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Montana the "Big Sky Country", vacation guide to adventure in Montana's Rocky Mountains! Travel the scenic byways, visit our Campgrounds, enjoy our cabins and dude ranches. Legendary Hunting and Fishing, spectacular Glacier National Park, Tours and Timeshares, Montana has everything to make your vacation a Wild West Adventure!
September 10, 2010 |
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Updated 06/29/10
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Belgrade One of the fastest growing cities in the state. With a population of over 10,000 people, Belgrade, Montana is a quiet yet lively town nestled in the heart of the Gallatin Valley. Big Sky Montana skiing has arrived! SKI Magazine announced in its September 1973 issue. Now, 33 years later, sister publication, Skiing Magazine touts Big Sky as the 7th best resort in the nation. Big Sky Resort was conceived and built by the late NBC newscaster, Chet Huntley. It first opened for skiing in December 1973. In 1976, Boyne USA Resorts purchased the resort and has owned and managed it since then. Big Timber Western Hospitality off the Fast Lane, Sweet Grass County is a beautiful area for vacationing with many different types of outdoor recreation. Mountains are nearby for hiking and camping with guide services available. The Yellowstone and Boulder Rivers offer excellent fishing opportunities or just fun in the sun! Our Rodeo, Sweet Grass Fest, and County Fair are fun for the whole family. Visit Big Timber merchants for food, clothing, gifts, and sporting supplies in shops that still have the look of by-gone days. Billings Billings is the economic hub of the Billings Metropolitan Area and is the county seat of Yellowstone County. In terms of population, it is the largest metropolitan area in Montana. It is nicknamed the Magic City because of its rapid growth from its founding as a railroad town in 1882. It was said that Billings "grew like magic." Billings is named for Frederick H. Billings, president of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Bozeman We're one of the most diverse small towns in the Rocky Mountain West. Bozeman is blessed with an eclectic mix of ranchers, artists, professors, ski enthusiasts and entrepreneurs drawn here by world class recreation, Montana State University and a slice of old fashioned Americana. Butte In its heyday between the late 19th century and about 1920, it was one of the largest and most notorious copper boomtowns in the American West, home to hundreds of saloons and a famous red-light district. It now claims the dubious distinction of being home to the Berkeley Pit and being part of the largest Superfund site in the United States. Colstrip Colstrip is one of the communities that make up Rosebud County. Recreational activities include hunting, fishing, horseback riding, bird watching, and more. The Colstrip area sits on top of the largest coal deposit in North America. Columbia Falls Columbia Falls is the "Gateway to Glacier National Park." It is a community of about 3,700 people located just 18 miles south of West Glacier. Columbia Falls offers a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities including one of the most beautiful golf courses in the area, Meadowlake Golf Resort. The Big Sky Waterslide Park provides a fun filled day for the entire family in the summer, and miles of groomed snowmobiling trails provide a winter playground for the family during the winter months. The residents here pride themselves in maintaining the "small-town" atmosphere and the sense of community spirit that has been the backbone of this community for many years. Columbus Columbus is home to many historic landmarks like The New Atlas Bar that has been servin' up a brewsky or two for almost one hundred years. Built in 1906, this old saloon doesn't advertise itself as historic or museum-like, in fact it doesn't advertise at all. It just hangs out like it always has, much like the 60 plus animal mounts adorning the walls of this old tavern. Conrad Fur trading in the 1860's by several forts in Canada and Fort Benton on the Missouri River was responsible for the establishment of a trade route known as the "Whoop-Up Trail" that passed within a few miles of the present town of Conrad. The trail got it's name when a Canadian trapper was asked how things were going in Canada and he answered, Well, they're sure whoopin' it up, referring to the Indians who were trading whiskey at the Canadian forts.In 1901, The Great Falls & Canada Railway was sold to the Great Northern Railroad and standard tracks were laid a mile west of Pondera. This was followed by the move of Pondera's six buildings and the town of Conrad had it's beginning. It was named for W. G. and C. E. Conrad, owners of the huge Seven Block Ranch, and organizers of the Conrad Investment Company and the Pondera Canal Company, precursor of the present day irrigation project in this area. Only a few shacks made up the new settlement of Conrad until 1902 when M. S. Darling, engineer for the Conrad Investment Company, laid out a 602 acre town site. Conrad incorporated on September 24, 1908. Cut Bank With Glacier National Park as our backdrop, it's no exaggeration when we say Cut Bank is in the center of the absolute best in outdoor recreation. World-class fishing, trophy big game hunting, abundant pheasant and upland bird hunting, hiking, mountain biking, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, camping and much more are at your fingertips. With the grandeur and beauty of some of the most pristine outdoor areas in the country within sight, the areas surrounding Cut Bank offer you a truly unforgettable experience. Dillon Make Southwestern Montana your recreation destination and you will never find yourself at a loss for things to do! Dillon is the headquarters for the Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest, with dozens of mountain lakes, great fishing rivers and streams, and wildlife in every nook and cranny. Explore hundreds of miles of hiking and snowmobile trails, dig for crystals, visit ghost towns and drop a line in the West's best fisheries!... the Madison, the Beaverhead and the Big Hole. It's all right here where the Old West began! Essex Just off Highway 2, halfway between East and West Glacier, Essex is sixty miles from Glacier International Airport in Kalispell, MT and forty five miles from Whitefish, Montana. Just west of the Continental Divide, Essex is the perfect stop over when traveling between the towns of East Glacier and West Glacier, and is situated at the most southern area of Glacier National Park. Forsyth Forsyth is located in a valley along the banks of the Yellowstone River. There is plenty of fishing, agate hunting or just plain walking on the dike that runs the length of town. For those who would rather have a more active day there is swimming in the Olympic size pool, biking or running. Forsyth has a very nice public golf course on the outskirts of town. Fort Benton The History of the West is a rich theme at Fort Benton. Known as the "Birthplace of Montana" Fort Benton is a small town with a large heritage. Situated on the banks of the Missouri River, Fort Benton is a haven for history buffs as well as canoeists seeking solitude and the unique beauty found along the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River. Fort Benton is located along the Lewis & Clark National Historic trail, the Nez Perce National Historic Trail, and is the gateway to the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Fort Benton first gained fame as a robe trading post. The discovery of gold in the Montana and Idaho Territories brought countless fortune seekers, outlaws, merchants and madams to this riverside town. Whiskey followed gold, and infamous trails were forged into Canada, including the Whoop-up Trail into Alberta and the Fort Walsh Trail into Saskatchewan. As the terminus for the 642-mile long Mullan Wagon Road, Fort Benton became a crucial link between Missouri and Walla Walla, Washington along the Columbia River. Steamboats plied the Missouri River to Fort Benton for thirty years, until the railroad signaled an end to this towns' prominence as the Worlds Innermost Port. This once feisty outpost played such a vital role in the expansion of the West, that it is now registered as a National Historic Landmark. Gardiner Founded in 1880, Gardiner became a center of activity for visitors to the region, serving as the original, and only year-round entrance to the park. Gardiner has survived a rough and tumble existence of gold rushes, the railroad, and even destructive fires. A tough little frontier town, it fed and sheltered miners, entertained the early soldiers who operated Yellowstone Park, and learned to host the pioneer visitor. Gardiner has matured, tempered, and grown to meet the needs of today's visitors. It is a good place to spend some rich time in history, in the heart of some of the west's finest country. Glendive Outdoor enthusiasts will thrill to the almost limitless possibilities around Glendive. Imagine watching the Milky Way nightly and counting shooting stars to fall asleep; quiet so deep you can hear your soul relax; hunting or just having a staring contest with wildlife. The Yellowstone River, the nation's longest untamed river starts in Yellowstone Park and flows through the middle of Glendive. It's a source of recreation, agate hunting, fishing and awe. Great Falls History, Art, Recreation and A Mermaid. Visit Great Falls and you'll find all the western history, art, recreation and entertainment you'd expect and much more. Music from blues to symphonic. Art from cowboy to contemporary. Outdoor recreation from golf to fly fishing to snow skiing. And if you lean toward the quirky "a real live mermaid" in a tiki-bar rated as one of the world's "Ten Best Bars" by GQ Magazine. Hamilton The city was founded in 1890 by Irish immigrant and copper magnate Marcus Daly. Daly bought his 22,000-acre Bitterroot Stock Farm in the area in 1889 and then decided it would be a good idea to have a town nearby. So, Daly brought in planners and laid out and built his city with plots for churches, schools, parks and businesses. Havre Havre is the largest town on the Montana Hi Line, with a population of 9600 people, and serves as the retail and business hub of the area. Havre is located more or less midway down the Hi-Line. Because of this, Havre is a popular stop for travelers especially since it is only about 3 hours away from Glacier National Park. Additionally, unlike many other Hi-Line towns where US Highway 2 manages to avoid the downtown areas, in Havre, the highway plows right through town. As such, visitors to the Hi Line area will get a first-hand look at the downtown area. Helena In 1864, Helena's first visitors were lured by the gold discovered in Last Chance Gulch. More than 140 years later, Montana's capital city is still filled with treasures to explore: mansions and historic architecture, outdoor adventure, unique family attractions, galleries and museums, performing arts, cultural events, and so much more. Take some time to explore our site, then come explore our city; even though we're no longer a mining camp, we're still filled with golden opportunities. Kalispell From skiing to shopping, sailing to snowmobiling, wildlife watching to golfing, fishing to hiking, whitewater rafting to just relaxing and taking in the scenery, there are a plethora of activities to keep you busy as long as you care to stay. The possibilities are truly endless. Big Mountain Ski and Summer Resort and Blacktail Mountain Ski area, Montana's newest ski area, offer acres of uncrowded terrain. The Flathead River boasts incredible fishing and is practically a stone's throw from downtown. Glacier National Park and the legendary Bob Marshall Wilderness provide a recreational wonderland and wildlife haven larger than some states. Laurel Many of Laurel's residents commute the 15 miles to Billings, Montana's largest city. Laurel also is significant as it lies on one of two main roads to Red Lodge. Red Lodge, 45 miles away, is a popular mountain town and one end of the Beartooth Highway. Laurel is a city in Yellowstone County, Montana. The population was 6,255 but could be more by now. Both the interstate highway I-90 and a number of local railroads run through Laurel. It is most known for its industry and agriculture, but also has a historic shopping district. Laurel is home to a Cenex oil refinery. Lewistown 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 three beautiful mountain ranges, the Snowies, the Judiths, and the Moccasins from which grand 100-mile vistas stretch out below. Picturesque landscapes, mountain terrain, and small quiet towns typify the area. Libby Libby, Montana is a journey into the world of a hard working, blue collar community that exemplifies the American Dream gone horribly wrong. Livingston Surrounded by four majestic mountain ranges, Park County offers a beautiful natural setting for relaxation and recreation along the legendary Yellowstone River. The quaint and quiet town of Livingston is steeped in the history of Lewis & Clark, Calamity Jane and Yellowstone National Park. An eclectic blend awaits you as you travel through our shops, museums, galleries and restaurants. From cowboys to culture, from railroads to whitewater, from the historic to the contemporary! Lolo Lolo, Montana Home of Travelers' Rest! One of the places that Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery Stopped and Stayed to Rest twice during their journey. In fact Lolo is still a nice place to rest during your travels today. Miles City Miles City Montana got its start when Colonel (later General) Nelson A. Miles was ordered to build a cantonment where the Tongue River flowed into the Yellowstone. The Colonel and his men were sent in response to the Battle of the Little Big Horn, to protect settlers and freight wagons as they passed through the fertile Yellowstone valley. The cantonment was constructed in the fall of 1876 and by spring, a town had sprung up two miles away to provide rest and recreation for the soldiers. The founding father of Miles City was a "sutler," a storekeeper who specialized in doing business with the soldiers. According to the diaries kept by George Miles, the nephew of the Colonel who traveled with his uncle, a man named Mat Carrol set up some barrels under a tarp and started selling whiskey. When Colonel Miles got tired of having his guard house filled to overflowing whiskey causing him, Miles said, more trouble than the Indians he ordered Carrol and the other purveyors of liquor to leave the military reservation. An employee of Carrol's, one John Carter, rode east on his big bay horse until he was the required two miles away, beyond the edge of the reservation. He found a flat spot along the Yellowstone, built a crude log hut out of driftwood and started selling whiskey. The soldiers soon found the place, other merchants followed, and Miles City was born. Missoula Missoula is a vibrant community with great diversity providing many opportunities for new businesses, families and individuals seeking to experience the Montana quality of life. Nestled in the Rocky Mountains of western Montana, Missoula is one of the west's most sophisticated smaller cities. Industries that support Missoula include: wood products, government, medical, education, small business and tourism. Montana City Montana City is a small town only 10 miles south of Helena Montana. It is home to 2000 friendly folks who would love to see you, so come on up! Polson Flathead Lake is one of the 300 largest natural lakes in the world and is the largest natural freshwater lake in the western United States. Of those large lakes, Flathead is one of the cleanest. Studies at the Biological Station show that water quality in Flathead Lake is among the best in the world. Red Lodge Welcome to Red Lodge, Montana Gateway to Yellowstone Park via the beautiful Beartooth Highway. Come and experience true western hospitality in this quaint, historic, mountain town. Ronan The city of Ronan Montana lies in the center of a rich agricultural area and for many years has been a trade center for the farmers of the lower Flathead and Mission valleys later becoming Lake County Montana. In 1883, with a small trading post as the nucleus of the settlement, it was known as Spring Creek named for the creek that flowed through the town. In 1885, the government constructed a flour mill and a saw mill at the site, and the name was changed to Ronan Springs, in honor of the Indian agent, Peter Ronan, who served the Indians so well from 1873 to 1892. Saint Regis The town was named after a Jesuit priest, Saint Regis DeBorgia. It began as a shipping point for the lumber industry, which is now minimal. Once a well established mining and lumber town, a fire destroyed a great part of it in 1910 and it was never rebuilt. Now the community is primarily tourist related and offers a golf course, a large community park and a Travel Montana Visitor Information Center. Shelby Located in northern Montana, Toole County has 5,267 residents, according to the 2000 Census. Located in prime wheat land the town grew into the strong community we find today. Shelby, the county seat, has a population of 3,216. Toole County, established in 1914, is named for Joseph K. Toole, Montana's first governor. The Port of Sweetgrass, 35 miles north of Shelby, is the major port entry on the Alaska-Canada highway. It's the busiest port between Blaine, Wash. and Pembina, N. D. Superior The mountains, trails, and roads surrounding Big Sky provides many opportunities for fishing, hunting, hiking, camping, rafting, biking, skiing, snowmobiling and photography. In our part of the county there are 87 miles of river, 650 miles of streams, and over 50 high mountain lakes. In addition, there are over 400 miles of hiking trails and more than 1,000 miles of off highway roads. Trout Creek Trout Creek was a successful logging, railroading, and mining community of the late 1800s. In 1910 Jim Hylent built the Hylent Hotel on 40 acres that he had purchased and the town was moved downstream to its present location. In 1955-1956 Trout Creek experienced another boom with the construction of the Noxon Rapids Dam. West Yellowstone West Yellowstone Montana represents the western entrance to Yellowstone National Park, along with the nearby communities of Island Park, Idaho, Big Sky and Ennis, Montana. This region is world famous for its Snowmobiling, Snowmobile Rentals & Tours and Yellowstone winter vacations, as well as fly fishing trips and Yellowstone tours in the summer. See our travel planning pages covering reservations, vacation packages and deals, restaurants, and West Yellowstone camping. Find out why this is a perfect base for Yellowstone family vacations! Whitefish There is only one Whitefish. Tucked tight against Big Mountain and the stunning peaks of Glacier National Park, Whitefish is a year round playground steeped in the romance of the rails. From its historic railroad depot to its charming Central Avenue, Whitefish was built on the personalities, generosity, and wisdom of its residents. Cafes mingle with gourmet restaurants, general stores share the downtown with galleries and boutiques, and a variety of western bars will suit any mood. You will also find sophisticated amenities like inns, hotels, rustic lodges, ski and board shops, outdoor gear stores and more. Whatever leads you to Whitefish the historic downtown, the dramatic landscape, or your own wanderlust you'll be glad you followed it. Whitehall Whitehall is located in the southwestern part of Montana. Whitehall is really pretty because we have lots of mountains by us. The mountains that lie to the southeast of Whitehall are the Tobacco Root Mountains. Bull Mountain is directly north of Whitehall. The Highland Mountains sit to the west of Whitehall. Great rockhounding, gold mining, and historical sites to see! Wolf Point Wolf Point is the county seat of Roosevelt County and is the largest city in the county, boasting a population of 3,000 residents. Located in the Southwest corner of Roosevelt County in the historic Missouri River Valley, Wolf Point is the trade center for Northeast Montana. Because Montana is such a large state, geographically, people not familiar with this part of the country frequently ask, Exactly where is Wolf Point located? To give you a little better idea, in terms of highway miles at least, Wolf Point is: 1,238 miles from Chicago, 750 miles from Denver, 1,300 miles from Phoenix, 744 miles from Salt Lake City, 993 miles from Seattle, 1,607 miles from Los Angeles, 1,491 from San Francisco, 1,981 miles from Portland, 750 miles from St. Paul, 725 miles from Spokane, and light years away from New York City. |
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