Southwest Montana

Follow the route of early settlers on the 170-mile Vigilante Trail from Butte to West Yellowstone. Before you hit the road, descend into a former mine at The World Museum of Mining in Butte. Trade the road for the rails aboard the Alder Gulch Short Line Railroad between the gold boomtowns of Virginia City and Nevada City.

Stock up on hand-dipped chocolates and saltwater taffy pulled on-site at The Sweet Palace, an enchanting Victorian confectionery in Philipsburg. Get lost in the mesmerizing swirls of huckleberry vanilla fudge before savoring a bite.

The sandstone and granite Montana State Capitol in Helena provides a stately view with its copper dome and statue honoring Jeannette Rankin, the first woman to hold a federal office in the US. Hop on the Last Chance Tour Train to see the Capitol and other historical treasures down Last Chance Gulch and through the "Mansion District".

Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park is the coolest place to be on warmer days. Limestone caves chilled by “natural AC” showcase stunning stalactites, stalagmites and helictites.

The Old West echoes in 60-plus log-and-frame structures at Bannack State Park, the site of Montana’s first big gold strike. Things got pretty rowdy here in the 1860s, but today you can camp under the stars and join in the historic re-enactments every July during the Bannack Days celebrations. 

One of the best-preserved glimpses into the gold rush era features 150 local and nearby National Historic Landmarks. Pan for gold, brave a ghost tour, and take stagecoach and train rides.