Things to Do in Ennis, Montana
The best things to do in Ennis, Montana, are fly fishing the Madison River, sampling Willie’s Distillery and Burnt Tree Brewing, and driving to gold-rush Virginia City. Ennis is a town of 917 people in Madison County, on US 287 along the Madison.
Gold turned up in nearby Alder Gulch in 1863, and two months later William Ennis homesteaded the riverbank site that took his name. Ranching still anchors the valley, and the town supports at least three fly shops and a crowd of fishing lodges.
Fly fishing the Madison River
The Madison runs along the east edge of town, and it’s the reason most visitors come. Anglers target rainbow and brown trout here, with float trips and walk-and-wade trips on the upper and lower river. The Tackle Shop at 127 Main St. has served Madison River anglers since 1937 and calls itself southwest Montana’s oldest fly shop.
★ Good to know The Tackle Shop runs free Fly Fishing 101 lessons at the shop a few mornings a week; check its site for the current schedule.
Madison River Fishing Company and Trout Stalkers
Madison River Fishing Company has outfitted anglers from its Main Street shop since 1984. Its owner, Joe Dilschneider, also started Trout Stalkers after moving to Ennis in the winter of 1994-95. Between the two, you can pick up flies, tying materials and a guide in one stop.
★ Good to know Stop in for a current river report before you rig up; conditions on the Madison change with the season.
Willie’s Distillery
Willie’s is one of Montana’s micro-distilleries, known for its bourbon and moonshine. The tasting room sits at 312 E. Main St. in the middle of town. It’s open seven days a week and hosts live music and other events.
★ Good to know Ask about tours when you visit; the distillery sets them up on request.
Burnt Tree Brewing
Scott and Amy Kelley started this brewery in 2018 at 311 E. Main St., on the same stretch of Main as Willie’s. It’s named for a fishing access a few miles upstream on the Madison. It serves its own beer with food and books live music.
★ Good to know Summer hours start in the afternoon, so plan it for after a day on the river.
Ennis National Fish Hatchery
This federal hatchery sits 12 miles southwest of town in the foothills of the Gravelly Range. It began raising fish in 1933 and is the largest facility in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Broodstock Program. It keeps seven strains of rainbow trout and ships eggs to hatcheries across the country.
★ Good to know The visitor center, raceway and picnic tables are accessible; call ahead for current visitor hours.
Madison Valley History Museum
The Madison Valley History Association runs this museum 4.4 miles west of Ennis on Highway 287, on the road toward Virginia City. It covers the valley from Native American presence through pioneer days and has a historic blacksmith shop.
★ Good to know It’s open only in summer, Memorial Day through Labor Day, on a few afternoons a week, so check before you go.
Ennis Lake and Bear Trap Canyon
About 12 miles north of town, the Madison Dam backs up the river into Ennis Lake at the head of Bear Trap Canyon. The lake has its own stillwater trout fishing, known for summer dry-fly action on rising fish.
★ Good to know Local fly shops post separate reports for Ennis Lake, so check one before you head up.
Virginia City
Montana’s territorial capital from 1865 to 1875 is a short drive west of Ennis on Highway 287. The town and surrounding area became a National Historic Landmark District in 1961. It pairs naturally with an Ennis stay.
★ Good to know The Madison Valley History Museum is on the same road, so you can stop on the way.
Also in town
The Madison Valley Public Library is in town, and every July 4 Ennis holds a parade and rodeo; the Ennis on the Madison Fly Fishing Festival follows in August, and Tap Into Ennis bills itself as Montana’s first combined brewery and distillery festival.
Is Ennis, Montana, good for fly fishing?
Yes. Ennis sits on the Madison River, known for rainbow and brown trout, and supports at least three fly shops. The Tackle Shop has served Madison anglers since 1937.
How far is Ennis from Virginia City?
It’s a short drive west on Highway 287, with the Madison Valley History Museum along the way. See our Virginia City guide for the gold-rush town.
How far is Ennis from Yellowstone?
US 287 follows the Madison River south toward West Yellowstone. On the way you pass the Earthquake Lake Visitor Center, 44 miles south of Ennis.
What events happen in Ennis each year?
Ennis holds a July 4 parade and rodeo, the Ennis on the Madison Fly Fishing Festival in August and a Hunters Feed in October. For more trip ideas, see our small towns in Montana.
Where to find them
- The Tackle Shop 127 Main St., Ennis, MT 59729 Website Directions
- Madison River Fishing Company 109 E. Main St., Ennis, MT 59729 Website Directions
- Willie's Distillery 312 E. Main St., Ennis, MT 59729 Website Directions
- Burnt Tree Brewing 311 E. Main St., Ennis, MT 59729 Website Directions
- Ennis National Fish Hatchery 180 Fish Hatchery Road, Ennis, MT 59729 Website Directions
- Madison Valley History Museum 447 MT Hwy 287, Ennis, MT 59729 Website Directions
Plan your trip: for events and current visitor info in Ennis, see Ennis Chamber of Commerce →
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Where to stay in Ennis
Keep exploring
Virginia City, MTAbout 11 miles as the crow fliesMontana's gold-rush capital, preserved as an open-air museum.Things to do in Virginia City →
West Yellowstone, MTAbout 56 miles as the crow fliesThe railroad-era gateway town at Yellowstone's West Entrance.Things to do in West Yellowstone →
Livingston, MTAbout 60 miles as the crow fliesYellowstone's first rail gateway, on a famous trout river.Things to do in Livingston →Also nearby: Island Park · Philipsburg