7 Best Small Towns In Montana For Outdoor Enthusiasts
Montana is an outdoor lover's dream state. The Rocky Mountains, Beartooth Mountains, Crazy Mountains, Bitterroot Mountains, and dozens of other spectacular ranges roll through this part of the Northwestern United States. Montana also lays claim to two of the most-visited national parks in the country: Glacier and (part of) Yellowstone. Furthermore, the Treasure State protects millions of acres of designated Wilderness Areas – including several of the largest in the lower 48. And finally, Montana experiences the full glory of all four seasons – opening the door to the full spectrum of recreation. Discover seven of the best small towns from which to appreciate the great outdoors.
Whitefish
The resort town of Whitefish is nestled on the Southern shore of Whitefish Lake, in the shadow of Big Mountain, and is but a half-hour's drive from the entrance of Glacier National Park. Wet and wild summers are, therefore, in the cards (best enjoyed from City Beach or Whitefish Lake State Park), and scenic drives on the Going-to-the-Sun-Road are a must during the fair-weather season. But this Flathead County community's real forte is winter thrills. Thanks to Whitefish Mountain Resort's 300 inches of average annual snowfall, 111 official runs, and plentiful chairlifts, National Geographic voted this place to be one of the "Top 25 Ski Towns in the World." Golf (standard and disc) and ample hiking perfectly round out this fun-loving town's outdoor recreation scene.
West Yellowstone
If Whitefish is to serve as a jumping-off point for Glacier National Park, then West Yellowstone should be the clear choice for a basecamp on the Montana side of Yellowstone National Park. The first main selling feature of this Gallatin County town is that it is but a four-minute drive from the West entrance of the nation's oldest and one of its most-visited national parks. Many of the iconic geothermal features are only a smidge further South down Route 191. If the wildlife is what interests you, but you're uneasy about the free-range nature of Yellowstone, you can also drive a few minutes in the other direction to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, where the marvelous North American predators can be safely viewed, and better understood. Lastly, starting from the South end of West Yellowstone are the 22-mile Rendezvous Trail Systems (groomed ski trails in the winter and excellent hiking/biking in the off-season) and the 9-mile Yellowstone Shortline Trail, which delves into the beauty of the Custer Gallatin National Forest.
Bigfork
Another Flathead County town that specializes in outdoor fun is Bigfork. Situated on the Northern banks of Flathead Lake, where both the Swan and Flathead Rivers steadily feed the largest (and cleanest) natural freshwater body of water West of the Mississippi River, Big Fork has access to 185 miles of shoreline and 200 square miles of boating, swimming, and fishing-friendly surface. Wayfarers's State Park sits on the south side of town, providing an excellent venue from which to explore the lake and modest trails to explore. Just East of town, the Jewel Basin (itself within the 2.4-million-acre Flathead National Forest) provides another 50 miles of backcountry hiking/cross-country skiing trails. Big Fork also serves as a convenient jumping-off point for Glacier National Park, whose boundary starts just 40 miles to the North.
Big Sky
From the massive lake at Bigfork to the triumphant peaks of Big Sky, Montana does everything on a large scale. Like Whitefish, Big Sky is a celebrated ski resort and adventure mecca, but it may very well up the ante even further. The slopes of Lone Peak provide 5,850 skiable acres, complete with 320 runs that fan out in a 300-degree arc, and with the help of the sophisticated Lone Peak Tram, cover a maximum vertical spread of 4,350 feet! Once the snow melts, this same playground attracts adrenaline-addicted mountain bikers. But don't let the impressive specs mislead you; more than a third of Big Sky Resort is well-suited to beginners and intermediate skill levels. On that note, the nearby Gallatin River also affords a full spectrum of possibilities – from scenic floats and fly-fishing to white-knuckle whitewater rafting.
Hamilton
If a more subdued outdoor experience is what you seek, head to Hamilton. This idyllic town is one of eight that line the Bitterroot Valley. One of the best ways to experience the charm of collective community and the staggering scenery of the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains is to hike or bike the 51-mile Bitterroot Trail – a paved path along the old railroad line that begins in Hamilton and continues North to Missoula. The spacing between towns (approximately 15 miles, on average) allows for a peaceful journey that is occasionally accented with a welcomed coffee break or for concocting a multi-day trip. For the rugged backcountry experience, try exploring a sliver of the 1.6-million-acre Bitterroot National Forest, or retreat into the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness to disconnect from the modern life (FYI, there is no cell service here), and reconnect with the natural world.
Anaconda
Anaconda is only around 80 miles East of Hamilton (as the crow flies) but about a two-hour drive, given the layout of the mountain-navigating roads. This seat of Deer Lodge County sits at the foot of the Anaconda Range, in a mile-high valley, right near the Continental Divide. Anaconda is also surrounded by the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, which, at a gargantuan 3.39 million acres, is the largest of its kind in Montana. For digestible outdoor adventures, try hiking through Lost Creek State Park (make sure to visit the 50-foot titular waterfall) or go stroll the forested dirt roads through the defunct mining community at Granite Ghost Town State Park – both simple day trips to the Northwest. Though it was founded to smelt copper and lacks the tourism infrastructure of some of the aforementioned resorts, Anaconda is tough to beat in terms of its outdoor offerings.
Polson
Bigfork isn't the only community that gets to enjoy the glory of Flathead Lake. The Flathead Indian Reservation city of Polson cradles its Southern end while also leaving room for the raft-friendly Flathead River to wind its way to Kerr Dam (where there is a long wooden staircase leading to a beautiful overlook of the powerful, misty machine). The lake is equally worthy of a summer vacation at this end. Sacajawea Park and Salish Point Park, which blend into each other to encompass Polson's modest peninsula, offer a continuous green space from which to ogle at the expanse of blue that stretches towards the mountains, and also shoreline ladders to help swimmers dip in and out. Just around East Bay, Flathead Lake State Park is also a great place to play, swim, and camp. But the main draw has to be the fertile cherry farms around Polson. Time your visit for late summer, and you will be rewarded with the literal fruits of a fresh harvest – sold at roadside stands and incorporated into dishes at eateries all throughout town. There is even a two-day, open-air Flathead Lake Cherry Festival each year at the end of July.
Whatever your recreation fancy and whatever your preferred natural setting, Montana is happy to oblige. The Treasure State supports climbing and skiing on the slopes of its enormous mountains, fosters fishing, paddling, and rafting in the waterways of its glacial valleys, and hiking, mountain biking, and birdwatching in the endless forests in between. But even though the wilderness is the star attraction, we outdoor lovers still need a place nearby to rest our heads and fill our bellies. Thankfully, these seven small towns are right in the thick of the action and only serve to enhance the adventure.
