Cities & Towns

Raymond, in the state's extreme northeast corner, is nine miles from Canada and the border port station at the International Boundary. South of Raymond is Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge is located on the heavily glaciated rolling plains of northeastern Montana, between the Missouri River and the Canadian Border. Thousands of migrating waterfowl make their summer home at Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

In the early 1900s mining dominated the mountains south of Great Falls and countless small settlements filled the coulees and gulches. Raynesford was a railroad town to service those mines. Raynesford is just north of Sluice Boxes State Park. Soaring cliffs and precipitous ledges mark the Belt Creek Canyon as it slices out of the Little Belt Mountains and winds toward the town of Belt. Sluice Boxes State Park consists of the northern most 8 miles of the Belt Creek canyon.

Nestled in Montana’s magnificent Beartooth Mountains and surrounded by Custer Gallatin National Forest, Red Lodge delivers access to world-class outdoor recreation and adventure. Throughout the historic downtown, enjoy locally owned shops,exceptional farm-to-table dining experiences and plenty of accommodations, events and entertainment.

Redstone finds the origins of its name from the red shale in the area. The area around and east of Redstone, especially in the badlands of Big Muddy Creek, is cattle country. Redstone is just a few miles north of the vast Fort Peck Indian Reservation. The reservation is home to Sioux and Assinniboine and encompasses more than 2 million acres. Poplar Museum and Tribal Museum feature tribal history and artifacts.

Reed Point is a small town nestled below the foothills on its south and bordered by the Yellowstone River on its north. Home of the annual Great Montana Sheep Drive held each Labor Day weekend and a stop over on the three-day Yellowstone River Boat Float held every July. Reed Point provides access to the Yellowstone River at Indian Fort Fishing Access with boat ramp and campground.

Reserve is located along Big Muddy Creek near the North Dakota border in northeast Montana and was named because the town was established on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. Reserve is located just a few miles from Brush Lake State Park, Homestead Lake, and Medicine Lake Wilderness Area, where thousands of migrating waterfowl make their summer home. A self-guided hiking and a 14-mile driving tour around the wildlife refuge are some popular options for visiting the refuge.

Rexford is located in the timberlands of northwestern Montana, north of Libby along the Kootenai River and just seven miles south of the Canadian border. The town was moved two miles from its original location when the 420-foot-high Libby Dam was built creating the 90-mile-long Lake Koocanusa. Nearby is Ten Lake Scenic Area of the Kootenai National Forest, offering more than 89 miles of trails of remote backpacking and hiking opportunities through rugged terrain with spectacular mountain views.

Richey located between Sidney and Circle is in cattle and sheep country, with wheat, oats and barley being the main farm crops. A lively friendly little town, Richey has a variety of businesses to serve visitors. Richey is the host of the annual Richey Rodeo, which takes place on the third week in July. The Richey Historical Museum features more than 7,000 items, including a Model A mail car, blacksmith shop, pioneer kitchen, school and church memorabilia.

Richland is located near the Canadian border in northeastern Montana. It is along the West Fork of the Poplar River and is just north of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. The nearby town of Scobey has a great nine-hole golf course. Just west of Scobey is the Daniels County Museum and Pioneer Town, which features 35 buildings that have been restored to depict a town in the early 1900s. Held the last weekend in June are Pioneer Days with entertainment provided by the Dirty Shame Show.

Ringling is located between Livingston and White Sulphur Springs and arrived at its present name and site by way of land acquisitions of John T. Ringling of the Ringling Brothers Circus. Ringling is located on Sixteenmile Creek. One of the most photographed historic churches, St. John's Catholic Church, is also located in Ringling, with a beautiful view of the Crazy Mountains in its background.

Roberts has a general store with the motto "if we don't have it, you don't need it." This small town is just a few miles from Cooney State Park, an irrigation reservoir that is a popular recreation area serving south-central Montana offering boating, swimming, camping and fishing.

Rockvale is a small community south of Laurel. Rockvale derives its name from its location in the Rock Creek Valley, situated at the confluence of Rock Creek and the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River. Rockvale is along the Bozeman Trail, and on route to Yellowstone National Park via scenic Beartooth Highway to the Park's east entrance.

Rollins is in a beautiful location on the western shore of Flathead Lake offering beaches and panoramic views of the Rocky Mountains. From here, it's an easy drive to most of the Flathead Valley's major attractions. Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi in the lower 48 states, with over 200 square miles of water and 185 miles of shoreline.

Ronan offers a wealth of resources and enjoyment with the beauty of the Mission Mountain and various sources of fishing and wildlife habitat. Ronan's Mission Mountain County Visitor's Center is a community project serving summer visitors to the Mission Valley. Hiking in the Mission Mountain Wilderness Area by permit, touring the National Bison Range, picnicking in the city park, enjoying the Garden of the Rockies Museum and sightseeing along the Flathead River are among the many attractions.

Roscoe is located at the base of the Beartooth Mountains providing lots of outdoor recreational opportunities. Just a few miles southeast of Roscoe is Red Lodge Mountain Ski Area. Cooney State Park, an irrigation reservoir, is a popular recreation area offering boating, swimming, camping and fishing. There's also camping near Roscoe at East Rosebud Lake.

Rosebud is located along the Yellowstone River. The region was originally explored and used by the fur traders. Near the town of Rosebud is Rosebud Battlefield State Park. Here, General Custer camped at the mouth of Rosebud Creek before traveling up that creek on his way to the Little Bighorn in his ill-fated campaign against the Indians. Montana State Parks has developed a self-guided walking tour at the Rosebud Battlefield site.

Roundup is nestled in the valley near the Musselshell River near the Bull Mountains. It has long been renowned for its natural geographic design for rounding up livestock. One of the town's highlights is the annual Roundup Cattle Drive. The drive is the western adventure of a lifetime. Besides being fun, you learn what farming and ranching operations are all about.

Roy located in central Montana and is home to the Roy Rodeo held annually on Father's Day. The stock is professional, the food is great and the local crowd is friendly. The Missouri River is a short 30 miles away and the wildlife viewing in the Roy area is exceptional. Northeast of Roy on Highway 191 is the Sand Creek Wildlife Station, part of the C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. The landscape has changed little from the time when Lewis and Clark came up the valley in 1804.

Rudyard is on the Hi-Line between Chester and Havre. The area now is predominately wheat farms. The town has a wonderful, well-appointed museum in the old train depot. The Depot Museum features local history of the area. A Museum of the Rockies affiliate and a member of the Montana Dinosaur Trail, the museum features a number of permanent and changing dinosaur exhibits. Also while in Rudyard visit the Hi-Line Vintage Motors Museum with a wonderful selection of vintage automobiles.

Ryegate is located between sandstone, rimrock cliffs and the Musselshell River on Highway 12. Ryegate is the location where the Nez Perce people, under the leadership of Chief Joseph, crossed the Musselshell River on September 17, 1877. Today, Ryegate is a farming and ranching community. Deadman's Basin, a few miles west of Ryegate offers camping, fishing boating and swimming. South of Ryegate is Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge provides habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, pronghorns, and prairie dogs.

Saco is in the heart of the Milk River Valley. The Saco Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture Museum is located in a renovated one-room county schoolhouse; the Huntley School. The school was named after Chet Huntley who attended the school and went on to become a famous TV newscaster. Nearby Nelson Reservoir provides good fishing opportunities, swimming, boating, camping, picnic area and boat ramp. An area landmark is Sleeping Buffalo Rock, a boulder left behind by a glacier that once covered the region, resembles a sleeping buffalo and has many Indian legends attached to it.

Saltese is a mining town almost on the Idaho border. Saltese is a supply point for the many small silver and gold mines in the nearby mountains. Beautifully situated in the Bitterroot Range in Lolo National Forest, a number of National Forest Trails begin in Saltese. The Old Montana Bar & Grill is located in this old mining and logging town has been here since the early 1900s. Just past Saltese on the Montana-Idaho Border (Exit 0), Lookout Pass Ski Area provides a great skiing experience.

Sand Coulee is located about twelve miles east and south of Great Falls in a small coulee with high sandstone cliffs. Sand Coulee is located in an area teeming with great Montana attractions. Within a thirty-mile radius you will find Great Falls, which offers museums, shopping, the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center, and Giant Springs State Park. Also within a short drive of Sand Coulee are Lewis and Clark National Forest land, Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge, First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park, Sluice Boxes State Park and much more!

Sanders is located along Interstate 94 about 80 miles east of Billings where Sarpy Creek empties to the Yellowstone River. Sarpy Creek was once renowned among fur traders for beavers. Sanders Gymnasium and Community Hall, listed on the National Register of Historic Places was built in 1940. This log building served as a gymnasium for Sanders School as well as a place to gather for the community.

Sand Springs gets its name for the wide expanse of sandy soil and the life-giving springs in the area. Sand Springs was once part of the N-N range. Later, Fred Allen, the first settler became US Commissioner and eager homesteaders poured in. Allen had a store, a rooming house, and a dancehall. (from Cheney's Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company) Sand Spring's recent history evolves from early occupation by large cattle, sheep and horse ranches at the turn of the 20th century. These were soon followed by the influx of homesteaders in the 1910s and '20s. Those who made it through the 1930s stayed to build a strong agricultural community. Major products of the area include small grains and livestock. Sand Springs is located in the Garfield County, over thirty miles from the nearest town. The farmable acres in this area are some of the richest, most productive soils in the county; however, much of the land is suitable only for grazing due to the terrain. Today, the land around Sand Springs is used predominately by sheep and cattle ranchers. The largest growing segment of Garfield County's economy is recreation. There are excellent fishing, hunting, camping and boating opportunities available all year long.

Santa Rita is on the road to the Cut Bank oil and natural gas fields This small town in northwestern Montana is not far from Hay Lake and numerous other glacial lakes in the Glacier National Park region. Santa Rita is also near Camp Disappointment, the northernmost point reached by the Lewis and Clark Expedition. They reached here on July 23, 1806. On the Cut Bank River east of present-day Browning, Lewis could see the river exiting the mountains. He called this northern-most campsite of the expedition "Camp Disappointment" since this meant Marias River did not reach 50 degrees north latitude, which would have extended the boundary of the Louisiana Territory.

Savage is situated on the Yellowstone River near North Dakota. The surrounding area is comprised of grain farmers and river-bottom beet growers. The Agate Stop in Savage offers world class Montana agates set into handcrafted gold and silver jewelry. Just two miles from Savage, is Elk Island Wildlife Management Area which provides hunting opportunities, primarily for whitetail deer and pheasants. Sharp-tailed grouse, Canada geese, and mallards are common during fall. Other pursuits include agate hunting, asparagus and berry picking, bird-watching, trapping, boating and fishing, and wildlife viewing.

Located in the heart of grain and cattle country, Scobey is the home of the Daniels County Museum and Pioneer Town. It is also home to animals and birds of all sizes. Big game and bird hunters from all over the world flock to eastern Montana seeking the whitetail and mule deer, antelope, pheasants, grouse, ducks and geese. Whether you're hunting, fishing or sightseeing, enjoy the wide open spaces in Daniels County's rolling prairies and farmland.

Seeley Lake, flanked by the Mission and Swan mountain ranges, is situated on one of Montana most scenic drives, Hwy 83. During spring, summer and autumn, enjoy birding, wildlife viewing, fishing, camping, canoeing, boating, hiking and golfing. Mountain bikers can explore hundreds of miles of roads and trails, which become a world-class cross-country ski trail system in winter. Snowmobilers can explore over 350 miles of groomed trails. Enjoy the serenity and beauty of this wonderland year-round.

Shawmut is east 16 miles east of Harlowton along the Musselshell River. Nearby, Deadman's Basin Reservoir is well known for camping, fishing boating and swimming. Avaceratops lammersi dinosaur was discovered in the Shawmut area and is now housed in the Upper Musselshell Museum in Harlowton. This two-story limestone building, constructed in 1909, is filled with treasures that belong to the people who lived in, worked and developed the Upper Musselshell River country.

Shelby, once a cattle town, is now home to oil and agriculture. Located on I-15 and U.S. Hwy 2, this town hosted the World Heavyweight Championship fight between Dempsey and Gibbons in 1923. Today, the local museum features area history, homesteading items and a dinosaur collection. Nearby, the Sweet Grass Hills offer hiking and wildlife viewing of deer, antelope, elk, foxes, golden eagles and grouse. North of town, Lake Shel-oole offers camping and outdoor recreation. Be sure to stop at the Carousel Rest Area Shelby. Featuring a restored 1936 merry-go-round with 900 lights and hand-painted animals, the carousel is a labor of love completed by the Shelby community in 2018.

Shepherd, sixteen miles northeast of Billings is near Lake Elmo, a 64-acre reservoir and Pictograph Cave State Park which features pictographs more than 2,100 years old. Another attraction, Pompeys Pillar National Monument, 30 miles east of Billings, is where Captain William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition carved his signature and date into the rock in 1806.

Sheridan is located in the fertile Ruby Valley near the Ruby River and is near the Tobacco Root Mountains. The area surrounding Sheridan offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing in nearby blue ribbon trout streams, hunting and many other great outdoor activities. Nearby, explore Virginia and Nevada City, authentic Old West towns featuring over 150 buildings from the gold rush of the 1860's.

Situated on the Yellowstone River, Sidney is the center of trade for the area. Oil and agriculture are the main industries, and crops include grains, sugar beets, corn, beans and hay. The Sidney area offers excellent fishing for many warm-water species, including the huge prehistoric paddlefish. You can also hunt for agates along the Yellowstone, or hunt big game, waterfowl and upland birds. Straddling the North Dakota-Montana border nearby is the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site.

Silesia near the confluence of the Yellowstone and the Clarks Fork Rivers was named for the nearby mineral springs, Silesia Springs. The springs named by Julius Lehrkind, who came from the eastern German province of Silesia. The Lehrkind family started a brewery in Silesia, but after a few years it burned down and some of the family moved to Red Lodge to start another one. Near Silesia is Cooney State Park, an irrigation reservoir which is a popular recreation area serving south-central Montana.

Silver Gate is located on the Montana/Wyoming border at the northeast entrance into Yellowstone National Park. Surrounded by the Beartooth Mountains' peaks of 10,000 feet on US Highway 212, the town has an alpine village appearance with many of its structures made of log and other natural materials. Silver Gate is the perfect mountain getaway, with unlimited outdoor recreation available year-round.

Silver Star is between Whitehall and Twin Bridges and is one of the oldest towns in the state. Silver Star was a supply point for silver miners and the only town between Virginia City and Helena. Silver Star is located along the Jefferson River, and the Tobacco Root Mountains provide the backdrop for this town. This range has numerous old mining claims and prospect sites near the towns of Twin Bridges and Sheridan, which were most active from the 1880's until the 1930's.

Simms was once a cattlemen's town but now is dominated by farmers. Nearby Crown Butte Preserve is reached by taking the county road between Simms and Cascade. This makes a great day trip. Except for an occasional hiker, the ecosystem sits undisturbed about 1,000 feet above the surrounding northern great plains. Although the most striking features of Crown Butte are the rising columns of rock and the wild grasses, the preserve also provides a rich habitat for wildlife.

Located on the north shore of Flathead Lake, Somers is a gateway to recreation on and around the lake including sailing, boating, waterskiing, swimming, fishing, picnicking and camping. In the mountains nearby, downhill skiing at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area is affordable and family friendly, while cross-country skiing on Blacktail Mountain offers spectacular views of Flathead Lake and Valley and four mountain ranges.

Sonnette is located near Broadus, at the edge of the Custer National Forest. Sonnette is on Pumpkin Creek. The forest service land near the town offers a variety of topography, varying from rolling grasslands to steep rock outcrops. Vegetation varies from prairie to dense stands of ponderosa pine. In nearby Ashland, visitors can tour the St. Labre Indian School. It made a humble beginning in 1884 with the construction of a log cabin school operated by four Ursuline Sisters.

Springdale is along Interstate 90 on the Yellowstone River. Springdale Bridge is a state fishing access site along the river. The town is in between Livingston, which is known for its art galleries, and Big Timber. The Springdale school, a local landmark, was built in 1918 and it is still the town's focus almost 100 years later.

Square Butte is located midway between Stanford and Fort Benton on scenic Highway 80. In Square Butte, view the historic jail, located at the west end of town, it was built from shonkinite quarried locally. The town gets its name from a nearby geologic formation a flat-topped butte which juts 2,400 feet above the surrounding plains and is visible for a radius of seventy-five miles. With its soaring buttresses, spires, and pinnacles it is a compelling and imposing site. Stop and visit the Square Butte Bar and Country Club featuring burgers and steaks.

Stanford was a hangout for cowboys, including one named Charles M. Russell, who later painted and sketched his memories of this area and its people, Today, recreation opportunities abound in the nearby Lewis and Clark National Forest, Judith River Wildlife Management Area and Ackley Lake State Park. The Judith River Wildlife Management Area, at the edge of the Little Belt Mountains is a good place to view large elk herds in late fall and winter.

Flanked by the Bitterroot and Sapphire mountains, the small, historic town of Stevensville in the Bitterroot Valley offers beautiful views and outdoor recreation. For an overview of area history, visit the Stevensville Museum or tour St. Mary's Mission, "where Montana began." For wildlife and photographic opportunities, take the interpretive trails of the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, where osprey, Canada geese, bald eagles, coyotes, marmots, muskrats, minks and whitetail deer live.

Rich in history and native culture, the small town of St. Ignatius on the Flathead Indian Reservation offers beautiful views of the Mission Valley. You'll find Native American crafts, artifacts and antiques here. The St. Ignatius Mission features 58 interior murals painted by Brother Joseph Carignano. Year-round, the National Bison Range offers the opportunity to view 500 bison roaming on natural grassland, along with elk, bighorn sheep, antelope and deer on self-guided auto tours.

St. Marie is located 17 miles north of Glasgow. Nearby, Fort Peck Reservoir is Montana's largest body of water. The lake is about 134 miles in length and has 1,520 miles of shoreline which is longer than the California coast. The reservoir was created with the construction of the 3.5 mile Fort Peck Dam across the Missouri River. Surrounding this large expanse of water is the Charles M. Russell (CMR) National Wildlife Refuge, which provides over one million acres of public land for fishing, hiking, hunting, camping and bird-watching.

St. Mary is near the east entrance of Glacier National Park and is situated between Lower St. Mary Lake, in Glacier County and Upper St. Mary Lake, in the park. The Going-to-the-Sun Road links St. Mary on the eastern side of Glacier with the park's western entrance at West Glacier. The area north of the lake along the road is rich in wildlife and beauty. Mule deer and elk call it home, while spring and summer offer an array of wildflowers including Indian paintbrush, blanketflowers and lupine.

Stockett, located 15 miles south of Great Falls, is nestled in the Little Belt Mountains between the Smith River and Missouri River. Nearby, fish or hike Sluice Boxes State Park, which consists of the northernmost 8 miles of the Belt Creek Canyon. Hunting and fishing can be found in the forests and creeks in the area.

Situated at the confluence of the St. Regis and Clark Fork rivers, St. Regis is primarily a tourist-related town and offers a golf course, a large community park and a visitor information center. The town hosts the largest flea market in Montana every Memorial Day weekend. Take the scenic route of the Hiawatha trail on your bike. Travel via an old railroad bed, over trestles and through tunnels, through the Bitterroot Mountains of Idaho and Montana.

Stryker is situated between Whitefish and Eureka in the beautiful mountainous region outside of Glacier National Park. Nearby Ten Lake Scenic Area of the Kootenai National Forest offers more than 89 miles of trails of remote backpacking and hiking opportunities through rugged terrain with spectacular mountain views reaching into Canada.

St. Xavier is on the Crow Indian Reservation along the Bighorn River. In 1887 Fr. Prando, a Jesuit missionary, and two companions founded a mission here and named it. (from Cheney's Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company) The church is still in use. The mission's school, affiliated with the St. Labre Mission School, also continues to operate but is now called the Pretty Eagle School, after a famous Crow chief. The St. Xavier area is a patchwork of fields of malting barley, alfalfa, and sugar beets are irrigated by the Bighorn River. The nearby Yellowtail Dam, named after the famous Crow chairman Robert Yellowtail, harnesses the waters of the Bighorn River and turns this variable stream into a magnificent lake. The canyon features spectacular scenery, wildlife viewing, boating, fishing and camping. There are two visitor centers, one at Fort Smith and one at Yellowtail Dam.

Sula, located 13 miles from the Idaho border, offers abundant winter recreation in downhill and cross-country skiing and summer recreation such as hiking, camping and fishing. The Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, known for its high, rugged and beautiful mountain scenery is located nearby. Relax at the end of the day at Lost Trail Hot Springs and rejuvenate your spirit while you reflect on the memories made.

Sumatra is a small community in between Ingomar and Melstone along Highway 12. Sumatra was on the old trail that connected Fort Musselshell with Fort Custer. In nearby Forsyth, Rosebud County Pioneer Museum is home to hundreds of displays and thousands of photographs depicting pioneer life in this area. The Yellowstone River offers opportunities for fishing, agate-hunting, and boating.

Sunburst is a friendly community located just south of the Canadian border along Interstate 15. We are only an hour from the beautiful Rocky Mountains and Glacier National Park. Sunburst is the center of farming and ranching in Northern Toole County.

Sun River is 18 miles west of Great Falls. Ranch life and small town hospitality characterize this small community that shares its name with the Sun River, one of Montana's most beautiful and scenic rivers. The Sun begins in the Bob Marshall Wilderness and flows southeast to Great Falls where it meets the Missouri River. You will enjoy great fishing for trout and mountain whitefish as well as excellent boating on Gibson Reservoir.

The small town of Superior offers a break from I-90 travel and an introduction to area history at the local museum. The St. Regis-Paradise Scenic Byway is also an alternate route for travelers on I-90. This scenic route travels past spacious, rolling flats to steep canyon walls winding through nearby mountains and serves as a route to the National Bison Range. Spectacular scenery, plentiful wildlife and many recreational opportunities in the area make it a destination itself.

Swan Lake is nestled along scenic Highway 83 at the southern tip of its namesake, Swan Lake. A vibrant timber camp in the early 1900s, this seemingly sleepy little village is now famous as a getaway destination for exceptional lake and stream fishing, hiking, bird watching, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the Swan and Mission Mountain ranges. Pike, salmon and rainbow trout can all be found in the lake, as well sandhill cranes, bald eagles and the elusive black tern.

Sweetgrass is a port of entry very near the Canadian border. The town name comes from the abundance of "sweet" grass that grows around here and has a sweet, long-lasting aroma. The town gave its name to the Sweetgrass Arch, a series of oil fields that extends south to Sunburst.

Teigen is located in central Montana on McDonald Creek near War Horse National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge was established as a refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. Nearby, Yellow Water Reservoir is also valuable for waterfowl and shorebirds. The sagebrush uplands surrounding the lake are critical for wintering sage grouse and pronghorn antelope which can be found in the area throughout the year.

Terry is nestled by the Yellowstone River in the heart of moss agate country. The nearby prairie badlands provide a dramatic backdrop and recreational opportunities. Prairie County Museum and Evelyn Cameron Gallery feature photographs of Evelyn Cameron who captured the real West on glass plates. The now easy-flowing Yellowstone River is ideal for the novice or the pro-floater, with abundant scenery and wildlife and opportunities for hunting and fishing.

Thompson Falls is a friendly town nestled in a quiet valley along the beautiful Clark Fork River. Millions of acres of national forest offer recreational possibilities including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping and hunting. Winter provides backcountry skiing and snowmobiling. Sightseeing adventures include old growth timber, wildflowers, waterfalls, mountain lakes, creeks, rivers and wildlife such as deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bears and many varieties of birds.

Situated just off I-90, this small town offers big outdoor recreation opportunities. Nearby Missouri Headwaters State Park preservers the historic place where Lewis and Clark discovered the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers creating the headwaters of the 2,300 Missouri River. Campground, hiking trails, fishing and floating are here. Other area state parks that offer further exploration include the Madison Buffalo Jump and the Lewis and Clark Caverns.

Toston sits on the banks of the Missouri River in between Helena and Three Forks on US Highway 287. Toston provides ready access to the Missouri. The stretch of river between Three Forks and Townsend has become popular as anglers have discovered the area's exceptionally large trout. The Lewis and Clark Expedition made nine camps on the short stretch of river between the Toston Dam and the south end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir. The Toston Dam Recreation Site, five miles south of Toston, has seven campsites and is an excellent spot to picnic, camp or boat while traveling the Missouri.

The friendly community of Townsend anchors the southern end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir in the heart of great hunting and fishing country. Self-guided tours through historic mining and scenic areas in the Elkhorn and Big Belt mountains invites one to explore this agricultural community that teems with recreation opportunities.

Trego, a small community between Eureka and Whitefish is located right in between the Tobacco River and Dickey Lake. The lake has camping and day use areas, a boat launch, fishing and excellent opportunities for waterfowl and wildlife viewing. Dickey Lake-Mt. Marston Trail offers a day hike to Mt. Marston that is fairly gradual and winds over forested ridges. In the fall, big game hunting is popular, while snowmobiling the Grave Creek Trail and Ten Lakes Scenic Area is a winter adventure.

Trout Creek, famous for its abundance of huckleberries, has been proclaimed by the legislature as the huckleberry capital of Montana and hosts the annual Huckleberry Festival each August. In the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, camping, hiking, hunting and fishing are available, while Cabinet Gorge and Noxon reservoirs offer bass and perch for the fisherman.

Troy, the lowest point in Montana at 1,892 feet above sea level, is located on the banks of the Kootenai River, at the base of the Cabinet and Purcell Mountains. Take the easy to walk nature trail at Ross Creek Scenic Area, home to a grove of giant, ancient western red cedars, 500 years old and up to 12 feet in diameter. Nearby the lakes and rivers are full of salmon, bass and trout, the forests teem with elk, moose and bighorn sheep and bald eagles and osprey soar overhead.

Turner is an agricultural community twelve miles south of the US/Canadian border. The port on the US side is named Turner and the port on the Canadian side is named Trelon which is French for Lone Tree Lake. The area has upland game bird and deer and antelope hunting. This small town is north of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation.

Twin Bridges, located where the Beaverhead, Big Hole, Ruby and Jefferson rivers meet, provides exceptional recreational opportunities. Its history dates back to 1805, when Lewis and Clark's main expedition camped on the Beaverhead River at Beaverhead Rock, now a state park. As a mecca for fly fishers due to the waters, the town is home to the world famous R.L. Winston Rod Company. Cyclists are thrilled to discover the free Bill White bike camp along the river.

Twodot located along the Musselshell River in central Montana on Highway 12 between Harlowton and White Sulphur Springs. The town was named for "Two Dot" Wilson, a local cattleman who got his nickname because his brand was two dots, placed side by side on the hip of his cattle. Two Dot was founded in 1900 as a station on the Jawbone Railway, local predecessor to the Milwaukee Road.

Shaped by the Yellowstone River and sheltered by the Rims, Billings is a regional hub for commerce. Whether you're looking for bronco busting rodeo action or the relaxation of fishing or hunting, you'll be in good company around Billings. Watch Montana's wildlife by grabbing your binoculars and heading to the plains or hiking in the mountains that surround Billings. Use Billings as a central point to the best western attractions, events, hospitality, shopping and cuisine.

Known as the "Garden City" for its dense trees and lush green landscape, Missoula is nestled in the heart of the northern Rockies where five valleys converge. Missoula is a center for education, medicine, retail and the arts. Located at the base of Mount Sentinel and the banks of the Clark Fork River is The University of Montana. The 200-acre campus is one of the most beautiful in the nation and is home to 12,000 students. Fly fishermen, rafters, kayakers and canoers thrive on the nearby waters.

Great Falls straddles the Missouri River and is known as the "Electric City" because of its numerous dams and power plants. Great Falls is a community with grand traditions, rich history and superb recreational and cultural amenities for the entire family. When you visit, take a moment and remember to reflect on the fact that you're walking in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, the Blackfeet Indians, the buffalo and the grizzly bear.

Bozeman is called “the most livable place” for good reason. Enjoy world-renowned fly fishing, dramatic mountains for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, skiing, hunting, and backcountry exploring, Yellowstone National Park, and impressive wildlife. When you are ready for a more city experience, dive into Bozeman’s thriving arts and culture communities, ranging from main street festivals, farmers markets, cultural centers and museums to symphonies, theaters, and art galleries.

One and a half centuries ago, Helena became the "Queen City of the Rockies" with the boom brought on by the 1864 gold strike. Helena grew along Last Chance Gulch and in 1875 became the Montana territorial capital. Today the state capital’s grand architecture, numerous museums and historic sites offer a real glimpse into the rich and deep history of the city. Helena also boasts a vibrant cultural center with a busy event calendar, eclectic shopping, art galleries, terrific local bands, great restaurants, local microbreweries, and an epic trail system. For more information, visit our Helena website at www.helenamt.com.

The Butte Hill and its huge copper deposits was once known as "the richest hill on earth." Today Butte's colorful history can be seen in its preserved Victorian uptown business district and stately mansions. The Butte Trolley tours historic sites in the summer. Activities and guided services for this area include ranch vacations, natural hot springs, hiking, boating, resort cabins, river floats, hunting, fishing, horseback rides, golf, cross-country and downhill skiing, and snowmobiling.

Kalispell and the Flathead Valley are home to Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, championship golf courses, two ski resorts, unlimited trails for hiking and lakes and streams for fishing, outstanding arts and culture, charming small towns and warm western hospitality. To plan your next Kalispell vacation visit www.discoverkalispell.com.

Belgrade has established itself as an independent community with excellent services and the unbeatable experience of a small town. Located in the center of the Gallatin Valley, Belgrade is just minutes away from many of Montana's major attractions including Bridger Bowl, Big Sky Resort, Yellowstone National Park, and many more!

Havre is a rural agricultural community located on Highway 2 in North Central Montana. This area of mountains and plains offers a year-round retreat for nature lovers, recreation enthusiasts and history buffs. Besides recreation, Havre is also rich in cultural attractions ranging from concerts, live theater, museums, shops, galleries, numerous sporting activities and events.

Livingston is the historic train town from the late 1880's that will keep you coming back. Livingston was the “Original Gateway City to Yellowstone National Park” now it’s where adventure, beautiful scenery and authentic friendly folk await you at the edge of the Yellowstone River. The town is surrounded by four beautiful wild mountain ranges that offer an abundance of outdoor activities year round. Whether it’s fly fishing, dogsledding or cross-country skiing, horseback riding, river rafting or just taking it easy at our many museums, art galleries and restaurants we have it here in Livingston.

Named one of the "Top 25 Ski Towns in the World" by National Geographic, Whitefish is located on the shores of Whitefish Lake and at the base of Big Mountain-home to Whitefish Mountain Resort. A short jaunt to Glacier National Park, Whitefish is a year-round destination with plentiful attractions and a mixed array of shops, coffee houses, restaurants, accommodations. Visitors can enjoy skiing, snowboarding, hiking, biking, boating and live professional theater, as well as stellar dining. Amtrak's Empire Builder stops daily in Whitefish, while Glacier Park International Airport is only 15 minutes away.

Steeped in Western history, Miles City remains a true Western town. Vast stretches of plains and badlands branch out in all directions. The Yellowstone and Tongue rivers flow unblemished in long sections. Once the horse trading and livestock center of the country, Miles City still has weekly livestock auctions and, once a year, puts on the Bucking Horse Sale for rodeo stock buyers and breeders.

Located on the famous Yellowstone River and only a short drive to blue-ribbon trout fishing, skiing, hunting, camping, horseback riding and national forest access, Laurel is the perfect starting point for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. There is a rich history that lends itself to Laurel. Riverside Park located south of the Yellowstone River bridge was the site of the German Prisoner of War Camp during World War II and the town is rich with railroad history.

Situated on the Yellowstone River, Sidney is the center of trade for the area. Oil and agriculture are the main industries, and crops include grains, sugar beets, corn, beans and hay. The Sidney area offers excellent fishing for many warm-water species, including the huge prehistoric paddlefish. You can also hunt for agates along the Yellowstone, or hunt big game, waterfowl and upland birds. Straddling the North Dakota-Montana border nearby is the Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site.

Humbled by the towering Pintlers, nestled in a mile high valley in the Deer Lodge National Forest, Anaconda presents unsurpassed recreational opportunity just outside town, in any direction. The town sprang up when the giant Anaconda Copper Mining Company of Butte needed a smelter for its vast amounts of copper ore. Smelting operations were suspended in 1980, but "The Stack" remains an important landmark and state park.

Lewistown is an agricultural community located at the geographic center of Montana in the vast Judith Basin. The town features many well-preserved historic businesses and homes. Although mostly rolling prairie, farms and ranches, the Lewistown area features five beautiful mountain ranges, the Snowies, the Judiths, the Moccasins, the Belts, and the Highwoods from which grand 100-mile vistas stretch out below. Picturesque landscapes, mountain terrain, and small quiet towns typify the area.

Nestled in the Northeast corner of the spectacular Flathead Valley lies a community which boasts Montana hospitality and family fun like no other, Columbia Falls. With a central location just minutes from Glacier National Park, Flathead Lake, numerous golf courses, and the Whitefish Mountain Ski Resort, you’ll find year round attractions, accommodations, and dining with honest Montana flavor and value.

Polson is located on the Flathead Indian Reservation at the south end of Flathead Lake. This charming lakeside community is the center for one of Montana's most fertile farming areas and prime cherry growing region. The Flathead River that flows from Polson features whitewater rafting and Kerr Dam.

Bigfork has been distinctly honored with designations in the following publications: The 50 Great Towns in the West, 100 Best Small Art Towns, The Great Towns of America and National Geographic Guide to Small Towns Escapes. Bigfork is an exceptionally lovely, upscale, year-round resort village that is brimming with art galleries, fine restaurants, golf, high-end boutiques and live theater.

The town of Hamilton is the central trade area for hundreds of small farms, ranches and orchards that fill the valley. Hamilton is home to the Daly Mansion built in the late 1800s for Marcus Daly, one of Montana's colorful "Copper Kings." Ravalli County Museum is located in the original Ravalli County Courthouse built in 1900. Saved from the wrecker's ball in 1979, it is now listed in the National Register of Historic Buildings and considered one of the finest museums for a town of this size.

Glendive is tucked between the badlands and the Yellowstone River, and is considered the hub city of the rich inland agricultural area of eastern Montana and western North Dakota. Makoshika State Park, one of the most impressive badlands areas in America, borders the southern edge of Glendive. It is not only attractive with its highly unusual rock formations, but is a virtual warehouse of prehistoric fossils, mineral specimens and dinosaur bones.

Lolo is near the Montana-Idaho border and Lolo Pass. Located at a historic and contemporary crossroads, Travelers' Rest State Park is a place where visitors can say with certainty that they are walking in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark. The nearby creek was originally called Travelers' Rest Creek because men using the trail found it an ideal spot to stop, rest, hunt and repair their gear before tackling the trip over the pass. The natural hot water springs also helped make it a favorite stop.

Dillon is situated in a sweeping valley into which the Ruby, Big Hole and Beaverhead rivers drain. Beaverhead River is a blue-ribbon trout stream that's a favorite for expert fly fishermen. There are several museums in Dillon devoted to preserving local history. Bannack State Park is located just southwest of Dillon. It is a registered historic landmark and the site of Montana's first major gold discovery on July 28, 1862. Over 50 buildings line Main Street recalling Montana's formative years.

Hardin is situated on the banks of the Bighorn River and the edge of the Crow Indian Reservation. The Bighorn Canyon and Dam allow a majestic view of the water below. The reservation offers two mountain ranges, the rugged Pryor and Bighorn Mountains, with rolling hills and semi-arid plains surrounding the peaks. The town is surrounded by productive ranches and farms, including the largest wheat farm in the world. Coal mining has also contributed greatly to the local economy.

Glasgow was established in the late 1800s as a railroad town. While in Glasgow, visit the Valley County Pioneer Museum showcasing fossils, Indian artifacts, railroad, early business, aviation and wildlife collections. The Glasgow area is full of scenic rolling plains and open farmland. Many roads lead to Fort Peck Lake through the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge. Bugling elk, herds of mule deer, red fox and coyotes call this place home.

Shelby, once a cattle town, is now home to oil and agriculture. Located on I-15 and U.S. Hwy 2, this town hosted the World Heavyweight Championship fight between Dempsey and Gibbons in 1923. Today, the local museum features area history, homesteading items and a dinosaur collection. Nearby, the Sweet Grass Hills offer hiking and wildlife viewing of deer, antelope, elk, foxes, golden eagles and grouse. North of town, Lake Shel-oole offers camping and outdoor recreation. Be sure to stop at the Carousel Rest Area Shelby. Featuring a restored 1936 merry-go-round with 900 lights and hand-painted animals, the carousel is a labor of love completed by the Shelby community in 2018.

The cultural diversity and richness that makes Cut Bank a special place to visit is highlighted by the proximity of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. The Blackfeet Tribe is arguably one of America's most culturally intact native populations. The area is also home to five active Hutterite colonies. Steeped in centuries-old Germanic tradition, a visit to any one of these colonies is a step back in time. The Glacier County Museum preserves and educates visitors about the area's people and history.

Deer Lodge Valley is a meadowland surrounded on the east and the west by mountain ranges. More museums and historical collections can be found here than in any other town in the Northwest. Deer Lodge's 1,500-acre Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site illustrates the development of the northern plains cattle industry from the 1850s to recent times. This was the headquarters of one of the largest and best known 19th-century range ranches in the country.

Libby lies in the northwest corner of Montana in a valley carved by the Kootenai River on the flank of the majestic Cabinet Mountain Range. Libby is surrounded by lakes, trails, campsites, fishing areas and scenic drives. For outdoor enthusiasts fishing the blue-ribbon Kootenai River or boating on Lake Koocanusa are always great pastimes. The Kootenai National Forest offers over two million acres of forest for hiking, camping and backpacking, miles of streams and trails, and numerous lakes.

Montana City located five miles south of Helena was once a thriving gold camp located along Great Northern railroad. The lure of the discovery of gold in Helena at Last Chance Gulch was the same that attracted miners and prospectors to settle in Montana City. As hopes for fortune declined the once bustling placer mining camp dwindled. Montana City began to redevelop and today is a outlying suburban community of Helena.

This area is famous for entertaining tourists who come to visit the Flathead area and Glacier National Park. The Lakeside-Somers communities line the shores of Flathead Lake for a span of 15 miles along U.S. Highway 93, some two hours north of Missoula and 15 minutes south of the regional shopping area of Kalispell.

Wolf Point is a county seat in the northeastern part of the state where Wolf Creek flows into the Missouri River and is part of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. The Fort Peck reservation is home to the Dakota-Lakota-Nakota (Sioux) and Dakota (Assiniboine) nations. Today, Wolf Point is a trade point for local farmers and ranchers and a center for the Sioux and Assiniboine. Montana's oldest pro-rodeo, the Wild Horse Stampede, is held every 2nd weekend in July. Wadopana Pow-wow is the oldest traditional pow-wow in Montana. The celebration is always the first weekend of August.

Conrad has been the site of a number of industries but farming, ranching, oil production and tourism provide the main stays of its economy. The nearby Bob Marshall Wilderness, deep in the Rockies, is one of the last primitive areas for hiking, backpacking and horseback riding. Bird watching and hunting are excellent near Conrad. Lakes and grain fields draw numerous species of song and game birds.

Nestled in Montana’s magnificent Beartooth Mountains and surrounded by Custer Gallatin National Forest, Red Lodge delivers access to world-class outdoor recreation and adventure. Throughout the historic downtown, enjoy locally owned shops,exceptional farm-to-table dining experiences and plenty of accommodations, events and entertainment.

The scenic community of Big Sky nestles high in mountain meadows, surrounded by timberland, the Spanish Peaks Primitive Area and the Gallatin National Forest. Majestic 11,166-foot Lone Mountain towers over the paradise, where in 1969, Chet Huntley, the late newscaster, and a group of corporate investors purchased some ranchland which was later developed into Big Sky Resort. This lively village is a year-round playground for outdoor recreationists.

The friendly community of Townsend anchors the southern end of Canyon Ferry Reservoir in the heart of great hunting and fishing country. Self-guided tours through historic mining and scenic areas in the Elkhorn and Big Belt mountains invites one to explore this agricultural community that teems with recreation opportunities.

Flanked by the Bitterroot and Sapphire mountains, the small, historic town of Stevensville in the Bitterroot Valley offers beautiful views and outdoor recreation. For an overview of area history, visit the Stevensville Museum or tour St. Mary's Mission, "where Montana began." For wildlife and photographic opportunities, take the interpretive trails of the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, where osprey, Canada geese, bald eagles, coyotes, marmots, muskrats, minks and whitetail deer live.

Colstrip is known as the "energy capital of Montana" and was born in 1924 when the Northern Pacific Railroad started mining coal nearby to fuel their steam locomotives. Today, Colstrip is a quiet, closely knit community with over 2,000 citizens and 22 parks. The Schoolhouse History and Art Center, the town's original schoolhouse built in 1924, now serves as the visitor center, an art gallery and also provides tours of the coal mine from May to October.

Years ago families from the Netherlands moved in to grow barley for malters near the new little town of Manhattan, named by a group of New York City investors who operated the Manhattan Malting Company. They settled together in a tightly knit society that flourishes today. Today Manhattan's most productive industries are seed potatoes, dairy and wheat farms, commercial beef, registered cattle, and some unique cottage businesses such as food specialties, woodcarving, artisans and antiques.

Crow Agency is the headquarters of the Crow Indian Reservation and is close to the Bighorn Recreation Area and Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. The battlefield includes visitor center, museum, Custer National Cemetery, 7th Cavalry Memorial and Reno-Benteen Battlefield. The battle is reenacted each June. Crow Agency becomes the 'teepee capital of the world' in mid-August during the Crow Fair celebration.

Situated just off I-90, this small town offers big outdoor recreation opportunities. Nearby Missouri Headwaters State Park preservers the historic place where Lewis and Clark discovered the confluence of the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers creating the headwaters of the 2,300 Missouri River. Campground, hiking trails, fishing and floating are here. Other area state parks that offer further exploration include the Madison Buffalo Jump and the Lewis and Clark Caverns.

Eureka was known as the Tobacco Plains and was originally home to the Kootenai Indians. The area offers scenic treasures tucked away in Montana's northwest corner. Tobacco River Campground is located adjacent to the Tobacco River in a natural forested area. It is also in the vicinity of 90-mile-long Lake Koocanusa and The Hoodoos, a limestone formation found in an adjoining bay off the lake. Ten Lakes Scenic Area treats visitors to mountain drives, pristine lakes and abundant fishing.

Roundup is nestled in the valley near the Musselshell River near the Bull Mountains. It has long been renowned for its natural geographic design for rounding up livestock. One of the town's highlights is the annual Roundup Cattle Drive. The drive is the western adventure of a lifetime. Besides being fun, you learn what farming and ranching operations are all about.

Ronan offers a wealth of resources and enjoyment with the beauty of the Mission Mountain and various sources of fishing and wildlife habitat. Ronan's Mission Mountain County Visitor's Center is a community project serving summer visitors to the Mission Valley. Hiking in the Mission Mountain Wilderness Area by permit, touring the National Bison Range, picnicking in the city park, enjoying the Garden of the Rockies Museum and sightseeing along the Flathead River are among the many attractions.

Lame Deer is between Broadus and Hardin on Deer Creek and the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation. Lame Deer is the tribal and government agency headquarters for the Reservation. The St. Labre Mission and Cheyenne Indian Museum feature Plains Indian artifacts and a documentary film on the Saint Labre school. The premier event of the Northern Cheyenne is the annual Fourth of July Celebration in Lame Deer, the largest pow-wow held on the reservation.

This full-service community in the foothills of the Beartooths boasts the most scenic route to Yellowstone National Park via the Beartooth Pass. Located at the confluence of the Stillwater and Yellowstone rivers, Columbus offers plenty of outdoor recreation. Visit the Museum of the Beartooths for an understanding of area history, including artifacts of the Rosebud River Crow Indians, Northern Pacific Railroad memorabilia and World War II history.

Famous for our wide-open spaces and diversity in landscape, we offer a variety of wildlife and cultural history. This area is much the way Lewis and Clark found it in 1805. Malta hosts the CM Russell National Wildlife Refuge (including the western portion of Fort Peck Lake) and Bowdoin Bird Refuge, which offer opportunities for deer, antelope, elk and upland game bird viewing and hunting. Malta is one of the notable stops on the Montana Dinosaur Trail with two excellent facilities on the trail.

East Helena was named for its location in relation to Helena. In 1888, a large lead smelter was built and operated until 2001. East Helena grew up around that enterprise. For over a century, the smelter processed 70,000 tons of lead bullion a year, and provided a livelihood for thousands of families. Nearby East Helena abounds with recreation opportunities on Holter, Hauser, and Canyon Ferry Lakes, which were all created by dams on the Missouri River.

Pablo was named for Michel Pablo, a Flathead Chief, rancher and stockman who, by raising bison, is one of the individuals responsible for saving the bison from extinction. Pablo is the headquarters for the Flathead Indian Reservation and lies at the base of the Mission Mountains south of Flathead Lake. Of special interest is the People's Center which tells the native story of traditions and culture of the tribes which has been passed down orally from generation to generation.

The area was a famous silver camp in the late nineteenth century and the ore from the Clancy district was so rich that even after it was hauled by bull team to Fort Benton and shipped by river and ocean to Swansea, Wales, for smelting, it still netted profit. While in town visit the Jefferson County Museum which holds two large galleries; one focusing on area history while the other holds traveling exhibits.

Millions of years ago the area around Choteau was used by dinosaurs as a breeding ground. Paleontologists have put together pieces from excavated eggs and bones. Egg Mountain is 12 miles to the west of Choteau. It is the site that has yielded more information about dinosaur biology during the Cretaceous period than any other paleontology dig in the world. Area opportunities include: camping, swimming, hiking, skiing, wildlife viewing, fishing, hunting, shopping, golf, and dinosaur digging.

Forsyth is nestled below a rim of rough badlands along the banks of the Yellowstone River. Enthusiastic agate hunters visit the Yellowstone River banks each year in search of Montana agates. The Yellowstone River is also popular for boating and fishing.

Plentywood is located in the Northeast corner of the state and has served as a trading post for the people living in that part of the state. At the site of present-day Plentywood, Sitting Bull and his Sioux people surrendered to the U. S. Army after living in Canada for five years. The Outlaw Trail crossed into Canada north of Plentywood. Rustlers moved their stolen cattle and horses along this passage across the border. Butch Cassidy named the trail and established a rest station in the Big Muddy Valley, west of Plentywood. This area was 'the Old West' legend.

About 16 miles northwest of Missoula is Frenchtown, a community founded years ago by French Canadian settlers. Situated along the Clark Fork River in a valley called qua elth-meaning state of tranquility-by American Indians, Frenchtown is home to Frenchtown State Park, a five-acre spring-fed lake that's home to a variety of fish. The park is local favorite for water recreation.

Thompson Falls is a friendly town nestled in a quiet valley along the beautiful Clark Fork River. Millions of acres of national forest offer recreational possibilities including hiking, mountain biking, fishing, camping and hunting. Winter provides backcountry skiing and snowmobiling. Sightseeing adventures include old growth timber, wildflowers, waterfalls, mountain lakes, creeks, rivers and wildlife such as deer, elk, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, bears and many varieties of birds.

Baker offers a variety of year round activities including: fishing at Baker Lake; hunting for deer, antelope, pheasants, wild turkeys and rabbits; snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.

Big Timber is a successful agricultural area, with strong community bonds. The beautiful Crazy Mountains provide a perfect backdrop for all types of outdoor recreation, photography and scenic drives. Big Timber is the gateway to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and has some of the best blue-ribbon trout fishing in the state.

Fort Benton is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, because of the importance it played as the head of navigation on the Missouri River and the opening of the northwest and western Canada. Walk along the steamboat levee and the part of the town once known as the bloodiest block in the West. View the ruins of Historic Fort Benton, which is currently under archaeological study and in the process of being reconstructed.

The town's name comes from an Indian word meaning "warm wind," and it's this wind, melting the snow in January and February, that makes it possible for cattle to reach the rich bunchgrass and survive. While in town visit the Blaine County Museum featuring area history and artifacts. The Bear Paw Battlefield is the site of the last major Indian battle in the U.S. and is located just 16 miles south of Chinook. It is one of Montana's three units of the Nez Perce Historic Park.

This small, fun-filled town is a mecca for year-round outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Summer finds visitors fly fishing, river rafting, mountain biking, trail rides and hiking while those in the winter come to enjoy cross-country skiing, snowmobiling and touring snowcoaches. Wildlife watching is a year-round activity, while great shopping can be found along the boardwalks.

Corvallis is located in the "heart of the valley" between magnificent Bitterroot Mountains and the Sapphire Range south of Missoula. Nearby, Teller Wildlife Refuge sprawls out along over 4 miles of the Bitterroot River, comprising of farmland and river bottom dedicated to the conservation of western Montana's finest native riparian habitat.

Seeley Lake, flanked by the Mission and Swan mountain ranges, is situated on one of Montana most scenic drives, Hwy 83. During spring, summer and autumn, enjoy birding, wildlife viewing, fishing, camping, canoeing, boating, hiking and golfing. Mountain bikers can explore hundreds of miles of roads and trails, which become a world-class cross-country ski trail system in winter. Snowmobilers can explore over 350 miles of groomed trails. Enjoy the serenity and beauty of this wonderland year-round.

Boulder was named for the massive stones strewn about the valley. Visit nearby Elkhorn State Park for excellent examples of frontier architecture. This ghost town stands as a reminder of Montana's 1880s silver boom. Enjoy hiking and picnicking in this area. Boulder Hot Springs, located three miles south of Boulder, began in 1883 as a 52-room resort and spa for the wealthy families in Helena and Butte. Renovated and redesigned, the hot springs offers geothermal pools for soaking and swimming.

Located on the north shore of Flathead Lake, Somers is a gateway to recreation on and around the lake including sailing, boating, waterskiing, swimming, fishing, picnicking and camping. In the mountains nearby, downhill skiing at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area is affordable and family friendly, while cross-country skiing on Blacktail Mountain offers spectacular views of Flathead Lake and Valley and four mountain ranges.

Whitehall sits in the heart of the Deerlodge National Forest. Nearby recreation includes hiking, backpacking, hunting, biking, boating and swimming. There are numerous snowmobile trails for winter riding and summer trail rides. Fish the Jefferson or Boulder River, stop at the city park for swimming and playground or take an underground tour at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park.

Marion is southwest of Kalispell on Little Bitterroot Lake. When Lewis Kelsey moved his sawmill from Somers to Marion in the early 1900s, timber became an important part of the local economy. Today, visitors can enjoy the recreational opportunities found on Little Bitterroot Lake or at Lost Trail National Wildlife Refuge. The habitat diversity of the refuge supports a wide variety of wildlife species. At least 14 species of migratory and breeding waterfowl utilize the wetland areas.

Full of western flavor and small town appeal, this town welcomes visitors with mineralized hot springs, for which the town was named. It is the gateway to fishing on the Smith River (by permit only), home to "the Castle" mansion and the weathered homes and outbuildings of the ghost town of Castle. This community sits in the heart of excellent hunting country and is an anchor community for the Kings Hill Scenic Byway, a 71-mile picturesque drive.

Gallatin Gateway is twelve miles southwest of Bozeman on the Gallatin River. It is located at the mouth of the canyon on the road leading to Yellowstone National Park. Located in the Custer Gallatin National Forest near Gallatin Gateway, visitors can enjoy Spire Rock Campground and Spanish Creek Picnic Area. From the Spanish Creek parking area there are many options for ski routes into the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. Kirk Wildlife Refuge provides fishing access along the Gallatin River.

The Plains-Paradise area is a beautiful area to visit. Explore over 2,500 miles of trails in the Lolo National Forest. Koo-Koo-Sint Bighorn Sheep Viewing Site offers visitors an excellent opportunity to view bighorn sheep grazing in a meadow. The peak viewing months are November and December but there's also a chance of seeing them October through May. At the viewing site, six interpretive signs describe the natural history of bighorn sheep, their habitat and the geology of this valley.

Harlowton is the home of Montana's largest wind farm which is, at times, the highest producing facility in the U.S. The Judith Gap Wind Energy Center is located midway between Harlowton and Judith Gap. Constructed by Invenergy Services in 2005, the 90-tower wind farm has annual output around 450,000 megawatts. A turnout with informative kiosks on Highway 191 is under construction.

Pray is located along the Yellowstone River in the heart of Paradise Valley. Pray offers picturesque views of the Absaroka Mountain Range in the Custer Gallatin National Forest. The area offers recreational opportunities such as river fishing, camping, rental cabins, hiking and much more. Pray is just a short drive from one of Montana's biggest attraction's Yellowstone National Park.

The 1890s mining town has been renovated into National Historic Business District. Quaint shops, walking or auto tours and guides into the ghost towns are available. Georgetown Lake is 10 miles from Philipsburg and offers a beautiful mountain setting, fishing, boating and camping. Try some prospecting at the Sapphire Gallery or visit the Granite County Museum and Mine Exhibit, home of the Ghost Town Hall of Fame. Located nearby is Discovery Ski Area with beautiful views and uncrowded slopes.

Absarokee is a scenic, small community serving as a gateway to fishing, hiking, camping and outdoor exploration along the Stillwater and Yellowstone rivers and the nearby Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.

The small town of Superior offers a break from I-90 travel and an introduction to area history at the local museum. The St. Regis-Paradise Scenic Byway is also an alternate route for travelers on I-90. This scenic route travels past spacious, rolling flats to steep canyon walls winding through nearby mountains and serves as a route to the National Bison Range. Spectacular scenery, plentiful wildlife and many recreational opportunities in the area make it a destination itself.

Nine miles east of Florence is Threemile Wildlife Management area, which encompasses 6,059 acres. The area is great for hunting, wildlife viewing, birdwatching and mountain biking during the summer. Here you are most likely to observe songbirds and raptors commonly found in upland grasslands and ponderosa pine forests, but visitors sometimes spot elk here as well.

Browning is the headquarters for the 1.5 million-acre Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Blackfeet Indians are Montana's largest Indian tribe. The main attraction is the Museum of the Plains Indian, near the intersection of US Highways 2 and 89. A comprehensive collection of cultural artifacts and exhibits is displayed at the museum. Another attraction, The Blackfeet Heritage Center & Art Gallery, offers a wide variety of arts, crafts and jewelry. Browning is located near the eastern edge of Glacier National Park.

Vaughn, located on Highway 89 and I-15, just north of Great Falls, provides access to many public fishing and floating areas. It is also near Freezout Lake Wildlife Refuge and Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge which supports a great variety of water birds both nesting and migration habitat. In the spring and fall, as many as 300,000 snow geese and 10,000 tundra swans gather and rest before flying onward for the season.

Hays located on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation on the edge of the Little Rocky Mountains. The Hays Pow Wow is one of the area's finest outdoor celebrations. It features a whole weekend full of dancing and singing by natives from throughout the United States and Canada.

Ashland is division headquarters for the Custer Gallatin National Forest, and its possible the name comes from the abundance of ash trees. A historical buffalo jump, burial sites of Indian chiefs, Custer's last camp before the Battle of the Little Bighorn, the Cheyenne Indian Museum, Ten Bears Gallery, Saint Labre Indian School and the Ashland Powwow are of special interest in the Ashland area.

Named for a Flathead Indian chief and nestled in the beautiful Bitterroot Valley, Victor offers endless recreational opportunities. Two mountain ranges, 1.6 million acres of National Forest and miles of fishing on the famous Bitterroot River invite you to explore the outdoors. Nearby, explore local history in museums, tour a mansion, see Native American exhibits and watch birds and wildlife at nearby public and private refuges.

Park City is located along the Yellowstone River, which offers great fishing opportunities. Park City is also near Canyon Creek Battlefield Monument. The monumnet is located at the site of the battle between the Nez Perce led by Chief Joseph and the U.S. Calvary led by Col. Samuel Sturgis. This battle took place on September 13, 1877. Here 125 warriors held off the cavalry enabling the rest of the band of 800 Nez Perce to continued their flight from Oregon to asylum in Canada.

Nestled in the heart of the valley at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers, lies the friendly town of Fairview. Fairview is the sugar beet capital of both Montana and North Dakota, and a large part of its irrigated farmland is devoted to growing sugar beets. As Montana's eastern-most town it has the unique feature of two states meeting on Interstate Avenue, more commonly known to residents as State Street. Part of the town lies in North Dakota, while the majority is in Montana.

Troy, the lowest point in Montana at 1,892 feet above sea level, is located on the banks of the Kootenai River, at the base of the Cabinet and Purcell Mountains. Take the easy to walk nature trail at Ross Creek Scenic Area, home to a grove of giant, ancient western red cedars, 500 years old and up to 12 feet in diameter. Nearby the lakes and rivers are full of salmon, bass and trout, the forests teem with elk, moose and bighorn sheep and bald eagles and osprey soar overhead.

Clinton is an old mining and lumber town. Near Clinton, Beavertail Hill State Park has one-half mile of Clark Fork frontage that provides fishing and floating opportunities. Camping, picnicking, and wildlife viewing are also popular here.

Harlem is located just north of the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation between Havre and Malta. Fort Belknap Indian Reservation is home to the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine tribes. Guided tours are available to Snake Butte, Mission Canyon, Bear Gulch and St. Paul's Mission. Annual events include Milk River Indian Days and Hays' Powwow and Fair, both in July featuring dancing, singing, and hand drum contests by natives from throughout the United States and Canada.

Ulm, southwest of Great Falls, off of I-15, is a small community that is host to what is believed to be one of the largest buffalo kill sites in the United States. First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park (formerly known as Ulm Pishkun)includes interpretive trails and a visitor center. Ulm also provides fishing and floating access to the Missouri and Smith Rivers and is near the Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge which supports a variety of water birds with both nesting and migration habitat.

Wildlife, dramatic scenery and year-round recreation await you in Lincoln. It's the gateway to the wilderness and a place where the wildlife come right into town. The Continental Divide bisects this region and gives you the best on both sides: the Sun River Canyon on the east slope and the beautiful Blackfoot Valley on the west. Lincoln is a paradise for snowmobilers, with trails starting right in town.

Trego, a small community between Eureka and Whitefish is located right in between the Tobacco River and Dickey Lake. The lake has camping and day use areas, a boat launch, fishing and excellent opportunities for waterfowl and wildlife viewing. Dickey Lake-Mt. Marston Trail offers a day hike to Mt. Marston that is fairly gradual and winds over forested ridges. In the fall, big game hunting is popular, while snowmobiling the Grave Creek Trail and Ten Lakes Scenic Area is a winter adventure.

Pinesdale is nestled between the Bitterroot River and the Bitterroot Mountain Range. St. Mary's Mission and Fort Owen are two of Montana's earliest settlements, to the north. The Bitterroot Mountains form a rugged, glacier-carved border between Idaho and Montana. On both sides of this border is the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness. This 1.3-million-acre wilderness has peaks that rise up to 10,157 feet and over 1,490 miles of trails creating a haven for backpackers, hikers, stock users and outdoor adventurers alike.

Big Sandy is a small farming community near the beautiful Bear Paw Mountains off US Highway 87. While there, visit the Big Sandy Historical Museum, which is located in the old Great Northern Railroad depot and see the largest collection of early pioneer photographs in Chouteau County. Be sure to visit the old jailhouse and tourist center as well. Lonesome Lake northwest of town offers great wildlife viewing opportunities.

Located in the heart of grain and cattle country, Scobey is the home of the Daniels County Museum and Pioneer Town. It is also home to animals and birds of all sizes. Big game and bird hunters from all over the world flock to eastern Montana seeking the whitetail and mule deer, antelope, pheasants, grouse, ducks and geese. Whether you're hunting, fishing or sightseeing, enjoy the wide open spaces in Daniels County's rolling prairies and farmland.

Gardiner sits in the breathtaking Paradise Valley, with the Yellowstone River running right through town. Enjoy outdoor adventures on the river and in the nearby Custer Gallatin National Forest. Discover the Absaroka and Beartooth Mountains. Spot wildlife on the outskirts, and visit local shops and eateries in the historic downtown.

Sheridan is located in the fertile Ruby Valley near the Ruby River and is near the Tobacco Root Mountains. The area surrounding Sheridan offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, camping, fishing in nearby blue ribbon trout streams, hunting and many other great outdoor activities. Nearby, explore Virginia and Nevada City, authentic Old West towns featuring over 150 buildings from the gold rush of the 1860's.

Fairfield is the Malting Barley Capital of the World, a trade center for the farming community. It offers a scenic 9-hole golf course at Harvest Hills Golf Course, with the Rocky Mountain Front and spectacular sunsets as a backdrop. Nearby Freezeout Lake is Montana's primary snow goose staging area, a place where as many as 300,000 snow geese and 10,000 tundra swans gather in the spring and rest before flying onward.

Chester offers plenty of recreation in this northern town with an elevation of 3,283 feet. Lake Elwell and Tiber Dam, located on the Marias River, offer camping, boating and fishing opportunities. While in town explore the Liberty County Museum and Liberty Village Arts Center and Gallery for area history and culture. If recreation is on your mind, camping, boating and fishing can be found at nearby Lake Elwell.

Wibaux, located in eastern Montana on I-94, serves as a gateway to Montana due to its friendly, western heritage with a colorful history and a charming commercial historic district. Its unique blend of badlands and rolling hills offers fine photography and hunting for mule deer, whitetail deer and antelope, while upland game birds are also plentiful.

Hungry Horse is at the edge of the lake formed by Hungry Horse Dam. It is a stone's throw away from Glacier National Park's west entrance. Completed in 1953, Hungry Horse Dam is Montana's highest dam at 564 feet and the eleventh largest concrete dam in the U.S. The visitor center is located at the dam where guided tours begin. The dam and reservoir are surrounded by spectacular mountains, offering excellent fishing and hiking in the immediate area.

Walkerville, a historic district adjacent to Butte, was named for the Walker Brothers of Salt Lake City, Utah, who owned and operated the Alice Mine at Walkerville. Walkerville was home to some of the earliest mining sites in the area. Copper and silver were most commonly mined. Present day Old Lexington Stamp Mill and Gardens marks the site of Butte's first smelter. The major features remaining at the Lexington include the steel headframe over the shaft, the hoist house, and a steel idler tower.

Poplar is located on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, and offers plenty of Indian culture. The reservation is home to the Assiniboine and Sioux tribes. The Poplar Museum and Tribal Museum feature tribal history and artifacts.

This small community offers many public fishing access places along the Missouri River. It is also a popular place to start floating trips down the river. Camping, hunting and hiking are nearby as well. Crown Butte Preserve is located about halfway between Cascade and Simms on a county road. You can take a day trip to the flat-topped buttes and hike up to the natural grasslands ecosystem on top of the butte about 1,000 feet above the surrounding northern great plains.