Southwestern Montana sits at the heart of Montana history. Its state capitol, Helena, marks a stopping point for the Lewis and Clark expedition, some 200 years ago as they traversed their way to the Pacific Ocean. More recently, Helena was the site of one of the richest gold strikes in U.S. History at Last Chance Gulch. Visitors can learn about Helena's boom town history by taking a train ride through the capitol, or by visiting the Montana's Museum in Helena.
From Helena you can pick any compass direction and you are within a half a day's drive of recreational attractions. Almost half of this region of Montana is covered by national forests and the nearby lakes and rivers offer ideal opportunities for scenic hiking. Boat tours are available in the nearby Gates of the Mountains canyon, so named by Meriwether Lewis during his voyage down the Missouri River.
By taking US Highway 15 south to US 90, and then going a short distance northeast you will find Butte, another former boom town. The World Museum of Mining and Hell Roarin' Gulch offer an up-close view of an old mining town and actual mining specimens.
Driving tours include the Pintlar Scenic Loop, a circuitous route that winds over high mountain passes and through the historic mining towns of Anaconda and Philipsburg passing Georgetown Lake and Discovery Ski Area on the way. Visitors can enjoy Anaconda's three historic districts by joining a walking tour of its turn-of-the-century buildings.
The Beaverhead and Deerlodge National Forests offer numerous camping opportunities, with recreation areas salted throughout. The Pintlar Wilderness Area is a physical challenge for man and beast and spectacular. State Lost Creek Falls is a small picnic/camping/ drive-in site with an impressive falls. Crystal Park, south of Wise River, is a drive-to park with a nice parking area and camping. You can dig your own Quartz crystals from an ancient and now collapsed crystal cave. Other close-by parks include the Lewis and Clark Caverns south of Butte and the Painted Rocks State Park, off Highway 93. The region's many rivers provide ideal settings for fly fishing and river rafting. The Skalkaho Highway (read narrow rutty dirt road) is open in the summer and is a rugged way (esp. in spring) directly over the Bitterroot range, meeting Hwy 93 just south of Hamilton. On the way you will pass Skalkaho Falls. It can be spectacular when a lot of water is coming down. It's always a good photo op.
Call 877-563-2170 for a FREE Consultation! 