goldwest.visitmt.com | 800.879.1159 VISITOR’S GUIDE TO THE BEST OF MONTANA GOLD WEST COUNTRY 2012 TRAVEL PLANNER Mount Ascension, Helena (Tom Robertson) THE MONTANA YOU HAVE IN MIND IS THE ONE WE have IN store. When you think of Montana, what do you picture? Skyscraping ranges of snowcapped rock? Historic, cultural centers that tell of a proud, self-determined West? A cowboy tipping his hat to you as he passes by on a boardwalk? Herds of elk grazing in waist-deep bunch grass? A sky so wide it seems to swallow you up? Then you’re picturing Gold West Country, a stretch of Southwest Montana we humbly claim holds the best of what Montana is about. Its spirit, wildness, culture and charm. Its stunning beauty. Gold West Country is one of six tourism regions in the state. We are situated on the route from Yellowstone National Park to Glacier National Park. At our northern end sits the cowboy town of Augusta with its famed rodeo. At our center are Helena and Butte, cornerstones of Montana’s history. Our south is the famed Trout Triangle, a who’s who and what’s what of trout fishing and outdoor pursuits. (Donnie Sexton) Antelope (John Belobraidic) WWW.GOLDWEST.VISITMT.COM 1 AMID IT ALL, you’ll meet a diverse mix of friendly people — hoteliers, restaurateurs, shopkeepers, historians, ranchers, miners, fly anglers, cowboys (and girls) and more. You’ll have opportunities to glimpse the same wildlife Lewis and Clark marveled at more than two centuries ago — elk, black bears, mule deer, moose, golden eagles and perhaps even a gray wolf. And you’ll have a treasure trove of places to rest your head — cabins in the woods, lavish Western resorts, dude ranches, bed and breakfasts, comfortable hotels, campgrounds along crystal streams. So plan ample time. Because whether you wander off the beaten path for a few days on your way between parks or you set up camp for a month, you will not tire of this place. There’s simply too much to do and see, too many adventures to have. At its heart, Montana is a mix of awe and aweshucks, of history and promise, of sky and water and rock. And that heart is here. Welcome to Gold West Country. We’re glad to have you. CONTENTS: Introduction .............................. 2 Augusta 287 born THE AREAS Dear R. Helena ..................................... 4 Ovando Craig Bla ck Butte ...................................... 10 f o o 200 Lincoln Wolf t Virginia City/Ennis .................. 14 R. 279 Creek 141 Canyon Creek York Dillon ...................................... 18 Clark Fo Hauser rk Drummond R Lake Anaconda/Philipsburg ............ 22 . 90 Elliston 1 12 HELENA DEER Montana City Canyon Deer Lodge ............................ 26 LODGE 287 Ferry Clancy Lake Philipsburg Jefferson City Basin 12 PURSUITS Boulder Townsend Georgetown Lake 15 B o u l Ghost Towns .......................... 32 ANACONDA d e r BUTTE 569 R Native American Sites ............ 35 69 . 90 R. 43 Wise River Whitehall e Rockhounding ........................ 36 ol 41 H ig Divide Harrison B . 43 n R Hot Springs ............................ 38 rso fe Wisdom f Big Hole Melrose e Battleeld J Outfitting & Dude Ranching .... 42 278 Twin Bridges Sheridan Norris R Winter Activities ...................... 44 ub 287 y Jackson 41 R Polaris . Alder Ennis DILLON . R d Bannack ea Nevada/ rh PLANNING e av Ruby River Grant Be Virginia 324 Reservoir M a Cameron City d Scenic Routes ........................ 46 Clark Canyon i s o Reservoir n R Accommodations ................... 50 15 . 287 Guided Recreational Services ... 53 Lima Lower Reservoir Red rock Upper Activity Resource .................... 54 Lake Red rock Lima Lake Visitor Information ................... 54 Monida Lakeview Calendar of Events ................. 58 Index ...................................... 60 FOLLOW US ON 2 WWW.GOLDWEST.VISITMT.COM Cover photo: Chuck Haney Butte (Donnie Sexton) Tizer Gardens, Helena (Tom Robertson) Helena (Tom Tizer Gardens, Farmers Market, Butte (Tom Robertson) Farmers Market, Butte (Tom Madison River (Donnie Sexton) Cattle Drive, Augusta (Donnie Sexton) WWW.GOLDWEST.VISITMT.COM 3 Mount Helena City Park (Heidi O’Brien) Great Northern(Ellen Baumler) Great Carousel Montana State Capitol Rotunda (Donnie Sexton) 4 WWW.GOLDWEST.VISITMT.COM HELENA AREA Helena is Montana’s state capital and was the center of wealth during the state’s mining heyday. The famed 1864 discovery was the nation’s fourth richest gold strike. Legend has it that Helena once boasted more millionaires per capita than any other city in the U.S. Here you’ll find our most handsome and grandest architecture alongside remnants of the gold rush upon which the modern community rests. As our state capital, Helena is also a vibrant cultural center with a busy event calendar, terrific local bands, great restaurants, fine museums and an epic “urban” trail system. Nearby, you can fish the Missouri, explore the Gates of the Mountains and cycle a lifetime’s worth of mountain bike trails. History Montana HISTORICAL SOCIETY Founded in 1865, the society houses a LAST CHANCE TOUR TRAIN rich collection of art, artifacts, archives and Step aboard the open cars and see all photographs. The museum features a stellar that Helena has to offer! This one-hour, collection of the work of cowboy artist narrated train ride takes you to Helena’s C. M. Russell, as well as American Indian historic sites and districts. You’ll view and Montana history exhibits. Explore your Mount Helena City Park (Heidi O’Brien) the original Governor’s Mansion, the own family history at the society’s extensive current executive residence, the State Research Center. Find a unique Montana Capitol Building, the historic fire tower treasure and pick up a self-guided tour affectionately known as the Guardian of book of historic Helena at the gift store. the Gulch, and much, much more. It’s the 406-444-2694 • best way to see it all and plan for more www.montanahistoricalsociety.org personalized sightseeing excursions. 406-442-1023 • www.lctours.com Cathedral of St. Helena (Helena CVB) LAST CHANCE GULCH ORIGINAL GOVERNOR’S MANSION Prospectors took “one last chance” that paid off in 1864. Take a guided tour of the 1888 Queen Anne-style mansion Helena grew along the gulch that today is the most historic that served as the official home of Montana’s governors mile in Montana. Victorian-era buildings now line the site from 1913 to 1959. where diggings produced millions in gold. Enjoy great 406-444-4789 • www.montanahistoricalsociety.org shopping, dining, art galleries and history. 406-447-1535 • www.downtownhelena.com REEDER’S ALLEY This quaint alley was home to miners and is Helena’s most State CAPITOL BUILDING intact territorial-period neighborhood. Listed on the National Montana’s stunning neoclassical-style capitol reflects the Register, visitors can take a self-guided tour. The Montana American Renaissance of the late 19th century. The building, Heritage Commission, managing entity for Nevada and fully restored to its 1902 appearance, features a dome of Virginia cities, maintains this historic state-owned property. Montana copper. Tours emphasize the blending of fine 406-843-5247 • Western art and classical architecture that make Montana’s http://montanaheritagecommission.mt.gov/default.mcpx capitol unique. 406-444-2694 • www.montanahistoricalsociety.org Montana Military MUSEUM Montana’s official military repository offers a rich collection Cathedral OF ST. HELENA of memorabilia, artifacts and archives, ranging from Lewis Patterned after the renowned Votive Cathedral of the Sacred and Clark’s Corps of Discovery through modern time. Heart in Vienna, Austria, the 230-foot spires dominate the Located at the Fort Harrison complex in Helena. Helena skyline. The interior is just as impressive. 406-324-3550 • www.montanaguard.com/museum 406-442-5825 • www.sthelenas.org Montana State Capitol Rotunda (Donnie Sexton) WWW.GOLDWEST.VISITMT.COM 5 BLACKFOOT VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY MUSEUMS This museum collection of displays and Lincoln Gulch Gold Mine artifacts shares the valley’s heritage with visitors. Located in Lincoln, behind the Hi-Country Trading Post. 406-362-4949 • www.lincolnmontana.com KLEFFNER RANCH A mile south of East Helena, this 1885 ranch is listed on the National Register and includes a massive fieldstone barn and unusual octagonal ranch house. 406-495-9090 • www.kleffnerranch.com Archie Bray Foundation (Donnie Sexton) Archie ST. JOSEPH’S Catholic MISSION CHURCH Great Northern CAROUSEL A Colonial-style church dating to 1875, it reflects the roots of Thirty-eight hand-sculpted animals and century-old stained many local settlers who came here from Canton, New York. The glass from the famed Broadwater Hotel promise a memorable church was moved to its present location on Highway 284 east ride. Enjoy the enclosed carousel year-round. of Townsend in 1952 when Canyon Ferry Reservoir was filled. 406-457-5353 • www.gncarousel.com 406-266-3710 EXplorationWORKS Culture A hands-on museum of science and culture for children of all ages, its 3,500 square feet offer hands-on fun and ARCHIE Bray Foundation science education. For those who like to play, create, discover Established in 1951 on the site of a brick factory, the Bray and explore, ExplorationWorks is the place to be! attracts artists from around the world. Tour the studios and 406-457-1800 • www.explorationworks.org grounds of this unique endeavor in the ceramic arts. 406-443-3502 • www.archiebray.org LAST CHANCE RANCH WAGON-RIDE DINNERS Travel back in time via our horse-drawn wagons through Holter MUSEUM OF Art high mountain timber to the Moose Meadow Tipi. Enjoy Features the best in regional fine arts and crafts, with new a great gourmet meal — including fresh garden salad, shows opening every six weeks. The Holter hosts both homemade rolls, prime rib, potatoes du jour, steamed nationally known and local artists. vegetables, huckleberry cheesecake and cowboy coffee — 406-442-6400 • www.holtermuseum.org served up family style.