Best Small Towns in Montana
The best small towns in Montana are Whitefish for Glacier National Park, Livingston for Paradise Valley and the road to Yellowstone, Red Lodge for the Beartooth Highway, Virginia City for gold-rush history and Philipsburg for a restored mining-town main street. Distances are long, so most trips pair two or three towns in one region. The list runs from the Rockies near Glacier to the eastern badlands at Makoshika State Park. Here are 12 worth the trip, grouped by region.
- Best season: June–September
- Regions: Glacier Country, Southwest Montana, Yellowstone Country, Central Montana, Eastern Montana
- Closest big cities: Bozeman, Missoula, Billings, Kalispell, Great Falls
| Town | Region | Best for | Nearest airport |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whitefish | Glacier Country | national parks, skiing, lake days, hiking, mountain biking, train travel | Kalispell, Glacier Park International (FCA), about 20 min |
| Livingston | Yellowstone Country | fly fishing, railroad history, road trips to Yellowstone, live music, hot springs | Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN), about 40 min |
| Red Lodge | Yellowstone Country | scenic drives, skiing, Yellowstone road trips, mining history, rodeo | Billings Logan International (BIL), about 1 hr 15 min |
| Virginia City | Southwest Montana | Old West history, families, summer theater, road trips between Yellowstone and Glacier | Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN), about 1 hr 30 min |
| Philipsburg | Southwest Montana | sapphire hunting, mining history, fly fishing, skiing, families | Butte (BTM), about 1 hr 15 min |
| West Yellowstone | Yellowstone Country | Yellowstone trips, wildlife, families, Nordic skiing, snowmobiling | Bozeman (BZN), about 1 hr 45 min |
| Ennis | Southwest Montana | fly fishing, anglers, history side trips, craft spirits | Bozeman (BZN), about 1 hr 15 min |
| Hamilton | Southwest Montana | history, hiking, fly fishing, lake days, families | Missoula (MSO), about 1 hr |
| Polson | Glacier Country | lake days, boating, wildlife, museums, cherry season | Kalispell (FCA), about 1 hr 15 min |
| Fort Benton | Central Montana | frontier history, museums, canoeing, Lewis and Clark trail | Great Falls (GTF), about 45 min |
| Lewistown | Central Montana | trails, trout, western culture, dinner train, road trips | Great Falls (GTF), about 1 hr 45 min |
| Glendive | Eastern Montana | dinosaurs, badlands hiking, paddlefishing, road-trip stops on I-94 | Glendive (GDV), about 10 min |
Glacier Country
1. Whitefish
Whitefish is a Flathead County railroad town of about 7,750 people, under an hour from Glacier National Park's west entrance. Whitefish Mountain Resort sits on Big Mountain above town, and City Beach and the Whitefish Trail make the lake an easy half-day.
Pop. 7,751 (2020 Census) Flathead County Founded 1905 (incorporated) Nearest airport: Kalispell, Glacier Park International (FCA), about 20 min Known for: Gateway to Glacier National Park, Whitefish Mountain Resort, Whitefish Lake, Amtrak's Empire Builder
- Best for: national parks, skiing, lake days, hiking, mountain biking, train travel
- Don't miss: Glacier National Park and Going-to-the-Sun Road; Whitefish Mountain Resort; City Beach and Whitefish Lake
- Heads up: Logan Pass parking fills by sunrise in summer, and park access rules change yearly; check the Glacier site first.
2. Polson
Polson is the Lake County seat on the south shore of Flathead Lake, inside the Flathead Indian Reservation. It's the jumping-off point for Wild Horse Island and the tribally owned SKQ Dam overlook. Cherry orchards, lakefront parks and the sprawling Miracle of America Museum round it out.
Pop. 5,148 (2020 Census) Lake County Founded 1910 (incorporated) Nearest airport: Kalispell (FCA), about 1 hr 15 min Known for: Flathead Lake, Wild Horse Island, Flathead cherries, SKQ (Kerr) Dam, Miracle of America Museum
- Best for: lake days, boating, wildlife, museums, cherry season
- Don't miss: Flathead Lake at Salish Point and Sacajawea Parks; Wild Horse Island; Miracle of America Museum
- Heads up: Wild Horse Island is boat-access only, with no dock or ferry.
Yellowstone Country
3. Livingston
Livingston is the Park County seat, a railroad town on the Yellowstone River at the top of Paradise Valley. Its 1902 depot, the Yellowstone Gateway Museum and the Murray Hotel fill a day downtown. Pine Creek Falls and Chico Hot Springs are down the valley toward Yellowstone.
Pop. 8,040 (2020 Census) Park County Founded 1882 (incorporated December 21, 1882) Nearest airport: Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN), about 40 min Known for: Original rail gateway to Yellowstone, fly fishing the Yellowstone River, Livingston Depot, Murray Hotel
- Best for: fly fishing, railroad history, road trips to Yellowstone, live music, hot springs
- Don't miss: Fly Fishing the Yellowstone River; Livingston Depot Center; The Murray Hotel and Downtown
- Heads up: Livingston is one of the windiest towns in the country; the Depot museum is open only in summer.
4. Red Lodge
Red Lodge is the Carbon County seat and the start of the Beartooth Highway, which climbs to nearly 11,000 feet on the way to Yellowstone's Northeast Entrance. The restored coal-era downtown, Red Lodge Mountain and a wildlife sanctuary fill the rest of a trip.
Pop. 2,257 (2020 Census) Carbon County Founded 1884 (post office established) Nearest airport: Billings Logan International (BIL), about 1 hr 15 min Known for: Start of the Beartooth Highway to Yellowstone, Red Lodge Mountain, coal-mining history, Home of Champions Rodeo
- Best for: scenic drives, skiing, Yellowstone road trips, mining history, rodeo
- Don't miss: Beartooth Highway; Red Lodge Mountain; Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary
- Heads up: The Beartooth Highway is usually open only from late May to mid-October; check road status first.
5. West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone grew up in 1908 where the railroad met Yellowstone's western edge. Today it's the base for the park's West Entrance, the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center and the Museum of the Yellowstone in the old depot. Winter brings snowcoach tours and 35 kilometers of Nordic trails.
Pop. 1,272 (2020 Census) Gallatin County Founded 1908 (incorporated 1966) Nearest airport: Bozeman (BZN), about 1 hr 45 min Known for: Yellowstone's West Entrance, Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, snowmobile and Nordic ski base
- Best for: Yellowstone trips, wildlife, families, Nordic skiing, snowmobiling
- Don't miss: Yellowstone National Park's West Entrance; Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center; Earthquake Lake Visitor Center
- Heads up: Most park roads close to cars early November to late April; winter access is by guided snowcoach or snowmobile.
Southwest Montana
6. Virginia City
Virginia City boomed after gold was found in Alder Gulch in 1863 and served as Montana's territorial capital until 1875. Today its restored streets, a narrow-gauge train to Nevada City and two summer theater companies make it a full day or an overnight. Nearly everything runs Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Pop. 219 (2020 Census) Madison County Founded 1863 Nearest airport: Bozeman Yellowstone International (BZN), about 1 hr 30 min Known for: 1863 gold rush, Montana territorial capital 1865-1875, National Historic Landmark district, Nevada City, Alder Gulch Short Line, Brewery Follies
- Best for: Old West history, families, summer theater, road trips between Yellowstone and Glacier
- Don't miss: Virginia City Historic District; Alder Gulch Short Line Railroad; Brewery Follies
- Heads up: Most attractions run only from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
7. Philipsburg
Philipsburg is the Granite County seat, a silver-mining town platted in 1867 and restored downtown after the 1980s. You can wash gravel for Montana sapphires, fill a bag at The Sweet Palace and drive up to Granite Ghost Town State Park. Georgetown Lake and Discovery Ski Area are close by.
Pop. 841 (2020 Census) Granite County Founded 1867 (platted) Nearest airport: Butte (BTM), about 1 hr 15 min Known for: Montana sapphires, The Sweet Palace, Granite Ghost Town, restored silver-mining downtown
- Best for: sapphire hunting, mining history, fly fishing, skiing, families
- Don't miss: Sapphire hunting downtown; The Sweet Palace; Granite Ghost Town State Park
- Heads up: Granite's road is steep and narrow with no RVs or buses; the park is open Memorial Day to September 30.
8. Ennis
Ennis is a Madison County ranching town on the Madison River, one of Montana's best-known trout streams. Its Main Street has three fly shops, Willie's Distillery and Burnt Tree Brewing. Virginia City and the Ennis National Fish Hatchery are short drives away.
Pop. 917 (2020 Census) Madison County Founded 1863 (homesteaded by William Ennis) Nearest airport: Bozeman (BZN), about 1 hr 15 min Known for: Madison River fly fishing, Willie's Distillery, ranching, gateway to Virginia City
- Best for: fly fishing, anglers, history side trips, craft spirits
- Don't miss: Fly fishing the Madison River; Willie's Distillery; Ennis National Fish Hatchery
- Heads up: Guided fishing trips fill up in summer; book your guide early.
9. Hamilton
Hamilton is the Ravalli County seat, founded by copper king Marcus Daly in the Bitterroot Valley. His 50-room mansion is open for summer tours, and Blodgett Canyon and Lake Como are short drives away. The Bitterroot River is one of Montana's most fished trout streams.
Pop. 4,659 (2020 Census) Ravalli County Founded late 1800s (founded by Marcus Daly) Nearest airport: Missoula (MSO), about 1 hr Known for: Daly Mansion, Bitterroot Valley, Bitterroot River trout fishing, Blodgett Canyon
- Best for: history, hiking, fly fishing, lake days, families
- Don't miss: Daly Mansion; Blodgett Canyon Overlook Trail; Lake Como Recreation Area
- Heads up: Lake Como needs a vehicle recreation pass Memorial Day to Labor Day, and water drops after late July.
Central Montana
10. Fort Benton
Fort Benton, established in 1846, is the oldest continuously occupied settlement in Montana and was the head of Missouri River steamboat navigation. Its levee is a National Historic Landmark district lined with museums and the 1882 Grand Union Hotel. It's also the jumping-off point for canoe trips through the White Cliffs of the Upper Missouri River Breaks.
Pop. 1,449 (2020 Census) Chouteau County Founded 1846 Nearest airport: Great Falls (GTF), about 45 min Known for: Missouri River steamboat port, oldest settlement in Montana, Shep the dog, Upper Missouri River Breaks
- Best for: frontier history, museums, canoeing, Lewis and Clark trail
- Don't miss: The Levee and the Fort Benton Historic District; Historic Old Fort Benton; Missouri River floats and the White Cliffs
- Heads up: The fort and most museums are open only from Memorial Day weekend through September 30.
11. Lewistown
Lewistown is the Fergus County seat in the geographic center of Montana, settled by Métis families in 1879 and boosted by an 1880 gold rush. Big Spring Creek runs from one of the state's great springs straight through town, lined by a 24-mile trail system. The Charlie Russell Chew Choo dinner train and an August cowboy poetry gathering bring visitors in summer.
Pop. 5,952 (2020 Census) Fergus County Founded 1899 (incorporated); settled 1879 Nearest airport: Great Falls (GTF), about 1 hr 45 min Known for: Big Spring Creek, geographic center of Montana, Charlie Russell Chew Choo dinner train, Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering
- Best for: trails, trout, western culture, dinner train, road trips
- Don't miss: Big Springs Trout Hatchery; Lewistown Trail System and Big Spring Creek; Charlie Russell Chew Choo Dinner Train
- Heads up: The Chew Choo dinner train sells out; book well ahead.
Eastern Montana
12. Glendive
Glendive is the Dawson County seat, a Northern Pacific railroad town on the Yellowstone River in eastern Montana. Makoshika State Park, the state's largest, sits on the edge of town with badlands and Hell Creek dinosaur fossils. Paddlefish season at nearby Intake and the pedestrian Bell Street Bridge round it out.
Pop. 4,873 (2020 Census) Dawson County Founded 1881 (railroad town platted) Nearest airport: Glendive (GDV), about 10 min Known for: Makoshika State Park, dinosaur fossils, paddlefish and Yellowstone Caviar, Bell Street Bridge
- Best for: dinosaurs, badlands hiking, paddlefishing, road-trip stops on I-94
- Don't miss: Makoshika State Park; Frontier Gateway Museum; Bell Street Bridge
- Heads up: Summer heat can be serious; carry water in Makoshika.
- July–August: Peak season. Glacier’s Going-to-the-Sun Road and the Beartooth Highway are open, and Flathead Lake is warm enough for boating. Book rooms near both national parks early.
- June and September: Quieter shoulder months with open roads most of the time. The Beartooth Highway usually opens in mid-May and closes in mid-October, weather permitting. September is a good month for fly fishing the Yellowstone River through Paradise Valley.
- Winter: Skiing at Whitefish Mountain Resort and Red Lodge Mountain. West Yellowstone is a base for snowcoach and snowmobile tours into Yellowstone. Many summer-only museums and shops close.
These didn’t make the list, but each has its own guide: Anaconda (smelter-stack town) · Big Sky (Gallatin Canyon ski resort) · Big Timber (Yellowstone River ranch town) · Butte (historic mining city) · Choteau (Rocky Mountain Front town) · Sidney (far eastern farm town) · Stevensville (oldest Bitterroot town) · Thompson Falls (Clark Fork River town)
What is the prettiest small town in Montana?
Whitefish sits just west of Glacier National Park, with a ski mountain 4 miles from town. Red Lodge is the Yellowstone Country pick, at the start of the Beartooth Highway.
What small towns in Montana are best for a weekend?
Pair Virginia City and Ennis for gold-rush history and the Madison River. Livingston works as a base for Paradise Valley. Whitefish and Polson cover Glacier and Flathead Lake.
What is the smallest town in Montana worth visiting?
Virginia City has about 220 people and more than 200 nineteenth-century buildings. It was Montana’s territorial capital from 1865 to 1875. Philipsburg, with about 840, is close behind.
What are the best small towns near Yellowstone?
West Yellowstone sits at the west entrance. Livingston is at the top of Paradise Valley on the road to the north entrance. Red Lodge reaches the Northeast Entrance over the Beartooth Highway.