Southwest Montana Blog
Summer

drink • it • in figure of speech, to pause and experience something with great enjoyment Drink It In Montana aims to tell the story of the Montana craft beverage industry while introducing Montana locals and visitors to our communities. Montana grows some of the best grain in the country, with international...

If you follow the braided channels of the Madison River north of Ennis, you’ll come to Ennis Lake, a favorite summertime haunt for swimmers and boaters. Continue northward, and the leisurely floating gives way to adrenaline pumping adventure as you plunge into the whitewater rapids of Bear Trap Canyon....

In the spring of 1863, a party of six prospectors took off from Bannack and headed to the Yellowstone Valley on a mission to find gold. Their trip was long and arduous and resulted in them being captured by the Crow Indians. As legend goes, and as you may hear on the Alder Gulch Shortline …

Visitors who come to the Gates of the Mountains area to boat on Missouri River, hike through the mountains, and marvel at the steep limestone cliffs are part of a tradition that probably stretches back more than 1,300 years. Much has been written about Gates of the Mountains over the years, but it’s...

Like so many Southwest Montana gems, Tizer Gardens and Arboretum is tucked away in the mountains, at the end of a gravel road. Tizer is located in Jefferson City, just off of I-15, about halfway between Helena and Boulder. The gardens and arboretum are a unique combination of botany and whimsy. With over 500...

The Last Chance Stampede and Fair is celebrating its 60th Annual Event this year! It’s annual events like these that bring us, and so many others, coming back for more. The Last Chance Stampede and Fair takes place each year during the last week of July. The event kicks off with a country music concert …...

The Helena Walking Mall is a staple in the Helena community. Whether you are looking for live music, a simple stroll, window shopping or a bite to eat, you’ll find a little bit of everything. If you are looking for things to do on your trip through Helena, the Walking Mall won’t disappoint. The Creek …

Like much of the country, Southwest Montana has been experiencing a bit of a heat wave over the last couple of weeks. Luckily for us, there is no shortage of ways to get out of the heat in the region. Whether you are looking for indoor activities (museums, carousels, art galleries, breweries, etc.) or maybe &...

Visit the World Museum of Mining in the Orphan Girl Mine yard. Much as its name suggests, Butte’s Orphan Girl Mine stands apart, on the western outskirts of the city. Despite this, the mine has always been a big feature in Butte life. Placer mining–searching the stream bed for minerals–had...

Butte has a colorful history that resulted in incredible industry, vast diversity, innumerable stories, and unforgettable landmarks. BUTTE’S HISTORY During the gold rush of the 19th century, thousands flocked to Butte, but what really set this community apart (and kept them from the ghost town fate of...

If Montana is all about outdoor recreation and western history, then the Ennis Area is the state’s poster child. The are includes the the Madison, Beaverhead, Ruby, Big Hole, and Jefferson Rivers, some of the premier fly fishing streams in the whole state. Right next door are Virginia City and Nevada...

People are drawn to Butte for all sorts of reasons – mining history, the culture, the events – but one of our favorite reasons to visit the area is to explore Thompson Park. The park not only offers stunning views, a relatively easy trail and the perfect place to gather, but the trail itself is …