8 Best Montana Towns For Retirees
Earning a nickname like the "Last Best Place" isn't easy, but Montana has lived up to it. Its vast, untouched wilderness encompasses a significant portion of the state, featuring the world-famous Rocky Mountains, rolling plains, forests, and numerous lakes. Retirees won't want for things to do and natural wonders to explore in this great state, whether as residents or visitors. Beyond its stunning geography, Montana is among the best states for healthcare—a key consideration for all retirees—ranking seventh overall by MedicareGuide.com in 2024, per the Globe and Mail.
So, without further ado, let's explore what these eight towns have to offer retirees.
Whitefish
Whitefish is widely praised for its scenic resorts, shining as a lively hub for tourists seeking to experience Montana's beauty. To understand why so many tourists flock here, visit the esteemed Glacier National Park, located just over 30 minutes away from town. According to the National Park Service, Glacier National Park covers one million acres and is home to 175 mountains, 131 lakes, plus hundreds of designated campgrounds and picnic areas. Interestingly, the thousands of animal and plant species that existed hundreds of years ago, when European settlers first arrived, still thrive today throughout the park's ancient land.
For something closer, Les Mason State Park is a stunning lakeside getaway known for its pristine clean water, which offers swimmers, kayakers, and photographers a peaceful retreat to escape your worries away. And bring your canine friend along with you—there are designated dog areas, with many owners bringing them for a splash in the water.
If you're considering Whitefish as a potential retirement destination, take the opportunity to immerse yourself in the community with an educational visit to Stumptown Historical Society Museum. It's housed in a refurbished train depot with a wide range of exhibits that uncover the town's logging and railroad history, which heralded the region's economic development and population. The best part? Attending won't cost you a penny—it's free.
Conrad
Conrad blossomed into the lively community it is today from the vast, rolling plains of Montana. Its story dates back to the late 1800s, when brothers William and Charles Conrad established a cattle operation in the area. Their efforts paved the way for other settlers and businesses to live in the region, and the rest is history.
Proud of its past, the town offers residents and tourists two quirky museums to explore: the Conrad Mansion Museum and the Conrad Transportation and Historical Museum, which features rotating exhibitions that showcases Montana's rich transportation history, with curated tours led by passionate experts.
As another option, take a step back in time and explore the Orpheum Theatre. It grants an instant sense of nostalgia thanks to its classic ambiance, while featuring modern movies at fair prices. Outside of film, they also offer live performances from time to time, ensuring residents always have something new and exciting to look forward to.
Alternatively, make some new friends at the Pondera Golf Club. The nine-hole course is renowned for its welcoming and friendly staff, members, and seasonal charm, allowing you to take a swing while basking in the brittle air of Montana's scenic rural landscape, with endless farmland as far as the eye can see.
Glasgow
The area of Glasgow has sustained communities for centuries. From the 1500s through the 1800s, the Lakota, Nakoda, and Dakota called this region home. Years later, James Hill established modern day Glasgow as a key post along the railroad. The area was further developed after President Franklin D. Roosevelt permitted the construction of the Fort Peck Dam Project.
The 92-year-old dam still stands today, but Glasgow has much more to offer. For instance, the Valley County Pioneer Museum is full of surprising and detailed exhibits, ranging from Indigenous artifacts and military hardware to pioneer items and farm tools. What's more, they even have exclusive and rare documents pertaining to the town's establishment.
Given that Montana is on the colder side of the climate, the Valley Event Center offers an excellent venue to embrace the local community, with the public ice rink offering a friendly and fun way to embrace the cold on the ice from October through March.
Like Conrad, Glasgow also boasts a golf course—but better! The Sunnyside Golf & Country Club is highly regarded for its relaxing atmosphere and scenic surroundings. The 9-hole course sits near endless greenery, rolling hills, and slopes surrounded by the refreshing and rejuvenating skies of Montana. The semi-private golf course also features a lounge area used for community events and gatherings.
Hamilton
Hamilton is a small community with a population of just 5,000 residents. Yet, it ranks as one of the top towns in Montana given its proximity to the Bitterroot Valley and lively cultural festivities.
Despite its name, Bitterroot Valley will leave you feeling anything but bitter. The region boasts world-class national forests and nature preserves such the Bitterroot National Forest. This park is ideal for camping—the idyllic sights of Sugarloaf Peak, North Trapper Peak, and Trapper Peak are nothing short of legendary as you sleep to the sound of rushing creeks and towering branches of pine trees. Furthermore, it's also near Triple Creek Ranch, a five-star hotel with all-inclusive amenities and service. The resort offers patrons gourmet cuisine, exceptional service, and stunning cabins to stay in for the night.
As for festivities and events, Hamilton hosts the annual Hamilton Daly Days to celebrate the legacy of the city's founder with live music, food, and walking tours. A month later, in August, nearby Stevensville comes alive with the Stevensville Creamery Picnic, where you can indulge in the Montana State BBQ Championship (yes, that's a real thing), offering attendees food, music, and, as the name aptly suggests, an epic picnic to wrap up the week. Come fall, on the first day of October, McIntosh Apple Day gives you a once-a-year chance to satisfy your sweet tooth with gourmet caramel apples, apple butter, apple pies, in addition to arts and crafts. Visitors and residents can relish retirement with these seasonal festivities.
Glendive
Love historic charms? You'll love Glendive. The town's six-block Merrill Avenue Historic District is good enough to be listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, featuring 27 buildings, with many of them drawing inspiration from Classical Revival and Italianate architecture.
The Frontier Gateway Museum is another way to learn about the region's storied past, with indoor and outdoor displays of artifacts and fossils, including dinosaur bones and mammoth tusks. Despite being a top-notch establishment, attending is free.
A short five-minute drive away from Glendive takes you to Makoshika State Park, a must-see preserve that features dinosaur fossils that once roamed the area, and scenic hiking trails with dazzling rock formations in the rugged terrain. Hiking and camping is another popular hobby thanks to the park's dramatic outlooks and sunsets. Anecdotally, some describe this park as a "mini Grand Canyon."
Polson
Long before Polson was Polson, it was home to the Salish and Kootenai tribes for thousands of years. As a result of the enormous Flathead Lake, life thrived here—and it still does. The Finley Point Unit - Flathead Lake State Park is a haven for kayaking and swimming thanks to the natural freshwater, considered one of the cleanest bodies of water in the world according to the non-profit organization, Flakhead Lakers. The campgrounds are immaculately clean and well-maintained, featuring modern amenities such as electric hookups for RVs to ensure maximum comfort.
Located conveniently in town lies the largest museum in Montana: the Miracle of America Museum, home to 340,000 artifacts. The establishment is referred to as the "Smithsonian of the West" given its vast collection of relics, including antique cars, vintage American toys, farm tools, and even quirky, unexpected exhibits related to extraterrestrial life and sightings.
And finally, check out Sacajawea Park, perched conveniently on the northern edge of downtown. The green space grants photogenic views of Flathead Lake in a serene atmosphere, with well-maintained grassy areas for a brisk walk or jog. As previously mentioned, it's near downtown, so when you're done, Polson's shopping and dining districts are just a few minutes away.
Ennis
Ennis boasts a long and rich history that dates back thousands of years, when Shoshone, Bannock, and Flathead tribes used the area's abundant biodiversity as prime hunting grounds. Later on, the area boomed due to the Gold Rush, and today, it's known for having a small and welcoming community of around 1,000 residents.
Experience the culture firsthand with fly fishing, a popular pastime near and dear to all residents. In fact, many call Ennis the "Mecca of fly fishing." The picturesque Madison River has bestowed the region with the freshest trout and other native fish species.
But Ennis' finest selling point is its proximity to one of the most famous parks in the world: Yellowstone National Park. Whether it's the iconic Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River, which plunges 109 feet into the canyon while spreading its thunderous sound, with the mist and rejuvenating breeze touching every living thing that comes near it, or the majestic Lamar Valley, where you can witness exotic animals like the bison, elk, wolves and bears—almost every single part of Yellowstone and its vast array of wonders grants a once-in-a-lifetime moment your soul will remember. Retirees won't want to miss a trip to this dazzling park.
Darby
Located at an elevation of 3,888 feet, Darby is located in the heart of the Bitterroot Valley and offers tons of recreational opportunities. But, before you do that, check out the rustic Darby Pioneer Memorial Museum. It's housed in a cozy-looking homestead cabin and serves as the primary place to engage visitors and new residents who aim to learn about Darby's history. The ownder of the museum is known to provide and harbor personal stories, authentic artifacts from the town's past, and goes out of his way to offer tours.
Then, trek the nearby Coyote Coulee Trailhead, a popular spot among horseback riders, hikers, and mountain bikers. The trails are paved, making the smooth easy to walk throughout the year. That being said, the best time to visit is spring and early summer when native wildflowers and green meadows blossom, painting the landscape into a tapestry of colors against the backdrop of mountains and trees. Bear in mind, cougars and other wildlife have been spotted, so follow all applicable guidelines for an enjoyable and memorable trip.
To reconnect with your friends and loved ones outside the state, offer them a little gift from Local Flair Darby, a neat souvenir store that sells locally sourced products, including honey, handmade crafts, decor, and meticoulsly artisan goods. Not only is it an excellent way to connect again, but it'll give them something to keep and remember you with.
Lastly, experience why Montana is one of the top cowboy culture states at the Richard Cromwell Memorial Rodeo Grounds, an exuberant venue where cowboy culture comes alive with excitement with the sound of galloping horses shaking the ground among a lively community. They're open every day of the week, so you'll never have to worry about missing out on the thrilling action and fun.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, these eight Montana towns offer nearly everything retirees desire. Whether you're drawn to natural wonders, rich cultural heritage, or tight-knit communities to form new meaningful friendships in your golden years, the "Last Best Place" lives up to its hype by almost every metric. From the cozy lakeside escapes in Whitefish to the charming rustic museums and vibrant parks around Darby and Ennis, you'll never run out of places to see or things to do.
