7 Most Charming River Towns in Montana to Visit in 2024
Montana is an incredible state filled with so many natural wonders that are too much to count. From mountains to forests, lakes, and rivers, this state is incredibly blessed. For hundreds of years, these endowments have appealed to people from all over the world. Many of these people chose to settle around Montana's gorgeous rivers some of which include, Yellowstone River, Flathead River, and Clark Fork River, among others.
Over time, these river settlements grew and today are among the most beautiful towns in the country. While the rivers remain their most famous attractions, some of these towns are close to national parks like Glacier and Yellowstone, where there are more things to see and do. From Bigfork to Livingston, uncover the most charming river towns in Montana to visit in 2024.
Fort Benton
Fort Benton is a pretty and incredibly historic town by the west bank of the Missouri River. This town blurs the line between natural beauty and historic charm, and the waterfront district is a typical example of this harmony. The district has been designated as a National Historic Landmark, and it houses one of the first bridges over the Missouri River. Visitors can sit on the banks of the river and admire the bridge while spotting bald eagles in the sky. Fort Benton is also home to several museums, such as Old Fort Benton, Museum of the Great Northern Plains, and Museum of the Upper Missouri River, where visitors can learn how this town became known as the Birthplace of Montana.
Besides the historic allure, Fort Benson also appeals to nature lovers as it is the gateway to the Upper River Breaks National Monument. This area features interesting history, fauna, flora, and geography, and visitors are welcome to explore all that by riding a canoe via the 149-mile Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River.
Columbia Falls
The small town of Columbia Falls lies on the banks of the Flathead River, where it attracts visitors to its picturesque riverside charm. While here, visitors can immerse in the aura of the river by swimming, fishing, or just walking around its trails. Next, visit the River Edge Park on the banks of the Flathead River, which features a vast riverfront to explore alongside walking trails, a fishing pond, and 27 acres of lush green Meadows.
Pinewood Park is another park in this town, with an army of trees, picnic tables, a playground for kids, and a public pool to enjoy. As if those are not enough, Glacier National Park is just a 20-minute drive away from this town, with hundreds of hiking and biking trails, several lakes, interesting wildlife, and mountain views to explore and admire.
Thompson Falls
Thompson Falls is a scenic town in Clark Fork Valley, with the Clark Fork River flowing on its south end and the Cabinet Mountain renting the skies. This town welcomes visitors to come and enjoy nature at the Thompson Falls State Park by the banks of Clark Fork River, where a boating dock awaits those looking to explore the river. Visitors to the park can also swim and fish on the river or hold picnics, enjoy nature walks, spot wildlife, and watch birds by its banks.
Afterward, head over to the town’s downtown area to see the four magnificent hydropower dams on the Clark Fork River. For more incredible views, visitors can drive along the town’s historic high bridge, dating to 1911 and featuring incredible river views. If there’s still time, visit the Old Jail Museum to see early 20th-century artifacts and learn about the living conditions of inmates imprisoned here.
Livingston
Livingston is a town by the Yellowstone River that serves as the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, one of the state's prized natural jewels. Visitors to this town must visit the park to see its beautiful mountain ranges. The park is home to several miles of hiking trails, smaller geysers, volcanoes, lakes, and rivers which offer endless adventures.
For even more adventures, hike the nearby Livingston Peak Trail for stunning mountain views or the Myer's River View Trail along the Yellowstone River. Visitors can also fish on the river or chill at Sacajawea Park, which sits on its shores and features green spaces, picnic spots, and a scenic lagoon for more fishing. History buffs can also join in on the fun by visiting Yellowstone Gateway Museum to learn about the town's history and culture in several exhibitions.
Glendive
Glendive is a naturally endowed town in Montana, between the Yellowstone River and the badlands. To begin, the section of the river in this town presents a handful of recreational experiences, such as boating, fishing, and paddling. However, the town is far more intriguing beyond its river charm. Glendive is home to many fossils, including those of dinosaurs, making it a great place to learn more about prehistoric creatures.
The Makoshika State Park is one place in this town to hunt these dinosaur fossils, and visitors here will also be stunned by the dramatic geological formations within its domain. For a more immersive experience, join the Baisch Dinosaur Digs to hunt for the bones of this mystery creature and take them as souvenirs. For more adventures, visit the Frontier Gateway Museum to see more dinosaur exhibits and artifacts reflecting the times of Native Americans and Montana's early settlers.
Miles City
Miles City is a charming town at the mouth of Tongue River, which flows to Yellowstone River. These incredible water bodies make this town a super exciting destination year-round, as it offers opportunities for fishing, tubing, and other water sports. Miles City also features other attractions like the Spotted Eagle Recreation Area, where a 23-acre lake invites visitors to enjoy exciting activities like - boating, swimming, hiking, fishing, and picnicking.
For hikers, Miles City is home to Strawberry Hills Recreation Area which is a great place to hike and see stunning rock formations. More adventures await just outside the town at the Pirogue Island State Park, which features 2.8 miles of hiking trails and wildlife, such as fox squirrels, bald eagles, and white-tailed deer.
Bigfork
Bigfork is a small magical town within the Rocky Mountains of Montana, where the Swan and Flathead Rivers flow into Flathead Lake. With the mountains towering to the skies and the rivers and lake at their bases, this town captures every heart with its scenic natural allure. But that aside, Bigfork features exciting attractions like the 67-acre Wayfarers Unit of Flathead Lake State Park, which offers a dreamy panorama of the lake, along with picnic areas, a swimming beach, miles of hiking trails, and unforgettable sunset views from cliffs.
For hikers, the town is full of scenic trails such as the Swan River Nature Trail (two miles), the Harrell Forest Community Trails (over five miles), and the Jewel Basin, which features nearly 50 miles of hike-only trails. Additionally, Bigfork is also a short drive from Glacier National Park, where wildlife, mountains, hiking and biking trails, and hundreds of lakes await exploration.
The charming river towns of Montana offer a respite from the cares of life and an immersion into nature's beauty. These towns have a lot to offer, ranging from natural river charms to wildlife, mountains, and history in museums. In addition, some of them share boundaries with two of the most visited parks in the US - Glacial and Yellowstone National Parks, where marveling sights and endless adventures await. For the best experiences on the laps of nature and quaint river town beauty, visit these picturesque small towns that leave lasting memories in the hearts of visitors.
