Southwest Montana Blog
Family Travel

Humans across all cultures and geographic areas have been gazing up at the night sky for centuries. From early depictions in cave paintings, night sky observations have played a vital role in many elements of human progress. Star patterns guided the development of calendars and the ability for sailors to...

We had an amazing summer in Southwest Montana: lovely weather, memorable events, and best of all – NO smoke! As you can imagine, it’s a little difficult to consider giving up such an incredible season … but, I suppose if something were to entice me to move on it would be pumpkin spice everything, sweater &#...

One of those words that gets thrown around Montana tourism on a regular basis is “agri-tourism.” It shouldn’t come as a surprise that you will consistently find “agriculture” and “tourism” near the top of the list when it comes industries that most impact the Montana...

Looking for a fun way to dig deeper into the rich history of Helena, Montana? The Montana History Foundation has you covered with four different tours of the Queen City! From June 15 to September 3, 2023, history enthusiasts and curious adventurers alike can delve into the past through four enthralling tours:...

Nestled in the heart of Montana sits the historic capital city of Helena. The Queen City welcomes visitors with its rich heritage and captivating stories. Exploring the charming capital city is even more exciting aboard the Last Chance Tour Train. This tour is a summer time favorite among locals and visitors!...

One of the first structures you will come to upon entering the park is the massive TeePee Burner which has been transformed into a venue for events, workshops, and concerts. One notable highlight is the series of summer concerts held at Blackfoot Pathways. These concerts offer a delightful sensory experience...

Did you know that Philipsburg is home to the oldest operating theater in the state of Montana? Today, the theater is known as the Philipsburg Opera House Theatre, but it opened in 1891 as the McDonald Opera House. THE HISTORIC THEATER The historic theater was built by upstanding businessman Angus A. McDonald...

In the spring of 1863, a party of six prospectors took off from Bannack and headed to the Yellowstone Valley on a mission to find gold. Their trip was long and arduous and resulted in them being captured by the Crow Indians. As legend goes, and as you may hear on the Alder Gulch Shortline …

Visitors who come to the Gates of the Mountains area to boat on Missouri River, hike through the mountains, and marvel at the steep limestone cliffs are part of a tradition that probably stretches back more than 1,300 years. Much has been written about Gates of the Mountains over the years, but it’s...

Butte has a colorful history that resulted in incredible industry, vast diversity, innumerable stories, and unforgettable landmarks. BUTTE’S HISTORY During the gold rush of the 19th century, thousands flocked to Butte, but what really set this community apart (and kept them from the ghost town fate of...

If my years as a blogger for Southwest Montana have taught me anything, it is that Montana is unendingly photogenic. This year we are celebrating the irresistible photographic charm of the region with a photo contest. What is it that you love about Southwest Montana? What building, lake, river, or view makes...

While most of the Southwest Montana region was settled by miners, the Deer Lodge Area was settled by homesteaders and is home to significant agricultural activity to this day. Deer Lodge is also known for housing the Montana State Prison. There’s more to the Deer Lodge Area than initially meets the eye as it...