Bannack State Park and Ghost Town
Bannack was the first territorial capital of Montana. It is still in the original “Wild West” condition and has not been commercialized. They will happily teach you how to pan for gold and furnish everything you need at no charge. All the dirt is donated by the surrounding gold miners. Bannack Days happens every year in July. Everyone dresses up in period clothing, and there are a multitude of classes, lectures, and events. Old recipes are freely offered as long as they last. More information is available on the official Bannack State Park website.
Yellowstone National Park
From the official Yellowstone National Park website :
It's wonderland. Old Faithful and the majority of the world's geysers are preserved here. They are the main reason the park was established in 1872 as America's first national park—an idea that spread worldwide. A mountain wild land, home to grizzly bears, wolves, and herds of bison and elk, the park is the core of one of the last, nearly intact, natural ecosystems in the Earth’s temperate zone.
Virginia City, Montana
From the official Virginia City website:
All of Montana has the deepest pride and affection for Virginia City. No more colorful pioneer mining camp ever existed. Dramatic tales of the early days in this vicinity are legion. Rich placer diggings were discovered in Alder Gulch in the spring of 1863 and the stampede of gold seekers and their parasites was on! Sluices soon lined the gulch and various "cities" blossomed forth as trading and amusement centers for free handed miners. Virginia City, the best known of these and the sole survivor, became the Capitol of the Territory.
The very much alive ghost town, Virginia City, Montana, is frozen in time. It is a remarkably well preserved old west Victorian gold mining town just 20 miles west of Yellowstone National Park (90 miles by road). When the gold ran out, there was still enough left so that homes and businesses were occupied, but there was not enough wealth to remodel the buildings. So it froze, and now represents the whole Victorian era. It is the true and original Old West. It is a gem, held within an incredibly rich area of natural beauty, recreation and history.
Come rediscover Virginia City & Nevada City, Montana!
Beaverhead National Forest
- One of Montana’s top fishing rivers
- Surrounded by several top rivers within 10 minutes:
- Beaverhead, Poindexter Slough, The Big Hole, The Wise River
- Hunting is some of the best in the country.
More information can be found on the official Beaverhead National Forest website.
Elkhorn Hot Springs
Elkhorn Hot Springs is a family owned primitive retreat in the Pioneer Mountains, located 40 miles south west of Dillon Montana. Elkhorn offers lodging in one of our 11 rustic cabins or a room in our 1900’s lodge. You can come up for a swim in our two outdoor natural Hot Springs pools ranging in temperature from 80-98 degrees. Head inside to relax in the Grecian/Wet sauna that ranges from 98-107 degrees. The resort offers a full service lunch and dinner menu at the restaurant located on the main level of the lodge. Centrally located to several recreational opportunities including downhill skiing, cross county skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, fishing, and much more! Take a day trip and visit the famous Big Hole River or spend an afternoon digging at Crystal Park, then end the day with a memorable soak.
For Reservations Call: 1-800-722-8978 or 406-834-3434 or 406-834-3551