7 Underappreciated Towns To Visit In Montana
When you open the map of the US, the first state you should see to find treasure is none other than the Treasure State of Montana. Although bountiful with natural mineral resources and national parks, the greatest rewards you can get are the most underappreciated towns to visit in Montana. Whether you are photographing panoramic destinations such as Whitefish and Choteau or delving into the underground past of Hamilton and Anaconda, these small towns are certainly worth the exploration. So pack your bags and hit the road to venture into a state named after the Spanish word for “mountain,” and get ready to find your own gems and jewels in the most underappreciated towns in Montana.
Whitefish
Cast your fortune and favors at the resplendent town of Whitefish. Only 68 miles from the city of Polson, Whitefish gives visitors a safe and scenic avenue towards the beautiful Rocky Mountains in northwest Montana. Among the many attractions close to the town are the glacier-sculpted valleys and lakes of the Glacier National Park. At the foot of the Big Mountain lies the invigorating Whitefish Mountain Resort, where you can go skiing or downhill mountain biking on the slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Go for some actual fishing at Whitefish Lake, City Beach, and Whitefish Lake State Park. Most of all, you can book a room in one of many fine lodgings in Whitefish, such as the Hidden Moose Lodge, the Duck Inn Lodge, or Grouse Mountain Lodge.
Choteau
Situated at the foot of the Rocky Mountain Front and in the expansive heartland of Montana, Choteau welcomes travelers to an assortment of odd and old knickknacks. Named after Pierre Chouteau Junior—a French fur trader, merchant, and explorer—Choteau is a good place to do some bird-watching at the Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area. The Soroptimist Walking Path is a great route for sightseeing the exhilarating wilderness of Montana, while the Old Trail Museum contains several historical exhibits of Montana’s Wild West past, such as an authentic sheep wagon, the Metis Cabin, a Blackfeet tepee, and a workstation by Pulitzer Prize-winning author A.B. Guthrie Jr. Furthermore, you can find a skeletal model of Seismosaurus halli, the “earth-shaker” dinosaur, at the Montana Dinosaur Center. Lest you forget, you should first find accommodations at either the Stage Stop Inn or Gunther Motel if you intend to stay a while in Choteau.
Polson
On the southern shores of Flathead Lake, the biggest natural freshwater lake in the US, lies the town of Polson. With its location in the Flathead Native American Reservation, you can appreciate the indigenous past at the Miracle of America Museum. You can also participate in the annual Cherry Festival in the last week of July to pick some excellent local cherries. At Mission Valley and the Mission Mountains, you can experience all sorts of recreational adventures, or perhaps you might be interested in touring the Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ Dam—originally called Kerr Dam—on the Flathead River. Nearby, the National Bison Range at Moiese is bountiful with bison, elk, deer, antelope, and barn sheep. Birds of various species fly aplenty in the Ninepipes and Pablo Wildlife Refuges. Take care when wandering about lest you encounter the mythical and local “Flathead Monster,” or you can spend your nights safely in the Kwataqnuk Resort & Casino or the Mission Mountain Resort.
Hamilton
Experience Montana's fabled farms and agricultural attitudes at the town of Hamilton. During the days of Montana’s copper mining past, Hamilton was a prosperous company town centered on the activities of Marcus Daly’s Anaconda Copper Mining company. Indeed, one of the many local amenities in Hamilton is the Daly Mansion, an enchanting edifice from the 1800s and the former domicile of the Copper King Marcus Daly. You can get a better grasp of Hamilton’s contributions to Montana’s industries at the Ravalli County Museum, listed in the National Register of Historic Buildings and considered one of the finest museums in the area. Climb the challenging Bitterroot or delve into Canyon Peak to see the majestic forests, lakes, and other biomes near Hamilton. But you should first find a place to stay at the Bitterroot River Inn and Conference Center.
Stevensville
Stevensville is another excellent starting point towards the Bitterroot Mountains. Besides the adrenalin-pumping routes and trails snaking all over the town and into the wider landscape, Stevensville is a town with several historic landmarks. The St. Mary’s Mission, for example, is a testament to the communal ties between the Salish Native Americans and Jesuit missionaries of both the past and the present. The Fort Owen State Park is yet another good place to appreciate Stevensville’s importance in trade and travel. For those of you who wish to explore more of Montana’s wilderness, the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge has many wetland wildlife for you to spot. Every year in August, the town hosts the annual Creamery Picnic for leisurely and social enjoyment, while October will have you spooked during the Scarecrow Festival. Only around 21 miles north of Hamilton, occupy your sweet nights and dreams at the Bitterroot River Bed & Breakfast or the Stevensville Hotel.
Anaconda
The town of Anaconda references many types of anacondas, except for the largest snake in the world. For instance, the town is situated at the foot of the Anaconda Ranges. It was also founded by the Copper King Marcus Daly as a headquarters for the Anaconda Copper Mining Company. At Warm Springs Creek, you can admire the remnants of the quarries and gears used to extract copper in the area, or you can head to the Copper Village Museum and Art Center to see more of Marcus Daly’s industry. There are a number of parks and natural playgrounds for you to enjoy your stay in Anaconda, such as the Smoke Stack State Park, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, and Georgetown Lake. And if you are in want for lodgings, seek your comforts at the Copperhead Lodge, the Forge Hotel, or Hickory House Inn.
West Yellowstone
Although most people would prefer to explore the popular Yellowstone National Park, one of the hottest sanctuaries in America, West Yellowstone is an underappreciated destination neighboring the US landmark. The Old Faithful geyser is one of many geysers you can take photographs of, while the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is one of several attractions in West Yellowstone that are sure to delight you. If you want to see the ferocious wildlife, such as wolves and bears, then you should first get some tips and tour guides at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. The Museum of the Yellowstone gives travelers a history lesson on West Yellowstone’s preservation and maintenance. Go sledding at the West Yellowstone Pioneer City Park or kayaking across Hebgen Lake. And if you ever get worn and exhausted from all the fun activities, then recharge and refresh at the White Buffalo Hotel, the Brandin’ Iron Inn, or Brook Trout Inn.
Montana has been a treasure in itself for the Blackfoot, Cheyenne, Kutenai, Assiniboin, and Atsina peoples who call the Treasure State their home. Although Montana is in the middle of America, it is deeply connected to three huge bodies of water, starting from Triple Divide Peak, a mountain that is part of the Continental Divide (indeed, a wellspring in that particular summit flows down to three points, which are the Arctic Ocean via Hudson Bay, the Gulf of Mexico into the Atlantic Ocean, and finally, the Pacific Ocean.) But amidst these arboreal sceneries and humungous mountains are some of the most underappreciated towns to visit in Montana. Each has its own jewels and gems to give, and each is sure to enliven your experiences in the Treasure State. So, prepare your gear as you venture into the heights and depths of Montana.
