6 Of The Most Charming Small Towns To Visit In Montana
Montana, the “Big Sky Country,” is the fourth-largest state in the US, home to the Rockies, Glacier, and Yellowstone. Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater body west of the Mississippi, with towns like Bigfork and Polson along its sealike shores. Visitors can take a romantic daytime stroll and boat out into the sea-like lake.
Known for mountains, open plains, prairies, canyons, and forests, there are many types of gems in Montana, like a flavorful taste of mountain life in Choteau. Polson may well be the cherry capital, while Butte's legacy as the "Richest Hill on Earth," is all through its largest National Historic Landmark District in the nation with 6,000 properties!
Bigfork
Named after a fork in the river, not a utensil, this charming village, close to the border with Canada, is scenically tangled at the crossroads of the Swan River and Flathead Lake. The local love for the outdoors is evident along the picturesque 30-mile-long lake, where memories are made while fishing, kayaking, and swimming in the summer, with boat rentals from the marinas around Bigfork Harbor. Visitors can take a romantic daytime stroll, boat out into the sea-like lake, or explore the miles of weaving trails through the Jewel Basin Hiking Area with views of the Flathead Valley.
After the fill of fresh air, there's plenty to do in the evening, like watching the sunset in the harbor or a high-quality production at the popular repertory theater, Bigfork Summer Playhouse from the 1960s, which attracts nationwide talent. Blending the frontier spirit with a modern feel, the wooden sidewalks converge into the landscaped boulevards of Downtown Bigfork, the "Electric Avenue," with eclectic shops, galleries, and eateries. The artsy town, surely soaking up inspiration from the surrounding nature, takes pride in its local and regional talent at its Bigfork Art & Cultural Center.
Bozeman
Bozeman, “the most livable place” in the state, is well-known to tourists as a charming town at the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, one of the US's greatest natural attractions. From farmer markets to downtown Main Street, a foodie’s paradise with weekly concerts, this mountain town is charming and idyllic but not sleepy. Hundreds of miles of trails and even more untouched backcountry extend into the national park, with its impressive wildlife. Bozeman blends its Western spirit with thriving arts and modern culture through main street festivals, centers and museums, symphonies, theaters, and art galleries.
Offering a welcoming base against dramatic mountain scenery for every taste, start your mountain adventures early over fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, or, in the winter, skiing with two world-class ski resorts within an hour. In fact, nestled along the Gallatin River with some of the country’s best fly fishing, you may recognize this riverside town from the hit movie A River Runs Through It. Aside from the unforgettable experiences in Yellowstone, don't miss the kid-friendly Museum of the Rockies, with a large collection of dinosaur fossils like Tyrannosaurus Rex, aka "Big Mike," guarding the entrance, together with a planetarium.
Butte
Butte, the largest city west of the Mississippi at the end of the 19th century, was the throbbing heart of the American West. Today, the charming mining town at the very heart of Southwest Montana is one of only 12 towns in the US recognized by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Butte welcomes outdoor fans and historians, treating them to its legacy of the "Richest Hill on Earth." Visitors can explore Butte's complex history through the nation's largest National Historic Landmark Districts, including Victorian and Queen Anne-style houses. Still impressive for the larger small town, home to around 35,000, the incredible 6,000 properties around the city feed the hungry for history alongside family-friendly attractions like a ride on the Old Trolley No. 1 around the historic sites.
Home to many museums, like the Mineral Museum and the 22-acre World Museum of Mining with outdoor and indoor displays, don't miss the gorgeous ornate Copper King Mansion and the Mai Wah at the heart of Butte's old Chinatown. The 19th-century Dumas Victorian Brothel Museum is open for tours in the once-notorious Venus Alley. There's also Sheepshead Recreation Area, Maney Lake, and Elkhorn State Park for hiking, boating, river floats, and fishing, and, for a different perspective, the Granite Mountain Mine Memorial offers unsurpassed views of the town against the nearby mountains. Berkley Pit is a massive open-pit mine, while the towering Our Lady of the Rockies, a 90-foot statue of the Virgin Mary, overlooks Butte from the nearby Continental Divide.
Choteau
Under ten miles north from Egg Mountain, Choteau, the Front Porch of the Rockies is an idyllic base for mountain adventures. Tourists can explore the Dinosaur Trail, the first site in North America to yield dinosaur egg fragments, the world's most significant Cretaceous period paleontological dig that revolutionized the understanding of dinosaur social interactions, including nesting and babies. The town in the vast plain, just 20 miles east of the Rocky Mountains and Glacier National Park, needs no further fanfare for those looking to explore the hiking trails weaving along the lakes and mountains of the incredible national park.
Stunning views are accessible over adventures and recreational opportunities like the scenic drive on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the only one that winds through the park for some 50 miles, overlooking the dramatic scenery of the mountains and valley views. Home to around 1,900 people, Choteau appeals off the beaten path in Montana’s heartland at the foot of the Rocky Mountain Front. Visitors can get a flavorful taste of the mountain life pace, authenticity, and friendly hospitality. In fact, the mountaineering spirit prevails through shops and dining, like the Log Cabin Cafe with outdoor seating after a few roundabouts for gifts and gear.
Polson
Polson is the trading center for one of Montana's most fertile farming areas, offering sweeping views of the Mission Valley and the rugged, snow-capped Mission Mountains to the south. Charming as one of the state's most unique lakeside towns inside the Flathead Indian Reservation, it is hidden within a natural amphitheater at the south end of Flathead Lake. The largest natural freshwater lake in the western United States fosters a rich agricultural environment, surrounding the small town with charming cherry orchards. Comprising over 197 square miles, it is easy to spend the whole getaway on water, boating, paddling, and fishing along the glassy lake with its pine shores. The Flathead River runs through Polson for whitewater rafting and the scenic Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ Dam.
Nearby, visitors can explore the wildlife habitat through the National Bison Range at Moiese, home to large bison herds, elk, deer, antelope, and barn sheep, while Ninepipes and Pablo Wildlife Refuge is a "refuge" for bird watchers. Celebrating its prime cherry-growing bounty, Polson hosts the annual Cherry Festival downtown, the site of regular festivities, and Polson's Farmers' Market. Don't miss the Miracle of America and Polson-Flathead Historical Museum for various displays and memorabilia, while the lakeside parks offer a unique opportunity to see the area’s own “Flathead Monster.” From Polson Golf Course to a number of Montana's state parks, including camping along the east and west shores of Flathead Lake, Polson is also the gateway to the Crown of the Continent at Glacier National Park, just 70 miles north.
Whitefish
Often cited as one of the most ambient towns in the state, Whitefish doesn't disappoint at the edge of the renowned Glacier National Park. Despite being a doorway, the picturesque town stays quaint, captivating visitors to linger a few days longer every season, like summertime hiking, mountain biking, and fishing in the pristine lakes and rivers. The vibrant downtown cute streets with an eclectic mix of boutique shops and restaurants offer a taste of local flavors as well as a particularly notable art scene. Whitefish Mountain Resort boasts impressive slopes and panoramic views of the surrounding mountains for skiers and snowboarders.
From live music and performances at the Whitefish Theatre Company to regular events like the popular gallery nights, the town feels like a constant celebration of its heritage and proximity to Glacier National Park. The annual Huckleberry Days Arts Festival features works by regional artists in a huckleberry-scented air from all the treats. With over 700 miles of trails to explore the plentiful natural landscapes and wildlife, it is no wonder Whitefish excels at accommodating adventurers. Blending seamlessly into the surrounding beauty, Whitefish RV Park, between the town center and Glacier National Park, offers WiFi and essential amenities.
Choteau, one of the most unique towns, is home to the scenic drive on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the Dinosaur Trail, and the first site of the first North American paleontological dig that revolutionized understanding of dinosaurs from inception through infancy. Nestled along the Gallatin River with some of the country’s best fly fishing, you may recognize Bozeman from A River Runs Through It, while Whitefish, home to a ski resort, nestles right up against the renowned Glacier National Park. These towns and the rest described above make Montana a truly inviting place to spend your next vacation. So, hurry up and pack your bags and build memories of a lifetime by visiting these charming Montana towns.
