8 Idyllic Small Towns In Montana To Visit In 2025
As one of the most scenic states in the United States, where there are more cattle than humans, Montana still boasts plenty of opportunities for adventuring, learning, and exploring for humans. Although the interests of cattle and humans might differ, there are multiple visiting sites that provide entertainment for both. Those places include the state’s national parks, Yellowstone National Park, and Glacier National Park. Just a few of the beautiful locations to visit. And for more scenery, make sure to check out any of these eight idyllic small towns in Montana, perfect for a vacation in 2025. From Big Sky’s mountain trails to Polson’s lakeside parks, each town has its own unique way of showcasing Montana’s wild charm.
West Yellowstone
Make the most of the outdoors in this small town with Yellowstone National Park in its backyard. Explore the park, no matter the season, with help from Backcountry Adventures. Rent a snowmobile or partake in a snow coach tour of sights like the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and Old Faithful, allowing one to sit back and enjoy being safely driven around the park.
After exploring the park, learn its history at the Museum of the Yellowstone. Not only does the museum concentrate on the story of the park, but it also has an influence on the town and the Hebgen Lake Basin. Exhibits include Development of the Historic District, Dumpster Bears, and the 1959 Earthquake and 1988 Fires. For a unique mountain state experience, spend some time at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. The Wolf Pack Chat is an entertainment opportunity for visitors to view wolf packs in the natural habitat while encased in a room with floor-to-ceiling windows. Along with wolves, raptors, otters, amphibians, and more are also on display.
Hamilton
Located in Ravalli County, Hamilton is a quaint town home to ABC Acres. The regenerative farm is tucked between the Sapphire Mountains at the foot of the Bitterroot River. The most original part of a visit would be to participate in a farm stay. Spend your stay relaxing on the front porch, or explore the natural landscape all around you. From farm to farmers' market, enjoy all aspects of the vast land in Hamilton with a stop at the Hamilton Farmers Market Cooperative. From May to October, Downtown Hamilton is home to all the vendors who peddle their merchandise. Farmers, crafters, brewers, food, and services are just a few of the items to peruse at the market.
For history buffs visiting Hamilton, don’t miss a chance to walk through the Ravalli County Museum and Historical Society. The museum's focal points are art, local history, and natural history, and it has over two dozen galleries and nine exhibit rooms. Past exhibits have featured Tools of the Trade, Fishing in the Bitterroot, and a homesteading cabin.
Polson
Polson is loaded with natural beauty and a picturesque landscape, as well as multiple areas to view and discover that land. Salish Point Park is another waterside park providing its visitors with amenities that will allow them to swim, fish, and boat while enjoying the views along the rocky beach. Arguably, one of the most popular lakes in Montana is Flathead Lake. Bask in all the exquisiteness it has to offer at nearby Finley Point. Featuring a campground in a secluded ponderosa pine forest, the park is open for wildlife viewing, windsurfing, fishing, sailing, and so much more. Don’t skip a chance to visit any of these Polson parks and take in the natural landscapes all around.
Anaconda
Don’t let the town name fool you. It is not nearly as threatening as the 20-foot-long reptile with the same name. Nor will you find them here. Rest assured, Anaconda is named for the copper mining that took place there, and not the oversized snake. Knowing that you won’t run into any of these creepy crawlers, enjoy some outdoor time with a walk near the Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park. The park houses some of the tallest free-standing brick structures in the world. The smelter stack, which represented Anaconda Copper Company, was constructed in 1919 and stands 585 feet tall. Enjoy the vast lands while learning about the history and heritage of a company that conquered the area's economic way of life.
For a more serene nature experience, stroll through Lost Creek State Park and view the 50-foot Lost Creek Falls. Several miles of trails wind along Lost Creek as well as through forests and meadows with stunning views of the surrounding mountains. For one final enjoyable stop, immerse yourself in a mineral bath at Fairmont Hot Springs Resort. Four pools, located both indoors and outdoors, are continuously fed by 155-degree natural hot spring water, which is cooled to various temperatures, varying by which pool you prefer to soak in. For an extra daring adventure, coast down the 350-foot water slide that throws you right back into the hot springs.
Stevensville
Stevensville is the home of the state’s first permanent European-style settlement, Fort Owen State Park. Those who like history will want to check out the old ruins that once stood as an Indian Agency, trading post, and agricultural center. The former homeland of the Salish people, Fort Owen, contains deep-rooted buildings that are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Another opportunity for outdoor exploration in town is at the Bitterroot National Forest. This 1.6-million-acre forest encompasses southwest Montana and parts of Idaho as well. Being as large as it is, the park has multiple activity prospects, from hiking to horse-riding, camping and caving, winter and water sports, this park has something for everyone.
Another spot to find more breathtaking landscapes is the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge. Nestled between the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains, the refuge allows hunting and fishing, as well as wildlife observation. Over 240,000 tourists visit annually to participate in one of the main park activities, interpretation. Described as “identification and communication of important messages about natural and cultural resources to diverse audiences”, this process allows visitors to think creatively about what they are seeing in the park.
Big Sky
Big Sky is home to some big attractions. A wonder of excitement is waiting for you on Ousel Falls Trail. Located in the heart of the town, along the Gallatin River, the trail takes hikers over three bridges to the Ousel Falls. For another trail with breathtaking views, adventure seekers will want to connect with the Beehive Basin Trail. Taking its visitors on a 6.6-mile loop, the trail climbs 1,500 feet to a view of Lone Peak. The basin is notorious for its wildflowers that take over the park in the summer, and its crystal-clear lake towering over Lone Peak. Tour these trails, parks, and more with Big Sky Adventures and Tours. Tours are available in summer or winter and are available for private parties. The outfitters will take you around via hiking, biking, or shuttles.
Libby
Surrounding the town of Libby, the Kootenai National Forest offers immaculate views of cliffs, spires, river canyons, and the glorious peaks of the Cabinet Mountains. However, these aren’t the only mountains found within the 2.2 million acres of the park. The Whitefish Range, Purcell Mountains, Bitterroot Range, and Salish Mountains can also be found in this vast terrain. One majestic focal point in the park is the Kootenai Falls, which is arguably made more appealing by the adventurous way to access it. The Kootenai Falls Swinging Bridge was rebuilt in 1948 after a major flood. The bridge, located at an elevation of 2,100 feet, serves to access potential forest fires across the Kootenai River, but also offers incomparable views of the gorge directly below Kootenai Falls.
For a less mountainous and more educational stop in Libby, visit the Heritage Museum. The museum preserves the culture and heritage of northwest Montana in a twelve-sided log building and features historical artifacts from the early days of settlement, mining, and logging. The Museum's unique building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Lewistown
Begin your trip in Lewistown with a unique dining experience that doubles as a sightseeing tour. The Charlie Russell Chew Choo takes diners on a 56-mile train ride through the middle of Montana, including sights like multiple trestles and the historic Hoosac Tunnel. The dinner train ride features a full-course prime rib dinner, live music, and authentic western entertainment. For more outdoor native Montana items to cross off your list, visit the Big Springs Trout Hatchery. Trout fishing, in a stream, with a mountainous backdrop, just screams Montana. So, take some time to learn the backstory of the fish and see where they are hatched and grown. The hatchery is the largest cold water production facility in the state and can produce 160,000 pounds of fish annually. The fish are dispersed through over 100 different bodies of water in the state. Visitors can come and enjoy some fishing at the spot where the fish are born.
To learn more in Lewistown, veering off fish, and leaning more towards the town’s history, enlighten yourself at the Central Montana Museum. The museum displays artifacts intended to depict the culture of central Montana, beginning with its earliest population of people. Displays are dedicated to culturally significant figures in the growth of the town, including outlaw Rattlesnake Jake Owens, cowboy Charles M. Russell, Moonshine connoisseur Bertie Brown, animal trainer Jimmy Kaaro, and so many more.
Idyllic Destinations In Montana
The beautiful state of Montana really does offer the purple mountains majesty and spacious skies, but that is not the only exquisiteness the state holds. Visitors can engage in outdoor recreation at smaller hiking parks, learn the history of the smaller towns at museums, or partake in common but appealing outdoor activities like hiking, biking, or fishing. Leave nothing to the imagination when visiting these eight idyllic small towns in Montana.
