History is etched into the diverse landscapes of Southwest Montana, from ghost towns crumbling amid cross-country ski trails to the Native American pictographs that adorn limestone cliffs. Discover wild stories and fascinating heritage entwined with the mountains, canyons, rivers and forests of this magnificent region.
There’s so much to discover in the region, from its northerly tip near Glacier National Park to its southern reaches, which border Yellowstone National Park. Embark on a road trip through Southwest Montana and or base yourself in one of its major towns.
The state’s capital Helena sits in the northerly corner of the region and marked a stopover for Lewis and Clark when the two explorers traveled this way around 200 years ago. Take a historic train ride or visit Montana Historical Society Museum in Helena to uncover the history beneath the scenery. Be awed by Helena’s boomtown mansions and a breathtaking turn-of-the-century cathedral. Find out where all the wealth came from in the nearby mining town of Butte. Taker a historic trolley tour or learn about the region’s mining successes and failures at the World Museum of Mining. Anaconda and Philipsburg are also historic mining towns with beautifully preserved architecture.
Get acquainted with the same mesmerizing vistas that charmed pioneering prospectors when you explore Southwest Montana’s pristine reserves. Discover river valleys surrounded by rolling pastoral land and framed by jagged mountain peaks. Hike and camp along forested trails at the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest or check out the Lewis and Clark Caverns and the Painted Rocks State Park. Go rafting or fly fishing in the region’s beautiful rivers or take a boat tour through the Gates of the Mountains canyon to see rugged limestone cliffs.
Southwest Montana is easily reachable by plane to Helena Regional Airport or Missoula International Airport. Road trip trails include the Pintler Scenic Loop. Make the most of the wintertime in Southwest Montana with the region’s network of cross-country skiing trails or enjoy long sunny days in the lakes, rivers and forests in summer.
