Cities & Towns

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.

 Near Sheridan

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 s'#39;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.

Black Eagle almost adjoins Great Falls. It was named for the Black Eagle Falls on the Missouri, which in turn were named because of the many eagles seen in the area by Lewis and Clark. The town is near Giant Springs State Park, the site of the Roe River, the world's shortest river, and Black Eagle Falls Overlook.

Named after Salish Chief Alee and sitting in the shadow of the Mission Mountains, Arlee is a trading center for residents of the Jocko Valley and Flathead Indian Reservation. Community highlights include the annual Let'R Buck PRCA Rodeo, and the annual 4th of July Arlee Celebration which includes a grand entry, Native American dancing and traditional games.

Pryor, south of Billings, takes its name from the creek and mountains, which were named by Lewis and Clark for Sgt. Nathaniel Pryor, a member of the expedition. Pryor is on the Crow Indian Reservation and is the site of the Chief Plenty Coups State Park. Plenty Coups, was the last of the great Crow War Chiefs. South of Pryor is the Pryor Mountains Wild Horse Range the first nationally designated area established to provide a home for free roaming wild horses. Today, approximately 120 wild horses roam the area along with bands of bighorn sheep, and mule deer.

Valier is located 14 miles west of I-15 in north-central Montana. This small, friendly farming community along Lake Frances, offers year-round recreation including fishing for perch, pike and walleye, water skiing, jet skiing, swimming and wind surfing. In the winter ice fishing, snowmobiling, ice skating and tubing on the ice are popular.

Ennis is surrounded by three beautiful mountain ranges: the Madison Range, the Gravelly Range, and the Tobacco Root Mountains. In addition to its majestic mountain view, Ennis also offers access to some of the finest river locations in the state by way of the picturesque Madison River. Ennis is a good-time western town and is full of cowboys, anglers and outdoor recreationists. It is the center for activities on the Madison River, which is renowned for its first-rate trout fishing.

Joliet is on Rock Creek. It was the shipping point for the rich produce area around it, as grains and garden products flourished in this irrigated valley. (from Cheney’s Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company) Located between Billings and Red Lodge, it is also nearby Cooney State Park, an irrigation reservoir, is a popular recreation area serving south-central Montana offering boating, swimming, camping and fishing. Attractions include good walleye and rainbow trout fishing. Boating opportunities are abundant and 75 camping spots are available on this large 317.6-acre site at 4,307 feet in elevation.

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.

Culberston's economic mainstays of grain and cattle have been augmented with oil production. About 25 miles north is Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge. More than 100,000 migrating waterfowl make their summer home here. Great blue herons, white pelicans, sandhill cranes, grebes and ten different species of ducks share this ecosystem.

Darby lies in the heart of the Bitterroot Valley and offers endless recreational opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. This prime recreation area claims Painted Rocks State Park and Alta Ranger Station, the first USDA Forest Service ranger station.

Alberton is the gateway to the Alberton Gorge, favored by whitewater rafters, avid anglers and hunting enthusiasts.The town's 100 years ago as a "terminal station" for the Milwaukee Railroad is displayed in the Town Museum and Antique Depot.

Hot Springs is at the edge of the Flathead Indian Reservation. Founded in 1910, is named for the local hot mineral springs that still bubble today. Thousands of people seeking rest and relief from pressure travel to the town of Hot Springs to bathe in the fine mineral water and mud baths. Opportunities for privacy, quietness and relaxation abound in this area. Many lakes, streams and rivers provide excellent fishing for the avid fisherman.

Worden, located off I-94, is a small farming community that benefits from the Huntley Irrigation Project, however year-round fishing accesses to the Yellowstone River and camping are available. Just east of Worden is Pompeys Pillar, a rock outcropping that rises 200 feet above the Yellowstone River and the site where William Clark in 1806, carved his name and date into this sandstone cliff.

Circle is a farm and ranch community. It is located along the Big Sky Back Country Byway, which links the two major rivers in the state, the Yellowstone and the Missouri.

Huntley is 10 miles north of Billings along the Yellowstone River. The name Huntley is short for Huntley Irrigation Project, which was the second U.S. Bureau of Reclamation irrigation project. The Huntley Project Museum of Irrigated Agriculture is southern Montana's most outstanding collection of irrigated agriculture artifacts, with over 5,000 items displayed. It is the most complete museum of beet, small grain and early-day machinery, much of which has been restored to original condition and painted with authentic colors.

Belt is on the National Register of Historic Places, the nation's list of heritage properties worthy of preservation, and includes the Belt Commercial Historic District. As you explore Belt, look for interpretive markers to learn more about its history and architecture.

Heart Butte is located 26 miles south of Browning on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation near the Continental Divide and Glacier National Park. The Reservation on 1.5 million acres and is home to Montana's largest Indian tribe, the Blackfeet Indians. One of the attractions on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation is the Museum of the Plains Indian, near the intersection of U.S. Highways 2 and 89. Celebrated in Heart Butte is the Heart Butte Society Celebration which annually takes place in August. This is a traditional Blackfeet Indian festival and powwow.

Lodge Grass, on the Little Bighorn River and the Crow Indian Reservation, is a center for ranches whose herds graze the rich, grass-covered uplands where buffalo used to range. Long ago the Crows made their summer camps here. The town was named for Lodge Grass Creek, which empties into the Little Bighorn. The Indians called the stream "Greasy Grass" because the rich grass made their animals fat. The words "grease" and "lodge" are so similar in the Crow language it translated into Lodge Grass.

The town of Brockton is located on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation along the Missouri River. Sioux and Assinniboine live on the reservation, which encompasses more than 2 million acres of land just east of Fort Peck Lake, almost to North Dakota, and from 50 miles south of Canada to the Missouri River in the south.

Busby, on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, is named for Sheridan Busby, a homesteader who came to the area in 1895 and established the first post office here in 1904. In 1993 this tiny town became the site of a historic and culturally significant reburial. The Northern Cheyenne Tribe repatriated the human remains of 26 relatives. Nineteen were returned for burial home from the Smithsonian Institution. Seven were men, women and children of Chief Morning Star's band that had been killed in the Fort Robinson massacre in 1879.

Evaro is located 4 miles north of Missoula on the southern tip of the Flathead Indian Reservation. Evaro Hill on Highway 93 is a stretch of road that steadily climbs from the Missoula valley to Evaro and serves as a local landmark. The Flathead Indian Reservation is home to three tribes, the Bitterroot Salish, Upper Pend d'Oreille, and the Kootenai. "Confederated Salish" refers to both the Salish and Pend d'Oreille tribes and extends between Missoula and Kalispell, with fertile valleys and towering mountain peaks surrounding 1.2 million acre reservation.

Fromberg is located 36 miles south of Billings along the Clark Fork's River. Fromberg's Clarks Fork Valley Museum is hosted in one of the last class four, small, rural area railroad depots in the country. The depot, which is listed on the National Register, was 100 years old in 1999. Exhibits include a one-room doctor's office and a traditional homesteader's cabin.

Jefferson City area mines have produced millions of dollars' worth of silver and gold. Tizer Botanic Gardens and Arboretum offers visitors 6-acres of stunning gardens to explore. Explore Tizer Lakes surrounded by Forest Service lands, accessible by trail, 8 miles from the trailhead. Visit nearby ghost town of Elkhorn where historic Fraternity and Gillian Hall nestled within the privately owned town of Elkhorn.

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.

Located along the section of Highway 212 known as the Warrior Trail, Broadus has been described as the “Gateway” or “Crossroads” of Southeast Montana. Make a quick stop to eat, fuel up and browse antiques, clothing and western gifts, or take some extra time and visit the Powder River Historical Museum to admire the frontier cabin, the original county jail, Indian artifacts, and many other treasures!

Coram, south of West Glacier, is the perfect place for a getaway. Camping, RV parks, beautiful lodging and sprawling guest ranches are all located in Coram, just minutes away from the heart of Glacier National Park.

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.

Kila is on Smith Lake and only a few miles from the north end of Flathead Lake. Nearby Lone Pine State Park offers a self-guided nature trail and several informal hiking trails, as well as horse trails and an archery range. There are three scenic overlooks that provide views from Flathead Lake to Whitefish Mountain Ski Area. One of the overlook trails is designed for the mobility impaired.

Emigrant located along the Yellowstone River is named for the nearby mountain, Emigrant Peak, which rises to an altitude of 10,960 feet. The area offers plenty of fishing opportunities as well as camping and boating. Close by, Chico Hot Springs, is a year-round destination resort offering lodging, fine dining, and a natural hot springs pool. Yellowstone National Park, just south of Emigrant, is the world's first National Park and contains more than 2.2 million acres of steaming geysers, thundering waterfalls, crystalline lakes and panoramic vistas.

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.

Located in the northwest corner of Montana near Fortine is the Ten Lake Scenic Area of the Kootenai National Forest. It offers more than 89 miles of remote trails with backpacking and hiking opportunities through rugged terrain with spectacular mountain views. Many high mountain lakes offer fishing and scenic views. Mountains rise to elevations of more than 7,800 feet. High alpine mountains, clear mountain lakes, peaceful meandering trails, all combine to make this area a backpacker's dream.

Ekalaka is a small western town nestled in the Russell Creek Valley of picturesque Carter County. Ekalaka is the home to Carter County Museum, housing some of the finest paleontological discoveries in the United States as well as numerous artifacts depicting the lives of Native Americans and the early settlers of Carter County. Nearby Medicine Rocks State park feature soft sandstone rock formations with a Swiss cheese look.

The Crazy Mountains and the Bridger Range provide a breathtaking view for Clyde Park nestled in the Shields Valley between these two mountain ranges. The area is excellent for hiking, snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Clyde Park also offers varied opportunities get a taste of what life is really like in rural Montana and to experience a working cattle ranch.

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.

The Basin area is well-known for its radon mines which are now marketed for their reputed health-giving benefits. Over the past few year, Basin has attracted artists and musicians, giving this tiny town a lively, electric feel.

Frazer is located between Glasgow and Wolf Point along the Missouri River on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. The reservation is home to Sioux and Assinniboine, and it encompasses more than 2 million acres. Red Bottom Celebration is an annual powwow that takes place in Frazer. It is a celebration of native culture and traditions through dancing, food and crafts.

The Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana is located in Charlo. It was established to discover and memorialize the history and culture of the Flathead Indian Reservation and early Montana. The National Bison Range is located just seven miles southwest of Charlo on Highway 212. It was established in 1908 and is one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the nation. The range protects one of the most important remaining herds of American bison. A visitor's center, auto tour and picnic area are available.

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.

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.

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.

Martin City boomed when the Hungry Horse Dam project started. It is located near scenic Glacier National Park. The Martin City area offers plenty of camping in the Flathead National Forest at sites such as Spotted Bear Campground. It is about as far as you can drive off the beaten track and still find a maintained campground. Spotted Bear Campground is in a remote area on the edge of the beautiful Bob Marshall Wilderness. There is access to a trail which leads to the Great Bear Wilderness.