9 Of The Most Eccentric Towns In Montana

Beneath Montana’s vast, endless skies, you’ll find pockets of wonderfully peculiar communities scattered between the peaks and prairies. From the pit-spitting competitions of the Chokecherry Festival in Lewistown to the wild cow milking competitions in Dillon, things can get a little strange in the Treasure State in all the best ways. While they still offer those famously dark Montana skies and pristine landscapes, these cities bring something new to the table. When you’re ready to take a detour and lean into the quirkier side of Montana, check out these eccentric towns.

Virginia City

If you like the idea of stepping back in time into an Old West town, add Virginia City to your Montana road trip list. Located in southern Montana, it’s an isolated community that was once the place to be during the Gold Rush of the 1800s. By the time the gold ran out, the community that was once home to nearly 10,000 residents had fled the area, leaving an eerie ghost town in their wake.

The Virginia City Depot is a relic of the old days, offering train rides along the Alder Gulch Shortline Railroad through the beautiful landscape between Virginia City and Nevada City. The Nevada City Old Town Museum and Music Hall is a mile and a half up the road (or a short train ride away), and is a living history of the community's frontier mining days. Both towns have old dusty streets, well-preserved saloons, barbershops, and general stores that feel like stepping back in time. If you’re in the mood for something a little campy, be sure to catch a melodrama or vaudeville show by the Virginia City Players, who perform in the Opera House built in the 1890s. Even the restaurants have that old-world feel, like the Road Agents' Roost and Pioneer Bar.

Columbia Falls

Eccentric doesn’t even begin to describe the vibes of Columbia Falls. Located in northwestern Montana, it’s considered the gateway to Glacier National Park, or at least its lesser-traveled west entrance. The west entrance to Glacier National Park is more rugged than the entrance at Whitefish, offering visitors the authentic Montana experience with cozy diners like the Outlaw Diner and lively watering holes like the Gunsight Saloon.

What makes Columbia Falls a little odd, however, is the mysterious Montana Vortex and House of Mystery. This quirky roadside attraction, similar to something you’d find along Route 66, is where quantum or gravitational anomalies defy the laws of physics. Things appear larger than they really are, and everything is just a little off in the House of Mystery. Many claim it isn't exactly a scientific anomaly and just a series of optical illusions, but you’ll have to head to Columbia Falls yourself to come to your own conclusions.

West Yellowstone

Did you know that parts of Yellowstone National Park also bleed into parts of Montana? The small community of West Yellowstone sprang to life in the early 1900s after the construction of a railway station brought tourists to Yellowstone National Park. Even in its early days, West Yellowstone was always a tourist attraction with its old west-style storefronts and inviting diners. West Yellowstone still carries the rustic charm of an early 1900s tourist town, with cozy spots like the Outpost Restaurant and local history museums such as the Museum of the Yellowstone.

There’s one attraction in West Yellowstone that you won’t find anywhere else, however: The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. Tucked away on the southeast side of West Yellowstone on South Canyon Street, the center celebrates the more ferocious wildlife of Montana, where visitors can watch animals interact in their naturalistic habitats. The center houses rescued bears and wolves that wouldn’t survive in the wild, as well as otters and birds of prey, serving as both a rescue and educational center.

Lewistown

Deep in central Montana’s Northern Great Plains lies Lewistown—often called the Heart of Montana. While it is awash in breathtaking scenery like Crystal Lake, Big and Little Snowy Mountains, and trout fishing at Blue Spring Creek, it’s the community customs that make Lewistown equal parts weird and wonderful. The best way to experience the quirky side of Lewistown is by hopping aboard the narrated Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train. Expect an amazing prime rib dinner and live entertainment aboard a train across Big Sky Country.

If you can swing it, it's best to time your visit to Lewistown so it coincides with one of their unconventional festivals, like the Chokecherry Festival held every September. If you’ve never heard of the chokecherry, you’ll soon become an expert on this native Montana delicacy after attending the festival. It kicks off with a pancake breakfast (and plenty of chokecherry syrup to drown your short stacks), and has chokecherry-themed contests where participants compete for the best syrups, mustards, and chokecherry desserts. There’s even a pit-spitting contest to see who can spit a pit the furthest!

Deer Lodge

Deer Lodge is an eccentric mix of Old West historical sites and beautiful landscapes of the Rocky Mountains. From downtown Deer Lodge, you can see Mount Powell to the west, which provides one of the best views of the area. The hike to the top of Mount Powell is a challenge, but there are some beginner-friendly options that provide panoramic views of the Rocky Mountain region.

The amazing views of Deer Lodge are just the tip of the iceberg. Deer Lodge held some of Montana's most notorious criminals within the walls of the Old Montana Prison. Established in 1871 and closed in 1979, the sprawling complex now operates as a museum, providing eerie tours of the old cell blocks. Ghost tours of the museum are particularly popular, but if you prefer something a bit more uplifting and lighthearted, the Old Montana Prison is also where you’ll find the Montana Auto Museum. It has almost 200 vintage cars from horse-drawn carriages to muscle cars.

Glasgow

Residents of Glasgow are happy to welcome visitors to their tight-knit community, dubbed the "Middle of Nowhere" due to its isolation in the heart of the Great Plains. While it may feel remote, everything you’ll ever need is right within its borders. From cozy vintage diners like Toodie's Cafe and Gallery where local food pairs with local art, to kitschy museums like the Valley County Pioneer Museum, Glasgow is far from boring.

With a community as isolated as Glasgow, residents have to get creative to bring a little color to the area. Local watering holes like the Busted Knuckle Taproom are a great example of their quick wit and unique flair. Come for the locally brewed beer, stay for the mechanic-themed decor and clever names. With beautiful vistas of Sullivan Park and Milk River beside the colorful downtown, Glasgow proves that sometimes the middle of nowhere is exactly where you want to be.

Dillon

Dillon, in southern Montana near Yellowstone National Park, makes for a fun weekend escape— unless you’re a wild cow! The annual Dillon Jaycee Rodeo tends to go a little off the rails during its annual wild cow milking contest, which unfolds exactly how you would expect. Teams participating in the event rope semi-wild cows and try to milk them faster than the other teams. If cow-milking doesn’t appeal to you, Montana's Biggest Weekend includes lots of other rodeo events and live concerts featuring big names in country music to bookend the summer over Labor Day weekend.

While Dillon is a hop, skip, and a jump away from Yellowstone, it also has delightful and historical sites not too far from the city limits. Bannack State Park is a wonderful blend of the natural wonders of Dillon fused with the haunting beauty of a ghost that was settled during the Gold Rush and then abandoned. You can take a self-guided tour of the town and nearly 60 buildings, and even spend a night at one of the two campsites in the park.

Stevensville

When you think of Stevensville, think cowboys and Catholics. Founded by Jesuit missionaries in the heart of cowboy country in western Montana, Stevensville blends Wild West vibes with white steepled churches in a beautiful way. You can still visit St. Mary’s Mission, which serves both as a museum detailing the early life of the settlers of Stevensville and an active parish. There’s also Fort Owen State Park, the site of Montana’s very first European settlement. It has well-preserved relics of its early years, like an 1850s well house, a cabin, and a root cellar.

Aside from its historical landmarks, Stevensville has an amazing food scene downtown. Along Main Street are modern bistros and breweries like the Blacksmith Brewing Company, Tin Can Bar and Grill, and Mission Bistro. Downtown is also where you can check out the Stevensville Historical Museum, showcasing Stevensville's roots via displays of Native American and early pioneer artifacts and exhibits.

Glendive

While most Montana towns lean into their Wild West roots, Glendive is more interested in history that goes back much further. Nestled in the badlands of Montana and known for its abundance of dinosaur fossils, Glendive takes its prehistoric finds very seriously. Makoshika State Park is located south of town, where you can traverse the badlands, hoodoos, and pass by real fossils at the visitor center and along the trails. This other-worldly park hosts unique events like Buzzard Day. As a designated dark sky zone, it is the perfect spot to picnic under the stars.

The town is decked in dinosaur paraphenalia, from decor to statues, most notably Glendisaurus, a giant triceritops found along Highway 16 just north of town. Don't let all the dusty bones fool you; plenty of modern adventures await in Glendive. There’s Wagon Wheel Bar for cocktails and live music, or the family-friendly Frosty’s, serving up classic American burgers and shakes.

Explore The Quirkiest Corners Of The Treasure State

The best adventures in Montana are the ones you least expect. These eccentric hidden escapes lean into the strange. From the giant dinosaur statues of Glendive to Glasgow, a community that embraces its isolation as the “Town in the Middle of Nowhere,” Montanans prove that you don’t need to be conveniently located near an airport or a big shiny tourist attraction to have a good time. These eccentric escapes know how to make their own fun, whether they’re spitting chokecherries or building a famous taproom in an old mechanic's garage, life in Montana is anything but ordinary.