DILLON & BEAVERHEAD COUNTY AREA

from Southwest Montana Travel Guide 2023

ANACONDA & PHILIPSBURG AREA

DELL, DILLON, JACKSON, LIMA, MELROSE, MONIDA, POLARIS, WISDOM, WISE RIVER

Lewis and Clark met the Shoshone Indians near Dillon at Camp Fortunate. This ranch-rich area is also home to the gold rush mining camp of Bannack, where Montana history comes to life at this State Park. Take time to learn about the Nez Perce War of 1877 at the Big Hole National Battlefield.

Dillon

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

BANNACK STATE PARK

Bannack State Park (see page 6 for more details), one of the best preserved ghost towns in the country, is the site of Montana's first major gold discovery in 1862 and was the foundation for making Bannack the first territorial capital in Montana.

BEAVERHEAD COUNTY MUSEUM

Find both indoor and outdoor exhibits, including geology/mining, Indigenous Peoples of Southwest Montana: An Archaeological History, a Union Pacific railroad depot, a Lewis and Clark diorama, an Audubon Southwestern Montana bird display, a one-room schoolhouse, a branded boardwalk and a depot theater. They offer a self-guided cell phone tour, gift store and research room. Open May through October, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 406.683.5027, www.beaverheadcounty.org

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.

Butte

BIG SHEEP CREEK BACKCOUNTRY BYWAY

Fifty miles from Bannack, this byway was originally a freight road used for hauling supplies to mining towns. It's a two-lane dirt road 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

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, Monida is an entry-point into the remote Centennial Valley and 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

Deer Lodge Area

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.

Deer Lodge

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

OLD MONTANA PRISON COMPLEX

The Old Montana Territorial Prison anchors the south end of Main Street as a museum complex with exhibits that highlight not only the prison life of male inmates, but also the women and law enforcement, evolution of the automobile, local history and more. 406.846.3111, www.pcmaf.org

OLD MONTANA PRISON MUSEUM

This prison was in use from 1871 to 1979. Today, self-guided tours behind the gray stone walls and towers take you through a massive cell block and maximum security, and to the hanging gallows. Ask about ghost tours. 406.846.3111, www.pcmaf.org

MONTANA AUTO MUSEUM

The museum offers interpretive exhibits and more than 200 classic cars. With an exceptional muscle car exhibit, you can cruise down memory lane and enjoy seven decades of automotive history.

FlatheadRiver

DIG DEEPER: Deer Lodge is home to Janette

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.

MONTANA STATE PRISON HOBBY STORE

The shop has been nationally known since 1880 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

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.

PEN ART GALLERY AND DEER LODGE ART CLUB

Across from the Old Montana Prison, the gallery features summer exhibits and local art year-round. 406.846.3111

POWELL COUNTY MUSEUM

This history museum features old mining exhibits, a Huntoon wood-carving collection and exhibits on life in Powell County. Fur trading brought settlers to this area, and Powell County Museum is proud to present a trapping exhibit, showing how the fur trade industry has changed over the years.

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.

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.

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.

DIG DEEPER: Deer Lodge was named after a geological formation known as Warm Springs Mound which contained saline that created a natural salt lick for the local deer population. Deer and other wildlife would winter in the protected valley as the temperatures in the high country dropped – hence the name Deer Lodge.

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.

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

OLD YELLOWSTONE HIKING/BIKING TRAIL

On this 10.5-mile trail along the Clark Fork River—between Deer Lodge and Garrison—it's common to see a variety of wildlife, including moose, deer, elk and numerous bird species. Accessible via Grant-Kohrs Ranch

Nearby Communities

AVON www.southwestmt.com/communities/avon.htm

Picturesque Avon, 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.

DRUMMOND www.townofdrummondmontana.com

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.

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

HELMVILLE www.southwestmt.com/communities/helmville.htm

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.