Spend the day exploring the Old Montana Prison Complex, housing five unique museums inside its historic prison walls, including Montana Auto Museum, a collection of 200 vintage cars and vehicles; Old Montana Prison, inmate exercise courtyard, cell blocks, and maximum-security cells; and Frontier Montana Museum, depicting life in the Wild West. Also visit Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, commemorating the role of cowboys and cattlemen in American history with historic buildings, guided tours and a ranger program.
Drive to Butte for a craft beverage and a bite to eat. Overnight at the historic Copper King Mansion B&B, built for Copper Barron William A. Clark between 1884 and 1888.
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Wake up and enjoy a tour of the opulent Copper King Mansion, imagining yourself living the lifestyle of one of America’s wealthiest families. Next, take a self-guided tour of historic Uptown Butte, the nation’s largest National Historic Landmark District. Butte features more than 4,000 historic structures scattered across the Hill, aka “The Richest Hill on Earth.” These buildings are some of the country’s first tall buildings, stately mansions, vintage Victorian homes, boarding houses, hotels and miner’s cottages. Download the Story of Butte app to complement your tour, or take a trolley tour for a narrated journey through Butte's historic streets and landmarks. You’ll also find an Underground City Tour and themed seasonal tours also, such as Spooks and Spirits, a walking tour of Butte’s verified hauntings.
Spend a second overnight at the Copper King Mansion B&B.
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Continue your tour through historic Uptown Butte, on a Butte Mule Tour (6 passenger side-by-side) noting the iconic 100’-200’ headframes dotting the landscape, serving as poignant reminders of Butte's storied mining legacy. Visit the World Museum of Mining and delve deeper into Butte's mining heritage through interactive exhibits, historic artifacts and a guided Underground Mine Tour. Pore over 1,300 mineral specimens including a 27.49-ounce gold nugget, at the Mineral Museum, showcasing the geological wealth of the region. At the Mai Wah Museum—the last remaining building from Butte’s Chinatown—immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage of Butte's Asian community with insights into the lives and experiences of Chinese immigrants in the Rocky Mountain West.
End your day with dinner in Butte before the drive to Helena. Overnight at The Sanders or The Carolina.
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Explore Montana’s capital city, Helena, starting with Montana WILD a conservation education center located adjacent to Spring Meadow Lake State Park. Enjoy interactive exhibits, a live Montana fish aquarium, and the “ambassador raptors,” who are walked around the center each morning from about 9 to 10 a.m. These birds of prey cannot be released and are housed at the center to educate the public about their species. Continue your day with Last Chance Train or Trolley Tour, a fun way to see historic Helena; Holter Museum of Art for a captivating display of innovative, contemporary artworks; Exploration Works for an interactional learning experience, ideal for families traveling with children; and Cathedral of St. Helena, an architectural marvel with stunning stained-glass windows and a fine example of Geometric Gothic architecture patterned after the Votive Church of the Sacred Heart in Vienna, Austria. Also available; The Foundation for Montana History tours features four different tours of the Queen City: “History on the Ambrose,” “Breweries & Brothels,” “Miners to Millionaires” and “Pedaling through the Past.”
The Montana History Museum in Helena will re-open in late 2025 showcasing the rich history of the state covering Native American history, Lewis and Clark expedition, frontier life, mining and original C.M. Russell artwork.
Relax and enjoy with another overnight at The Sanders or The Carolina.
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Explore the historic community of Townsend beginning at the Broadwater County Museum, showcasing the region's rich past, plus Goose Bay Handblown Glass Studio and Gift Shop, Reading Leaves Bookstore with its outside piano, and the Canton Church, a historic landmark nestled in the heart of town. Take the scenic drive south on U.S. Highway 287 to Three Forks, keeping an eye out for the 39 Bleu Horses metal sculptures, by local artist Jim Dolan. This installation is on the right side of US 287 before the Interstate 90 junction. Afterward, treat yourself to a refreshing break at Bridger Brewing, one of the newest breweries in our region, and grab a farm-to-table sandwich from Wheat Montana just across the street from the brewery. This local Montana mill and bakery has a long history of producing first-quality wheat, and their cinnamon rolls are legendary.
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Always check road reports and weather conditions when traveling through Montana, especially on seasonal roads like the Going-to-the-Sun Road and the Beartooth Highway.
It can get a little (or a lot) chilly at high elevations, even in the summer. Dress accordingly and always check the weather before you ride, especially in the spring and fall when the weather can change at the drop of a hat
Plan your route in terms of where to fuel up, and note that cell service can be spotty (or nonexistent) at times.
Plan ahead and be prepared, ensuring safer, more enjoyable travels and less impact.
Pack the right gear, take precautions, know your limits, and engage in activities that match your skill level.
Take care of our trails and waterways by riding responsibly specific to your motorized activity.
Help prevent aquatic invasive species by following Clean.Drain.Dry. principles and watercraft inspections requirements.
Recognize and acknowledge when you enter tribal lands, know tribal guidelines, and secure a tribal conservation permits for recreation.
Help prevent wildland fires. Attend to and extinguish campfires properly, and know current fire restrictions.
View wildlife from a safe distance. Never approach, touch or feed wildlife. Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
Respect all public lands, waters, tribal lands and local communities. Pack it in, pack it out.
Be thoughtful about and aware of your impact, embrace inclusivity, and respect communities and fellow adventurers.
