6 Romantic Small Towns In Montana For A 3-Day Weekend
While it’s often called “The Treasure State” for its immense wealth of natural resources, Montana also has plenty of unique treasures to offer adventurous couples seeking a “Wild West” kind of romance. Thanks to its location along the Rocky Mountains, Montana abounds in quaint mountain towns, along with two of the United States’ most beloved national parks and one of the nation’s most desirable ski towns. And if that’s not enthralling enough, there’s even more to discover off the most beaten paths.
Whether one’s hoping to plan an exciting couple’s trip with a lot of exceptional excursions, or one wants to treat their significant other to a relaxing getaway to the wide open spaces of “Big Sky County,” Montana can make it happen. For a better sense of which kinds of couples’ trips are possible, here’s a closer look at six romantic small towns in Montana to spend a three-day weekend.
St. Mary
Sitting on the western edge of Blackfeet Nation tribal lands in Northern Montana is St. Mary, a tiny town that opens up to big adventures. After all, St. Mary marks the eastern terminus of the Going-to-the-Sun Road, the one road that runs the entire length of Glacier National Park and crosses the Continental Divide. Though much of the road is closed during winter, the eastern end at St. Mary usually can be accessed for cross-country skiing. Even better, trails at Red Eagle Lake and McDonald Falls in Glacier National Park also tend to remain open for Nordic skiing and snowshoeing during the winter months.
For an enchanting and enlightening diversion, couples can do a little road up along the historic Blackfoot Highway and take in the majestic mountain views en route to the Museum of the Plains Indian, where they can find plenty of incredible art made by Blackfeet indigenous artists and historic artifacts that share some of the many stories of several more Native American tribes who call Montana home. From there, it’s just as scenic a drive back to St. Mary and The Cottages At Glacier, spacious and well-equipped cottages situated on a hillside overlooking town.
Hamilton
Situated in the Bitterroot Valley of Western Montana, about 47 miles south of Missoula, is the quaint town of Hamilton. At the northern edge of town lies the Daly Mansion, a historic treasure that “copper king” Marcus Daly bought in 1886 and transformed into a Queen Anne Victorian masterpiece in 1897. But for couples who want a more active date day, they can do a fishing tour with Bitterroot Anglers and spend some quality time together while seeking out large trout on the Bitterroot River. In addition, Hamilton is a hiker’s paradise, with a top highlight being the Blodgett Trail that leads into Blodgett Canyon with its towering granite cliffs and a stunning waterfall. And a short drive south leads to Montana’s own Lake Como, a glorious mountain lake that’s picture-perfect for hiking, biking, and fishing, as well as swimming and boating during the summer season.
Whatever folks decide to do during their time in Hamilton, a stay at Downing Mountain Lodge will make their trip so much better. This year-round lodge makes a perfect base camp for backcountry skiing adventures in the area, and it’s just a great house at a great location with phenomenal mountain views.
Anaconda
Anaconda might have a scary-sounding name, but this Southwest Montana town (around 25 miles west of Butte) actually provides a very warm welcome to visitors alongside plenty of exceptional natural beauty. During the winter season, Discovery Ski Area shines bright with a surprising variety of trails for skiers at all levels and up to 2,380 feet of vertical. Also in the area is Mount Haggin, a great spot for Nordic skiing and spotting local wildlife like elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and songbirds.
Back in town, there’s more to see and do, including finding a wide variety of local and global art on display at Copper Village Museum and Arts Center, and catching a great performance at the historic Art Deco-style Washoe Theater. And for the ultimate in rest and relaxation, there’s the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, a lovely hotel with spacious and stylish guest rooms along with a full-service spa and an expansive complex of natural hot spring-fed pools.
Choteau
Often affectionately called the “Front Porch of the Rockies,” the Central Montana town of Choteau (around 53 miles northwest of Great Falls) really does open up to a wide world of possibilities. For one, it’s right by the Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area, a prime location for birdwatching with local populations of ducks, geese, swans, and gray partridges. Also nearby is Ear Mountain Wildlife Management Area, a beautiful preserve along the Rocky Mountain Front where visitors can spot black bears, bighorn sheep, and white-tailed deer in the wild. And a little farther west, the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex protects over 1,000,000 acres of pristine Rocky Mountain wilderness, including 14 lakes, 89 miles of natural streams, mountains soaring as high as 9,400 feet above sea level, and critical habitat for animals like elk, moose, mountain goats, and grizzly bears.
For those seeking a more refined experience while riding down a mountain, the nearby Teton Pass Resort offers 43 trails spanning 330 acres, along with fantastic opportunities for scenic backcountry skiing and snowboarding. And for the complete Choteau experience, couples can book a stay at Deep Canyon Guest Ranch, a true Montana-style ranch offering private cabins and chateaus, local activities like horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and hunting, full home-cooked meals every day, and special social hours and live music events on site.
Helena
Not only is Helena Montana’s state capital, but it’s also the capital of uniquely Western-style romantic experiences and vibes. For those who really want to “get out there,” Wolf Creek Angler offers guided fly-fishing expeditions to the beautiful backcountry along the Missouri River. Or, for a classic Montana ski day, Great Divide Ski Area has 127 trails across 1,600 acres and a perfectly friendly atmosphere for skiing and snowboarding. Once it’s time to relax and recover, Broadwater Hot Springs & Fitness has a full campus of hot spring-fed pools, as well as a sauna, a steam room, and additional wellness programs.
In town, Spring Meadow Lake makes a great spot for a quiet and relaxing date with its lovely lake that’s open in winter for ice skating, ice fishing, hiking, and birdwatching. Once folks are ready to call it a day, it’s worth spending the night at the elegant Carolina Bed and Breakfast and enjoying a full breakfast the next morning.
Big Sky
It’s about a 49-mile drive from Bozeman to Big Sky, and the journey is totally worth it for one of the American West’s finest mountain resort towns. During the winter season, Big Sky Resort is the place to ski and snowboard with a top elevation of 11,166 feet above sea level, up to a staggering 4,350 feet in vertical, and a total of 317 trails across 5,850 acres. But even if folks don’t want to spend all weekend skiing, there’s plenty more to do in the mountains, including guided snowmobile tours with Backcountry Adventures and sleigh ride dinner specials at Lone Mountain Ranch.
Of course, no trip to Big Sky and Southern Montana feels complete without a day trip to explore the iconic landscapes of Yellowstone National Park, the 2.2 million-acre preserve that straddles the Idaho and Wyoming state lines, and one that remains open in winter for backcountry skiing and snowshoeing, guided snowmobile tours, and viewing legendary geysers like Old Faithful. To complete the ideal Big Sky getaway, it’s worth the splurge to stay and play at Montage Big Sky, the region’s premier five-star luxury resort with ski-in/ski-out access, multiple delectable restaurants on site, the full-service Spa Montage with an expansive menu of soothing treatments, and a grand collection of opulent rooms and suites.
It’s Easy to Fall in Love with Big Sky Country
It’s only fitting that “The Treasure State” overflows in special treasures that make for exceptional and memorable romantic getaways. St. Mary opens up to the “Crown of the Continent” at Glacier National Park, and Anaconda surprises with its lovely small-town charm and dazzling natural beauty. Choteau invites daring couples to escape the everyday hubbub at their “Front Porch to the Rockies,” while Big Sky rolls out the red carpet for couples wanting the most elevated luxury ski trip. However, folks prefer to do an extended weekend trip together, and Montana has all sorts of inviting options to rekindle those flames of romance.
