10 Summer Moments You Shared That We Can’t Stop Thinking About

Summer in Southwest Montana goes fast, from weekend trips, days spent fishing, touring local museums, and soaking up the sun. You know what they say, time flies when you’re having fun, and before you know it, snow starts dusting the landscape. But thanks to the photos and videos you share, we get to relive it long after the season changes.

So as winter settles in over the region, we’re reminiscing on 10 of our favorite summer moments, captured by travelers, locals, and adventurers out exploring the places we love most. Consider this a little thank you to everyone who explored Southwest Montana and shared their stories with us (and, of course, a big dose of trip inspiration).

Want to be featured next time? Use the hashtag #SouthwestMT, tag us @southwestmontana on Instagram or Southwest MT on Facebook, or send us the post. And hey, if you shared photos with us over the past year, thanks again. We love seeing your photos and hearing about your travels!

1. Canyon Ferry Reservoir After Dark

First on the list is a reminder that in Southwest Montana, summer doesn’t end at sunset. Sometimes, the best views appear after dark. Canyon Ferry Reservoir, located just outside of Helena and Townsend, offers big, open skies with minimal light pollution, making it a favorite spot for stargazing. And there’s an extra reason to put Canyon Ferry on your night-sky list: the Montana Learning Center. At the reservoir’s northern end, the Montana Learning Center offers camps, teacher trainings, telescope rentals, and public stargazing nights (one of our favorite community events in the region!). Want to learn more about stargazing in Southwest Montana and the Montana Learning Center? Explore our night sky guide.

2. Underground in the Orphan Girl Mine at the World Museum of Mining

This is one of our favorite experiences in Southwest Montana, and for good reason. It’s unlike any museum tour we’ve ever done. At the World Museum of Mining in Butte, Montana, you actually get to walk down into a historic copper mine for an immersive experience, offering a glimpse into how mining shaped the Richest Hill on Earth. And yes, the photo op is as cool as it sounds. Pictured above, a visitor steps into the original mine elevator. Your tour guide will even press the button to ring the signal bell while you’re down there! This is a must-stop for history buffs, families, and curious travelers who want to experience Butte below the surface.

3. A Big Hole River Fishing Day

We never get tired of seeing river days pop up in our feed, and the Big Hole River is an iconic Southwest Montana experience. This blue ribbon trout stream is iconic for a reason. Besides the fact that the Big Hole River winds through wide-open valleys and passes through some of the most beautiful big sky views, it’s also home to some of the richest history in the region. If fishing isn’t your thing, there’s plenty to see and do in the Beaverhead and Dillon area.

4. Wandering the Streets of Bannack State Park

There were a ton of Bannack moments shared this past summer, so much so that it was hard to pick our favorite. But this shot of the old schoolhouse took the cake. The sun-weathered wood, contrasting with the dark green hills and the light sagebrush out front, makes Bannack feel less like a spooky ghost town and more like a place that’s been preserved, where stories are still close, inviting you in to take a closer look.

5. Dog Days on the Big Hole River

Okay, yes, the Big Hole River shows up twice on this list. We’re not sorry. It’s iconic, like we said. Plus, river days are even better with a dog by your side. Southwest Montana is unapologetically dog-friendly with pups on riverbanks, in camp chairs, on trails, and in town patios. Dogs are basically part of the landscape. This photo is the perfect reminder that some of the best summer days include a wagging tail, a couple of games of fetch, and lots of belly rubs.

6. Stalactites and Stalagmites at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park

Above ground, summer in Southwest Montana is full of sun. But at Lewis and Clark Caverns, the magic is below the surface. Cool air, echoing chambers, and towering formations make it feel like you’re stepping into another planet. It’s exactly why this tour is one of our favorites: it’s immersive, unexpected, and mind-blowingly cool. If you’ve never been here, take this as your sign to plan a visit.

7. A Sunset Soak at Norris Hot Springs

A stop at Norris Hot Springs is the perfect ending to a big day. Steam drifts across the pool as the sun fades into the horizon, and everyone settles into that slow and happy post-adventure glow, as fresh farm-to-table food is served up in the poolside café. It’s one of those places that feels instantly familiar; it’s relaxed, unpretentious, and exactly what summer evenings are made for. So it’s no surprise that Norris Hot Springs has been a longtime local favorite!

8. Hello from the Fastest Animal in North America

It wouldn’t be a Southwest Montana round-up if we didn’t mention the most important locals, the wildlife. This shot near Helena, Montana, is Southwest Montana at its finest. Wide-open green, big sky overhead, and one of the region’s most iconic animals, a pronghorn, just being there. It’s a reminder that around here, wildlife isn’t a special attraction; it’s part of the landscape. And if you head out to the right places, with lots of patience, you might just see one of these locals yourself.

9. Pint Stop at Burnt Tree Brewing in Ennis

Ennis, Montana, has a way of turning a “quick stop” into “we should stay a while.” Burnt Tree Brewing is exactly that, it’s an easy place to land after a day outside, with a cold pint and a room full of locals and travelers swapping stories. To find more local breweries and distilleries across Montana, check out Drink it in Montana.

10. The Lake That Didn’t Exist Before 1959

Earthquake Lake, also known as Quake Lake, was formed in 1959 after a 7.3-magnitude earthquake triggered an 80-million-ton landslide. The landslide raced down the mountain at roughly 100 mph, tragically killing 28 people who were camping nearby. In less than a minute, it changed the entire landscape of the canyon, damming the Madison River and creating Quake Lake. Today, you can visit the Earthquake Lake visitor center, which features interactive exhibits on the geologic event, memorials honoring those who lost their lives, and lots of interpretive signage. It’s an incredibly unique stop that’s often overlooked, so we get especially excited when visitors tell us Quake Lake made their summer itinerary.