Dillon at Camp Fortunate. This ranch-rich area is alsoMarysville home to the gold rush mining camp of Bannack, where Montana history comes Florence to life at this State Park. Take time to learn about the Nez Perce War Drummond Helena East Avon Helena of 1877 at the Big Hole National Battlefield. Stevensville Elliston Montana Garrison Victor City Winston Clancy DILLON Deer Corvallis Jefferson Philipsburg Lodge Basin City BANNACK STATE PARK Hamilton Townsend Bannack State Park (see page 6 for more details), one of the best Georgetown Lake Boulder preserved ghost towns in the country, is the site of Montana's Anaconda Darby first 569 major gold discovery in 1862 and was the foundation for Conner making Butte Bannack the first territorial capital in Montana. Wise Sula
BEAVERHEAD COUNTY MUSEUM Find both indoor and outdoor exhibits in Dillon including a genealogy research center, an extensive bird display and a boardwalk, a one-room schoolhouse, a Union Pacific Railroad Depot, a theater and a restored Lewis and Clark diorama. 406.683.5027, www.beaverheadcounty.org/departments/beaverheadcounty-museum
BIG HOLE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD This famous battlefield memorializes the Nez Perce and U.S. troops who clashed at the Battle of the Big Hole in 1877. Here, find a national park interpretive center, trails, picnic sites and special events. It is open year-round and located 10 miles west of Wisdom. 406.689.3155, www.nps.gov/biho
DIG DEEPER: Why is it called the Big Hole Valley? The Big Hole was named by settlers because it is the highest and widest of the broad mountain valleys in western Montana. Some of the coldest temperatures recorded in Montana are in the Big Hole Valley.
50 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
Stockett
BANNACK STATE PARK. CANDI WHITWORTH
Lincoln Missoula DILLON & BEAVERHEAD COUNTY AREA
DELL, DILLON, JACKSON, LIMA, MELROSE,
F
Choteau
Polson
Plains
Galata
Valier
Heart Butte
Fla
Lakeside
Noxon Trout Creek
Browning
Columbia Falls Coram
Whitefish
Heron
Sunburst
Apgar
Libby
Sweetgrass
Babb
Cardwell
River
BIG HOLE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
Dewey Divide Wisdom
Melrose
278
Twin Bridges
278
Sheridan
Dillon
Bannack
Harrison Pony
Laurin
Polaris
Jackson
Whitehall
Silver Star
Alder
Three Forks
Norris
White S Sprin
Logan
Manha
Be
B
Gallatin Gateway
Nevada Ennis City Virginia City Cameron
Big S
Grant 324
Quake Lake
324
Dell Lima
Monida
Lakeview
We Yellows
DILLON & BEAVERHEAD COUNTY AREA
BIG SHEEP CREEK BYWAY. THE PATH LESS PEDALED
BIG SHEEP CREEK BACKCOUNTRY BYWAY Fifty miles from Bannack, this byway was originally a freight road used for hauling supplies to mining towns. The road is a two-lane dirt and recommended for four-wheel drive vehicles. Side roads lead to trailheads into the mountains. This is a beautiful drive through gorgeous countryside. Look up at high rock cliffs and look down long valleys with the Beaverhead Mountains to the west and the Tendoy Mountains to the east. Early morning and evening hours bring out the deer, elk and bighorn sheep. A rustic campground can be found at Deadwood Gulch. Road conditions vary dramatically with the weather, and travel is safest from June until September. 406.683.8000, www.southwestmt.com/listings/894.htm CATTAIL MARSH RECREATION AREA This easily accessible recreation area features a nature trail and is found near Clark Canyon Dam south of Dillon. To access the trail, drive over the dam and turn right at the fishing access sign. 406.683.6472, www.southwestmt.com/listings/12547.htm LEWIS AND CLARK TRAIL SITES Lewis and Clark passed through Southwest Montana on their famous journey westward, and various sites of special interest can be found throughout the region including: Beaverhead Rock, Clark’s Lookout State Park, a Lewis and Clark diorama, Camp Fortunate Outlook, Lemhi Pass National Historic Landmark and Gibbons Pass Trail. 406.683.5511, www.beaverheadchamber.org PIONEER SCENIC BYWAY This scenic route through the national forest to Wise River begins 30 miles northwest of Dillon. Spectacular scenery, outdoor recreation, wildlife and ghost towns can all be found along the way. 406.683.3900, www.fs.usda.gov/bdnf DILLON NOTABLES Great Harvest University Headquarters, Patagonia Outlet, University of Montana Western and Barrett’s Minerals.
NEARBY COMMUNITIES DELL A small town near the Red Rock River, this is a once sheep now cattle and American Bison ranching community. 406.683.5511, www.beaverheadchamber.org
BEAVERHEAD ROCK STATE PARK. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
JACKSON Near the headwaters of the Big Hole River, the Jackson area offers exceptional fishing, hunting, skiing and snowmobiling. Jackson Hot Springs is a central attraction based around the natural hot springs mineral pool first discovered by Captain William Clark in 1806. 406.683.5511, www.bigholevalley. com/Jackson,MT/tabid/5697/Default.aspx LIMA This community is the southern gateway to Montana, Red Rock Lakes and Centennial Valley. Enjoy bird-watching and wildlife viewing at an elevation of 6,232 feet and beautiful scenery along the Continental Divide. Here, find the historic railroad town, rockhounding, city pool and park 406.683.5511, www.beaverheadchamber.org MELROSE Melrose is known for great fishing on the Big Hole River between Butte and Dillon. 406.683.5511, www.beaverheadchamber.org MONIDA Exit 0, on the border of Montana/Idaho. Almost a ghost town, a hidden Silver Mine it is the entrance to Centennial Valley & Yellowstone Stage Route. 406.683.5511 www.beaverheadchamber.org POLARIS On the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway in the Grasshopper Valley, this historic ranching and mining community enjoys outdoor recreation year-round. Activities include skiing, ATV riding and snowmobiling, hot springs, hiking and trail riding, digging for crystals, camping, fishing and hunting. 406.683.5511, www.beaverheadchamber.org WISDOM Nestled in the beautiful Big Hole Valley, this cowboy town adopted the name given to the Big Hole River by Lewis and Clark in 1805. Big Hole National Battlefield and the surrounding Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest provide a wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities. 406.683.5511, www.bigholevalley.com/JacksonMT/ tabid/5697/Default.aspx WISE RIVER Surrounded by breathtaking scenery and located at the north end of the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway, Wise River’s high peaks, quiet lakes and rippling rivers offer many outdoor opportunities. 406.683.5511, www.beaverheadchamber.org
800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 51
DEER LODGE AREA
Troy
Lake McDonald West Glacier
Apgar
Libby
Columbia Falls Coram
Whitefish
Martin City Hungry Horse Essex
Kalispell Kila
Marion
Heron
Somers
Trout Creek
Rollins Proctor Dayton Elmo Big Arm
Thompson Falls Hot Springs Haugan
Charlo
St. Regis
Superior
DEER LODGE ARROW STONE PARK Arrow Stone Park is a relaxing refuge for Deer Lodge visitors who want to picnic, fish the Clark Fork, walk the trails or just sit on a bench to view the variety of wildlife in the area. COTTONWOOD CITY This place represents the early days of Deer Lodge. Visit the Snowshoe Creek School, the Blood Homestead Cabin, the post office, the jail and the barber shop and witness Spanish Fork blacksmith shop demonstrations. FRONTIER MONTANA MUSEUM The best display of cowboy collectibles between Cody and Calgary can be found here. Displays include an extensive gun collection along with Civil War, Bill Cody, Custer, American Indian, U.S. Cavalry, Yellowstone Photographs and World War II memorabilia. GRANT-KOHRS RANCH − NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE Operated by the National Park Service as an 1880s working ranch, this is a well-preserved slice of Western history. Once home to a Montana cattle baron, it features original home furnishings, horse drawn equipment and living history events. The ranch is open year-round, and admission is free. 406.846.2070, www.nps.gov/grko MILWAUKEE RAILROAD This display features the 1909 Last Spike Monument, an all-electric “Little Joe” engine built in 1948 for Joseph Stalin, a Bayside caboose and an E9 diesel locomotive.
Heart Butte
the
ad
Dupuyer
Conrad
Riv
er
Swan Lake
Brady
Bynum
Choteau Fairfield Vaughn
Condon
Ronan
Moiese
Augusta
COURTESY OF GRANT-KOHRS RANCH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
Fort Shaw
St. Ignatius
Dixon Arlee
AVON, DEER LODGE, DRUMMOND, HELMVILLE The second-oldest city settled in Montana by gold miners and ranchers, Deer Lodge is home to the Grant-Kohrs Ranch. This ranch is the only U.S. National Historic Site with a working cattle ranch operated by the National Park Service. The surrounding communities are rich with ranchland, wonderful wildlife viewing and history.
Valier
Polson
OLD MONTANA PRISON COMPLEX. Plains De Borgia MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTParadise
DEER LODGE AREA
Shelb
East Glacier Park
Fla
Lakeside
Noxon
52 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
Bigfork
Cut Bank
Browning
U
Seeley Lake
Missoula
Alberton Lolo Florence Stevensville
Cascade
Greenough Bonner Clinton
Ovando
Hamilton
Wolf Creek
Canyon Creek
Helmville
Marysville Drummond
Avon
Philipsburg
GRANTKOHRS RANCH NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
Helena
Elliston
Garrison
Victor Corvallis
Craig
Lincoln
Deer Lodge
Basin
Anaconda 569
Conner
Butte
Wise River
Sula
Dewey Divide Wisdom
Melrose
278
Jackson
Jefferson City
Townsend Boulder
Cardwell
Whitehall
Silver Star Twin Bridges
Harrison Pony
Sheridan
Alder
278
Norris
Virginia
Dillon City MONTANA AUTO MUSEUM Bannack Cameron The museum offers interpretive exhibits and more than 160 Grant classic cars. With an exceptional 324 muscle car exhibit, you can cruise down memory324lane and enjoy seven decades of automotive history. Dell
MONTANA STATE PRISON HOBBY STORE Lima Lakeview The shop has been nationally known since 1880Monida for “horsehair” products including belts, bridles, head stalls, hat bands, earrings and an assortment of other handcrafted products. The shop is open seven days a week. 406.846.1320 ext. 2515, www.cor.mt.gov/MCE/ ProductsServices/HobbyStore
DIG DEEPER: Deer Lodge is home to Janette
Thre Fork
Nevada Ennis City
Laurin
Polaris
Montana City Wins
Clancy
Georgetown Lake
Darby
East Helena
Kelley, the driving force behind the iconic character Betty Crocker. A prominent figure in the home economics profession, Kelley was born in Deer Lodge in 1894, and grew up there as one of five children.
Quak Lak
800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 53
DEER LODGE AREA
MONTANA AUTO MUSEUM. ERIC BUNTING
OLD MONTANA PRISON COMPLEX This prison was in use from 1861 to 1979. Today, self-guided tours behind the gray stone walls and towers take you through a massive cell block, maximum security and to the hanging gallows. Ask about ghost tours. POWELL COUNTY MUSEUM Old mining exhibits, Huntoon woodcarving collection and life in Powell County are featured in this local history museum. 406.846.3111, www.pcmaf.org
NEARBY COMMUNITIES AVON Picturesque Avon, Montana sits on the banks of the Little Blackfoot at the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 and MT Highway 141. Highway 141 is the easiest route from Helena to the lakes of the Swan Valley, making Avon a perfect gateway into the wilds of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and the Flathead National Forest. www.southwestmt.com/communities/avon.htm
YELLOWSTONE TRAIL Called “A Good Road from Plymouth Rock to Puget Sound,” the first transcontinental route in the upper-tier states came through Deer Lodge in 1916. Construction of the trail began in 1912 with steam-powered tractors, horse-drawn graders, shovels and picks and was completed in 1915. www.yellowstonetrail.org
DRUMMOND This authentic Western community just off I-90 is filled with hardworking, friendly people and marks the beginning of the Pintler Scenic Route. Ranching remains the focus of the town—home of the World Famous Bullshippers. www.townofdrummondmontana.com
YESTERDAY’S PLAYTHINGS See an intriguing collection of handmade porcelain dolls and toys from days gone by, including a Model Train Display and Railroad Exhibit.
HELMVILLE A quiet ranching community nestled in a pretty valley between the Bob Marshall and Scapegoat wildernesses and the Garnet Range provides a picturesque setting for wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. www.southwestmt.com/communities/helmville.htm
DEER LODGE CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES For more information on the Cutler Bros. Production, Rialto Community Theatre, The Art Gallery and the Ohrmann Museum & Gallery, see pages 24 and 26.
54 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
NEW CHICAGO SCHOOLHOUSE − DRUMMOND Built in 1874 and one of Montana's earliest schools, the school was moved to West Edwards Street in Drummond and renovated by the Lower Valley Historical Society. It houses local history and pictures of the area and is set up as closely as possible to its original schoolhouse décor. 406.288.3297, www.southwestmt.com/listings/18855.htm
BROADWATER HOTSPRINGS
CAPITOL BUILDING | LAST CHANCE TOURS PHOTOS: VISIT MONTANA
TEN MILE CREEK BREWERY
CATHEDRAL OF ST. HELENA | LAST CHANCE TOURS
SPRING MEADOW LAKE
800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 55
1500 Fairmont Rd.
406.797.3000
www.fairmontmontana.com
Marcus Daly Motel
$$
119 W. Park
406.563.3411
www.marcusdaly.com
Pintler's Portal Hostel
$
218 W. Park St.
406.563.4555
www.pintlersportal.com
$$$$
100 Union Ave.
406.797.4100
www.bestwestern.com
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31 Hot Springs Rd.
406.225.4339
www.boulderhotsprings.com
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The Forge Hotel
PETS
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$$$$
HOSTEL
$$$$ = Over $125 $$$ = $101-$125 $$ = $75-$100 $ = Under $75
POOL
ANACONDA
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Golf Course
GRAB & GO
HOTELS, MOTELS & HOSTELS
BREAKFAST
LODGING
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BOULDER
Boulder Hot Springs
BUTTE
Best Western Plus Butte Plaza
$$
2900 Harrison Ave.
406.494.3500
www.bestwestern.com/butteplazainn
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Comfort Inn Butte
$$$
2777 Harrison Ave.
406.494.8850
www.comfortinnbutte.com
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Eddy's Motel
$$
1205 S. Montana
406.723.4364
www.eddysmotel.com
Finlen Hotel & Motor Inn
$$
100 E. Broadway
406.723.5461
www.finlen.com
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Hampton Inn
$$$$
3499 Harrison Ave.
406.494.2250
www.butte.hamptoninn.com
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Holiday Inn Express & Suites
$$$$
2609 Harrison Ave.
406.782.2000
www.ihg.com
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Miners Hotel & Speakeasy
$$$$
53 W. Park
406.723.8928
www.theminershotel.com
DILLON
Quality Inn of Dillon
$$
450 N. Interchange
406.683.6831
www.qualityinndillon.com
ENNIS
El Western Cabins & Lodges
$$$
4787 US Highway 287 N.
406.682.4217
www.elwestern.com
HELENA
Baymont Inn by Wyndham
$$$
750 N. Fee St.
406.443.1000
www.wyndhamhotels.com/baymont/helenamontana/baymont-inn-suites-helena/overview
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Best Western Great Northern Hotel
$$$$
835 Great Northern
406.457.5500
www.bestwestern.com
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Comfort Suites
$$$
3180 N. Washington St.
406.513.1140
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Delta Hotels by Marriott
$$$$
2301 Colonial Dr.
406.443.2100
DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton
$$$
22 N. Last Chance Gulch
406.443.2200
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott
$$$
2150 11th Ave.
406.449.9944
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
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$$$$
3170 N. Sanders St.
406.442.7500
Home2Suites by Hilton
$$
3325 N. Sanders St.
406.502.2222
www.hilton.com/en/hotels/hlnhtht
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La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham
$$
701 Washington St.
406.449.4000
www.wyndhamhotels.com/laquinta/helena-montana/laquinta-helena/overview
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1714 11th Ave.
406.442.1770
www.ramadabywyndhamhelena.com
111 Bailey St.
406.276.3535
N/A
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LINCOLN
Leepers Ponderosa Motel
$
110 1st. Ave S.
406.362.4333
www.visitmt.com/listings/general/hotel-motel/ leepers-motel.html
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Three Bears Motel of Lincoln
$$
203 Main St.
406.362.4355
www.threebearsmotel.com
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McALLISTER
McAllister Inn & Lodging
$$$
5564 Highway 287 N.
406.682.5065
www.mcallisterlodging.com
MELROSE
Sportsman Lodge
$$
540 Main St.
406.835.2141
www.sportsmanmt.com
PHILIPSBURG
The Inn at Philipsburg
$
915 W. Broadway
406.859.3959
www.theinn-philipsburg.com
220 S. Main St.
406.842.5491
www.moriahmotel.com
$$
307 S Main St.
406.684.5639
www.kingsmotelllc.mydirectstay.com
VIRGINIA CITY
Bonanza Inn
$$$
308 West Idaho
406.843.5333
www.heritageaccommodations.com
Fairweather Inn
$$$
305 Wallace St.
406.843.5377
www.aldergulchaccommodations.com
Nevada City Cabins
$$$
1578 MT 287
855.377.6823
www.aldergulchaccommodations.com
VACATION HOMES, CONDOS & CABINS ANACONDA
Fairmont Estates Condominiums
101 High Country Dr.
406.797.3228
www.fairmontestates.com
ENNIS
El Western Cabins & Lodges
4787 US Hwy 287 N.
406.682.4217
www.elwestern.com
HALL
Boulder Creek Lodge & RV Park
4 Boulder Creek Rd.
406.859.3190
www.bouldercreeklodgemontana.com
JEFFERSON CITY
Tizer Botanic Gardens and Arboretum
38 Tizer Lake Rd.
406.933.8789
www.tizergardens.com
McALLISTER
Lakeshore Lodge
234 N. Ennis Rd.
406.682.4424
www.ennislakeshorelodge.com
MELROSE
Pioneer Mountain Cabins
47 Trapper Creek Rd.
406.596.1007
www.pioneermountaincabins.com
PHILIPSBURG
Orion's Rest Cabin
213 Rumsey Rd.
707.292.4515
www.airbnb.com/rooms/5353124?s=51
Sapphire Sleepovers LLC
804 Pearl St.
406.880.1929
www.sapphiresleepovers.com
River Rest Luxury Cabin Rental
5 River Rest Ln.
602.405.5037
www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p4837189
VIRGINIA CITY
Elijah's Rest
8 Stagecoach Northwest Ln.
406.842.7295
www.elijahsrest.com
Nevada City Cabins
1578 MT 287
855.377.6823
www.aldergulchaccommodations.com
Bonanza Inn
308 W. Idaho
406.843.5333
www.heritageaccommodations.com
56 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
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King's Motel
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Mountain View Motel & RV Park
Moriah Motel
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Ramada by Wyndham Helena
SHERIDAN
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SILVER STAR
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TWIN BRIDGES
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FISHING
HIKING
TRAIL RIDES
MINIMUM STAY
Upper Canyon Outfitters
#6 Tate’s Upper Canyon Loop
406.842.5884
www.ucomontana.com
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Mark Young Outfitters
352 Lovers Ln.
406.599.3500
www.markyoungoutfitters.com
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BUTTE
Stockton Outfitters, LLC
1441 Holmes Ave., Ste 2
406.782.9533
www.stocktonoutfitters.com
ENNIS
El Western Cabins & Lodges
4787 US Highway 287 N.
406.682.4217
www.elwestern.com
LINCOLN
K Lazy Three Outfitters
1401 Connifer Ln.
406.939.2547
www.klazy3.com
MELROSE
Sportsman Lodge
540 Main St.
406.835.2141
www.sportsmanmt.com
PHILIPSBURG
The Ranch at Rock Creek
79 Carriage Ln.
877.786.1545
www.theranchatrockcreek.com
WHITEHALL
Iron Wheel Guest Ranch
40 Cedar Hills Rd.
406.494.2960
www.ironwheel.com
WINSTON
Staubach Creek Ranch
112 Pole Creek Rd.
406.227.6918
www.staubachcreekranch.com
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WOLF CREEK
Rocking Z Guest Ranch
2020 Chevallier Dr.
406.465.5534
www.rockingz.com
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Ruby Valley Campground & RV Park
2280 MT 287
406.842.5677
www.rubyvalleycampground.com
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ANACONDA
Fairmont RV Resort
1700 Fairmont Rd.
406.797.3000
www.fairmontrvpark.com
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DEER LODGE
Indian Creek Campground
745 Maverick Ln.
406.846.3848
www.indiancreekcampground.net
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DILLON
Countryside RV Park
30 Sawmill Rd.
406.683.9860
www.countrysidemt.com
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Southside RV Park
104 E Poindexter St.
406.683.2244
www.southsidervpark.com
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DIVIDE
Hyde RV Park
70616 MT Highway 43
406.832.3107
www.hydepark.com
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ENNIS
Ennis RV Village
15 Geyser St.
406.682.5272
www.ennisrv.com
HALL
Boulder Creek Lodge & RV Park
4 Boulder Creek Rd.
406.859.3190
www.bouldercreeklodgemontana.com
LIMA
Mountain View Motel & RV Park
111 Bailey St.
406.276.3535
MELROSE
Sportsman Lodge
540 Main St.
406.835.2141
PHILIPSBURG
The Inn at Philipsburg
915 W. Broadway
TOWNSEND
Goose Bay Marina & Campground
PRIVATE CAMPGROUNDS
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FAMILY ACTIVITIES
ALDER AUGUSTA
RANCHES & LODGES
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www.sportsmanmt.com
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406.859.3959
www.theinn-philipsburg.com
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300 Goose Bay Ln.
406.266.3065
www.goosebaymarina.camp
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Silos Marina & Campground
82 Silos Rd.
406.980.0266
www.thesilosmt.camp
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Townsend/Canyon Ferry Lake KOA
81 Silos Rd.
406.266.3100
www.canyonferrylakekoa.com
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BED & BREAKFASTS BOULDER
Boulder Hot Springs
31 Hot Springs Rd.
406.225.4339
www.boulderhotsprings.com
BUTTE
Copper King Mansion
219 W. Granite St.
406.782.7580
www.copperkingmansion.com
WHITEHALL
Iron Wheel Guest Ranch
40 Cedar Hills Rd.
406.494.2960
www.ironwheel.com
ANACONDA
Fairmont Hot Springs
1500 Fairmont Rd.
406.797.3241
www.fairmontmontana.com
BOULDER
Boulder Hot Springs
31 Hot Springs Rd.
406.225.4339
www.boulderhotsprings.com
ATVS
BIKES
BOATS, KAYAKS, FLOAT TUBES
RV CAMP TRAILERS
SNOWMOBILES
HOT SPRINGS
Pintler Adventures
10800 Mill Creek Rd.
406.925.9059
www.pintleradventures.com
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Rentals Adventures West (RAW)
10800 Mill Creek Rd.
406.925.9059
www.rentaladventureswest.com
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BUTTE
Pintler Adventures
10800 Mill Creek Rd.
406.925.9059
www.pintleradventures.com
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DILLON
Beaverhead Adventures
730 N Montana St., Ste. 5
406.925.9059
www.beaverheadadventures.com
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Rentals Adventures West (RAW)
730 N Montana St.
406.925.9059
www.rentaladventureswest.com
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MELROSE
Sportman Lodge Montana Finest
540 Main St.
406.835.2141
www.sportsmanmt.com
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PHILIPSBURG
Pintler Adventures
10800 Mill Creek Rd.
406.925.9059
www.pintleradventures.com
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TOWNSEND
Goose Bay Marina & Campground
300 Goose Bay Ln.
406.266.3065
www.goosebaymarina.camp
EQUIPMENT RENTALS ANACONDA
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800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 57
Montana Zip Line Adventures
267 Swissmont Dr.
406.560.3115
www.montanazip.com
Pintler Adventures
10800 Mill Creek Rd.
406.925.9059
www.pintleradventures.com
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BUTTE
Pintler Adventures
10800 Mill Creek Rd.
406.925.9059
www.pintleradventures.com
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DILLON
Beaverhead Adventures
730 N Montana St., Ste. 5
406.925.9059
www.beaverheadadventures.com
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Upper Canyon Outfitters
#6 Tate’s Upper Canyon Loop
406.842.5884
www.ucomontana.com
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AUGUSTA
Mark Young Outfitters
351 Lovers Ln.
406.599.3500
www.markyoungoutfitters.com
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BUTTE
Stockton Outfitters, LLC
1440 Holmes Ave., Suite 2
406.782.9532
www.stocktonoutfitters.com
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The Tackle Shop-Fly Shop and Outfitter
127 Main St.
406.682.4263
www.thetackleshop.com
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LINCOLN
K Lazy Three Outfitters
1400 Connifer Ln.
406.939.2546
www.klazy3.com
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MELROSE
Sportsman Lodge
540 Main St.
406.835.2141
www.sportsmanmt.com
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WHITEHALL
Iron Wheel Guest Ranch
40 Cedar Hills Rd.
406.494.2960
www.ironwheel.com
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RETAIL, TOURS & MUSEUMS ANACONDA BUTTE
Anaconda Chamber of Commerce
306 E. Park Ave.
406.563.2400
www.discoveranaconda.com
Washoe Theatre
305 Main St.
406.563.6161
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Butte Silver Bow Public Archives
17 W. Quartz
406.782.3280
www.buttearchives.org
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Copper King Mansion
219 W. Granite St.
406.782.7580
www.copperkingmansion.com
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1300 W. Park
406.496.1300
www.mbmg.mtech.edu
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Picadilly Museum of Transportation
20 W. Broadway
406.723.3034
www.piccmuseum.com
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World Museum of Mining
155 Museum Way
406.723.7211
www.miningmuseum.org
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CLANCY
Jefferson County Museum
5 N. Main St.
406.224.5106
www.jeffersoncountymuseum.com
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Old Prison Museum
1106 Main St.
406.846.3111
www.pcmaf.org
DILLON
Beaverhead County Museum
155 S. Montana St.
406.683.5027
www.beaverheadcounty.org/departments/ beaverhead-county-museum/
HELENA
Exploration Works
995 Carousel Way
406.457.1800
www.explorationworks.org
406.458.5241
www.gatesofthemoutains.com
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Last Chance Tour Train
225 N. Roberts
406.442.1023
www.lctours.com
Montana Historical Society
225 N. Roberts
406.444.6843
www.mhs.mt.gov
Montana Masonic Museum & Library
425 N. Park
406.442.7774
www.grandlodgemontana.org
JEFFERSON CITY
Tizer Botanic Gardens and Arboretum
38 Tizer Lake Rd.
406.933.8789
www.tizergardens.com
PHILIPSBURG
Gem Mountain
201 W. Broadway
406.859.4367
www.gemmountainmt.com
Granite County Museum & Cultural Center
135 S. Sansome
406.859.3020
www.granitecountymuseum.com
Montana Gems of Philipsburg
204 W. Broadway
406.859.6725
www.montanagems.net
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Sapphire Gallery
115 E. Broadway
800.525.0169
www.sapphiregallery.com
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Sweet Palace
109 E. Bradway
406.859.3353
www.sweetpalace.com
TOWNSEND
Broadwater County Museum & Library
133 N. Walnut
406.266.5252
www.broadwatercountymuseum.com
Canton Church Historial Site
3497 Highway 284
406.266.3710
www.canton-church.org
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VIRGINIA CITY
Alder Gulch Short Line RR
300 W. Wallace St.
406.843.5247
www.virginiacitymt.com
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Cousins Candy
113 W. Wallace St.
406.843.5371
www.virginiacitycandymt.com
Historic Tour Company of Virginia City
Main St.
406.600.2598
www.historicfiretrucktour.webs.com
58 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
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Montana Mineral Museum of MT Tech
Gates of the Mountains Boat Tour
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TOURS
ATV RENTAL
ALDER
GUIDED RECREATION
WATERFOWL
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PACK TRIPS
www.ironwheel.com
TRAIL RIDES
406.494.2960
THEATRE
40 Cedar Hills Rd.
LODGING
Iron Wheel Guest Ranch
RETAIL
WHITEHALL
FISHING
www.pintleradventures.com
MUSEUMS
www.rentaladventureswest.com
406.925.9059
HISTORY
406.925.9059
10800 Mill Creek Rd.
BIG GAME
730 N Montana St., Ste. 5
Pintler Adventures
ART GALLERY
Rentals Adventures West (RAW)
PHILIPSBURG
ZIPLINE •
WILDLIFE
ANACONDA
FLOAT TRIPS
OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
OUTDOOR RECREATION
HORSEBACK RIDING
LODGING | ACCOMMODATIONS
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Sapphire Mine STARTING 2020 Seasonal: Memorial Weekend through Labor Day Weekend OPEN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY: Reservations required, NO Walk-Ins, Wednesday through Saturday CLOSED: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and all holidays
“We Own and Operate the Mine” 21 Sapphire Gulch Lane, Philipsburg, MT 59858 (406) 859-GEMS (4367) • www.GemMountainMT.com
Philipsburg, MT Open 7 days a week • 10 am to 5 pm (with the exception of holidays) Walk-ins welcome, first come first serve for gravel washing 201 West Broadway, Philipsburg, MT 59858
Phone: 406-859-GEMS (4367) info@GemMtn.com • www.montanasapphirecompany.com
800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 59
EVENTS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS MARCH 2022
JUNE 2022
AOH St. Patrick's Day Race, Anaconda – 406.563.2400 St. Patrick's Day Parade, Anaconda – 406.563.2400 Wayne Estes Basketball Tournament TBA, Anaconda – 406.563.2400 St. Patrick's Day, Butte – 406.782.4149 Sawyer Brown Concert, Butte – 406.497.6400 British Invasion Concert, Butte – 406.723.3602 Helena Big Horns Hockey, Helena – 406.457.2817 Made in Montana Trade Show Food & Gifts, Helena – 406.457.8516 Spring Arts and Craft Show, Helena – 406.447.8481 Pete Sitch Basketball Tournament, Lincoln – 406.202.1256 Ponderosa Snow Warrior Fun Run, Lincoln – 406.475.5786 Bartender's Cup, Polaris – 406.834.3454; www.skimaverick.com Maverick Mountain Challenge, Slalom and Downhill Races, Polaris – 406.834.3454
Clancy Days, Clancy – 406.225.4036 32nd Annual Territorial Days Show 'n Shine Car Show, Deer Lodge – 406.846.2094 Big Sky Draft Horse Expo, Deer Lodge – 208.589.3974 DreamWorks Shrek The Musical Jr., Helena – 406.933.8789; www.grandstreettheatre.com Governor's Cup Race (5k, 10k, Half/Full Marathon, Fun Run), Helena – 406.437.6198 Governor’s Cup Marathon/Half Marathon, Jefferson City/Clancy – 406.437.6198 Fireman's Ball, Lincoln – 406.465.7691 Irish Weekend, Virginia City – 406.843.5247 Brothel Days, Virginia City – 406.843.5700 Karaoke @ the Bale of Hay Saloon, Virginia City – 406.843.5700 Disco @ Dusk Concert in the Park – Discovery Park, Virginia City – 406.843.5247
JULY 2022
APRIL 2022 The Diamonds Concert, Butte – 406.723.3602 Butte Community Concerts, Butte – 406.494.4495 Butte Symphony, Butte – 406.723.3602 Junior Ranger Day – Grant-Kohrs Ranch, Deer Lodge – 406.846.2070, ext. 226 Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show, Helena – 406.447.8481 Matilda, Helena – 406.447.1574; www.grandstreettheatre.com
MAY 2022 Jim Brickman in Concert, Helena – 406.447.8481; www.helenaciviccenter.com Don't Fence Me in Trail Run, Helena – 406.442.0490 Spring Art Walk, Helena Tizer Gardens Opens, Jefferson City – 406.933.8789 Ducks Unlimited Annual Banquet, Lincoln – 406.362.4072 Memorial Day Weekend ATV Fun Run (Sat) & OHV Scavenger Hunt (Sun), Lincoln Founders Day, Virginia City – 406.843.5247 Memorial Day Horseback Poker Ride, Virginia City – 406.843.5700 Season Kick Off Parade and Duck Race, Virginia City – 800.829.2969, ext. 1
4th of July Parade, Anaconda – 406.563.2400 Fireworks 10:30pm, Anaconda – 406.563.2400 Goosetown Softball Tournament, Anaconda – 406.563.2400 Art in the Park, Anaconda – 406.563.2422 Kenny Cook Memorial Car Show, Anaconda – 406.560.2857 4th of July Parade, Boulder – 406.225.4039 Freedom Festival, Butte – 406.723.3177 Montana Folk Festival, Butte – 406.497.6464 Butte 100, Butte – 406.490.7632 Branding Event – Grant-Kohrs Ranch, Deer Lodge – 406.846.2070, ext. 226 Haying with Horses – Grant-Kohrs Ranch, Deer Lodge – 406.846.2070, ext. 226 Cookin’ on the Clark Fork BBQ Cook-Off and Brewfest, Deer Lodge – 406.846.2094 Cutler Brothers Haunted House, Deer Lodge – 406.846.4096 Dillon History Days, Dillon – 406.683.4245 Lewis & Clark Block Party, Helena – 406.465.2938 Godspell (Outdoors Hill Park), Helena – 406.447.1574; www.grandstreettheatre.com Big Sky Pride, Helena – 406.417.0070 Symphony Under the Stars, Helena – 406.442.1860 Lincoln 4th of July Parade, Lincoln – 406.362.4949 4th of July Fireworks, Lincoln – 406.362.4949 Lincoln Flea Market, Lincoln – 406.475.0069 Lincoln Motorcycle Rally – lincolnbikerally@gmail.com Disco @ Dusk Concert in the Park – Discovery Park, Virginia City – 406.843.5247 Micro Milton Brew – Bale of Hay Saloon, Virginia City – 406.843.5700 Dog and Grog – Bale of Hay Saloon, Virginia City – 406.843.5700 Christmas in July – Opera House, Virginia City – 800.829.2969, ext. 2 Kids Fishing Derby, Virginia City – 406.843.5563 4th of July Festivities, Virginia City – 800.829.2969, ext. 1 Vigilante Car Show, Virginia City – 406.843.5247 Virginia City Art Show, Virginia City – 800.829.2969, ext. 1 Frontier Days, Whitehall – 406.287.2260 Classic Car Show, Whitehall – 406.287.2260
AUGUST 2022
BUTTE FOLK FESTIVAL. DONNIE SEXTON
60 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
Sidewalk Sale, Anaconda – 406.563.2400 Smeltermen's Days: Fun Run, Brewfest, Art Walk, Anaconda – 406.563.2400 Smeltermen's Day Parade and After-Party, Anaconda – 406.563.2400 Boulder Car Show, Boulder – 406.225.4039 Jefferson County Fair & Rodeo, Boulder – 406.225.4039 An Ri Ra Gaelic Festival, Butte – 406.498.3983 Silver Bow County Fair, Butte – 406.723.0217 Rockin the Rivers, Cardwell – 406.285.0099 Country Jam, Cardwell – 855.821.9212 Haying with Horses – Grant-Kohrs Ranch, Deer Lodge – 406.846.2070, ext. 226 Tri-County Fair, Deer Lodge – 406.491.1549
EVENTS AUGUST 2022 (CONT.) Montana Brewers Summer Rendezvous, Helena – 406.948.2739 Westmont's Wake the Giant Music Festival, Helena – 406.447.3100 York 38 Special, York-Helena – 406.475.3085 Jefferson City Day, Jefferson City – 406.225.4039 Lincoln Arts & Music Festival, Lincoln – 406.202.4566 CDT Trails Day, Lincoln – 406.459.1925 Bob Purdy Softball Tournament, Lincoln – 406.459.1925 Heritage Day, Lincoln – 406.362.4949 12th Annual Rotary Charity Summer Concert & Auction, Philipsburg – 406.859.8001 Montana Mardi Gras, Virginia City – 406.843.5247 Victorian Ball, Virginia City – 800.829.2969, ext. 6 Labor Day Horseback Poker Ride and Duck Race, Virginia City – 800.829.2969, ext. 1 Disco @ Dusk Concert in the Park – Discovery Park, Virginia City – 406.843.5247 Shriners in the Park – Discovery Park, Virginia City – 800.829.2969, ext. 2 Disco @ Dusk Concert in the Park – Discovery Park, Virginia City – 406.843.5247
SEPTEMBER 2022 Wildlife Art Expo, Anaconda – 406.563.2422 Music & Arts Festival, Boulder – 406.225.4039 Halfway to St. Patrick's Day, Butte – 406.723.7211 Brats for the Brave: Veteran/First Responders Cookout, Dillon – 406.683.5511 Helena Big Horns Hockey, Helena – 406.457.2517; www.helenabighorns.com Little Red Truck Vintage Market, Helena – 406.381.1904; www.littleredtruckvintagemarket.com Made in Montana Trade Show Food & Gifts, Helena – 406.841.2757 Labor Day Poker Run, Lincoln Sculpture in the Wild Artist in Residence / Sculpture Reveal, Lincoln – 406.431.0325 Justin Moore, Butte – 406.497.6400
OCTOBER 2022 Oktoberfest: Arts & Crafts, German Food, & Craft Beers, Anaconda – 406.563.2400 Big Rock Fright Nights, Boulder – 406.225.4015 Spooks & Spirits Trolley Tours, Butte – 406.723.3177 Pumpkin Sunday – Grant-Kohrs Ranch, Deer Lodge – 406.846.2070, ext. 231 Halloween Fall Fest, Dillon – 406.683.5511 Octoberfest, Helena – 406.447.1535 Whitehall Fall Festival, Whitehall – 406.287.2260 Screams Come True, Whitehall – 406.225.4039
NOVEMBER 2022 Tree Lighting & Christmas Stroll, Anaconda – 406.563.2400 Christmas Light Parade, Anaconda – 406.563.2400 Christmas Bazaar, Boulder – 406.225.4039 Fall Art Walk, Helena – 406.447.1535 Kids Fall Fest, Helena – 406.447.1535 Parade of Lights, Helena – 406.447.1535 Deck the Halls, Helena – 406.447.1535 The Nutcracker, Helena – 406.444.5004
DECEMBER 2022 Ladies Night Out, Anaconda – 406.563.2422 Christmas Stroll, Butte – 406.497.6464 Ice Carving, Butte – 406.497.6464 National Miner's Day, Butte – 406.723.7211 Holiday Open House – Grant-Kohrs Ranch, Deer Lodge – 406.846.2070, ext. 226 Christmas Stroll, Deer Lodge – 406.846.2094 Parade of Lights, Dillon – 406.683.5511 Festival of Trees, Helena – 406.447.8481 Christmas Bazaar, Lincoln – 406.475.0069 Santa's Workshop, Lincoln – 406.202.1035 Christmas Stroll, Whitehall – 406.287.2260
JANUARY 2023 Festival of the Winter Moon, Anaconda – 406.563.2400 Snoflinga Winter Festival, Butte – 406.723.3177 Cabin Fever Antique & Vintage Market, Helena – 406.447.8481 Helena Big Horns Hockey, Helena – 406.457.2817 A Real Boy, Helena – 406.447.1574; www.grandstreettheatre.com
FEBRUARY 2023 Helena Big Horns Hockey, Helena – 406.457.2817 Feb Fest Chocolate & Valentine Fair, Helena – 406.447.8481 The Fab Four Ultimate Beatles Tribute, Helena – 406.447.8481; www.helenaciviccenter.com Three Dog Night, Helena – 406.447.8481; www.helenaciviccenter.com Ponderosa Snow Warriors Moonlight Ride & Poker Run, Lincoln – 406.475.5786 Big Hole Valley Skijoring, Wisdom – 406.689.3260
RECURRING EVENTS 2022 June-Aug, Beaverhead Treasure Hunt, Beaverhead County – 406.683.5511 Sept-May, Performances at the Mother Lode Theatre, Butte – 406.723.3602 Wednesdays (July & Aug), Revive at 5:30, Helena – 406.447.1535 Fridays (5/27-9/5), Campground Evening Guest Presenter Programs @ Lewis & Clark Caverns – 406.287.3541 Saturdays (Summer), Ranger-Led Hikes or Talks @ Lewis & Clark Caverns – 406.287.3541 Mondays (Summer), Ranger Programs,@ Lewis & Clark Caverns – 406.287.3541 Saturdays & Sundays, Living History in Nevada City Old Town, Nevada City – 406.843.5247 Tuesdays, Show and Shine & Dave Walker @ Bale of Hay Saloon, Virginia City – 406.843.5700
DIG DEEPER: Race to the Sky is recognized as one of the PARADE IN VIRGINIA CITY. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
most challenging and beautiful sled dog races in the world. Working together, teams negotiate the trail through Montana’s scenic Rocky Mountains. The race is a qualifier for the Iditarod Race in Alaska. The 300-mile race starts and ends in Lincoln. www.racetothesky.org
800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 61
RODEOS & FARMERS MARKETS
RODEOS & FARMERS MARKETS Montana is known for some of the West’s best farmers markets, rodeos and signature events that draw crowds from far and wide. Stroll a weekly farmers market for a taste of farm-fresh Montana products, pull on your cowboy boots for a rowdy good time at a small-town rodeo, and mosey on over for Southwest Montana’s signature events.
RODEOS
FARMERS MARKETS
Spring Fest Rodeo, Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds – Helena
Anaconda Community Market − Anaconda
May, 406.457.8516
406.563.5259
Boulder Farmers Market − Boulder
Augusta Rodeo − Augusta
406.225.3288
June
Butte Farmers Market − Butte
4th of July Parade & Rodeo − Ennis July, 406.682.4388
Last Chance Stampede Fair & Rodeo − Helena July, 406.457.8516
Lincoln Rodeo − Lincoln July, 406.362.4949
Drummond PRCA Rodeo − Drummond July, 406.288.3479
East Helena Valley Rodeo − East Helena July
406.497.6464
Deer Lodge Community Garden Farmers Market − Deer Lodge 623.680.4525
Dillon Farmers Market − Dillon 406.683.4245
Capitol Square Farmers Market − Helena 406.422.2920
Helena Farmers Market − Helena 406.437.1855
Ponyland Farm − Pony
Red Eye Daze − Deer Lodge July
541.499.4762
Sheridan Farmers Market − Sheridan
Jefferson County Fair & Rodeo − Boulder August, 406.225.4039
Townsend Rodeo and County Fair (NRA Sanctioned) − Townsend August, 406.980.1873
Don Harrington Rodeo − Butte August
406.842.7702
Townsend Farmers Market − Townsend 406.422.7933
Twin Bridges Farmers Market − Twin Bridges 406.596.1978
Virginia City Farmers Market − Virginia City 406.843.5247
Madison County Fair & Rodeo – Twin Bridges August
For more information, visit southwestmt.com/fooddrinkandshopping/farmersmarkets
Tri-County Fair Rodeo − Deer Lodge August
Jaycee's Labor Day Rodeo − Dillon September, 406.683.5511
Helmville Rodeo − Helmville
September, 406.360.0500
DIG DEEPER: Rodeos evolved from the days of open range ranching where cowboys showed off their quick skills with riding and roping.
BROADWATER COUNTY FAIR & RODEO. MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
62 SOUTHWESTMT.COM • 800.879.1159
VISITOR INFORMATION
MONTANA’S TOURISM REGIONS SOUTHWEST MONTANA
YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY
SOUTHEAST MONTANA
GLACIER COUNTRY
MISSOURI RIVER COUNTRY
CENTRAL MONTANA
1105 Main St. Deer Lodge, MT 59722 406.846.1943 • 800.879.1159 www.southwestmt.com
4852 Kendrick Place, #101 Missoula, MT 59808 406.532.3234 • 800.338.5072 www.glaciermt.com
NATIONAL FORESTS BEAVERHEAD-DEERLODGE NATIONAL FOREST 422 Barrett St., Dillon 406.683.3900 www.fs.usda.gov/main/bdnf
P.O. Box 3048 Bozeman, MT 59772 800.736.5276 www.visityellowstonecountry.com
P.O. Box 118 Fort Peck, MT 59223 800.653.1319 www.missouririvermt.com
815 S. 27th St. Billings, MT 59101 406.294.5270 • 800.346.1876 www.southeastmontana.com
P.O. Box 3166 Great Falls, MT 59403 406.761.5036 • 800.527.5348 www.centralmontana.com
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
BUTTE FIELD OFFICE
266 Warren Ln., Deer Lodge 406.846.2070 x250 www.nps.gov/grko/index.htm
106 N. Parkmont, Butte 406.533.7600 www.blm.gov/office/butte-field-office
GRANT-KOHRS RANCH
BIG HOLE NATIONAL BATTLEFIELD
DILLON FIELD OFFICE
16425 Montana Highway 43, Wisdom 406.689.3195 www.nps.gov/biho/index.htm
BUTTE-ANACONDA HISTORIC LANDMARK DISTRICT
MONTANA HERITAGE COMMISSION
MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS
406.723.3177, www.buttecvb.com
300 Wallace St., Virginia City 406.843.5247, www.virginiacitymt.com
HELENA INDIAN ALLIANCE
MONTANA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
MONTANA STATE PARKS
WEATHER FORECAST
MONTANA OFFICE OF TOURISM
HELENA-LEWIS & CLARK NATIONAL FOREST 2880 Skyway Dr., Helena 406.449.5201 www.fs.usda.gov/main/hlcnf
1005 Selway Dr., Dillon 406.683.8000 www.blm.gov/office/dillon-field-office
OTHER RESOURCES
501 Euclid Ave., Helena 406.442.9244, www.helenaindianalliance.com
255 N. Roberts St., Helena 406.444.2694, www.mhs.mt.gov
1420 E. 6th Ave., Helena 406.444.2535, www.fwp.mt.gov
1420 East 6th Ave., Helena 406.444.3750, www.stateparks.mt.gov
TRAVEL CONDITIONS ROAD CONDITIONS
Statewide 800.226.ROAD • Interstate 511 www.mdt.mt.gov/travinfo
Helena: 406.443.5151 www.weather.com
301 S. Park Ave., Helena 406.841.2870 • 800.VISIT.MT www.visitmt.com
MADISON RANGE LOOKING TO SPHINX. RICK GRAETZ
800.879.1159 • SOUTHWESTMT.COM 63
INDEX Accommodations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Alder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Alder Gulch Shortline Railroad. . . . . . 44 American Indian. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Anaconda. . . . . . . . . . 12, 13 ,24, 46, 48 Anaconda Chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Anaconda Country Club. . . . . . . . . . 28 Anaconda Courthouse. . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Anaconda Smoke Stack . . . . . . . . . . 22 Anaconda Visitor Center. . . . . . . . . . 46 Anaconda Walking Tour. . . . . . . . . . . 48 Archie Bray Foundation. . . . . . . . . . . 27 Arrow Stone Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Art Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24, 26, 27 Augusta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 38, 62 Augusta Chamber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Bannack State Park . . . . . . . 6,9,14, 32 Basin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Basin Radon Mines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Bear Trap Canyon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Beaverhead Adventures . . . . . . . . . . 58 Beaverhead Chamber. . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Beaverhead County. . . . . . . . . . . 51, 56 Beaverhead County Museum . . . . . . 50 Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Beaverhead River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Beaverhead Rock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Bed & Breakfasts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Big Hole National Battlefield . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 50 Big Hole River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Big Sheep Creek Backcountry Byway. . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Birding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Blackfoot Pathways: Sculpture In The Wild. . . . . . . . . . . 27 Blackfoot River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Black Sandy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Boulder. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Boulder Batholith . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Boulder Chamber. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Boulder Hot Springs. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Boulder River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Breweries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Broadwater Hot Springs. . . . . . . . . . 10 Bureau Of Land Management. . . . . . 63 Butte. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 30, 40, 41 Butte-Anaconda Historic Landmark District. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Butte Community Ice Center. . . . . . . 32 Butte Convention and Visitors Bureau. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Butte Parks And Recreation. . . . . . . . 32 Camp Fortunate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Campgrounds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Canyon Ferry Lake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Canyon Ferry Wildlife Management Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Cathedral Of St. Helena. . . . . . . . . . . 34 Cattail Marsh Recreation Area. . . . . . 51 Chambers of Commerce & Visitor Centers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Charles W. Clark Chateau. . . . . . . . . 24 Charter Oak Mine And Mill . . . . . . . . . 8
Chief Joseph. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Clancy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Clark Canyon Reservoir. . . . . . . . 14,17 Clark Fork River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Clark’s Lookout. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Coolidge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Cottonwood City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Crystal Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Culture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Cutler Bros. Production. . . . . . . . . . . 24 Deer Lodge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 52, 54 Dell. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Dillon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50,51 Distilleries. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Drummond. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Drummond Chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Dude Ranches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Earthquake Lake Visitor Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 East Helena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Elkhorn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,22 Elkhorn Hot Springs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Ennis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 44, 45 Ennis Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Ennis National Fish Hatchery. . . . . . . 45 Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60, 61 Exploration Works. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Fairmont Hot Springs Resort and Golf Course. . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 28 Farlin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Fishing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Fox Ridge Golf Course. . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Frontier Montana Museum . . . . . . . . 52 Garnet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Gates Of The Mountains . . . . . . . . . . 36 Gem Mines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Gem Montana. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Geology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Georgetown Lake. . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 17 Glacier National Park . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Glendale and Canyon Creek Charcoal Kilns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Golf. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Granite County Museum. . . . . . . . . . 48 Granite Ghost Town. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Grant Kohrs Ranch . . . . . . 14,20, 52,63 Great Divide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Great Northern Carousel. . . . . . . . . . 36 Guided Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Gulch Distillers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Hangman’s Building & Boot Hill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Hauser Lake Reservoir . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Headframe Spirits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Hearst Free Library. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Helena . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13, 28, 34 Helena Convention And Visitors Bureau . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Helena Indian Alliance. . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Helena-Lewis & Clark National Forest. . . . . . . . . . . . . 32, 63 Helena Parks And Recreation . . . . . . 32 Helmville. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 High Altitude Speed Skating . . . . . . . 32 Historic Canton Church. . . . . . . . . . . 37
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Holter Lake. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Hotels,Motels & Hostels . . . . . . . . . . 56 Hot Springs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 57 Humbug Spires. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Ice Fishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Ice Skating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Jackson. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Jackson Hot Springs. . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Jefferson City. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Jefferson County Heritage Center. . 37 Jefferson County Historical Museum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Jefferson Valley Museum . . . . . . . . . 42 Lakes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16, 17 Last Chance Gulch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Last Chance Splash Waterpark and Pool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Last Chance Tour Train. . . . . . . . . . . 36 Laurin. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Lewis And Clark Trail Sites . . . . . . . . 51 Lewis & Clark. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Murals. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Lewis & Clark Caverns. . . . . . . . 12, 22 Lima . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 51 Lincoln. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Lincoln Valley Chamber . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Lodging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Lost Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 MacDonald Pass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Madison Meadows Golf Course. . . . . 28 Madison River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Madison Valley History Museum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Marysville. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Maverick Mountain. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Melrose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Milwaukee Railroad . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Missouri River. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Montana Auto Museum. . . . . . . . . . . 52 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks . . . . . 63 Montana Gems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Montana Heritage Commission. . . . . 63 Montana Historical Society . . . . . . . . . . 63 Montana Military Museum . . . . . . . . 36 Montana Office Of Tourism. . . . . . . . 63 Montana Outfitters & Guides Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Montana State Parks. . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Montana State Prison Hobby Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Mount Helena City Park. . . . . . . . . . . 36 Nevada City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6, 9, 45 Nevada Creek Reservoir. . . . . . . . . . 17 New Chicago Schoolhouse. . . . . . . . 54 Norris Hot Springs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Norwegian Wood Golf Course. . . . . . 28 Old Montana Prison . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Old Works Golf Course . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Old Works Historical Trail. . . . . . . . . 48 Original Governor’s Mansion. . . . . . . 36 Outfitters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Ovando. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 38 Performing Arts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Philipsburg. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32, 46, 48
Philipsburg Brewing Company . . . . . 30 Philipsburg Chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Pioneer Mountain Scenic Byway. . . . . 4 Polaris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Pony. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Powell County Chamber . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Powell County Museum . . . . . . . . . . 54 Private Campgrounds. . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Public Lands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Quartz Hill. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Ranches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Ranches & Lodges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Reeder’s Alley. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Retail, Tours & Museums. . . . . . . . . 58 Ridge Waters Water Park. . . . . . . . . . 10 Road Conditions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Robber’s Roost. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Rochester . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Rockhounding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Ruby Reservoir. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Sapphire Gallery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Scenic Driving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Sheridan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12, 45 Skiing and Snowboarding. . . . . . . . . 32 Smelter City Brewing . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Snowmobiling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Spring Meadow Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 State Wildlife Management Areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Stockton Outfitters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 The Ranch at Rock Creek. . . . . . 18, 57 Thompson-Hickman Museum. . . . . . 45 Tizer Botanic Garden and Arboretum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Townsend. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28, 30, 37 Townsend Chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Trolley Tour. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Twin Bridges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Upper Blackfoot Valley Historical Society Museum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Vacation Homes, Condos & Cabins . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Vigilante Trail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Vintage Bus Tours. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Virginia City . . . . . . . . . 6, 9, 12, 44, 45 Virginia City & Nevada City Chamber . 1 Visitor Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Washoe Park. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Washoe Park Trout Hatchery. . . . . . . 48 Water Parks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Weather Forecast. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Whitehall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Whitehall Chamber . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Wildlife Watching . . . . . . . . . . . . 14, 15 Willie’s Distillery. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Wisdom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Wise River . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Wolf Creek (Prickly Pear) Canyon. . . . . . 37 Working Ranches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Yellowstone National Park. . . . . . . . . . 2 Yellowstone Trail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Yesterday’s Playthings . . . . . . . . . . . 54
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