The Most Charming River Towns In Montana
Marked by sprawling prairies in the east and some of North America's mightiest mountains in the west, Montana's landlocked topography also includes several major rivers and innumerable tranquil tributaries. A key piece of American culture is based on the beauty of these waterways. The Pulitzer Prize-nominated novella A River Runs Through It, and the Academy Award-winning film by the same name, were both set in Missoula (the first stop on this themed tour), while the latter was filmed (in part) in one of the later entries. In many parts of the country, times are shifting rapidly away from the simple days of fly-fishing, but throughout these Montana time capsules, that untouched scenery and those wholesome priorities are holding fast. If this resonates with your old soul, then you will feel right at home in these eight charming river towns speckled throughout Big Sky Country.
Missoula: Clark Fork River
The Clark Fork River divides Missoula, Montana's rustic downtown core (to the north) from its stately University District (to the south). As such, a stroll along the central waterway, which is paralleled by the Riverfront Trail on its north shore and the Kim Williams Trail on its southern banks, and dotted with all kinds of shoreline/island parks, is a great way to get a sense of Missoula's personality.
If you are feeling spritely, begin with a switchback climb up Mount Sentinel (part of the Sapphire Range) to "The M" - an emblem of the University of Montana that affords sweeping views of the campus, city, and river valley. Next, make a loop down through the K Williams Natural Trail Area and admire the 25,000+ seat Washington-Grizzly Stadium and Montana Museum of Art & Culture on your way west to the Madison Street Footbridge. Here, cross over to the north side of the Clark Fork River and then continue on to Caras Park, where you can watch groups of surfers coast on static waves. From there, you can scoot up Higgins Avenue to explore the shops and historical landmarks of downtown, or head to A Carousel for Missoula for a bit of nostalgic, family-friendly fun.
Hamilton: Bitterroot River
Heading from the top of the Bitterroot Valley (i.e., Missoula) 50 miles south to its southernmost town, this sub-5,000-resident community showcases the region's rural assets. Hamilton, Montana, is framed by the Bitterroot (west) and Sapphire Ranges (east) and is transcended by the north-south Bitterroot River (in conjunction with a network of creeks).
Every Saturday morning (from the beginning of May through to the end of October), proprietors of the surrounding farms, ranches, and orchards, as well as local crafters and artists, descend on downtown for the Hamilton Farmers Market Cooperative. Prior to the "Bitterroot apple boom," Hamilton was actually founded as a timber town by Marcus Daly (i.e., one of the "Copper Kings"), who needed copious amounts of fuel to feed his nearby mines and smelter. Though the sawmills have since closed, the opulent Daly Mansion still stands as a testament to this formative era and now serves as a history museum and an attractive events venue overlooking the fertile valley.
Bigfork: Swan River
The Swan River zigzags its way up from its namesake lake and then westward, where it empties into the north end of Flathead Lake - the largest natural freshwater body in the western United States. Right before its terminus, the Swan River carved a natural cradle, into which the little town of Bigfork happily took up residence. Spend a weekend here paddling around Bigfork Harbor, swimming at the Wayfarers unit of Flathead State Park, or hiking/biking the wide and well-kept Swan River Nature Trail.
If you are able to extend your stay into the work week, then you will have the chance to experience one of Montana's most unique festivals: the Bigfork Monday Market. Centered around the River View Bar (where draft beer, barbeque, and live music join forces), this jovial, all-ages gathering also includes a pop-up farmers/artisans market along adjacent Mill Street.
Livingston: Yellowstone River
Known for being the "Original Gateway City to Yellowstone National Park" and for hosting the state's oldest rodeo (i.e., the Livingston Roundup), Livingston, Montana, is also a fine river town hiding in plain sight just east of Bozeman. Having arrived from either direction along Highway 89 (which slows to become Park Street), park anywhere along Main Street, where you can enjoy the sights, sounds, and shopping offered by this restored Western strip.
A short and satisfying stroll southeast will naturally funnel you to the Yellowstone River. This tributary of the Missouri River hosts Sacajawea Park - a semi-urban sanctuary filled with benches along the banks overlooking the Absaroka, Gallatin, and Bridger Ranges, tennis courts, flower gardens, prime fly-fishing spots, and a statue commemorating the titular heroine who stopped here with Lewis and Clark on July 5th, 1806. This section of the Yellowstone River was also one of the key shooting locations for the film A River Runs Through It.
Apgar: McDonald Creek
Even though McDonald Creek is (understandably) overshadowed by the magnificence of Lake McDonald, Apgar, Montana, absolutely qualifies as a charming river town. This waterfront village acts as the southern terminus for Glacier National Park's Going-to-the-Sun Road. Here, scores of seasonal visitors can enjoy the manicured facilities of Apgar Campground, the sands and paddlecrafts of Apgar Beach (which overlooks the lengthy alpine lake), visit School House Gifts (one of the best old-timey general stores in the Rockies), as well as the other novelty/gear shops along Apgar Loop Road, or learn about forthcoming adventures at the Apgar Visitor Center.
River-seeking introverts can also steal away from the crowds by following the Apgar Bike Trail as it mirrors the curves of McDonald Creek all the way to its convergence with the Middle Fork of the Flathead River. Ultimately, Apgar is a stunning and vibrant village that provides a variety of appetizers to one of America's most beloved national parks.
Big Sky: Gallatin River
This outdoor recreation hub is subdivided into three distinct villages: Mountain, Meadow, and Canyon. The Canyon Village receives the full bounty of the Gallatin River, opening the door to whitewater rafting tours, including the extra adrenaline-inducing Class III and IV rapids of the "Mad Mile." The Middle Fork West Gallatin River leads up to The Mountain Village, which is home to Big Sky Resort - a world-class skiing and mountain-biking destination (depending on the season) atop Lone Peak.
And splitting the distance is Big Sky's Meadow Village, which is graced by the South Fork West Gallatin River. Here, one will find the charming component of this river community: Ousel Falls Trail. This 1.6-mile easy-to-moderate wooded walk leads to the trail's eponymous 100-foot attraction. If you don't mind a bit of lingering snow, the best time to hike to Ousel Falls is in the spring, when meltwaters embolden the cascade and wildflowers blanket the surrounding forest floor.
Whitefish: Whitefish River
Another popular ski spot with a wet and wild summer side is Whitefish, Montana. Once the snows melt, vivacious visitors trade in the slopes of Whitefish Mountain Resort for the boat launch, beach, kayak rentals, and campsites of Whitefish Lake State Park. But in between the two recreation outlets, the Whitefish River has a few appeals of its own.
Flowing out of the south end of the seven-mile-long alpine lake, the Whitefish River ushers folks from the sandy City Beach to the edge of the commercial district via a nifty paved/boardwalked path, or atop a kayak/paddleboard. When you are done splashing around for the day, downtown Whitefish comes alive each evening with live music, brewpub gatherings, and all sorts of weekly events stemming from Depot Park.
Fort Benton: Missouri River
Owing to its status as (one of) the state's oldest towns, Fort Benton has proudly adopted the crown as "The Birthplace of Montana." Plunked along the western bank of the Missouri River, this Central Montana town is as charming as it is historic. Established as a fort by fur traders, boosted by Gold Rush prospectors, and, for a while, serving as the last inland port along the Missouri River, Fort Benton exudes a quiet quintessence from all of these formative eras.
Get a feel for the small town by walking the Old Fort Benton Bridge and then continuing along the riverside biking/walking path to the Old Fort Benton museum on the north end of town. Afterward, indulge your palette or do a bit of window-shopping at the collection of eateries and mom and pop shops along Front and Main Street. And if you ae feeling adventurous, why not wade deeper into the 375,000 acres (of which Fort Benton marks the west end) of white cliffs, badlands, and winding waterways of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument?
Converge On These Charming Towns
From mountain valley tributaries to plains-feeding waterways, Montana is replete with beautiful rivers. And from historic settlements to recreational resorts, countless towns have capitalized on their abundant banks. A state as big as The Treasure State has many more communities to unveil, but these are eight of the most charming river towns to get you started on your next respite-seeking road trip.
