Region Trip Planning

Southwest Montana

Fly Fishing | History | Mining Between Yellowstone and Glacier national parks lies the best of Montana. Take time to enjoy this vast region of mountains, waterways, wildlife, hot springs, and ghost towns.

Open My Trip

Plan this region

Why go

Fly Fishing | History | Mining Between Yellowstone and Glacier national parks lies the best of Montana. Take time to enjoy this vast region of mountains, waterways, wildlife, hot springs, and ghost towns.

Best time to visit

Summer, Spring, Winter

How long to spend

1 week

Getting there

Start from Whitehall, Dillon, Anaconda, Helena and connect your route through regional highways and state roads.

Nearby towns and regions

Whitehall Dillon Anaconda Helena Explore more regions

Things to do

Lewis & Clark Caverns Trail System

The trails of Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park allow the visitor to enjoy and experience many aspects of the park above and beyond the caverns themselves. The...

Explore nearby

Clark's Lookout State Park

This outcropping above the Beaverhead River provided the Lewis and Clark Expedition a view of the route ahead. Captain William Clark climbed this hill overlooki...

Explore nearby

Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park

The old Anaconda Copper Company smelter stack, completed in 1919, is one of the tallest free-standing brick structures in the world at 585 feet. The inside diam...

Explore nearby

Beaverhead Rock State Park

Sacagawea, a young Shoshone Indian guide traveling with the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805, recognized this rock formation and knew that she may be in the v...

Explore nearby

Spring Meadow Lake State Park

Located on the western edge of Helena, this 30-acre spring-fed man-made lake is noted for its clarity and depth. This urban day-use-only park, minutes from Hele...

Explore nearby

Lyons Bridge

Lyons Bridge Fishing Access Site is a day use only site. A boat launch, toilets, and access for camp trailers is available. Open all season. Forest Service site...

Explore nearby

High Road

High Road Fishing Access Site is a day use only site. A boat launch is available. Open all season.

Explore nearby

Dewey

Dewey Fishing Access Site is a day access site. A boat launch and toilets are available. Open all season.

Explore nearby

Events in this region

Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka

Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka follows enigmatic candy manufacturer, Willy Wonka, as he stages a contest by hiding golden tickets in five of his scrumptious candy bars. Whomever comes up...

See events nearby

Game Day!

Come join us for fun family game day. Everyone is invited to come. Every Second Saturday of the month from 1-3pm.

See events nearby

The Dead South With Amigo the Devil

Award-winning Canadian folk/bluegrass band The Dead South will return to KettleHouse Amphitheater in Bonner, MT on Saturday, June 13, 2026, with special guest Amigo the Devil. The...

See events nearby

Christopher Cross

Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Christopher Cross is set to perform live at The Wilma on Saturday, June 13, 2026. This is a fully reserved seated concert, so if you have your eye...

See events nearby

Appalachian Spring

Feel the first warm, aromatic breezes of spring as the Bozeman Symphony performs Copland's Appalachian Spring. Also on the program is Adams' Harmonielehre, a breathtaking fusion of...

See events nearby

Bitter Root Day

Bitter Root Day is a festival centered on our state flower, the Bitter Root, and the Salish People. The Ravalli County Museum’s Annual Bitter Root Day Festival features arts, craft...

See events nearby

Where to stay and partner referrals

Bannack State Park

A registered historic landmark and the site of Montana's first major gold discovery on July 28, 1862. Please visit our website for more information! The park is...

Partner referral

Whitehouse Campground

Whitehouse Campground is located in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, southwest Montana. It is a basic campground with 5 campsite, restrooms and drinkin...

Partner referral

Notch Bottom Fishing Access Site

Notch Bottom Fishing Access Site has camping available. There is a 7 day stay limit. A boat launch, toilets, and access for camp trailers are available. Open al...

Partner referral

Cameahwait Campground

Cameahwait Campground has tent and trailer campsites, handicapped accessible restrooms, and drinking water. Fishing access is nearby. Please limit your stay to...

Partner referral

Suggested routes and related content

Routes

A Three-Day Central Montana Backcountry Adventure

Escape to Montana’s mountains, where the only thing that stands between you and the great outdoors is the drive to get there. From camping and hiking in some of Central Montana’s m...

Plan this route

A Three-Day Southwestern Montana Hiking Trip

Ready to get off the grid? This southwestern Montana itinerary takes you on the backroads to find quiet lakes, peaceful hikes and secluded scenery that will make you feel like you’...

Plan this route

Spooky Southwest Montana

Southwest Montana is full of history, from the expedition of Lewis and Clark to the boom and bust of the gold rush. There are plenty of stories to be told about how this region cam...

Plan this route

Butte Area

Where's a west that's still wild? That would be Butte and the surrounding Southwest Montana tourism region, home to ghost towns, cowboy cookouts and tours that go deep.

Plan this route

Four Day Warm and Cozy in Southwest

Norris Hot Springs > Butte > Anaconda > Jackson Hot Springs + Elkhorn Hot SpringsYou can’t get more Montana than this winter getaway featuring snowshoeing, Nordic skiing and small-...

Plan this route

10-Day Group Travel Itinerary

From the rolling plains in the south to the rocky peaks in the west, there’s so much to discover in Montana. For groups planning to explore the state’s highlights, here’s an itiner...

Plan this route

Spooky Sights & Big Sky Frights

As the days grow shorter and the Halloween season approaches, history lovers and families alike begin searching for their next spooky adventure. Turn away from haunted houses this...

Plan this route

A Three-Day Ice Fishing Trip in Northeast Montana

Fishing isn’t just for the warmer months: Here in Montana, it’s a year-round sport. Trade your waders for spikes and take to the ice for a fishing trip in northeastern Montana that...

Plan this route

Related stories

Tribal Recreation Permits: Everything You Need to Know

From vast lakes and rivers to rolling prairies, Indigenous lands across Montana hold significance that goes far beyond their natural beauty. Enjoying tribal lands is a rewarding pu...

Read story

One Paddle at a Time: Accessing Montana Lands by Water

It would be easy to assume that Tom Elpel’s favorite way to recreate in Montana is to paddle a river. After all, he carved a dugout canoe with the help of Churchill Clark, a direct...

Read story

Flathead Lake State Parks

Montana’s Flathead Lake is a paradise for water recreation of all kinds. It’s the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River and has more than 180 miles of shoreline to...

Read story

Floating Montana’s River Trails

Montana’s landscapes are shaped by its rivers. Carving canyons out of age-old rock formations and offering the backdrop for the history that put this state on the map, these waterw...

Read story

Flathead Lake State Parks

Montana’s Flathead Lake is a paradise for water recreation of all kinds. It’s the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River and has more than 180 miles of shoreline to...

Read story

Chasing Fish All Year Long

Fishing puns are easy. Often too easy.

Read story

Accessibility and responsible travel

Responsible travel notes

Learn protocols, local context, and cultural guidance before visiting tribal nations.

Respectful travel guidance
Preparedness

Preparedness notes for this region

Make preparedness part of your trip plan: weather, roads, fire, access, safety, and respectful travel protocols.

Weather and Seasonality

Pack for rapid weather changes and elevation swings, even in summer.

Review guidance

Road Conditions and Winter Driving

Check closures, chain requirements, and active construction before driving.

Review guidance

Fire Awareness

Review current fire restrictions and air quality before outdoor plans.

Review guidance

Wildlife Safety

Carry bear spray where recommended, keep distance from wildlife, and follow posted guidance.

Review guidance

Park Access and Reservation Reminders

Check park access requirements, timed-entry reservations, and shuttle updates before your trip.

Review guidance

Winter Driving

Monitor road cameras, weather alerts, and traction requirements before mountain travel in winter.

Review guidance

Responsible Recreation

Follow Leave No Trace practices, respect closures, and recreate responsibly on public and private lands.

Review guidance

Respectful Travel in Indian Country

Learn protocols, local context, and cultural guidance before visiting tribal nations.

Review guidance

Accessibility Planning

Confirm accessibility details with lodging, attractions, and event hosts before arrival.

Review guidance