Why This Montana Town Deserves More Attention
The plains of east central Montana are one of the emptiest and most desolate portions of the country. With only a few medium-sized cities scattered across a landscape spanning tens of thousands of square miles and several more small communities in between, it is certainly a great place to escape human contact if you ever need to.
Within this ocean of wild grasses, ranches, and badlands is a true gem that deserves more attention, the town of Fort Benton. Located about 40 miles northeast of Great Falls, this little-known destination is a treasure trove of historic landmarks, pristine green spaces and natural corridors, and more fun and interesting tourist attractions for you to enjoy.
A Bit About Fort Benton
Fort Benton is situated in north-central Montana along the Missouri River. It sits at the edge of the Highwood Mountains and the Missouri Breaks, where the Great Plains meet steep riverside bluffs carved by wind and water for eons.
The town's location on the river made it a vital transportation and trading hub for centuries. Founded in 1846 as a fur trading post by the American Fur Company, Fort Benton is considered the oldest continuously occupied settlement in Montana. During what some consider its peak in the 1860s and 1870s, it was dubbed the “World’s Innermost Port,” the farthest inland navigable point on the Missouri River. As the crow flies, it is close to 650 miles from the Pacific Ocean and around 1,500 miles from the Gulf Coast!
Steamboats arrived from St. Louis, unloading goods destined for various mining camps, military posts, and settlers across the northern plains and the Rocky Mountains further west. The town then became a major gateway to the Montana goldfields and played a role in shaping the early economic development of the region as a whole, a legacy that continues to this day, just in more tourist-focused industries.
Today, Fort Benton has a population of around 1,400 residents and retains much of its historic character. For example, the original fort site is preserved as part of the Museum of the Northern Great Plains, and the levee along the riverfront has been restored for visitors to see up close. Furthermore, its downtown historic district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Historic Sites and Museums
From old forts to long-standing commercial buildings and informative museums, Fort Benton is a place of learning as much as anything else. Check out the top locales in and around town that history buffs and those who are simply curious may appreciate.
Old Fort Benton
Reconstructed on its original site, Old Fort Benton is one of the most significant historical landmarks in Montana. Built in 1846 by the American Fur Company, it served as an important trading post for goods moving between the Missouri River and the interior Northwest of the continent. The fort also played a central role in commerce with Native tribes and helped open the region up to American expansion.
Today, you can explore along its adobe walls, bastions, and various trade rooms, all of which have been carefully restored. It is part of the larger Fort Benton Museums complex, and provides one of the clearest windows into Montana's early frontier history.
Museum of the Northern Great Plains
The Museum of the Northern Great Plains is Montana’s official agricultural museum. It chronicles rural life from 1908 to 1980, covering three generations of local farmers. Spanning an impressive 30,000 square feet, it features exhibits on homesteading, farming technology, and the general lives of the hearty settlers who came to call the area home.
A standout at this attraction is the 1920s-era Homestead Village, with restored buildings like a schoolhouse and blacksmith shop. There are even outdoor displays, which include examples of vintage farm machinery.
The museum also houses the Hornaday Smithsonian Bison, a preserved specimen that influenced the iconic buffalo nickel design. Additionally, the Strand Gallery showcases Western art by both historic and contemporary artists.
Grand Union Hotel
Opened in 1882, the Grand Union Hotel is the oldest operating hotel in Montana and a key piece of Fort Benton’s historic district. Built in Victorian style with brick and cast iron, it was once considered the most elegant lodging between St. Louis and Seattle.
The hotel declined after steamboat traffic waned, but it was fully restored and reopened in recent decades. Today, it operates as a boutique accommodation with 26 rooms and retains much of its original, old-timey look. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it remains a centerpiece of the downtown core, and you should consider spending a night or two there.
Natural Landmarks and Other Attractions of Note
Although maybe not as majestic as the Rocky Mountains to its west, this region brings its own scenic charm to the great outdoors. Many come specifically to indulge in quieter outdoor recreation, like at Glacier National Park.
On top of all that, there are other worthwhile roadside stops and curious locations in and around Fort Benton that you should know about, too.
Nearby Trails on The Missouri River
Why not explore the banks of the Missouri while here? This area is particularly beautiful, and thankfully, there are several designated paths nearby for you to traverse on foot. Whether you are looking for an extended outing or a simple riverside walk in town, there are a few good options to try out.
The Grand Union Hotel Riverside Trail is a pleasant little jaunt right along the water's edge, starting from none other than the historic namesake hotel itself and spanning a little over a mile west to the Upper Missouri River Break Interpretive Center. Or, you can head the other direction on the Steamboat Levee Walking Trail, a mixed bike/walking path that connects with longer routes like the Riverview Trail, which then goes on for many more miles.
Whichever you choose, expect to see elevated viewpoints, towering bluffs, and tons of prairie greenery on this oasis of the plains.
Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center
The Missouri Breaks Interpretive Center offers an in-depth look at the natural and cultural history of the nearby Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Exhibits feature artifacts like a replica steamboat pilot house, a Murphy freight wagon, and Chief Joseph’s surrender rifle from the 1877 Nez Perce War.
Interactive displays and a 3D model of the 149-mile river corridor further highlight the region’s geology, wildlife, and its pivotal role in developing the West. The center also provides information for river travelers and hosts educational programs year-round.
Admission is free at the center, and the facility is fully accessible for all.
Signal Point Golf Club
Since the late 60s, Signal Point Golf Club has been Fort Benton's only golf course. This hasn't been much of an issue, given its breathtaking scenery on a high bluff above the surrounding area, with views of the nearby river bluffs and the grasslands beyond. A fairly basic 9-hole, par 36 course, the golf itself here is pretty decent too, and the clubhouse is a great place to grab a snack and a drink before or after you play. Conveniently located just a stone's throw from downtown, several bars and eateries are within easy reach as well when you are done with your game.
The Shep Memorial
The Shep Memorial honors a border collie who became a local legend for his unwavering loyalty. In 1936, after his owner, a sheepherder, died at St. Clare Hospital, Shep followed the casket to the train station and watched it depart. For the next five and a half years, Shep met every arriving train, waiting for his master's return.
His almost daily visits tragically ended when he was struck by a train. In 1994, the community erected a bronze statue along the Missouri River levee in the heart of Fort Benton, depicting Shep gazing longingly down the tracks. The memorial stands as another unique roadside attraction in small-town America for those who love obscure history or just a good sob story.
See Another Side of Montana in Fort Benton
If Montana weren't already remote enough, try visiting some of its smaller towns outside the mountains that deserve more attention. The state's central and eastern portions, where places like Fort Benton are located, are truly some of the least visited corners of the United States, perfect for those in search of solitude and/or new experiences that few others can say they share. So, get out and spend your next road trip exploring destinations like this lonely yet charming community to experience something new and memorable.
