34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (2024)

The top stops along the way from Spokane to Red Lodge (with short detours) are Old Faithful, Museum of the Rockies, and Lake Coeur d'Alene. Other popular stops include Silverwood Theme Park, Montana Whitewater Rafting & Zipline - Gallatin, and Big Sky Resort.

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Centennial Trail

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Nature & Parks

Biking Trails

Equestrian Trails

Hiking Trails

The Centennial Trail is a surfaced pathway extending for about 30 miles, designed for the purpose of cycling, running and horseback riding. It also showcases artistic installations throughout its length.

4.5

(576)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (1)

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Schweitzer

34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (2)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (3)

34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (4)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (5)

Ski resort

Nature & Parks

Schweitzer is a mountain resort that offers skiing, tubing, dining, spa services, and kid-friendly activities. Visitors have praised the beautiful terrain and well-maintained slopes but have raised concerns about limited parking capacity. Despite this issue, guests appreciate the lack of long lines for lifts and reasonable prices for food and drinks. The staff is described as generally happy, with manageable lift lines even on crowded days. The resort is also noted for its family-friendly environment and snowboarder-approved learner hill.

I stayed in an air b&b up the mountain from the village. A 3 minute drive or short walk. Caught the lift from the village and ate at the Sky restaurant. They had a lot of gluten free and dairy free options and the food was delightful! Then we took the nature trail back down. Took about 2 hours. The huckleberries were generous and nature plentiful! Take in the sights and enjoy life. Next time I will go up the trail.

Jamie J — Google review

What a beautiful mountain!Staff was mostly happy, perhaps not the most attentive bunch, but they clearly enjoy the job.Lots of runs to choose from! Even on a fairly crowded day, lines were very manageable.They have a parking lot lift that doubles as an epic learner hill. 100% snowboarder approved! Snowboarders have a notoriously difficult time learning on most bunny hills, they're just too flat. Not here!Very family friendly!Didn't check out the top restaurant, but the base has a cafeteria style set up with lots of seating and a bar upstairs.Restrooms were a bit of a challenge. I found two at the base, one required stairs and the other was in the rental area, so busy and bustling in the opening and closing times.All and all, it was a wonderful day and I have no legitimate complaints!

Pelewai E — Google review

I am staying at the Selkirk Lodge. 3 days in on a 6 day trip. No ski lockers were available when I checked in an after checking numerous times still no ski lockers available. You can’t take them to your room so they are stored willy nilly in the baggage room. The baggage room is left open with no monitoring and people taking numerous skis out with no accountability. Also the rooms seem to have limited hot water for showers. Nothing like cold water in the middle of a warm shower. There is no written list of amenities or where they are located. When using the hot tub you have to go through a construction are with tools and stuff to trip over. The food choices are limited and the bus into town does not run at night. We have a very nice room but so many other thing fall short. This may be my last time here. To many other better choices.

Larry K — Google review

We went for the ultimate summer experience. Although it wasn’t terrible I didn’t find it was worth the money. It was incredibly slow and most of the staff were just sitting around.We were especially excited about the zip lining. It was fun but since we had to carry the equipment back up we only did it twice.I might change my review if I come back to ski in the winter 🤷‍♀️

Moni Z — Google review

Not your average “local mountain”. Came for a weekend in February, and there were almost no lines for most of the day. The drive can be a bit treacherous in the snow going up the mountain, so I suggest you have four wheel drive in the winter. We really enjoyed the back side of the mountain, and you didn’t have to go too far off the beaten path to find fresh tracks a day or two after powder. Additionally, the price of food and drinks on the hill was very reasonable.

Mike B — Google review

Our first time at Schweitzer today. We had a great time. There is plenty of challenging terrain for all levels. Despite some recent warm weather the snow was in great condition. By most standards even a crowded day at Schweitzer is not crowded. We never waited more than a couple of minutes for a lift ride.

Chuck J — Google review

Beautiful resort with good energy. The road winds around quite a bit on the way up there but it’s worth the trip! We saw a cool yurt and cute cabins in the woods too. Thank you Abby Lodmer & Matt Lome for the recommendation! I will definitely be telling my brother about this majestic place because he loves to ski.

Tiny K — Google review

The snow and terrain was beautiful, runs were nice and long, a great variety of runs for seasons skiers to absolute beginners, BUT skier and snowboarders are supposed to be a tribe and act like it. The ticket gal in one of the first building that you come to in the village must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed. She seemed to be bothered by DOING HER JOB and helping us buy tickets. There was nothing abnormal about the request and no reason for her to be grumpy, but she acted so bothered. It made for a sad start to an otherwise enjoyable day. The lift operators seemed nice. One was singing karaoke through his speakers quite loudly (not a problem) and it seemed like they were generally having a good time. The vibes ON THE MOUNTAIN were fun too, but ppl in the village just didn’t seem to treat ppl as though they were all part of the skiing and snowboarding tribe. Parking was an absolute pain, but we did go on a discounted day, so maybe that played into the parking situation.

Madi Q — Google review

I was here in August just to visit, ride the lift up, and hike some trails. What a fun and beautiful place! Everyone working the lifts were super friendly. I enjoyed the sparkles in the rocks from all the mica everywhere, and I even found some huckleberries. Views are incredible!

Bonnie C — Google review

We had an amazing 3 day ski trip at Schweitzer. Beautiful terrain, grooming team keeps the mountain pristine. Our only criticism is the parking situation... they have limited parking in favor of more housing. The parking lots are at capacity on weekdays 30 minutes before the lifts start turning. I think they need to get more on hill parking otherwise their growth is going to be limited. If we hadn't stayed in a ski in ski out condo, the parking situation would have prevented us from coming back again. It would be a deal breaker for me if we were driving to the mountain for a day trip.

Jennifer D — Google review

Best kept secret. Fun skiing and more than plenty of ski runs for most. This is a large ski playground full of all levels of fun. One I haven't ridden was the T-bar up to fantastic open runs and if you like the trees, there is plenty to find for fresh tracks. Spectacular views too.

Tony W — Google review

We have been coming to Schweitzer for a week in March every year for over a decade. We have always loved the mountain for being an amazing family friendly resort and their top notch ski school. My kids have LOVED ski school in the past. We didn't go for several years due to Covid, we were so excited to go again this year after several years. However, I just found to that they no longer have a traditional ski school anymore. They appear to at first glance on their website until you read that it is only for their beginner green hill. Their other ski school is for weekends for the local kids. If your child is beyond a green skier and you don't live nearby, your only option is private lessons. So apparently only rich kids get to learn to ski beyond the green beginner level. What kind of ski resort doesn't have a regular ski school! It is too late to change our plans this year, but it looks like we won't be coming back. Such a shame. It makes me so sad to see this happening to a resort that my kids have grown up skiing at and had so many amazing memories at their wonderful ski school in the past.

Karen K — Google review

The guy who told me it's basically "Little Whistler" was right! Just look at the trail maps and compare them to surrounding ski areas. Great selection of intermediate/advanced slopes, many cornices (sick), and a couple high speed lifts. 3 terrain park options was cool too, there was the main one with rails and x games jumps, a progression park with boxes/small jumps, and then almost a large open area with naturalish jumps that was really fun on powder days. At the base there's a couple shops/restaurants which was cool to have the option. Overall after being to several ski areas in the eastern WA area, this place is worth the short drive up past Sandpoint.

Troy T — Google review

We went up during the summer and had a blast with our kid and family. This place has a lot to offer all year round and definitely something here for everyone!

Misty B — Google review

We put in for the lottery for the kids summer camp. We were a bit nervous as it was our son’s first experience although after day one he had made a friend and was elated to go to day two! Our fingers are crossed that we get the opportunity next year as well but everything about this camp was incredible!!!!! So amazing for our community to be able to experience this!

Katelyn F — Google review

This review is for Easter Brunch in the Caribou room.The wedding pictures of the Caribou room online made everything look fabulous so we decided to book brunch for 5 of us. We sure were disappointed. The big picture windows had a lovely view, but that was about it. For $45 there wasn’t even staff offering more coffee for the table. The buffet was in the entry (we had to look for it). We were hoping for something more special.While I hope the new owners bring in the service and experience that we we are used to receiving at their other ski hills, I believe the area is in for a rude awakening for an influx of people to the area as they pump more money into the hill.And we had to pay $25 per car to park. I don’t mind paying for an ‘event’ but all in all - the whole experience wasn’t worth it.

A K — Google review

Spent a few hours out on ORV trails on Schweitzer. What a beautiful day. We really had a blast and to the parking lot boys, thank you for your sacrifice on a job that both highly dangerous and extremely demanding. Your job keeps everyone in line but most of all, if not for your dedication to safety and responsibility, we hold it all too you. You guys really are awesome. Thank you.

Austin I — Google review

We went tubing today up on Schwitzer it was an amazing experience. I was not a fan of the snow until today. The staff was amazing they went above and beyond to help accommodate our group of 15 people. I highly recommend if you are looking for a fun outdoor experience please check out Schweitzer. Thank you Charity Russell and Mark I am not sure if you work in the activity center or where you tube you were extremely helpful, kind, and patient you guys went above and beyond for us thank you.

Jasmine L — Google review

Drove up the mountain and caught the lift up to the peak. We hiked around and picked huckleberry's !Amazing views!!

Gina G — Google review

Beautiful views of the lake on the mountain. No lines for chairlift. Everyone is extremely friendly. Ultra chill vibes. 10/10 would recommend :)

Gwen V — Google review

I had the greatest experience at this resort. We enjoyed skiing and lots more. The room we got at Humbird we're excellent 👍 I would recommend this place and I would go again. The most best was that we got to in a parking garage. That was the highlight for me

Allegra L — Google review

Stayed at the new Humbird. it was clean, modern, and comfortable. The staff were very attentive. I was on crutches, they were accommodating. The restaurant in the hotel was very good. It was nice to walk around the village at the base of the mountain. As everyone already knows, the views are amazing.This place won’t be a secret for long.

Daniel R — Google review

I live here and this place is great. Snow conditions haven't been great this season, but thats not something anyone can control. It's an awesome place to ski, but don't tell your friends.

Matt B — Google review

Since it was summertime, we talked about visiting Schweitzer Mountain Ski Lift, just to ride to the top. The road to the top is about the same as any other mountain switchback road; it’s paved, and clear in the summer. The problem was at the top. Parking there is very limited and at a distance, meaning long uphill walking at an altitude. There is a shuttle, but it doesn't run in the summer. In the end, we decided not to go because of the problem with parking.

Celeste R — Google review

Lodging only review: I love skiing the mountain, BUT Our lodging experience for second year in a row was terrible! January 2024 we had paid in advance $500 per night supposedly a 25% off deal for a hotel room. Our Selkirk hotel room could not get internet, the television did not work. We asked about getting transferred to a room with a full kitchen that cost less but they wouldn’t. There was no ice machine on our floor. The bedding was for the wrong size bed. The room above us was so loud we were kept awake for 2 hours with the floor squeaking and toddlers stomping. The front desk was less than concerned. We would have had to get up, call “security” and they might have investigated.Tonight we tried all 3 hot tubs and they were not working. Dirty, lukewarm at best and only one had jets. Brrr. Five star prices and 2 star results. Bummer

Ann S — Google review

4.5

(590)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (6)

4.5

(375)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (7)

Sandpoint, ID 83864, USA

(208) 263-9555

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34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (8)

3

Silverwood Theme Park

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Theme park

Water & Amusement Parks

Water Parks

Largest Northwest theme park offers 65+ rides, a water park, casual dining & an on-site RV park.

Silverwood is the greatest. I have been going since I was a kid and it still is great. The rides aren’t too intense but they give just enough adrenaline that you get the rollercoaster high. Boulder beach has really expanded in recent years and is so fun.I love the classic old time feeling that silverwood has. It has kept its charm and I hope that never changes. The new stunt pilot ride is a lot of fun but I am partial to the wooden roller coasters.I can promise you will have fun at this park. It is more than enjoyable. The staff told me the last time I was there that the best time to go is a couple days after the Fourth of July. It is always their slowest days of the year because everyone has to get back to work.If you are considering it, I recommend going for it. You won’t regret it!

Nikolas S — Google review

Family run theme park that has something for everyone.Silverwood is a fantastic theme park that is truly run with passion and quality experiences for guests. For a relatively small, less known theme park I was really impressed and had a blast. The coasters are good fun (Aftershock is epic); actors and train ride is a good time for all; magic show (Nick and Mad Mike especially) is a great way to break up the adrenaline fuelled fun; and the park’s theme and environment is genuinely beautiful and well maintained.Great place for a family, thrill seeking adults like myself and anyone who wants to escape for a fun adventure in Idaho.Yeehaw Silverwood!

Joey C — Google review

WHAT a great park! Homey and small, but with some really good rides, great atmosphere, and friendly people, both at work and as visitors. Parking is across the highway and you walk through a tunnel to the park. Then it's left to the theme park and right to the train and the water park.I didn't know what was good here, and was able to ride Aftershock twice right away. But Tremors is my favorite ride here, followed closely by the single-rail Stunt Pilot coaster, which loads super fast! Every park should have one of these!I was done with all the rides by 3 and went to the water park for a while. But I didn't realize until later that the train only runs once an hour and the popular show is only on some of those trips, so I missed the show, which I regret. It's kind of out of the way of everything else, so you really have to make an effort to get to that part of the park. I did get a nice trip nearer sunset, however. The magic show is really good! The variety show in the saloon is pretty campy and not much space to watch it in.I appreciate that there are quieter areas of the park. Just behind the kid's rides is a pretty park to rest in, and near the train is a theater that plays 3 stooges all day if you need a dark and quiet place to sit down.

Sara W — Google review

We had a lot of fun. The lifeguards were straight up on it and were really awesome with the kid. The variety show and train ride was so much fun. We had a blast with the rides. Really clean and the employees appeared to really enjoy what they were doing. Even the ride operators were generally having fun and making the day enjoyable. Thank you for making this 7th birthday for my daughter a blast!

Colter W — Google review

This place wasn't as big as I thought. It was my first time going. If u plan to do water rides be sure to have dry clothes. When they say u will get wet that's an understatement u will get soaked which is cool on a hot day. We just went to the amusement Park boulder beach wasn't open yet. The older roller coaster is a wild ride. I closed my eyes the whole time. I was terrified. They do take your picture and you can purchase it in the gift shop. Foods pretty good too.

Amber C — Google review

My kids loved being here sun up to sun down. Rides to fit all ages and lines were (typically) not too long of a wait. Awesome water park with great slides for little and big kids but very long lines for big slides. Go see the magic show - very fun and entertaining - but get there early for a seat! If you do the train ride robbery show make sure to get there early as well.

Kirsten E — Google review

Silverwood Theme park is an epic adventure that everyone from all ages needs to experience. From the rides and roller coasters, to the water park and slides…the day was filled with memories and screams from speed.The amusement side of the park has it all. For the young and the more advanced thrill seeker. My favorite was Spin Cycle…and it’s upside down twists and turns. Worth the ride! The roller coasters are fast, I mean fast!For the water park, the slides were amazing. You have everything from fast plunges to twists and turns, in tubes to open air excitement. The water was warm everywhere we went. Plus clean! The lazy River hit the spot for us adults too.For as many people were there, the staff was amazing, the park was clean, the food was amazing and I highly recommend the Huckleberry Shakes and Chicken Finger baskets.We loved it, it truly is a great full day of memories in one place.

Adam L — Google review

I have been to all the parks, just about. The Mouse, The Flags, The Orlando, but this place is something special. The feeling we got when we entered was unmatched by the other guys. There was a tangible sweetness to the atmosphere. Every employee greeted us with a smile and thoughtfulness. They genuinely enjoyed working there.The grounds are breathtaking. The grounds crew has no equal. They take great care of the entire park. The RV Park is the best way to go. Clean. Quiet. Wonderful. Our family is planning to come back again and again.

Mark A — Google review

Night of the stars event is the best ! Thank you, Silverwood, for putting this event on. All the disabled were able to ride any ride they wanted, where normally they were not allowed. I had a great time with my daughter and grandkids. When my grandson had a little melt down,not being able to verbally tell us what he wants,I honestly felt like no one was judging us.We had a wonderful time. And thanks to all the very friendly and helpful volunteers you guys rock. There were so many smiling faces. Thank you Silverwood!

Nancy N — Google review

My family and I got a 2 day pass to the park. It is $10 a day to park as well. First day we did only rides and the second day we did Boulder beach. We found doing a weekday and after lunch, the lines were not as long for most rides. We highly recommend bringing food and drinks to the park to save yourself money and time waiting around. Our older kids were able to do all the high intensity rides 2 to 3 times due to shorter lines. The second day we did Boulder beach. We came right after 1130am and it was packed full! We were not able to get a beach chair or spot until later in the day. Bringing our wagon was helpful for us to sit on something and carry all our food and towels. Overall it was a great experience and we would definitely come back again!

Dixie F — Google review

It was a blast, preseason, so no wait, not packed, wasn't super hot. Ride attendants were super friendly and made sure the kids seat belts were tight and everyone was safe

Kristin H — Google review

This family owned theme park has something for everyone! (And we didn't even make it to the water park!)Our family group included ages 0 to 60, some much slower than others, but everyone had a blast...with exception of the infant who was too young to be aware of anything.From wild coasters to milder log ride and children's rides; from a very enjoyable scenic train ride to comedy shows, this amazing park has got you covered.You'll also find reasonably priced food and drink options.Many of the attractions are handicap accessible and employees go the extra mile to help you learn the ropes and avoid long lines. (Just pick up a courtesy pass at the information booth when you enter the park).Silverwood has a great website with helpful tips to make your visit the best! Check it out if you haven't already.

Kelly W — Google review

The roller coasters were fun but I can't say the same thing for the water park. The lines were huge for the water park rides, and I am talking about 40 minutes wait, but the rides themselves were fine but not very fun. The roller coasters were amazing, though there were 7 of them and the waiting was long as well. I just hope that the people who let the riders in learn to count well since they let more people than there supposed to be and the people behind me got on but I had to wait another turn.

Olesya S — Google review

Tons of stuff to do, whole park is clean even though there were lots of people. 2 day pass with break in between is best. Plan for one day at water park and another for the theme park. Food is reasonably priced but lines can be long if it is busy. Would recommend and we are definitely coming back next year!

Alex T — Google review

Great place! This could easily be a multi day thing if you want to experience everything. Lots of cool places to see and fun rides. The wait time for the rides wasn’t even bad, we went on a sunny Saturday and they kept everything running smoothly so that we didn’t have to wait very long for the roller coasters. The waterpark had longer wait times, but I feel like that’s to be expected when it’s a warm and sunny day. We enjoyed the wave pool and lazy river which didn’t have waits instead!

Erika M — Google review

I enjoyed my time at the Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho! The place is clean and beautiful.I like it better than Disney Land and Universal Studios. We went three days in a row, and enjoyed every second of it. The food that you purchase inside of the Park was really good, and the kids loved it as well. It is definitely a good choice for your family to create memories and relax. It’s was not hectic or too busy. I am definitely taking my grandson there once he’s of age.

Roxanne W — Google review

We bought the three day pass and went Monday - Wednesday. We did one day rides, and two days at the water park. We rented a gazebo for the two days at the water side. I highly recommend it if you can. Not only do you get this nice shaded area it is a great central location to the water slides and wave pools. You get two tube rentals with the gazebo and 2 souvenir towels. The fridge was nice to put left over food to be eaten later and keep the drinks cold. Having a gigantic locking locker to put all the stuff in was so nice! You can order from a QR code in the gazebo and the food comes super fast, also getting to cut the line to get drinks was a nice perk too! It was nice not having to come early and stand in line to get a shady spot. We enjoyed each side and the lines were not long. The overall experience was a great time with many memories.

Jill H — Google review

Silverwood is an incredible place to take a family.We had an absolute blast in both sides of the park. There's a great variety of rides for kids and adults of all ages. The employees are all customer service focused - I really appreciate them greeting us when we entered the park and then thanking us when we left. The Eagle Hunt water coaster is unreal and highly recommended, even if there is a long line. This is a great addition to the park. Really enjoyed renting a cabana as well in Boulder Beach. That made the day there super convenient in many respects.

Gregory O — Google review

I was originally going to take my grand kids to California, but decided to head to Idaho to Silverwood and what a great choice that was.We arrived the first day after school let out. The parking is $10 we arrived at 10:45 am we found a spot immediately we were in the park and on the first ride within 1/2 hour. The lines weren’t very long 10 minutes at the most except the ferries wheel because it’s weighted balance, so they take time to make sure your on it correctly which at first can seem frustrating when your the first person in the line yet the last one on the ride.The food is very reasonable $10 for a decent high protein yet fried food, they have a variety of places to eat I had a burrito bowl with chicken and yet it was only $10 as well.The people who work there are friendly and helpful a great staff.The park is clean we didn’t get a locker but the have them, they also offer refill drink containers.The gift shops have fair prices I never felt like they were gouging prices, like they do at the movies and other theme parks the reasonable.I will be retuning here.The quarter arcade was a win, win when grandma (me) was tired, I gave them $20 and they played for 1.5 hours as I recoup.I bought 2 day passes for 5 3 adults and 2 children and it was only a little over $450 what a great value for all the fun we had.Thank you Silverwood & staff for making our first trip of the summer great.

Loree G — Google review

We went for Night of the Stars for special needs kids and their families. It was ok only had enough time to ride the antique cars and ride the train . They only had one worker and volunteer to help with the antique cars we waited in line for over an hour which was ridiculous when it could have gone so much faster with two workers the volunteer didn't do anything except take pics of guests and help people in an out of the cars. My special needs son needs was upset that he couldn't do more things since we only had 4 hours and we live a hour away so it was like a wasted trip. we will come back and spend the whole day there next time.. I did appreciate that the train was going faster trying to do as many trips as possible which went without the robbery acting etc

Mary E — Google review

From out of town and went on a Saturday afternoon. Tickets after 4 pm are only $55 per adult. These can only be purchased at the gate and not online. Wait times were reasonable but did get longer the later it got, as people tried to squeeze in the last couple of rides. If you live close, season passes are probably worth it, as there is just too much to do and see in a short amount of time. Pics of the train robbery. Was fun for the kids.

Sandy R — Google review

What an awesome place! We stayed at the campground and had so much fun that we ended up staying an extra day. Very clean safe and friendly environment. The staff was overly friendly and happy to have customers.Took some drone photos before we took off for the day!

Jonathan P — Google review

What a clean, well maintained, and established theme park. So many rides with a variety of food shops and shopping experiences. Did all of the roller coaster except for 1. We spent an entire day up until evening time and enjoyed the lights, food, and atmosphere. Only recommendation would be having more lights along the walking path for nighttime and would be nice to have the ride signs light up. Also the log ride was very dark at night and would have like to see more added to the journey along the river. So much to see and do, it's a great day and night trip. Located close to Spokane and all amenities.

Hakuna C — Google review

A really fun place to be at with family or friends!I visited for my first time this month, with my siblings. I planned it so that, we would visit on Opening Day, since Admission tickets are at their cheapest.Opening Day was on Saturday and, to be excepted, Saturdays are really busy days, it definitely was this month. I can only imagine how much more busy it gets later on.Anyways, the experience here at this Theme Park was much better then others that I’ve been to such as, Wild Waves and, Puyallup State Fair (yes, I know it’s a fair, it still counts nonetheless).Getting tickets was a simple seamless experience, just order them online and you’re set.Inside the park, there is a lot to see, I really love the design of the park, much nicer than others. The old fashioned theme that it has, the rustic vibe, it’s all really good.There is a tunnel that runs under the US-95 Highway from the entrance to the park that I found to be a really cool addition that no other theme park that I know of has.Now, the rides themselves, you might be wondering of the wait times. So, on Saturdays, depending on the time of the day that you arrive to the park, will determine how long the wait times for each ride will be.I will save you the hassle of trying to figure all of that out. The average wait time for the bigger and better rides was 1 hour. An exception would be that, closer to closing time, wait times will shrink by a bit.Another exception is, The Stunt Pilot theme ride, because of it being shorter in general and, much faster, compared to the other theme rides.For the Stunt Pilot ride, wait time was approximately 20 minutes, closer to closing time, probably up to 30 minutes at earlier hours of the day.Regarding the theme rides themselves, I loved each and every ride that I went on, no bad ride for me.Rides: Tremors, Spin Cycle, Stunt Pilot and, Timber Terror.This review is becoming too long so, I’ll conclude with saying that, this theme park was awesome! It was a lot of fun and, I definitely would come here again and again!

BxRWolfDan — Google review

I've been here plenty of times, and this time was by far the best. There were little to no lines at almost all of the rides. We were able to get on anything relatively quickly. The ride that had the longest line was the new water coaster Eagle Hunt, but even that one the line wasn't to the bottom of the stairs. We could've had the park to ourselves, and it wouldn't have been any better.

J. F — Google review

Amazing place to come and have fun with the family. This place has all fun activities like games, roller coasters, and water park.It opens at 11am and closes at 9pm. However, the water park closes at 7pm, while the other side of the park with the roller coaters closes at 9pm.It cost about $74 for a whole day pass to use every part of the park. Then there's also a $10 for a whole day parking of vehicles.

Lateefah M — Google review

We had a lot of fun. Rides for all ages. Loved the water park. The kids went on the new water coaster and loved it. We also enjoyed the wave pool and lazy river. The magic show was good. Food prices were decent.We did have a few issues with customer service at the food stands, but otherwise the staff were great.Would recommend a more sensory friendly train experience for people with sensory issues ( quieter music, warning before the train whistle).

Linn B — Google review

Great experience at Silverwood for their Scarywood Halloween event! The details are so intricate and the decorations and haunts were very elaborate! The Scaries (characters) were exciting, friendly and helpful when we couldn’t find certain places in the park. All staff we interacted with were very friendly and helpful. The rides were SO fun at night! Highly recommend! It was very cold and the only thing I could think of to make it better is if there were more warming stations throughout the park. We will be back again. Excited to go to Silverwood this summer for more rides.

Jennifer K — Google review

This park ROCKS!! I first visited Silverwood in late August this year. The park is clean and filled will life. Coasters everywhere you walk. It's a bit weird getting to them though. The park has a t intersection as you enter, with a massive field in front of you. To the left is the coasters and to the right is their waterpark. I didn't do the waterpark, not my thing. But all the non kiddie coasters are good or great. My favorites being Tremors, Aftershock and Stuntpilot. Timber Terror and Corkscrew were decent but not mind blowing. Employees were friendly, but operations were pretty slow. Luckily it was a cool sixty degrees when I visited so I very much enjoyed both days I visited. Its a great park in the Pacific northwest, and I bet it's the best considering the lack of competition in Seattle.

Mason D — Google review

Honestly a gem tucked away in Idaho. Very fun theme park and affordable gift and food options while there. There was hardly any wait time for the rides at the theme park side. Only reason I negated a star was the water park while enjoyable was a bit over crowded and some rides waits were just a bit too long. But overall, a fun place to visit and spend a day.

Ashley G — Google review

Overall it was a decent trip. Train was really loud and was not sensory friendly. Please make a time for sensory friendly trips and warn people before you blow the horn. Lazy river was fun and wave pool was different from years ago. I had problems with the food service people giving out drinks that were sticky and pizza was salty. Magic show was good and rides were fun. New addition to Waterpark was fun and I enjoyed it. The staff were more focused talking to each other then helping the long line of customers. Had a issue with a lifeguard who was guarding and not stopping a group of teens who were shoving each other and knocking over small kids. I ended up getting them to stop. Even with the issues I experienced I still had a good visit. Hope to be back for Scarywood.

Emily B — Google review

A great day with the family. Water park is amazing, rides for all ages. Tons of food options and plenty of clean bathrooms. Highly recommend going on a weekday, but even on weekends the crowds aren't too bad. We went on a rainy day and walked onto every ride.

Keith — Google review

To say Silverwood is perfection is an understatement! From the moment you walk through the under highway tunnel, you are transported to a Mary Poppins feel. It's refreshing and a wonderful escape. Every employee was delightful, and the entire experience was fantastic! Wesley and the entire front gate crew sang Happy Birthday to my daughter, it was insanely special! The waits are long for favorite attractions, but being allowed to bring in food and drink helps pass the time...I saw several families picnic in line-so smart! Sometimes, I reflected that the lines were a good thing as I saw families and groups of friends talking to each other and playing games. I rarely saw anyone on electronics. The train ride is a must, Ranger Ruby and Edwin III are hysterical! Make time for the steam engine ride. The magic show with Nick is superb...like Vegas quality GOOD!! I wish we had attended it more than 1x. You will laugh, gasp and wonder for sure! The food is reasonably priced and the souvenirs aren't unreasonable. I appreciate this so much as it shows enjoyment over greed. It's fun how some rides came from bigger theme parks. I recognized 1 from Six Flags as I grew up 2 miles from Six Flags Over Texas. We attended on Grandparents Weekend and Saturday was packed, Sunday was 2/3 less full. I appreciate the free Grandparents ticket...again...enjoyment over greed. I'm looking forward to our next Silverwood adventure. It's worth the 8+ hour drive, in my opinion. Oh, and if you like to RV, the RV Park looked fantastic!Thank you, Silverwood, for being a holdout for American values and family traditions. I appreciate the memories. Cheers!

Jenni S — Google review

A bucket list adventure for the whole family! This place is absolutely amazing! Must do, atleast once! Great huge parking lot, even when it is busy- it doesn't seem too packed. Not very long lines. So many fun rides, water slides and games for all ages. Yummy food and drinks. Great vacation spot. Decent prices! Highly recommend!

Danielle — Google review

Very nice park with something for everyone of all ages. Lots of toddler rides and splash parks and slides in the water area. My older kids aged 10-16 had nothing but a great time, and we were busy for the entire day going from one area to the next. Next time we will try to stay for 2 days to be able to spend more time at each park. They also have some very reasonably priced food, and it is good. You can also bring in your own drinks and food in a 12×12×12 soft sided cooler.

Rebecca T — Google review

This might be my favorite amusement place so far. Although I haven't been through a lot though.The place is very beautiful, has a lot of flowers and trees. There's a lot of activities for non-riders and it's very family friendly.The staffs are also very friendly and nice. I just hope that they will open the park earlier so we can stay there longer.

Bim L — Google review

This was our first trip here! It was amazing for $367.00 It got us into the park two days in a row. It was well worth the money.All of the rides were a blast and the lines shockingly were not very long. I love the way they have little mister spots throughout the park.To keep you a little bit cool. You aren't allowed to bring big coolers in, but you are allowed to bring some bags and littler coolers, so that helps a lot. There were a couple lines that were a little longer and took a minute to get through, but out of all of the rides they have there, it wasn't, that bad. The ones that were along for the most part.You didn't have to wait in line very long. We booked it last minute. We were going to not go, but it was well worth it.And i'm glad we went. I can't wait to go visit again!

Lorraine T — Google review

We recently visited Silverwood and had an absolutely amazing time! From start to finish, our experience was filled with laughter, excitement, and memorable moments that we'll cherish forever. What impressed us the most was not just the incredible attractions, but also the affordability that made our family day out even more enjoyable.The variety of rides and attractions at Silverwood catered to every member of our family, from the thrill-seekers to the more laid-back adventurers. The roller coasters were exhilarating, and the water park provided a refreshing break from the summer heat. We were pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness and maintenance of the park, creating a safe and enjoyable environment for all.One of the highlights for us was the friendliness and professionalism of the staff. They were always ready to assist with a smile, adding to the overall positive atmosphere of the park. The efficiency in managing the queues and ensuring everyone's safety was commendable, making our visit stress-free.What sets Silverwood apart is its affordability without compromising on the quality of the experience. The ticket prices, food options, and souvenir choices were reasonable, allowing us to make the most of our day without breaking the bank. This aspect made our visit not only entertaining but also budget-friendly, a rare combination in the world of theme parks.In conclusion, Silverwood exceeded our expectations in every way. It provided a perfect blend of fun, excitement, and affordability that made it an ideal destination for a family day out. We wholeheartedly recommend Silverwood to anyone seeking a fantastic and budget-friendly adventure. We can't wait to return and create even more cherished memories at this fantastic amusement park!

Jordyn O — Google review

Had a great time here with the family! Entire park was very clean and all food options were affordable. Ride wait times varied but overall no bad at all. Aftershock, Stunt Pilot and Tremors were our top 3 rides for sure!

Benjamin M — Google review

We visited this park on grand parents weekend. Kids thoroughly enjoyed the exhilarating rides. 48” and taller kids can go on almost all the rides. Our 9 and 6 years olds had a blast on Tremors roller coaster, log flume, thunder river raft and panic plunge - to name a few! We are already planning to revisit next year!

Kam B — Google review

4.6

(12661)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (13)

4.0

(1394)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (14)

27843 US-95, Athol, ID 83801, USA

(208) 683-3400

4

Tubbs Hill Trail Marker

Park

Nature & Parks

Nature & Wildlife Areas

While you're down town enjoying the activities of Coeur d'Alene Tubbs hill is a great walk and get away so close to downtown. Places to stop and enjoy views of the lake.

Donda W — Google review

Scenic, fairly short hike with some wonderful views of the lake and lots of nice sandy beaches.

Bob B — Google review

Great hike along the edge of the lake. It was a bit gusty but it was still fun. Good hike for young kiddos, my 3 and 4 year old walked most of it just fine.We hiked the brown trail.

Chris T — Google review

What a great place to get out of the city and walk the dog. lots of different trails with different levels of strenuous to choose from

Dave S — Google review

Dog friendly hike. Starting out the trail was a bit difficult to find, but some hikers walked past and we figured it out after that. Beautiful hike.

Kenneth H — Google review

Great way to get your feet in the water or do a decent hike(or both!)

Valerie J — Google review

Very nice walk around the lake. Beautiful scenery.

Glenn C — Google review

Beautiful views and there are different paths to choose from. This was a really fun hike no matter which path you take

Nico — Google review

Amazing public place for all to share and enjoy the beauty. The back side by Sanders Beach has a less busy feeling and the front by the resort and boardwalk has a couple beach spots and rocks to jump from- it's all beautiful and all good swimming! I've been runnin around on Tubbs since I was a babe and always come back for solace when I visit Cd'A. Bring an extra little bag to pick up some garbage if you have the spoons. ENJOY!

Shayla A — Google review

It was amazing, but I'm very tired. A few trails for everyone 😁, we chose the loop trail, the whole trail was up or down, but the views were fantastic. We took many photos, nature is beautiful. There were many small and large rocks, bridges, the trail led among conifers but sometimes you walked in the sun without a bit of shade 😁. It was worth it although I had the moment that I could not cope, I would not come 😳. I came, I overcome fatigue 😀

Batata 6 — Google review

So beautiful, so clean, trails well kept.Northern Idaho's secret place

Bonny M — Google review

Beautiful views. Private beaches. Cliff jumping. Easy trail.

Katie A — Google review

A very nice hike around the shoreline that kids can do with adult help in a few places. The view of the lake is spectacular and there are lots of trails that lead down to the waters edge. Additionally there are steep trails that go to the peak. Not the best view due to trees but really good for the heart rate! Overall this is a great family hiking place right in downtown Coeur d' Alene!

Mark Z — Google review

Beautiful area! The water on the rocks, the wind blowing through the tress. Its a fun hike and so many secret places all you got to do is look!

Thomas G — Google review

Place where you can take the dog! Beaches more private, less people. Little bit of a hike down to each beach.

Sam N — Google review

We loved hiking here! It was quite the exercise. We took the opportunity to use the little side trails that take you down to look at the water. I would love to set up a hammock there sometime. Beautiful views!It's not wheel chair or stroller accessible, as there are lots of roots and rocks to clamor up.

SMB — Google review

First time for me hiking Tubbs Hill. Did the more challenging upper trail hike one day and the easier lower trail the next day.

Kari L — Google review

Start of the trail. It if you put in "Tubbs Hill" as the destination, you will end up in a neighborhood with a dead end street.Great trails. Plenty of parking. Porta potties at trail start.

Ashley T — Google review

My first memories are picking flowers for my mom on Tubbs Hill. I walk, swim, hike, fish here regularly. Words can not describe the magic of this place

LEIGHTON S — Google review

Enjoyed our hike!

Janice E — Google review

It’s a great place for hiking!

Zuly — Google review

4.8

(615)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (15)

4.5

(840)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (16)

e 83814, 1080 E Lakeshore Dr, Coeur d'Alene, ID 83814, USA

(208) 651-5634

5

Lake Coeur d'Alene

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Mentioned on

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Lake

Nature & Parks

Bodies of Water

The stunning Lake Coeur d'Alene presents ample opportunities for recreational activities. With its picturesque surroundings, visitors can indulge in a range of water sports, take seaplane rides or bike on multi-use trails that run along the lake. The downtown area of Coeur d'Alene has plenty of Huckleberry products and excellent dining options to explore.

We spent the 4th of July here and it was beautiful, peaceful, and so relaxing. The fireworks put on by the town over the lake were phenomenal. There is a doggie swim beach for your fur babies to enjoy! The tall pine trees that line the lake are so pretty. The kids had a blast tubing and fishing.

Roxanne C — Google review

Beautiful lake and a must-see at some point in your life.Would love to come back with the family and explore more.

Nick V — Google review

nice lake went on a cruise and was beautifil

Gael P — Google review

Scenic lake and a beautiful city. The place offers well maintained bike lanes with boating, kayaking and paddle boarding activities. Best weekend getaway for families and young couples. Around the lake the town offers a good number of restaurants, cafes, and museums to spend a relaxing evening.

Bharat B — Google review

I love swimming here it's so much fun and there are trails for biking and walking!

Alexander G — Google review

Vast lake in north Idaho. Nice scenic byway to drive

Lauren ( — Google review

Beautiful Lake! Amazing place to vacation. The lake and watersports, seaplane rides, and biking/multi-use trails around the lake. Coeur d'Alene is a great little downtown to walk, with Huckleberry everything, good restaurants. Take a short boat ride from Coeur d'Alene resort to the golf course and have an amazing breakfast on the patio overlooking the floating green

Jack P — Google review

Lake Coeur d'Alene was beautiful and huge there are small towns around the lake many with docking... restaurants and bars. We rented a pontoon for a fair price...it was the best way to see all areas and a few towns. We spent the whole day on the lake it was a great time!

Roam A — Google review

If I win the lottery I'm buying a home here, beautiful lake, with the forested hills surrounding the lake, love it, very friendly people here in Idaho!!!

Tim W — Google review

Beautiful, large lake great for boating, fishing and sightseeing the beautiful lake homes along the way.

Georgia L — Google review

The second-largest lake in Idaho is less than ten miles east of downtown, with a comfortable surface temperature of around 70 °F in the summer months.Conveniently, the largest city on the lakeshore, Coeur d’Alene, is right next door to Post Falls, which puts a wealth of amenities and experiences at your fingertips.You can take a scenic cruise on the lake, walk a network of well-maintained trails, visit attractions like a cute llama farm, dine in the charming downtown area, go fishing or simply lie back next to this natural wonder.City Park has an exquisite lakeside promenade and a stretch of beach, while McEuen Park has recently been renovated with a large splash pad that children adore in summer.Lastly, Kokanee salmon migrate to the lake in fall and winter to spawn by the gravelly shoreline, and this event attracts dozens of bald eagles, best viewed at Wolf Lodge Bay, a few miles east of Coeur d’Alene proper.

Ankit P — Google review

There are a lot of uses for logs on the lake. A substantial amount of them have broken free and lay haphazardly along the edge of the water. For being so far out in this wilderness that part was disappointing. Otherwise it was very nice to be out on the lake!

Nicki B — Google review

4.7

(177)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (21)

5.0

(1428)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (22)

Idaho, USA

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I will never travel to Red Lodge without this app againAvailable on the App Store

6

Zip Wallace

Mentioned on

3 lists

Amusement park ride

Tours

Zipline & Aerial Adventure Parks

Silver Streak Zipline Tours offers an amazing and entertaining experience for visitors. The staff, including Chris and Ethan, are highly praised for making guests feel comfortable, safe, and entertained throughout the tour. The photographer captures great moments, and the Big Daddy zip line is recommended for an extra thrill. Visitors also appreciate the free water bottle and the option to purchase memorable souvenirs like shirts and stickers. Overall, it's described as a wonderful family-run business that provides a great experience for all ages.

One of the best things we've ever done! From beginning to end we felt comfortable, safe, and LOVED going down the ziplines! Highly recommend this activity with this group of great and knowledgeable staff!

Paige E — Google review

They were wonderful! The only thing that was disappointing, is that we thought there would be more than one zip line. The guides were pretty great. They made us feel safe and paid attention to detail. It was a very fun experience, even if only one line!

Ashton M — Google review

Great Zipline experience! The guys running it were very helpful and knowledgeable. They even had snacks, drinks, & games. We are in our 70s and we had so much fun! Highly recommend it.

Janet C — Google review

Had a large family group staying in Kellogg. We rode the Hiawatha, played at Coure d'Alene, and had the opportunity to have a "Girls Night." We decided that a "Girls Morning" would be better, and we did the West Course Zip line. It was awesome! Our guides were friendly and very safety conscious. We zipped through spectacular scenery and had a wonderful time. The guys were jealous! Would definitely recommend!

Ray F — Google review

My family had a great time. We had two little kids that were too young to do the zip lining but there was plenty for them to do to keep them busy. They had a deck with shade and games for the little ones to use. All the guides were professional and great to work with. We definitely will be going there again.

Bobbi S — Google review

This place was so much fun! Everyone was happy and friendly. Each run, they were very thorough with checking the safety equipment and also giving verbal instructions. One instructor always goes first so he is waiting for you, the other stays to help you. There were only a couple little uphill treks, they drove you in a buggy otherwise which was nice. I had a great time and so did my boyfriend who'd never done it.Bonus part: the town is so quaint and small with good food and an antique shop.

Donya K — Google review

Excellent service! Went here for a company team building event, the gentleman literally catered to our group. Pricing was more than reasonable. We had an amazing time! The views were breathtaking. It wasa peaceful yet fun day.

Tami H — Google review

They accommodated every need of our group of 13. The guys all had fun personalities and helped make this experience the highlight of our week long outing. High five star recommendation

Bobbie P — Google review

Had an amazing time with our friends here. Johnathan gave is a ride to the top in a SxS and then Hayden and Ethan made sure we had an awesome time at the top! Thanks for the experience!

Dennis M — Google review

Our group had loads of fun. Bring your own water and snacks since you'll be on the mountain for a few hours (or however long you want). The family running the small business was friendly, made us feel very safe, and accommodated so our 4- and 6-year-olds could zipline, too.

Hunter W — Google review

Riding the zip line was a highlight of our trip to the Wallace area. Scott, Ethan, and Hayden made our experience awesome. The view from the zip line was aMAZing!

Julie F — Google review

Absolutely PHENOMENAL experience zipping in Wallace! The professionalism and kindness of our expedition leaders (Colton and Ethan), made this a lifetime memory for my daughter and I. We faced fears, we laughed, we zipped, and we found a lifelong moment to enjoy life and one another on this excursion. Lines are FAST, fun, safe with gorgeous views! Colton and Ethan were supportive, confident, and refreshingly respectful of each individual zipper, meeting each person where they were comfortable. Worth the money and the time; we will DEFINITELY be back with this company. Big Daddy is CRAZY AWESOME!! Thanks for a great time!!

Mauricia S — Google review

Service, fun & price are all exceptional. This crew of young men went above & beyond to give us an amazing experience.

Linda M — Google review

Absolutely fantastic experience! My girlfriend and I had the opportunity to be the first guests of this season, the whole crew at Silver Streak made it such a memorable event! Great views and lots of laughs. 100% will be returning on our next trip. #STARFISH!!

Tyler G — Google review

We went this last week with my wife, Brother-in-law, and their aunt. it was amazing. Chris and the other young guy was amazing!!! The photographer took great pictures. they mad us all very comfortable, were entertaining and funny, and very safe. I would love to go back and would definitely recommend them. and do not cheap out.. pay the extra for the Big Daddy it is their last longest zip line, also get the pictures they are worth it!!! Did i mention they give you a free water bottle. my wife and i bought 2 shirts and a half dozen stickers. I recommended they order patches ;)

Mike S — Google review

Had an absolutely amazing day with 3 best friends!!!! Johnathan, Hayden and Ethan really made it a seamless day of fun!!! 4 people for $100 bucks. Can't beat it. All day zipline and moutain swing was sooo freakin amazing!!! Would recommend for all ages!

Jackson I — Google review

Definite must do while in Wallace. Take a short side-by-side ride up the mountain for a beautiful overlook view of the town, then slide down a tandem zip line with your buddies for one heck of a fun day. The crew attending the lines are very hands on and helpful to make sure your gear fits right while being very concerned over your safety. The best part is you can ride as much as you want! Give it a try, you won't be disappointed.

Michael F — Google review

Our group had a great time! The staff was very friendly and made sure we had a fun and safe experience.

Camille M — Google review

Ethan and Chris are the best honestly everyone that works here is wonderful. Great family run business it was a great experience for our family will come back again and we would highly recommend this place to everyone.

Nancyjason E — Google review

I can’t say enough great things about the guys here! All were 100% professional and safety-conscious, but also relaxed. The perfect combo for first-time zippers! We were completely blown away by the entire crew and experience and will be back again every year!! Unbelievable experience due to the crew here, 100/10 would recommend! I was speechless in the best way!

Krystyna R — Google review

Went zip lining today and Ethan and Hayden took great care of us. Ethan got us all ready, explained everything and took great care of us. Hayden was on the receiving end to get us unhooked and ready to go again. Try the Superman you won’t regret it, it was AWESOME 👏 Great experience and people! Till next time.

Kathy S — Google review

4.9

(151)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (30)

5.0

(283)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (31)

315 5th St, Wallace, ID 83873, USA

(208) 512-4710

7

McGinnis Meadows Ranch

Ranch

Sights & Landmarks

Cannot say enough good. First though I will say, this experience is not fir the faint of heart. Be ready for a new riding experience, have your head open to direction, correction and lots of explaining. Don't be so self absorbed you can't hear what they are teaching. It is amazing. Beautiful scenery, wonderful people and amazing horses. Dez, Shane, Jenna, Sammie, Noah, Brenda, Liz, Brooklyn, Lainey, Alex, Tyler, Holly and CJ (I think that is everyone, please forgive me if I missed you, not intentional), are incredible!! Top rate cooking...amazing horsemanship. Thank you for sharing your Ranch. If you are ready to learn then come visit. If not, don't come.

Wendy R — Google review

I just returned from a week during the roundup and I can only call the experience awesome. Everyone on the staff was exceptionally kind and helpful, while still expecting a lot from you. This isn't a place to of if you want to be coddled. If you want a dude ranch then I'd suggest you look elsewhere. But if you want honest feedback given in a direct yet respectful manner, then I couldn't recommend McGinnis Meadows highly enough. If you want to be put to work managing steers from horseback, then this is the place to learn. They'll push you hard to be the best horseman possible, but won't let you do something that might hurt you or the horse. I'll be going back.

Clay M — Google review

Beautiful place. Friendly staff. Wonderful people

Eric P — Google review

Not enough words to express my feelings of inspiration and gratitude for discovering this ranch ten years ago. Buck Brannaman himself recommended I re-start my horsemanship education here in hopes that some previous bad experiences that broke my confidence could be resolved and I've never looked back. Everything is top notch quality, from the horses, to the instructors (especially Shayne, Des, Roby and Janice), the comfortable accommodations and the landscape is unbeatable. Through years of following their horsemanship program, my riding style changed completely and I now feel confident in the saddle. It has been hard work but anything worth doing well is worth the effort. They really care about being physically fit and inspired me to lose the weight that was holding me back from being a better rider. They care about the mental aspect and being in a good mind frame and honoring the horse, which surprisingly has helped me in my personal life and business career. They host two Buck clinics here every summer and what a great opportunity it has been to ride my own horse (who I purchased from the ranch) as well as fantastic guest horses and feel what Buck teaches from an experienced horse who knows their job. The horses here aren't just trained, they are "guest ready" and 100% safe for beginner to advanced riders. I have had the great honor of watching these people start young horses, restart older horses and the attention to the smallest detail and the slightest "try" is inspiring and beautiful. This ranch is truly a testament to the great teachings of Tom Dorrance, Ray Hunt, Buck Brannaman, not to mention the great vaquero and dressage teachers who practice fine horsemanship. Come here with an open mind, leave your ego at the door and be ready to be welcomed into a place where the horse comes first and you will be rewarded with a fantastic experience that will carry through not only with your horsemanship, but in life. Anyone who wants to know more is absolutely welcome to email me from this page and I will be glad to share my experiences.

Patricia Z — Google review

Great place for riders and people who want to submerse themselves into the cattle world for the first time.Lovely support staff, excellent food and comfortable lodging. This experience is one of the best. I highly recommend.The horses are well trained and maintained with care and integrity. You will find this an experience worth a lifetime.

Delirium S — Google review

Where do I start with praises for Mcginnis. It is hard to put into 200 words the special qualities of this place.I have been coming to the ranch for Winter Horsemanship for several years and it just keeps getting better and better. Shayne, Robbie, and Des are truly dedicated to the advancement of Brannaman horsemanship, in both the horse and the student. Hands down, the best quality instruction of horsemanship in the country. Shayne progresses and evolves with each passing day, and is happy to share this progess with his students.The staff and interns are respectful, helpful, and kind. The horses are top shelf, and are trustworthy, safe, and highly trained.Is it intense? YES. Is it hard? YES. But most things worth having in life are.I would recommend the ranch, and Winter Horsemanship, to anyone who is a looking for MORE. MORE quality in their horsemanship, MORE dedication to their progression, and MORE learning to feel FOR the horse and where he is coming from.There is no where else like McGinnis to gain the knowledge of how to move forward on your horsemanship journey. Your relationship with horses will change forever if you are willing to learn and change as well.

Lela M — Google review

If you are a dressage rider I don't reconmended it, I went along, as I know that all riding at the end is the same, dressage, western all have similar principles. However sitting through lesson after lesson with someone telling that your chosen sport is cruel to horses, that dressage horse are all unhappy and it is all bad training. When it is easy to tell that they don't know much about dressage at all.Then the owner and his new girlfriend Des both have a go at you and instead of stopping and explaining what they want and what part of the gear they are referring to, (not everyone knows what a slobber strap is), they start telling you, you will ruin their horse. I was there to learn with a open mind but they were not there to teach with an open mine. All disclpines have people who don't treat horses well, you can't tell me all Cowboys do everything perfect.

Lynda W — Google review

No one can say it better than their own web site, which accurately describes this amazing destination. Every square foot of the ranch is beautiful.You have two housing options; cabins or lodge. Both options are comfortable, spacious, and attractive. Our cabin looked tiny from the outside, but it was very roomy inside. Two twin beds and a four drawer dresser upstairs, and a queen bed with two dressers downstairs. There were also two comfortable leather chairs, an ottoman, two more simple chairs, a gas burning fireplace, plenty of lighting, and a ceiling fan. All of the contents of the cabins are new, and at the same time give an authentic cowboy feel. They use tankless water heaters, so hot water is quick to arrive and you get as much as you need. Each cabin porch has two chairs, two warm blankets, and one two person bench, along with a broom, and coat-hangers where you can leave a wet coat or your helmet or your cowboy hat. If you've forgotten something, no worries, they have whatever you need, and it's all included. They also provide each guest with a note pad, water bottle, lip balm, and a very nice souvenir coffee cup.Whatever your skill level, whatever your age, they can teach you to ride. Their wranglers are friendly and patient. You can spend the entire week taking horsemanship lessons, herding cattle, going on trail rides, or simply relaxing. They do a great job pairing you with a horse, and they have plenty of horses to choose from. Spend plenty of time getting to know your horse on day one so you will know which horse to halter up on day two. They will also teach you to rope a calf, brand a calf, and anything else you want to know about working on a cattle ranch.The guests eat breakfast and dinner together, and lunch is eaten whenever you like. Every meal is bountiful and tasty, no food goes to waste, and if you have a special request, just ask. They provide bottled OJ, green tea, Gatorade, and refillable water bottles, They also serve a variety of wine, great appetizers, beer, and dessert. Be sure to let them know if you are celebrating something. They make great desserts!! Most of the staff will join you for dinner, and they make a point of moving around each night so you get to know everyone, providing a family feeling to the entire experience.Forget your boots? Borrow a pair. No chaps? Borrow a pair. No cowboy hat? Borrow one. They will lend you just about everything you need including bug spray and sun screen. Homesick? Bring your favorite DVD or VHS, and watch it on the big screen in the Game Room where they have a Foosball, pool, ping pong, and air hockey table, along with cards, poker chips, and other games. They also have a washer and dryer in case you run low on clean cloths.Something extra... You can do as much or as little as you like. You can grab a halter, catch your horse, groom him, feed him, get him saddled up, put his bridle on, and take care of all of this in reverse at the end of the day, or you can let the wranglers handle some or all of this for you. In addition to the regular activities, they put a sign-up for the morning jingles on Tuesday - Friday. If you love to ride, be sure to sign up to jingle the horses in from the pasture. One of the wranglers will meet you in front of the tack room at 5:50 am, help you get a jingle horse ready for the ride of your life, and then spend around half an hour with you riding through the early mist as you trot non-stop to bring all of the rest of the horses in for the morning.This was our first visit to McGinnis Meadows Cattle and Guest Ranch, but it definitely won't be our last.

Tania J — Google review

Beautiful place. Some great people on staff when we were there a few years ago. Arrogant owner promoted young intern to Ranch Manager and ditched his wife. Too much back of the house drama to be a worthwhile experience.

Celeste N — Google review

My stay at McGinnis Meadows was the best experience of my entire life. I was drawn to this ranch by the Buck Brannaman Clinic. I lost my 32 year old mare who I shared 1/2 my life with and found myself horseless after 50 years of owing, raising and riding. (My dreams of riding in a bBuck Clinic seemed bleak). I found out that McGinnis had over 100 head of horses started or retrained in the Tom Dorrance, Ray Hunt and Buck Brannaman style of horsemanship and that they would pair me up with the perfect horse to achieve my dream! Owned by one of Buck's best friends, student and fabulous horseman in his own right Shayne Jackson. He has put together the perfect place to learn this style of horsemanship with an incredible staff, wranglers, eager interns, great cooks, beautiful surroundings, comfortable, quaint lodging and beautiful horses for every level of rider. You can also bring your own horse and they will put them up for you right there on the ranch. It was an amazing three days of horsemanship and cattle cutting with Buck, but I think the best time ever was the last 2 days using what I learned out in real life situations with the wranglers, interns and awesome guests. WHO KNEW A 64 YEAR YOUNG WOMAN WOULD LOVE TO DRIVE CATTLE 🐂🐴❤️

Lorna M — Google review

4.4

(21)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (32)

5.0

(158)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (33)

6220 Mc Ginnis Meadows Rd, Libby, MT 59923, USA

(406) 293-5000

8

Montana River Guides

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Raft trip outfitter

Tours

Rafting

River Rafting & Tubing

We had a great 2 days on the river with Montana River Guides. Mike, Caleb, Amy and Squid were amazing guides for our Rafting and River Boarding trips. They are not only professional and focus on safety, but are insanely fun people too.And if you have done White Water Rafting and want to take your adventure to the next level, River Boarding is amazingly fun, and these guys will get you down the river in ways you've never imagined.Go to Montana and meet this team, they rock!

Rich B — Google review

We had an outstanding time on our trip this past week. River and Katie did an excellent job guiding us in what to do and providing history and information along the way. The scenery was beautiful. We stopped for dinner along the river and the food was delicious! Would definitely recommend Montana River Guides to anyone looking for a fun filled day!

Vivian N — Google review

If you are looking for a reliable, professional, safe, and FUN trip down the Clark Fork River, then you need to book a trip with MRG. They are the only company I have gone with and the only company I will go with in the future. Their guides and instructors are super knowledgeable and have a wide range of experience, and are still very approachable. They provide all of the necessary gear and ensure that everyone feels comfortable and equipped to take on the whitewater. The cost is very reasonable and online booking made it easy to make a reservation. Would 100% do many more trips with them on the Alberton Gorge! Photo courtesy of Montana River Photography, who shoots professional photos of the rafters and kayakers down the gorge. 😎

Barbara O — Google review

Our recent experience with Montana River Guides was extraordinary. We had a large group of mostly high school students who had never gone rafting before. From the moment we arrived, their friendly and knowledgeable staff welcomed us with warm smiles and clear instructions, ensuring we felt safe and prepared for the adventure ahead. It was evident that they were not just skilled rafters but also passionate educators who genuinely cared about providing a memorable and safe adventure. The rafting trip itself was an exciting journey with breathtaking views. Montana River Guides delivered a wonderful experience for our students. We wholeheartedly recommend them for any group looking for an adventure that is both safe and spectacular.

Delaney J — Google review

My family and I had an epic time rafting the Clark Fork river with Montana River Guides today. Our guide Caleb (pictured below) made sure we had a fun and memorable time blasting through gnarly rapids, relaxing on the lazy flats, and cliff-jumping into the river. The scenery is second to none and there a lot of eagles and ospreys flying around.The lunch provided was delish (except for the rasberry-lime sparkling water—yuck). Lunch consisted of a bacon and turkey wrap, chips, a drink, and a cookie.This was also a great trip for older children and adults. If you’re ever in Missoula during rafting season, book a trip with Montana River Guides.

EmpireGraffiti — Google review

What a fabulous morning was had by 6 ladies, 5 that had not gone floating before. Richard our guide was so kind and interesting that it made the experience even better. We are a group of ladies, friends from high school who get together each year to experience something new, chat, relax and just enjoy each other. Richard made this experience extra special and we are thankful to him. Thank you Montana River Guides for a memorable morning and experience.

Phyllis G — Google review

I recently completed Raft Guide School with MT River Guides. I loved this course and would recommend it to anyone who spends time on the water. I wish I would have taken it years ago. I'm certainly not an expert, but I feel like I have skills I can practice and knowledge that I can put to use on the water. I deeply appreciated their instructors. I was humbled by the amount of knowledge and experience they held and grateful for the grace with which they shared their knowledge and experience. I felt safe, seen, and supported throughout this course. I wish I could spend my whole summer practicing my lines on the Gorge with them! Thank you so much!

Amanda T — Google review

Montana River GuidesThe Wild West of Rafting! This company is what living in America is all about. It is family-owned and operated, and the owners are super people who make a passion a living.Adam was an outstanding guide, bringing us laughter and a safe trip down the river! Ask him about the duct tape and sled story... The company's passion for safe river guiding was evident throughout the journey. Although Adam kept us laughing, his love and connection to river guiding were evident.Simply a great day on the river with good people!

Wes Z — Google review

Amazing guides, super fun times on the river, highly recommend!!We just spent 2 days on the river with Montana River Guides & we couldn’t be happier about our experience!Day 1 did a rafting trip down the river. Aimee & Quaid were the most fun & friendly guides for our adventure, filling the trip with excitement, guidance & plenty of jokes!Day 2 we went for some river boarding! What a fun & immersive way to experience the river! This was a completely new experience for most of us and with Mike & Caleb as our guides we were in the best hands. They lead us safely through & did such a great job explaining how the river flows and what to watch for. We had a blast going head first through all the rapids & gliding along!Can’t say enough good things about the 2 days & our guides! Can’t wait to come back & hit the river with them again!

Peter B — Google review

All my summer visitors get a rafting trip on the Gorge with Montana River Guides, and they all say it was the highlight of their visit. In 15 years, I've never had a bad trip!What impresses me most are the awesome people skills of the guides: they can manage a raft with young kids, a grandmother, and Eastern 'dudes' (the ones who don't want to keep their feet tucked), and turn us into a high-oars team before we hit the first rapids (we were the "Ice Cream Eagles"). I'm already recruiting unsuspecting family for next summer.

Jana S — Google review

Competent and experienced teachers with a sense of humor who respected each participant's aspirations or limits. Incredible experience. Highly recommend.

Kathy H — Google review

Loved the whole montana river guide crew but want to give a special mention to our instructors Caleb & Matt. They truly built a learning environment! The experience was not only educational but fun & laid back well also still enforcing the importance & weight of safety/rescue. Enjoyed the whole swift water rescue course & would definitely recommend 👌🏽Many thanks to Caleb & Matt keep up the good work!

Katlyn M — Google review

We had Jane as our guide and she was very nice, knowledgeable, and trustworthy. This was our first time so we were both a little nervous but as soon as we got in the water we felt safe and excited. Everyone else is super nice as well and the experience was definitely one I’d do again. This is for everyone. We even had little kids going and having fun. There isn’t anything to worry about!

Nelson C — Google review

One of the best experience in the US was spending our Sunday with Montana River Guides! The crew was able to accommodate to over 60 of us on the YSEALI alumni tour and all of us thoroughly enjoyed our time on the river - Whitewater Rafting or Scenic Tour. Guides are 100% professionals who have fun with safety in mind. Highly recommend and must visit when you're in Montana. Thanks for the memories!

Mathilda H — Google review

This is my second course, the first one was in the early 2000s and it’s so nice to see the quality has only gotten better over the years. It was awesome and informative and fun then and I couldn’t say enough good things now. The instructors are passionate and knowledgeable and truly love their craft. You will leave feeling more confident than you could imagine. Our group of 9 had only wonderful things to say. 10 stars!

Sarah S — Google review

Amy was AMAZING! We were celebrating our sons 12th Birthday. This was his first time Whitewater rafting. Amy engaged so well with us and the other family. She had fun games for the kids, fun stories about Montana and we were able to cliff jump! Thank You Amy for your passion and hospitality.Cat, Kristina and Sammy!

Cathy J — Google review

Our family had the best time rafting! Amy, our guide was amazing! Loved her stories. Jumping off the rocks and floating the river was so fun. Loved seeing all the eagles and beautiful nature!

Chase H — Google review

We did a scenic float with our young kids. This was the absolute best thing we did our whole trip! So beautiful, so much fun. Amy was our guide and she was incredibly fun, knowledgable and kind. Cannot wait to float with them again!

Kirsten B — Google review

We have taken many rafting trips over the years and hands down this was one of the best ones yet!!! We took a private full day rafting tour with river side picnic and couldn’t have had a better time!! Our guide set up the best lunch spread at the waterside including fresh fruit and veggie trays, salad, sandwiches, chips/salsa, and the best homemade cookies!!! We had many stops, chances to swim, small cliff jumping, and the most beautiful scenery!!! Shout out to Amy as being the most fun guide to our crazy “Billy Goat Cyrus” group from Texas!!! Request her and you won’t be disappointed!!!

Stephanie H — Google review

What an awesome adventure! We booked this rafting at the last minute and we were so glad they could fit us in for the late afternoon. Our party of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) got a raft to ourselves and the river wasn’t crowded like it would be in the morning. Plus there was more shade and it was getting cooler outside. Our guide, Tyler, was the best. He was great at giving instructions to keep us safe and he was very personable. Our kids loved all the facts he provided about the area and animals. My kids were excited they got to rock jump, swim, and guide the raft. We will definitely use Montana River Guides next time we visit Missoula.

Jennifer W — Google review

There were three of us over 60 year old gals on our trip. Our guide, Jack, was outstanding. We felt safe and secure under his care the whole time while having the time of our lives. The beautiful scenery and wildlife were a bonus to the incredible river with its rapids along with calm areas to relax & enjoy the ride. Top on my list of the other incredible things we did this summer.

Sherry G — Google review

Our Montana River Guide trip down the Clark Fork was the highlight to our Montana vacation. Our guide let us paddle some while we were going thru the rapids which was an awesome experience. Weather and sun on the morning trip made for some great pictures.

Theresa B — Google review

The Miller Family thoroughly enjoyed our rafting experience with our guides- Jane, Grace and Georgia! It was a fun trip, and we were able to enjoy it as a family and no one was left behind.

David M — Google review

First time white water rafting and we had a blast! Sean our guide was awesome and very knowledgeable. We are definitely doing this again next year.

Julia H — Google review

My girls and I had an amazing time on a full day float with our guide Lane. Lots to see between rapids and Lane was on top of it all. The lunch stop is perfectly timed and make sure you take a dip in Fish Creek to cool off. Overall, the best company to go with rafting with. TJ and the rest of the guides were really helpful as we got suited up. You can’t go wrong with Montana River Guides! (Photo by Montana River Photography)

Mike C — Google review

Very Fun and I truly felt safe in there hands. It was me and my daughter so I was a bit nervous since it was are first time on white water. They not only keep ya safe they also have a rescue boat follow! They provide a wet suit and life vest! I 100% would say go for it. Lunch was really good too!

Hallelujah H — Google review

I had a blast in the swiftwater rescue class. My instructors Matt and Caleb were fantastic, super knowledgeable, and very helpful. I learned so much from them and will take the class in the future. It was super beneficial to me and will be to anyone that takes it. I highly recommend Montana River Guides to anyone looking to get out in the river. I’ll be looking to get into in of their rowing classes now for better rowing instructions.

Randle C — Google review

I went rafting as a family group with my 7 year old grandsons, their dads and moms and me (grandfather). A very diverse age and experience group. For the little ones it was perfect and not too aggressive (mostly class 1&2 and one class 3 rapids as the water was pretty low at this time of the year), and maybe a bit calm for the parents. That said, the scenery was fantastic (eg, saw bald and golden eagles, etc). Amy, our guide, was fantastic and made everyone was treated special and that everyone was comfortable and had as much fun as possible. I would recommend this team, Amy and the company for anyone in the area interested in rafting and a good family outing.

Ken B — Google review

Definitely a 5 star experience. My cousin and I have done several white water trips across the country but since we were in town for a half marathon, we only wanted to have a serene day on the water. Sean was our guide and he understood the assignment!! We were able to thoroughly relax, and I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face with the amount of peace and tranquility from this outing. I highly recommend this outfit. They will adjust the experience for your needs!

Amy D — Google review

Amazing day running the rapids with Montana River Guides! Caden was our guide, super knowledgeable about the area and the white water you will be traversing. An amazing navigator! The company provides all safety equipment you will need to float and includes a shuttle back to base camp and your vehicle. Easy to book and instructions to find the outfit were clear. Highly recommended experiencing a thrilling day on the river and inside the beautiful Alberton Gorge with this company! You will have an absolute blast!

Stephanie N — Google review

Had the absolute best time ever!! Amy was our guide and made the trip an amazing success!! We had as much fun hanging out with her and the boys as we did rafting. They was so nice and took care of everything making sure we was always comfortable and having fun!! Would recommend to anyone wanting to have a blast with some rapids

Kimberly M — Google review

I took the whitewater rescue course last weekend with these guys and it was top notch. The instructors kept it very interesting, fun and informative. They are great at making you feel included and not bashing you if you give a “wrong answer”. They dissect it and feed you a better option. 10/10 would recommend. I feel a lot more confident going in to the rafting season after taking this course.

Joe F — Google review

Another amazing adventure with Montana River Guides, great weather, fantastic water and Amy our river guide was awesome. If you haven’t booked a trip with MRG, what are you waiting for, you’re in for a real treat and you will not be disappointed. Thanks Sam & Amy - high five to Everett and Mike. What a fun place to work for a family of Professional River Guides.The Tipsy Dolphins thank you!

T F — Google review

Amazing experience with very professional guides, Sean, Jane and Cole. Their knowledge about the area is superb and they really know how to guide the boats down river over the rapids. Their jumping spot is superb, really get a thrill when jumping off. Delightful lunch and beautiful scenery. Floating down a good stretch of river was so peaceful and relaxing too. Thank you for making both our trips so much fun and enjoyable. Our granddaughter, Emilia, says it's been her favourite. Definitely memories we'll treasure.

Karen C — Google review

We had a fantastic adventure. Emma and Grace were excellent guides! Great experience that I highly recommend. Our trip was on June 21st at 2:00. Called ourselves the Might 5😊 Thanks for taking the pictures Emma!

Diane B — Google review

5.0

(605)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (38)

5.0

(215)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (39)

138 Big Bend Ln, Alberton, MT 59820, USA

(406) 214-0245

9

Flathead Lake

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Lake

Nature & Parks

Bodies of Water

Large freshwater lake featuring several small islands & a variety of native & non-native fish.

One of the best clean water lake at MontanaClean clear waterYou can view 20. Feet deepWhat a nature and kept very clean water

Raj C — Google review

Beautiful park and location! There is a lot of wildlife in the area. Even so, would still recommend this place. You can (rent or bring your own) kayak and swim around the lake, but watch out: There are a lot of horsefly’s and mosquitoes. Overall great experience! Definitely a fun way to get some sun! I also love the campground. There is a lot of privacy and it’s very peaceful, and you could tell bears visit the area sometimes with all the precautions. Overall still recommend this location, maybe not so much in a tent unless you’re brave!

Julia R — Google review

Stayed here for a week and I absolutely loved it. This is one of the best lakes I’ve ever been to. We stayed in a lake home just outside Lakeside and it was great. The lake is relatively warm in the summer, (still pretty cold) and the scenery is amazing. The snow on the mountain tops never leaves even in the summer. You’ll love your stay here. Make sure to go to Wild Horse Island!

Al C — Google review

Beautiful. Worth seeing. Very clear. And loved how it's near and/or on tribal land. the signs are in both Native American (the ignorance in me is unsure of the exact language) and English. Also loved their animal bridges.

Jennifer H — Google review

Pretty lake! Lots of options for water activities.

Christine D — Google review

Beautiful area. We spent a long time in the area skipping rocks and taking pictures. You may even see animal tracks.

Kimberly H — Google review

Long overdue post. But we stayed here in an airbnb on the lake the week of the 4th of July 2019. The water was crystal clear. It's absolutely an amazing getaway vacation spot!!!! The only thing I wish we would have done was rent a boat to further check out the lake or do a fishing tour. We have wanted to go back but continue to pick somewhere different every year. 1 day I wouldn't mind buying a house on or very near the lake!!!!

Frankie V — Google review

Beautiful and calm lake for kayaking. We enjoyed our trip to Bigfork MT. This lake has so much to offer. We only wished we rented jet skis for the day. Was chilly at the end of June but that didn’t stop us from taking a dip after kayaking.

Christie B — Google review

Love the Flathead River. Stunning views, crystal clear water. Lovely trout. I’ve floated the North Fork, Middle Fork & South Fork.

Kim J — Google review

I’ve been to many lakes (probably 100) in my lifetime and this was my first trip to Flathead Lake and it’s in the top 3 most beautiful lakes I’ve ever seen. (Coeur d’Alene Lake, Lake Tahoe and now Flathead Lake) Although Lake Shasta in Redding CA ties in those top 3.This place is Amazing! So calm for such a large lake. The water is so clear and the scenery so beautiful.

Larry — Google review

Absolutely beautiful mountain views! Such a great spot to relax

Leyla M — Google review

Stayed in Bigfork and had stunning views of Flathead lake. Lots to do around the lake including fishing, boating, paddle boarding and lake tours. Several small communities around the lake but old town Bigfork is the best!

Fraser G — Google review

The area around this Lake is spectacular. The Sunset was amazing.Highway 35 is is a lot of Fun. There are a lot of Cherrie Orchards but I drove through when those where closed.

Terence H — Google review

Beautiful area in the summer. Took a boat out on the lake one day and loved it. Water is so clear, it's like looking through glass! Area known for amazing local cherries in the late summer, too.

Susan S — Google review

Flathead Lake in Montana is an amazing sight to see as you're cresting the hill heading towards Polson on its southern shore.The valley and this lake were formed by the glaciers that covered this area. The receding glaciers and the massive ice jambs that formed and broke on more than one occasion left us with this awe-inspiring, extremely majestic landscape.The lake sits to the south of Glacier National Park and is 27 miles long, 15 miles wide, and 370' deep with a gravel bottom and crystal clear waters.Wild Horse State Park is located on an island only accessible by a guided boat tour. It is home to a wild herd of horses and remains relatively untouched by humans.Cool place to visit if you are in the area.I have watched storms cross this lake that kick up the waves and leave a distinct line in the surface of the water you can see when you come out of the storm into clear blue skies. The lake covers enough surface area that you might have storms on one area of the lake and sunny and hot in others.It's hard to believe this valley was once under a large body of water known as "Lake Missoula."When the ice dams broke on this massive body of water it caused the "Missoula floods"; a huge wall of water, mud, rocks and trees that stretched into Washington and Oregon thousands of years ago.This is what is left of that event, a place for us to explore and enjoy. A landscape that only mother nature could come up with.As always, leave it better than you found it. It literally took thousands of years to make...... Enjoy 😉!.

R. S — Google review

4.8

(578)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (44)

5.0

(376)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (45)

Montana, USA

10

A Carousel for Missoula

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Mentioned on

16 lists

Amusement center

Water & Amusement Parks

A Carousel for Missoula is a beloved local attraction that features a hand-crafted carousel and hosts frequent community events. Additionally, the site boasts an outdoor playground called Dragons Hollow, which is perfect for families with children. Despite recent concerns about mask-wearing for kids, many visitors still enjoy the facility's open-air environment amidst the heat. Overall, A Carousel for Missoula offers a unique and magical experience on the edge of Clark Fork River that appeals to all ages.

Very cool space on the edge of the Clark Fork River. Just went to check it out as a volunteer army hand-carved the beautiful horses and dragons. Great place to take kids with a cool playground outside called the Dragon’s Hollow.

Marcus K — Google review

Super fun experience for me and the kids. So much fun and laughter. Staff is friendly and nice. Not a long wait and the carousel goes fast. I loved it!!!

Shellyn D — Google review

Just plain fun, take your kids there, $1 a ride for kids $2 for the big kids

Mike N — Google review

This was the highlight of my kiddo's week. He had so much fun. It is only $1 for kids and $2 for adults! We rode it twice! The elderly man running it made it so much fun for my kiddo the way he interacted with him!! The playground outside is amazing! We didn't want to leave!

Adrienne H — Google review

Charming and special. This lovingly restored carousel is a wonderful treat for kids of all ages.Try to grab the brass ring for another free ride. Just a fun and charming place for all.

Brett C — Google review

My grandson is 6 years old and autistic. He loves to ride the carousel but just wants to sit in the floor in the buggy part. Jeff was so kind and patient with him that my grandson got on a stand stilt horse for the first time. I was so happy for this big step. We are from out of town and just loved the kindness that Jeff showed. Thank you

Nicole F — Google review

I love this place. I loved it as a small child and now I had the joy of bringing my own children here. The playground is amazing and it's such a magical place.

Beth R — Google review

Probably the best carousel in the Northwest! It's as much fun for my kids as it is for my adult friends I've brought for a visit! Highly recommend stopping by. Tip: grab an outside animal so you can try and grab the golden ring ;)

Larayna Y — Google review

This place was built when I was growing up.Saturday farmers market happens outside until 1pm. Right next to it is the park where events are happening all the time. Though many locals have been shoved out of the area, this place holds personal history and care.

Brandon ( — Google review

Some neat history and a fun carousel; well run.

John F — Google review

Not only is this the best carousel experience for kids, but adults have fun too, with the brass ring game. And the employees are genuinely all amazing. Every time we go, which seems to be weekly, we meet someone new who makes the ride that much more enjoyable.

Steve M — Google review

Great place to take a break and enjoy a “fast” ride on this gorgeous historical carousel. From the youngest to the eldest—everyone enjoyed the ride.

Deanne E — Google review

Such a neat place with so many ways to enjoy the time!! Just had my child’s birthday there and was extremely satisfied! Haley and Shaun did such an amazing job with catering to myself and the party guests!! 100% perfection!! Thank you to the team and Tracy for making this private party possible!!

Tawana W — Google review

Great place to take the Kids or hold a kid's party. It endless fun and the staff are extremely kind, patient and compassionate about helping the kids on and off the horses and with seatbelts. The gift shop is stocked with affordable little kid's snacks. There is a wonderful park attached to the location.

Sierra M — Google review

The staff operating this place is amazing! Especially at the front desk. Everyone was so kind and friendly. The price was also extremely reasonable and the play area next door definitely makes it worth checking out! Smooth ride and some historical artwork within the carousel section. The carousel itself is gorgeous and it’s super fun, a lot faster than the ones you see at the fair grounds. But it’s definitely toddler safe as I got to ride on it with him. There is also a fun game to play where if you’re sitting on the outside, you need to grab the rings and I think toss it? (I might be wrong about the tossing bit as I was more on the inside with my kiddo). But winner seemed to get free tokens at times.

LimBytes — Google review

Just had my daughter Quinn's 11th Birthday party here, and it was great. For a small price we could invite up to 12 people to ride the Carousel for free and use of a party room for an hour and 15 minutes. Would definitely hold a party here again. My daughter has always loved the Carousel, her favorite horse is Paint.

Tara S — Google review

It was so much fun! The carousel went pretty fast. My two daughters and I pulled plastic rings from a dragons nose as we were going around. It was challenging to grab a ring but we got all of them. The last ring is brass and whoever gets it, gets a free ride! I'm in my late 60's and felt like a kid again, riding a horse on a carousel. We laughed so much and rode the carousel a couple of times. The elderly (older than I) gentleman that was in charge, told us that a 97 year old woman got on a horse last month. She holds the record. It's for all ages and you are never too old to ride a carousel. Cute little gift shop. Friendly and fun staff there. A great experience and a must do if you are visiting Missoula, Montana.

Diane J — Google review

A neat place to visit (even though I didn't ride). It's a very inviting place, friendly, knowledgeable staff and has history on a gigantic stone slab out front.Pricing seemed to be spot on with the area, and was seemingly not busy when we went midday. Overall a nice stop during our walk. Might even ride if I come back another time.

Lee — Google review

We come here for our daughter’s birthday every year and it’s magical. This year we came on a Saturday and even though it was busy, we still barely had to wait to get on. The attendant saw our daughter’s pretty dress and asked if it was her birthday. Then he announced her by name over the intercom and had everyone tell her happy birthday. People even came up to her later and gave her their unused tokens so she could ride over and over. It was the highlight of her entire birthday week, and ours too. We found out later the man’s name is Jeff, and we’d like to thank him especially for making our daughter’s special day so incredible!

Kerstin M — Google review

Great carousel with always friendly and helpful staff. Make the experience fun for people of all ages. Also the Dragon rings really give it it's own unique twist to a carousel that will have your kids wanting to ride over and over. Also prices are very reasonable and the playground next door is awesome!

Josh D — Google review

I’ve been going here since I was a baby and I love how they still have all the original horses and a few newer ones. The place is always so clean and I love how they include the rings from the dragons mouth for a free ride still. And dragons hollow is so great for the kids to run off energy after they ride

Lexie L — Google review

The fastest carousel in the west! The kids loved it, and capturing the rings for a chance to win a free ride kept the kiddos coming back for more!

Amanda N — Google review

Kinda bummed the playground was closed.. very surprised they were pushing masks on children.. If they are going to do such a thing.. they should practice cleaning the facility instead... it's OUTSIDE anyways.. in heat.. it's kinda ridiculous.. kids had fun, but mine weren't going to put a mask on... but A child is telling me I needed to wear one?? It kinda ruins the experience...

Melissa G — Google review

This is the best carousel I've ever been to. The service is not only excellent but the carousel is beautiful. My kids love it. I've been coming here since I was a kid. The price has always been fair. Must see

Chelsea R — Google review

Fun carousel with some competition added to collect the rings!

Bernard J — Google review

4.7

(683)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (50)

4.5

(614)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (51)

101 Carousel Dr, Missoula, MT 59802, USA

(406) 549-8382

I'll never travel to Red Lodge without this trip planner again

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11

Garnet Ghost Town

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Ghost town

Sights & Landmarks

Hiking area

Garnet Ghost Town is a well-preserved gold-mining town from the 1890s, featuring compact log cabins with period furnishings. More than a dozen buildings have been preserved in a state of "arrested decay", providing visitors with an authentic glimpse into the gold rush days when cities were built quickly and vanished just as fast. The ghost town has over 25 buildings to explore, and informational placards are available throughout the site.

Great ghost town, well preserved, and one of the best in the state.. Tons to see and there are placards around the town, explaining what this once lively mining town was like. There are over 25 buildings in the ghost town. You are free to roam around and explore the buildings and town. Depending on the time of year, the 10 mile or so dirt road may be like an amusement ride with the washboard roads.

H. F — Google review

Well worth a visit. Plan on at least an hour or two. Once you start exploring you won't want to stop. Be sure to stop by the visitor center for some good information. Remember to buy something and/or make a donation to help preserve this special place. And leave my big chair alone! If you see the chair, you'll know which one I'm talking about.

Lance J — Google review

Went for the day in our side by side and took 4wd recommended road! Very fun! Very nice historical preservation and lots of pride. Allow for 1-2 hours to really explore and take your time with all the buildings and artifacts to be seen!

Lanette D — Google review

If you want a "real" ghost town experience, this is for you. This town is well preserved and mostly abandoned with cool artifacts and wonderful structures. You can almost feel the presence of the past around you without crazy tourist traps etc. Just watch the road, come in via Dublin Gulch and Route 200.

Zachary H — Google review

Great experience. Love to see historic towns like these. The scenery around was beautiful as well. Pack a lunch and drinks when you go there. Also, be careful on the gravel road, especially in a small car.

Paul K — Google review

Been here twice now. Well kept and rather secluded location. Both times I went there was only one other group of visitors. Unfortunately, today the doors to the main buildings (hotel, general store and speakeasy) were locked but we were still able to go into the miners' cabins. This is worth the visit, just be careful on the road up as it is very winding and it can be difficult to see other cars on the curves.

Harry D — Google review

We came in via Garnet Range Rd and left via Bear Gulch Rd and the latter was definitely more rough but we handled it just fine in our lifted truck. I would recommend lower vehicles come in and out via Garnet Range Rd. It might be out of your way but trust me when I say the ride is much smoother and easier on your vehicle and the destination is well worth it! This place is incredible! Would have loved to see it in its heyday! Sad that there has been fires, theft and vandalism but there is still a ton of history preserved here. My favorite buildings were the hotel and the store. And stop in the visitor center for some souvenirs and chat with those that work there, they really are very knowledgeable. We enjoyed the games at the counter and the displays. The brocure you pick up at the box when you arrive in the town gives great descriptions and details about the history of each building. We were here on a gorgeous day and it made for some truly stunning photos! Highly recommend this ghost town!

Jen U — Google review

Coming from 200 the gravel road wasn't an issue with our full size rental car. Really neat place to walk around and explore. The information placards and the visitors guide were very detailed about the history of the mining and the town. It was a very fun way to spend the morning.

Megan V — Google review

Great stop for a day trip! We had so much fun exploring this little town, it is very well maintained and clean with info posted about each structure. The downside was definitely the service and maps, we did end up with maps taking us down a dead end park road and getting lost for nearly 2 hours. Definitely map the trip there and to the next destination before you go while you have good service!

Miranda F — Google review

Well kept buildings and an informative brochure to guide you through it! Beautiful area but low riding vehicles not recommended. Great handicap parking spots available.

Kathleen P — Google review

We really enjoyed our day. The drive up from Phillipsburg is a little rough the way we went, I wouldn’t want to be in a car. We took another road back that was perfectly fine for cars, if you have a car maybe look into which road would be better. The drive was absolutely beautiful and half the fun. Accessibility is pretty good considering it’s a ghost town. Lots of stuff to see!

Brianna A — Google review

Awesome town. I would not attempt in 2wd or a car. Last section of the road had some good size ditches. Road was pretty sketchy in Dec with snow and ice.

Jason O — Google review

Beautifully preserved ghost town! You can even go inside the buildings, and some have multiple levels. The signage at each building provides great context that brings the character of the town to life. We came in from MT-200. The road up was pretty easy even though you gain a lot of elevation. We visited all the buildings in an hour and a half, but there are more trails in the area to explore. Bring cash to pay the entrance fee.

Ana A — Google review

Garnet Ghost Town 🏚️✨ Once bustling with gold miners and families, Garnet was home to around 1,000 people back in 1898. Nestled in the Garnet Mountains, this historic gem offers a fascinating glimpse into the past.

I M — Google review

This place is so amazing. If you are into old Wild West life and stories you will love this place. It is quite unique to see all original city and buildings. Stuff at visitor center is very nice and helpful. Highly recommend is you are visiting Montana. Just under 2h drive from Helena, pls take entry from highway 200 otherwise you will be climbing up over very rocky path, not recommended if you don’t have 4x4.

Rafal S — Google review

Such a sense of gratitude for those responsible for preserving our history and especially to the extent of dedication taken here at Garnet Ghost Town. Here you get an authentic interpretation of how an 1800s Old West Mining town could have looked and what life might have been like for these folks. Several well preserved buildings and a treasure of antiques from that period. I especially liked the Wells Hotel and Kelly's Saloon. Absolutely fantastic and worth every effort to see this Montana Treasure.

Herbert H — Google review

It was an adventure to get there. The 200 route is smoother but if you are coming from the east, longer. We came through the rough ( bear gulch and cave gulch) and left on 200. Both are beautiful. The roads are one lane and pretty rough. We were able to do it with a front wheel drive vehicle so 4x4 is not necessary, but follow the signs. It was super tight when we met a car coming in the opposite direction but we were able to squeak by. The town is fun and has a beautiful setting. Some buildings are pretty rough and some have been fixed up a little. Well worth the adventure!

Mary O — Google review

Make sure you take the route from Montana highway 200. The other route is rough and should only be taken with 4x4.You take a self guided tour through the town. Lots of buildings to check out. Tons of local history here. You can also visit the visitor center for some fun games for the kids or to check out the gift shop.Highly recommend

Linn B — Google review

Amazing ghost town nestled on the top of a mountain. Well preserved and documented. Plenty of information plaques and most buildings have original furniture and items. Some buildings can be rented in the winter months too.Note: entering from the north side is much easier than from 90. Driving in from 90 involves a steep rocky mountain pass that may be a little too much for a sedan or those afraid of heights

BezikP51 — Google review

This was a really fun detour on our trip. The roads were a little rough but was able to make it there in a sedan. The buildings are really cool to look at and the staff there are super fun to talk to. Might be a bit concerned with some of the wood in the buildings, I can see it becoming a safety issue in the future. Overall fun experience I would recommend stopping here

Nena — Google review

While looking for something to do around Glacier I found this place. Once you get off the main road you will drive on dirt road up a mountain. We drive up in a sedan and we were ok. The ghost town was kinda cool. It’s actually a national park.

Victoria P — Google review

Beautiful spot & we’d definitely go again!! Absolutely no signal on the way up, so be sure to load map before heading there. Not a whole lot of signage. Hwy 200 is the best route to go. It’s a beautiful drive & room for 2-way traffic. The other route was totally harrowing! 😳

Becky M — Google review

Wonderful place to visit. Rich history and well preserved.

Jeannie — Google review

The experience is very cool and unique. You will climb thousands of feet up the mountain-how the miners did this is beyond me! Word of caution: don’t do this if you’re coming from the Bozeman side. The road that is currently open is WAY TOO TREACHEROUS, and you'll be jostled more than on a rollercoaster (older folks beware if you have any neck or back issues). And the cliff is right next to you, and you must go less than 10 mph for 8 miles (40 minutes!) to handle the bumpy pass. HOWEVER, the Missoula side is perfectly fine. Dog and kid friendly. Glad we went.

Laura C — Google review

Such a cool historical place! I think people from MT can sometimes forget we are surrounded by history. It is easy to get to, but there is some dirt road driving. Easy walking, and interesting sites.

Chantelle F — Google review

The ghost town itself is cool but you can probably explore it all in about an hour but it's very worth the trip! I'd recommend the hiking trail which starts before you walk down to the town, it's beautiful and gives you a great view of the surrounding landscape, not to mention the abandoned house next to the trail!

Con — Google review

We took Bear Gulch Road to get there. Thankfully, we have a Jeep, and we enjoyed the rugged drive. The road out to hwy 200 was a much smoother experience. The grounds and buildings were well maintained. Nice little visitor center and brochures available, even placards at many of the buildings providing its historical significance.... nice to see school buses with kids learning our past.

Chuck T — Google review

Could not reccomend more. Was expecting a few small recreations of buildings but instead treated to the whole town, still existing. Lots of information showing what it was like to live there and many items still around. Even in the gift shop there was a game to match the age of artifacts and guess their purpose. Best ghost town experience to date!

Ayden V — Google review

What an absolutely amazing place! It's quite the drive in down a long rocky mountain road in the middle of nowhere, we thought we were going on a wild goose chase at first, and then it's a little bit of a walk down into but OMGosh is it worth it. You will be amazed at the things you'll learn & see. It's one of the most memorable places we've ever been. I could spend days and days there. It's incredible to imagine how the people lived there back in the day. There are so many things that were just left there when the town "dried up" it will totally amaze you. Like I said it's a long trip in so make sure you dedicate an entire day to it but it's a memory you'll never forget.

N U — Google review

4.7

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4.5

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RMG7+PF, Garnet, MT 59832, USA

(406) 329-3914

12

Gem Mountain Philipsburg

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Mine

Sights & Landmarks

Gem Mountain Philipsburg is a popular destination for gem enthusiasts, offering the opportunity to mine for local sapphires. Located just outside of Philipsburg, Montana, this attraction allows visitors to wash and sort through gravel in search of precious gems during the warmer months. Additionally, Gem Mountain has a year-round gift store in Philipsburg where visitors can continue their sapphire mining experience indoors.

We visited the mine location over the weekend and had the full day VIP area booking. We had such a great time. The staff were extremely helpful and knowledgeable, always available to answer questions and help wash our gravel. We have a special needs child and it was easy and comfortable for her to enjoy the day with us at the mine. Looking forward to our next visit!

Shantel W — Google review

Friendly easy to work with. Skilled. Knowledgeable. Always a good time.We go every year. Around 15 years.

Dick H — Google review

The mining itself was incredible. Something that I will always remember. The employees were very friendly and helpful. The store was also nice-kept and dog friendly.

Kaylee T — Google review

I have been coming here for 5 years and have never been treated so poorly. At 3pm I was put on a waiting list to have the stones looked at, at 5 pm they close and would not look at my stones. We were only here for 1 night. I'm stuck with stones, $45 of nothing. It's not worth your $45. Avoid doing business here

Renee J — Google review

Great deal, I spent 2 and a half hours on a bucket and found some great saphires. Loved the experience!

Vince B — Google review

My sister, her 3 kiddos and I had an amazing time! We had so much fun sorting through the rocks to find sapphires and every time we did it made our day. The people were very friendly and helpful and made it even better. Thank you Gem Mountain for a great experience!

Cassie H — Google review

My wife and I (native Montanans living elsewhere) have been visiting Philipsburg almost every year for 35 years, "mining" sapphire gravel purchased at different stores and entities over the years as mines and stores changed hands. For the last 12 years or so, we have been visiting the Gem Mountain gallery and buying/washing sapphire gravel from Travis and his crew.Unlike other locations around Montana - and in Philipsburg - we have never felt like we have been shorted while looking through the buckets and bags of gravel. Many other locations run their sapphire-bearing gravel through sluices or screen and wash it, which DOES produce a "cleaner" experience - but also leaves open the possibility that your purchased gravel has been "cherry-picked" for larger stones as part of the sluicing and washing process. I can guarantee that practice happens elsewhere - but not at Gem Mountain.Whether you purchase bags to go, buckets at the gallery, or buckets at the mine itself, we have ALWAYS been satisfied that we have been given "real" gravel that has been unpicked. Some buckets and bags have turned up 10-12 carats of raw sapphires; others have run as high as 65 carats, with an average (over the years) of about 15-20 carats. When roughly 1/3 to half of that is "gem quality" that is a pretty good deal for a $45 purchase (as of 2024). Your mileage on any given day may vary, as they say, but that is our experience over many years.We have always collected the stones from our 3-4 bags and buckets per year, and in 2021 had our first collection sorted, heat-treated, and faceted - resulting in over 220 carats of beautiful gems. We have made custom rings, earrings, and pendants from these gems, and their value collectively has far outweighed the cost of buying the gravel, heat treating the gem-quality stones, having them cut, and making unique jewelry (see pics).At Gem Mountain, we have ALWAYS received top-notch treatment from all of the staff. Of course, they now know us and we are glad to have conversations with them - but I have never seen them treat anyone else as anything but a friend. Our finds certainly vary from bucket to bucket and year to year, but we have never felt short-changed or dissatisfied by a "bad" bucket or day. Hey, it's all a chance - but over time, we have had HUGE success in getting some absolutely beautiful stones... and we have always felt welcome and had fun doing so.There are other places in Philipsburg to get gravel - we go to those as well from time to time - but nothing beats Gem Mountain, in my opinion, for finding stones and having fun doing it. We have just received our most recent "motherlode" of treated stones - some 870 carats of unsorted stones - and are in the process of sorting out about 250 stones to be faceted for more jewelry. We decided to heat-treat all of our stones so we can use some of them as raw, "imperfect" stones in jewelry this time around.Our largest find so far was a 6.69 carat (uncut) stone of perfect clarity and an amazing green color - we can't wait to see that one faceted! But we have literally hundreds of 0.5 to 2 carat faceted stones to choose from when making jewelry - and ALL of those have come from Gem Mountain.Give them a try. Every bucket and bag is a crapshoot - but I'd say the odds have been in our favor almost every time. Never disappointed! And Travis and his crew are truly gems at Gem Mountain!

Brendan S — Google review

Had so much fun, Travis was incredibly helpful and has such a great sense of humor!! Thank you for the recommendation of the scenic drive, my husband and I had the best adventure today. Gem Mountain is a must visit!!

Sarah L — Google review

Loved the experience! It was so fun! Take your mom she will have a blast.

Patrick J — Google review

We had the best time and found some amazing treasures!!

Shannon O — Google review

Mining for sapphires is so much fun. we got a few that were larger than 2 carats, We need to send them in to have them heat treated. I highly recommend either going to the mine or buying a box from them to go through!

S J — Google review

We bought two buckets of gravel for $40 each to sort through and found several cuttable stones. Our second bucket had an unusually high amount of sapphires, so be aware that your mileage may vary.They charge reasonable prices and make it straightforward to find sapphires. It was absolutely thrilling to find gemstones. The gravel was raw, muddy, and brown at first, not loaded with polished stones like some tourist destinations do to make people feel special.The way the gravel is sorted by the attendants pushes almost all of the sapphires to the top of the gravel pile when the sieve is flipped onto the table. This makes for a great experience, because multiple sapphires are usually visible before starting the longer part of the hunt.If you'd like your sapphires/garnets cut, they are currently experiencing a one year wait because of how many customers get in line.

Bayard L — Google review

Gravel is very expensive...we bought the boot the big jug and the small ones ..very tiny pieces ..cant do anything with them

Sherri F — Google review

I love going in to Gem Mountain! Staff are friendly and helpful, sifting the gravel to find little treasures is relaxing. Leaving with those treasures feels therapeutic. Definitely recommend

Shandee V — Google review

Talk about addictive. Digging through dirt @ our age is just good clean fun. We ordered some of ya'lls buckets of dirt and we are on a steep learning curve before our actual arrival in the Big Sky.. Sitting on the Mexican Border sifting thru all this rock is nothing short of just a blast! Still have a few lbs to go through but I'm pretty sure we will order more before we get there. I guess it's kinda like gambling @ a casino without the second hand smoke! Just the luck of the draw..Plotted. Oumuamua. Beep.

Kurt M — Google review

Visited this store very much by accident and very happy about that. Rock and Gem stores are by far my favourite and Gem Mountain did not disappoint. Prices were about par, but they have a great selection of unique items.

Joe B — Google review

4.6

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4.5

(267)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (70)

201 W Broadway St, Philipsburg, MT 59858, USA

(406) 859-4367

13

Old Montana Prison & Auto Museum Complex

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34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (73)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (74)

Museum

Specialty Museums

We stopped here on our road trip and it has been one of my kids favorite places. The cars were really cool and there were a lot of them. After we toured the cars we went to the prison and my teenagers absolutely loved it. You get to wonder around throughout the whole thing without being bothered. It made it so we didn't have any pressure and could play stupid games. The staff was great and the town is fun too, if you are thinking about stopping it is worth it.

Marshall Z — Google review

So much to see here. You could spend a full day between the two attractions.The auto museum has way more vehicles than I could have ever imagined to find in this small town. Really pleasantly surprised!Looks like there was some recent damage to the ceiling and some of the cars had obvious water marks from the damaged ceiling.Still though, it didn't take much away from the experience.The prison was really cool, Tons to see and explore. It's laid out really well and in great shape.

Brian M — Google review

What a fantastic museum! We were passing through, and arrived kind of late, but were delighted to learn that our admission is good for up to a year, so we can come back and finish the rest, so long as we keep our receipt! Was mostly excited about the prison portion (which was great) but was so pleasantly surprised by the auto museum. You really do need to spend at least half a day here, but with their extended admission, this works great. Can't wait to return to attend the other attractions we didn't get to see this time (Yesterday's Playthings, Frontier Montana, etc.). Also, we were eligible for a discount, which was so greatly appreciated. Can't wait to come back!

Stephanie B — Google review

Pretty neat to walk through and learn the history . Admission for 2 adults was 36.00 and we were able to tour all 4 museums in town and see some pretty neat historical items. The state prison has a self guided tour available with a numbered pamphlet that explains what each area was and the events that happened in the prison. The trail is easy to access and a bit long , but worth the walk. The auto museum is an extra treat of beautiful classic cars from different era's. There wasn't a whole lot of seating areas to take a break though so be aware if you have mobility issues, and the only bathrooms are in the front visitor areas. I would say the museums and prison is definitely worth the experience, and helps keep the museums operating so yes it's definitely worth the time and money if your in to historical buildings. There is also a small original town ghost site you get to walk through and experience, so there is a few hours to see everything if you have the time.

Tracy W — Google review

Looks like a super cool place with lots of things to do. It was closed when we got there.(January 2022) It seems to be a good thing to do in a town where "there is nothing to do" we stopped on a road trip and were sad that it was not open. Sign said their season begins Feb 4th.We still walked around the building and enjoyed the architecture they've added. There seems to be some kind of fair ground right next to it too. It's probably where they hold city events.Parking was very very unclear. We might have parked in a field, I have no idea.Overall, I'd love to visit again when it is open if we are ever going through town.

Sara S — Google review

The automotive museum is very good. A great collection of cars from every era. Many of them are fairly rare to see. The collection is much larger than I expected. If you are a car person, you should plan your trip through this area to allow you to stop, you will be glad you didThe prison is eye opening. If you have never been in one, you should see it here where they let you leave. You do not want your first tour to be a permanent one haha.

Hypur P — Google review

Absolutely loved this walk back into history. Wish that more areas were open to view but I’m all it was a great experience. Would love to go back and do the ghost tour, you know this place has got to full of lost souls. Remarkable car collection A must see if your into history. Highly recommend!!

Nanette S — Google review

The museums in this small town are a great surprise! The $18 admission gets you into a total of five or six different museums all within about a block or two and across the street from the prison. You pay at the prison gift shop and they give you a whole booklet with information about each numbered stop and directions on where to walk next so you don't miss anything. This way you can take as much or as little time as you want. After the prison museum you can walk through the auto museum. There are around 165 cars to see!Plan on at least a half day if you want to visit all the museums. They tell you to take a picture of your receipt and it's good for another visit within a year. I showed up in the afternoon and they said I could come back tomorrow if I don't finish today and that will just count as one visit so could still visit again within a year. Well worth the $18. Don't miss the Grant Kohrs Ranch National Historic site in town too! It's free. Lots to see in this little town!

Danell U — Google review

We used to ask Grandma if she went to college. She said she graduated from MSP, a private girls school out west. Little did we know her alma mater was the Montana State Penitentiary in Deer Lodge. What an amazing place. The car museum goes on and on with a collection of cars that has to be valued in the millions. The old prison grounds are interesting and the buildings are spooky yet give a real sense of what it must have been like inside. The self guided tour had plenty of info and stops with unbelievable and very interesting facts. Bring the family and check it out. As for grandma, she wouldn’t get out of the van while the family saw the sites. She said she wasn’t going back behind those walls. Unreal. Anyway, check it out. Btw, I bet many came to know Jesus in the little chapel there. Pretty cool and Jesus does save. From behind bars to eternity, I can’t imagine!

Q W — Google review

This place is a really cool stop you might otherwise overlook. It has an old prison, hundreds of amazing cars from the 1900s-1970s, and an old toy museum. You gain access to all of this with one admission ticket sold at the prison gift shop, which is good for a 2nd visit within one year.The prison is cool to walk around, and the ghost/paranormal crowd seems to especially dig it. The car museum is amazing, there are so many old, expensive and rare cars in there! I really liked the toy museum, make sure to check out the miniture train exhibit. The caretaker was very kind and sweet.

Jamez — Google review

Love this place. Never thought I'd say that about a prison. But there is so much history here and I went with my husband a few years ago and again just a few weeks ago. I love that we can go into the different cells and offices and see what it was like.

Mynameis N — Google review

This was a fun experience. This prison is old, not maintained, and pretty cool. They offer military discount on admissions tickets. The tickets get you into all the museums. There is a car museum, old vintage logging, mining museum, WW2, old toys, hobby craft, art and pen museum. There are also some old trains to see, a pinic area, old jail, blacksmith shack, log cabin, schoolhouse, carriage house and antique stores.

A P — Google review

Great history lesson on the prison. Makes you think of how rough it was back then. The car museum was amazing seeing how well taken care of they are and being preserved. Was fortunate to meet the owner of most of the cars. Sherm Anderson was the nicest person you could meet. Could tell he has a heart for preserving the past. And took time out of his busy day to chat with us. Thanks.

Jeff W — Google review

It's a very educational place for everyone especially the Montanians. This is where you will learn about the prison history and the prisoner's life. It's worth to see. I've been there on Halloween month. The staff decorated the place in a spooky way! I was so scared! They did a great job!

Hey.junebug — Google review

This is an awesome gem off the beaten path! Plan on at least 3 hours if you want to see everything, more if you are a car or history buff. The prison and the history is cool. SO MANY AWESOME CARS!!!!! From the first motorized wagons to the hot rods of the 60s to current muscle cars. They have it all!But it's not just the prison and car museum. They have a building for WW2 items, an old west area, building for classic toys and other things. It is 2 blocks of museums.

Isaac G — Google review

Amazing value! Your ticket to this museum also gets you entry to several others and one revisit for up to a year. The gift shop is very nice, reasonably prices. The staff are friendly, and the tour was excellent. We will definitely take advantage of that revisit! Considering the value you get, the 18.00 adult admission is a real bargain :-).

Eva L — Google review

I really like history, so I love museums. The history behind this is really neat. They have it laid out, so it us easy to do a self-guided tour. If you are in tune with energies, you can definitely feel multiple energies throughout the prison. Bonus, they have a really cool car museum as well fr9m horse and buggy to today.

Chad C — Google review

The old prison is nice, but (unexpectedly) the Auto Museum really impressed us - having never seen so many old cars in such great conditions. The toy Museum features some really creepy looking dolls I absolutely adored. Glad we stopped by.

Chen G — Google review

Highly recommend checking out if you're in the area of deer lodge. It was ~$15USD per person for admission which gave us access to the prison, car museum, frontier Montana museum, and yesterday's playthings. If you go through everything they have, give yourself at least 2 to 3 hours to spend here.

Hayley — Google review

What an amazing attraction. Either museum, car or prison, are fantastic.The car museum goes on and on and on, cars I never thought I would actually physically see with my own eyes! So awesome.The prison is a fantastic snap shot of a period in history. Opportunities to see the whole complex from the cells, the infamous 'hole', the yard and more.I recommend this place 100%

Daniel M — Google review

Broken Wings Paranormal (found on YouTube) did an overnight investigation from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. We have investigated other prisons and we are very impressed with how clean this prison is. We loved how easily accessible the building's are, and the fact they're far enough away from each other that we had no issues with interference of sounds from the other buildings or outside. It was sad we weren't able to go into the theater. Hopefully, the investigation fees will help more funds go to supporting the renovation of that building. We would love to come back, especially after the incredible paranormal evidence we captured here. We highly recommend this location for other groups, and even individuals who want to take part in a tour.

SUZIE Q — Google review

This is a must see. So many cars and the self guided digital audio tour is great for the prison. Plan on spending at least 3 hours here.Bonus keep your receipt and you can come back for another visit within a year for free.Visit the antique shop across the road. It’s the home of the warden and a super cute shop.The inmate hobby store across the street is also amazing.

Whitney B — Google review

I was very surprised at how many great cars were in the museum. It was awesome! The tour through the Territorial Prison was great also. I wish you could walk more than just the lower range in the housing unit. I wanted to see the top ranges. Lots of reading and history here. It was a great break from the road.

Justin G — Google review

I visited the Old Montana Prison back in July of this year. I went on the self guided day tour, along with the overnight paranormal tour. The staff both day and night time guides are very friendly, along with being informative with knowledge and stories of the prison. I want to note that ticket price is a good value that provides admission into several other museums besides for the prison.

Brian L — Google review

This was a great stop!!! The kids didn't want to stop initially, but ended up enjoying reading the plaques and learning about what was made here.We were quite humbled seeing the missing children in the law enforcement museum section, but it opened for a discussion topic that we don't talk about enough, and they wanted to understand more.

Tami A — Google review

Wonderful museum complex just off the highway in Deer Lodge. We were just passing through on the way to Glacier NP and had a little time on our hands. The prison is large and clearly laid out. The displays are very interesting. The attached car museum is wonderful. My husband and I found both our first cars in there. It was quite a fun afternoon. The ticket price includes a second visit, which we plan on using next week to visit the museums across the street of toys and WWII vehicles.

Tina H — Google review

The auto museum was absolutely amazing. Beautiful cars from early 1900s to current. There are many rare cars to see. 100's of beautiful restored cars. Highly recommend this auto museum. The prison museum was very interesting to see. On display is barbaric old dental and medical tools they used back in the day. Very crazy to see how they handled prisoners so many years ago. This is a very eerie place.

Jill B — Google review

Very interesting, I liked the self guided tour on your phone of the prison. The cars were beautiful and couldn't believe how many there were! We didn't have time to see the other museums that were included in the ticket. Hang onto your ticket, tho because you can use it again and come back.

Nancy S — Google review

4.7

(1466)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (75)

4.5

(253)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (76)

1104 Main St, Deer Lodge, MT 59722, USA

(406) 846-3111

14

World Museum of Mining

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History museum

Museums

The World Museum of Mining in Butte offers a glimpse into the city's extensive mining history. Visitors can explore a recreated 1890s mining town, take mine tours, and discover exhibits on mining tools. The museum is an excellent place to learn about the copper mining industry that once thrived in Butte. In addition to the Mineral Museum and Trolley Tour of Uptown Butte, visitors interested in local history should consider adding this attraction to their itinerary.

This is another must-do adventure if you’re in the Butte area! It is a very well put together museum and has exhibits of what a mining town would have looked like back in the 1800s plus actual copper and silver mining artifacts and platforms. There are a lot of exhibits to see covering a large outside area. There is also an actual old mine that you can tour, but that does require a separate ticket and is usually booked-up several days in advance, so it’s best to reserve your spot online. The mine tour takes you down about 100 feet into the mine, and is an exceptional experience and learning adventure. It is great for kids also, but not small children. It also is a fairly steep decline into the mine, and is pitch dark. They do provide you with helmets that have attached lights on them, but this was a fully working mine and is currently used to train mining students at Montana Tech. While they do everything to keep you safe, there are a lot of obstacles, and you have to be focused and have your wits about you. I would not recommend the mine tour if you’re claustrophobic or have other health ailments. It is also about 45° once you get down to 100 feet. But there is still plenty to do and see even if you don’t do don’t mine tour.They also have a lot of events going on during the summer, so check their website. The museum is also getting ready to start their haunted mine tours, so look for events and details on their website.

Greg H — Google review

Only did the self guided tour through the museum. You walk through a set up of an old mining town and can look through windows at different scenarios. Staff was friendly , was interesting to see. $12 to enter I think. Stopped here on the way to Yellowstone. Probably would have been more interesting to do the underground mine tour, but just didn’t have the time (2 hours).

Vickie P — Google review

I love this museum. This was my second time visiting and I loved getting to share it with my family. This is a great stop for kids with so much to look at, interact with, and just the immense amount of space it takes up. It takes a little over an hour (and thats with speed reading signs!). I have never done the actually underground tour but it's on my to do list now.

Victoria P — Google review

This is Avery nice history of mining in Butte. The pictures and donated memorabilia really helps show what life was like in a mining town. The town mock-up is fantastic at showing period prices showing invitation of the times. From dentistry to banking and everything in between. There is an actual mine tour, I would suggest calling ahead to get your times before you go. It was well worth the entry fee.

Michael — Google review

Great, knowledgeable guide who made the tour fun and quite interesting. Loved going down into the depths of the earth to experience what it was like to have be there. And the museum was set up very nicely with a great array of items and implements of how it was back then.

Ruth P — Google review

We only came because we drove through Butte and this was so much better than expected! The 12$ are so worth it.It is much more than just about mining. There is an exhibition with doll houses from back on the days which is adorable and then there is a whole recreated but authentic little town which totally feels like time travel. No reading is required, just walking and looking!

Lorena K — Google review

This was a fun place to go. There is an old time mining town to wander through. Kid friendly. There is an underground mining tour that is a lot of fun but I, personally, wouldn't take young children on it because of the steep grades and darkness of being underground. The only light is from the light on the hard hat everyone is wearing. At one point the light is turned off. This is a an excellent experience to see the reality of an old time mining town and experience a mine.

Lisa E — Google review

This was an interesting tour with a wonderful tour guide. Ken was very informative and funny. The tour was a good length and was well worth it. Get on Kens tour and you can’t go wrong.

Ashley S — Google review

The tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. She provided details and colour about mining history at both this mine as well as other mines in the area.Lots of buildings to view and walk around, plus an interesting display of different rocks and geodes. I particularly found the fluorescent rock display to be intriguing.

Phillip H — Google review

My family and I found ourselves in Butte with a few hours to kill so we decided to give this a museum a go. Staff was friendly and explained the two options to us. We would have loved the underground tour but it just didn't work with our schedule. We still enjoyed the exhibits but nothing really beats a guided tour. I do wish it had been easier to see the displays inside the buildings. The gift shop was nice to look around at.

Debra W — Google review

This museum was awesome. We took the Underground tour and it was fantastic! Rick was so knowledgeable and he really wanted us all to have an enjoyable time. I learned so much!! Some remarkable people are restoring this wonderful piece of history! Great job staff and donors. You can be proud of this gem!!

Carrie S — Google review

What a grat place with phenomenal staff! Broken Wings Paranormal did a Paranormal investigation at night. Mike was our host. He was great company and is full of so much knowledge! Going into the mine was a unique and exciting experience. If you come to visit, that is a must-see!!!

SUZIE Q — Google review

Informative tour of an actual silver mine no longer in use. You will walk underground and see where miners once worked. There are also many other buildings and artifacts from the period when the mine was open. Great family event, but tour is not for kids under 5. Museum admission included with tour. Mine tour is 90 minutes & requires hard hat with lamp & it may be slightly muddy. Bring light coat & wear closed toed walking shoes. Highly recommend!!

S F — Google review

Located on the far side of Montana Tech University, the World Museum of Mining is, hand’s down, a terrific place to learn about life in an 1800s mining town. The museum has brought in period buildings from all over, added local period pieces (whether saloon, apothecary, undertaker, and any of the dozens of other establishments) to make the town seem seamless. Most of the buildings had a QR code provided for obtaining additional information.Even before leaving the museum store where you buy tickets to either the above ground and/or below ground experience, you will learn much about mining in Montana. There also are a couple special exhibit rooms which were mostly from private collections (one being dolls and doll houses mostly related to early Montana life; the other minerals and rocks).The underground mine tour was led by Michael. He is well versed in the mining history of the area and was fully engaged in sharing what he knew.There is SO much to see. My photos are only a small portion of our time there. Plan to spend at least three hours (1.5 on the underground, and the same walking the property). For your convenience and comfort, there is a perfectly modern restroom facility.

Sue M — Google review

Fantastic place of history. This museum consists of an exact replica of a whole town of olden days. We were very impressed. Did not go on the underground mine tour. There's a lot to see & worth every penny. Will return again as some of the historic buildings are work in progress.

Kiasu L — Google review

Wonderful piece of history in an enjoyable atmosphere. Ken was a great guide with plenty of information and wit! Highly recommend for all ages.

Ted R — Google review

Nice little museum, with a replica mining town, mining equipment and infrastructure. They also offer mine tours. The mind tour is educational and takes about an hour and a half, but the first third is spent above ground going over safety equipment and some of the mining equipment throughout the replica town. Once you get underground you have to walk at an incline to both go in and get out. The tour goes around 100 feet down and you learn more about mines, mining, equipment, minerals, etc. you don't really go that far into the mine, but it's enough to get an idea of what the people working them experienced.

Jeren B — Google review

Highly recommend taking a tour of the mine! Very knowledgeable couple of guys. One worked as a miner in the 70s, and the other worked at a mine as well. They both had plenty of stories ranging from their own, to the stories of their fathers/grandfathers...What a cool little place. They did a great job of painting the scene of old school mining. Awesome, and tragic history

Dylan R — Google review

Wow! An amazing tour - Ken did such a fantastic job - took the time to answer questions and really did such a fantastic job talking about the history of the mine. He also gave us some great tips about other places to visit in Butte. The gift shop was also excellent and the gentelman working in there was also super friendly and helpful. I would 100% recommend this place!

Jen J — Google review

If you want the underground tour, then get reservations. Otherwise, walk on in and pay the entrance fee to see their museum. Small old cotown setup and feel. Pretty neat.

JC K — Google review

The tour into the mines is recommended. The guide has very interesting information about the mines and did a great tour.I recommend wearing long pants and a light jacket or sweater. It‘s quite cool down there (50°F / 10°C). You should also wear suitable footwear. It‘s a little muddy too.

Andreas S — Google review

Great informative mine tours. Staff was very knowledgeable about the machinery in the mines, as well as their geology. I would definitely recommend getting your tickets for the tour at least a day ahead, as there are limited spots available. In addition, wearing a light sweatshirt is a good idea, because temperatures in the mine are about 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Wear close-toed walking shoes (it gets muddy). Amazing experience for families!

Anne F — Google review

We passed through Butte twice on our way to Glacier National Park and coming back which was lucky for us as the mining tour is limited in numbers so we needed to book 4 days in advance. This tour is a gem, it is very authentic and down below earth and our guide Ken was very knowledgeable and entertaining. The tour inspired us to explore more and we visited The Archives Museum in The Historical District where again the staff were very welcoming and helpful. We were delighted we spent some time in Butte.

John D — Google review

Such a great tour with Ken! It was very nice going with a small group where Ken made us all feel welcome and answered all our questions. The amount of history stored on this site is like anything I’ve ever seen. The fact that there is still work being done in the mines and the college next door makes this site even more interesting.

Bobbie N — Google review

This museum ROCKS! (pun intended). See a real mine up close, that is no longer in operation, and the heavy equipment necessary to make it function. Learn what life was like for the miners. See gems from all over the world. Explore the pioneer town with authentic artifacts via the audio self-tour!

Some O — Google review

This site is loaded with historical eye candy of all kinds. From the Mining operations to the reconstructed town site it was a fully immersive experience. Our tour guide Troy gave us a tour that made the experience of the miners and this unique Butte American community come alive for us. My perspective on this important and often overlooked part of our history was enhanced and I honestly got teary eyed with pride thinking about how hard those men worked to do such a dangerous yet essential job. Hands down one of the best Montana tourist attractions and that is saying something! Thank you Troy!!!

Rose G — Google review

Loved this place and stayed longer than I had planned because there is a lot to see! Entrance fee with the mine tour was just over 20 dollars. Recommend booking the tour ahead of time online. The tour of the mine was great! Been in many caves, but not a mine. There are no stairs, but it is sloped for the entire tour. You go down 100 feet while wearing hard hats with lights. Really cool experience. There is a little recreated town to walk through and it's interesting learning about the late 1800s to 1950s time-frame of a mining town. Recommend this place! And leave plenty of time so you're not rushed.

Natalie K — Google review

Very interesting, tons of history, lots to look at. Would've loved to do the underground tour but our kiddos were too small (we will have to come back!)Our 2yo and 4yo were kinda bored so I don't think I recommend this in general for their ages unless the museum were to open up a little kiddos hands on learning exhibit.But we loved walking thru the town and the seeing all of the old equipment. Definitely don't miss this stop in Butte!

A M — Google review

Great mining village. Lots of amazing history!! Pretty cool. It was Union Day so it was free, but fun

Albert L — Google review

Such an amazing tour that even our teenagers said “it was awesome!” Absolutely worth the money and even after the tour we stuck around for another 2+ hours exploring the grounds and displays. The entire experience from start to finish was wonderful and we would highly recommend it.

Carly D — Google review

The best tour ever! Michael is amazing. 🤩Super fun and full of great bits of history. You must go on the tour.

Awesomely A — Google review

15

Berkeley Pit Viewing Stand

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Vista point

Sights & Landmarks

This former copper-mine viewing point overlooks the huge open pit, now flooded with water.

Way bigger than we expected! You can see the waste water plant from the viewing stand, there's a lot of interesting informational signage, and we heard these echoing monitoring stations, not sure what they were for, but I intend to find out. Pretty cheap entry too.

Zzozzez — Google review

Arrived but was unable to get in. Google maps said it was open. Sign on the door said they should be open according to hours posted. Obviously hasn't been open for a while from the notes of the people showing up and also being disappointed to find them closed. The management should probably update their signs on the building to reflect the actual hours open.

Wade M — Google review

This is the first time I see the mine pit, which is I never realized that it so big like this. This mine is one of the several biggest copper mines in USA, operated from 1955-1982, with diameter more than 1600m and depth more than 500m. It’s a good place for learning and education. Just one little thing, the ticket compare to the view we can see is still a little expensive.

Hanhua G — Google review

So interesting ! Our tour guide was retired history teacher. It doesn't get any better than that!

Tracy B — Google review

Butte was nice town. This pit is near the town. Butte is older, kind of run down. But we went to the music folk fest and it was well attended. Very hot.Anyways the pit is cool to see, but worth admission?? Maybe. We lucked out and there was a tour guide giving a talk. That was interesting.

Alice F — Google review

Have been here a few times. Always interesting to see. I think the informational displays at the viewing area are due to be updated and modernized. Difficult to read through the messy glass, and the info is quite dated. It also can get extremely windy in the viewing area, FYI

Trish L — Google review

This thing is awesome! The platform allows you to take a look at the entire pit easily. The fee was fairly cheap and there were a few informative panels that tell all about the origins of the Berkeley Pit.

Anne F — Google review

A small viewing deck to watch the huge pit. It’s a self-guided tour but you will get enough information about its history.

Marcos S — Google review

Found this on Google maps, was curious to know what it was. We were visiting Montana and had time to kill. Entry fee was $3 per person. Walked through large tunnel and onto the platform that over looks the pit. Crazy how much water is there!! Turned green due to all the minerals in there. There's placeboards that tell the history of it. Small gift shop and they offer a tour thru the city on a bus for $25. Place is interesting

Lorenzo C — Google review

It's a pretty neat stop, especially if you like geological and historic things. The gift shop has some amazing smelling soaps, and you can grab some huckleberry popcorn, syrups & more. They have other souvenir stuff, too.

Melissa D — Google review

Very interesting stop to enjoy local history, and very reasonably priced. Handicap accessible, so my daughter was able to see everything with us. To see and hear about the past mining operations in Butte, I would recommend this stop.

Mike B — Google review

Really great set up to enjoy the views of the Berkeley Pit. Lots of good information about the history of the mine and other mines in this history rich area.

Dustin S — Google review

Makes for a great stop when driving from Yellowstone to Glacier. Entrance fee is $3. The view of the Berkley Pit is amazing and there is a small “Museum” that informs you about the history. You won’t spent a long time there, but it’s very informative and interesting.

Wandern L — Google review

5 bucks to enter and check out the observation tower. I remember when I was a kid growing up my sister and I used to just go here multiple times a week and was able to access the tunnel and tower free of charge. Neat little attraction though.

Justin A — Google review

Definitely worth the $3 to enter tunnel to reach pit and view up close. Great little gift shop with beautiful copper jewelry and kitchenware, etc. Large boards to read history and see old photos; also a narrated audio voice re: history and current operations via speakers while you view the pit.

Rho M — Google review

$5 per person, 4 and under are free. You walk through a tunnel to the observation deck. We hit it just right and got to listen to the tour guide from the Butte Trolley Tour so the money was very worth it. This is one of those places that is a "must visit" in my opinion because it is a MAJOR part of Butte's history. The pit is why you see places named copper ____ and all the other precious metals. This is a mining town and most of my family was born and raised here.I have very fond memories of coming to Butte (and The Pit) when I was a child and it meant so much to me to bring my husband and children to experience it as well.If you can, I think it's worth doing the bundle and riding the trolley so you have a tour guide to truly explain the history and how they are currently cleaning and preventing birds from landing on the water.If not, I still highly recommend coming here.There is also copper for sale (coins and bars) in the lobby starting at $10.

Shelby A — Google review

Interesting spot. A few informative displays that are a bit worse for wear and don't really tell the whole story e.g. it's a huge Superfund site. They have two big pieces of mining equipment that are hard to see and located behind fences.Clean bathrooms are a bonus.

Mitchell F — Google review

Cute stop with some interesting information. The woman in the shop was extremely friendly and the view outside is impressive. She was kind enough to warn us about the noises they set off to keep the birds out of the water which was highly appreciated as an Iraq and Afghanistan War Veteran. A quick inexpensive educational stop for those nearby.

Emily C — Google review

Lots of good info for the curious mind. $5 per person and you can walk through the tunnel to the viewing area. In said area there are some signs with historical info and pictures, benches, and an old binocular thingy that costs a quarter. The entry building/gift shop has some souvenirs.

Cody B — Google review

Stopped here on the Tolley tour of Butte. The driver was very knowledgeable on the history and had some interesting stories to tell.

Melissa L — Google review

$5 per person and well worth it. It's so quiet and peaceful, lots of info on the pit and a cute little gift shop as well. It's truly fascinating how it's changed overtime

Maddie K — Google review

Pretty cool spot with a lot of local history, it costs $5 to enter.

Shachar A — Google review

A great place to stop and take in the views! So much rich history and it is amazing to learn facts about the operation that made Butte the richest hill on earth!

Molly B — Google review

Pretty cool place. $5 bucks to walk through the tunnel to the observation deck. If you are into this kind of thing it is worth the $5 bucks. If unsure, send someone through 1st and have them decide if it is worth the whole crew paying the $5 each.

Your R — Google review

A must-see if you are visiting Butte. It is worth the $5 to see the Berkeley pit from the viewing stand and there are lots of educational signs with interesting information.

McKenzie A — Google review

It is amazing how much earth men and machines moved in a little over 30 years. Unfortunately, this was all done out of greed, and what remains is an environmental hazard that is impossible to fix.

Romeo V — Google review

4.3

(805)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (87)

4.0

(353)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (88)

350 Shields Ave, Butte, MT 59701, USA

(406) 723-3177

I'll never travel to Red Lodge without this trip planner again

Learn more

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16

Cathedral of Saint Helena

34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (96)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (97)

34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (98)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (99)

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Catholic cathedral

Sights & Landmarks

The Cathedral of Saint Helena is a gorgeous Catholic church built in 1914, with impressive twin spires that draw inspiration from Vienna's Votive Church. The stunning architecture is well-maintained, and the steeples tower into the sky while bells clang overhead. Visitors can't help but feel awed by the grandeur of God's glory within its walls. Even young children are enchanted by running around and exploring this amazing space.

Look I was not expecting to have a spiritual experience today. I came to town to visit the place that my family came from. But I didn't really have any idea what I was going to do when I got here. I saw this cathedral from a ways away and decided to check it out. As I got out of the car the bells in the tower began to chime. I claimed the steps hesitantly not wanting to interrupt anyone praying, but the room was empty. I stood in awe of the sight of this place. It took my words. My daughter had questions which I did my best to answer and when it came to the lit prayer candles. She wanted to do one. So together we lit one for our family which is no longer with us. And... It just hit me really deep. This place is a whole different thing, and it's beautiful

Michael C — Google review

Such a spiritual place with incredible craftsmanship. So happy we stopped for a visit. Would love to go to a service there.

Danielle R — Google review

Absolutely beautiful inside. The organ was playing while we were there. Definitely a site to see in person

Angela D — Google review

We stopped here, and we're privileged to catch the greeter just finishing a tour. There were four of us who got an excellent tour. The stained glass windows were awesome, and the description of building included the original build and the several remodels and repairs.

John T — Google review

Absolutely stunning gem of a church as beautiful as any European ones I've visited. Breathtaking just being inside, you can't help but to look up in awe and feel small amid the glory of God.Even our 17 month old seemed pretty impressed! We've *actually* never seen her have so much fun inside a building like that, she was so happy running around and giggling and looking around super excited, it must have seemed like a big fun house to her LOL we couldn't help but let her have fun while trying our best to maintain a respectful level of reverance 😆

Alejandra Z — Google review

As we drove up just to view from outside with the fall colors, the Bells were tolling. It was just magical. Sooo beautiful! I can't wait to see inside.

Neva L — Google review

This is a beautiful cathedral outside and in. The detail of the church and stained class windows which tell a story are amazing. It reminds me of the beautiful churches in Europe. I sat there awe struck as I looked around and marveled at the Catholic tradition decorating this beautiful cathedral.

Beth K — Google review

Incredibly beautiful, architecture old and very well maintained, easy to find as the steeples were almost to the sky, the bells were chiming as we walked up the stairs.

Vicki Z — Google review

So beautiful! Some of it reminds me of Rosalyn chapel in Scotland

RED S — Google review

Why can't i give this place a 6 out 5 for beauty?? Its absolutely stunning and a gem tucked away in Montana's capitol city

Bryan M — Google review

Beautiful place. They're working on one of the towers. I was able to walk inside. It's a beautiful building on the inside. If you're in the area or passing near, I suggest you visit.

C H — Google review

Beautiful Cathedral. Very peaceful inside.

Cindy E — Google review

Beautiful! A true monument of faith to Helena’s riches of the past. I was fortunate enough to attend a 7am mass. Entered the church in outside darkness and as the service proceeded, the sunrise illuminated the stain glassed windows.

K L — Google review

If group is under 10 ppl you do not need a guide and can go in as long as mass or an event is happening. Peaceful and beautiful ornate decor.

Jacob W — Google review

Beautiful stained glass work. Soft spiritual music was prayerful and worshipful. A must see!!!

Vernon S — Google review

Beautiful church! Amazing architecture and art.

Jake R — Google review

I didn't expect to be so impressed! This has the feel of an Old World cathedral! There was music piped in that because of the speaker placement and the acoustics of the cathedral itself, made it sound like you were overhearing a rehearsal.

El — Google review

Such a beautiful cathedral! All the stained glass is amazing.

Philip F — Google review

Beautiful 7 am Monday morning mass today. Simply visiting a tabernacle while away from home brings home right here where I am

Rex M — Google review

Great building. When we visited, scaffolding was being errected, which was awesome to watch.We didn't go inside as it seemed closed off, but nice place to stop and walk around.

Rosco A — Google review

The stained glass is insane but upon entering the air was super thick and felt heavy. Off vibes in this place. Creeped my son out, not sure why but just a different feeling while walking inside it.. still breathtaking stained glass though

Jordan O — Google review

Beauty inside and out. Lovely architecture on the outside and gorgeous stained glass windows and other decorative touches on the inside.

Tom F — Google review

Beautiful architecture, very well taken care of. The inside is clean and quiet

Anabel P — Google review

Its Easter & church visit is a calling for one's soul. Beautiful church in a quaint town of Helena, Montana & has withstand history.

Regina — Google review

It is one of the most beautiful churches I have ever seen.

Wamed A — Google review

4.8

(877)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (100)

5.0

(620)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (101)

530 N Ewing St, Helena, MT 59601, USA

(406) 442-5825

17

Montana State Capitol

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Building

Sights & Landmarks

Government Buildings

The Montana State Capitol, completed in 1902, is a significant government building that also houses a museum and gift shop. Visitors can take self-guided tours to explore its historical significance. In addition to the capitol building, Helena boasts other attractions such as the Cathedral of St. Helena and the Guardian of the Gulch, an old fire tower. The city offers guided and self-guided tours of various historic sites, providing insight into Montana's past and influential figures.

4.5

(507)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (106)

1301 E 6th Ave, Helena, MT 59601, USA

18

Gates of the Mountains Wilderness

34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (107)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (108)

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Nature preserve

Nature & Parks

Gates of the Mountains Wilderness is a vast mountain park that features winding trails and a river. It is located along the Lewis and Clark Expedition route, making it historically significant. The friendly staff ensures a pleasant experience for visitors, who can enjoy biking on nearby trails or taking in the beautiful scenery while driving through. The park is conveniently located near Helena and West Glacier entrance. Overall, Gates of the Mountains Wilderness is an excellent destination for nature lovers looking to explore Montana's stunning wilderness.

Great place to visit when near Helena.

John M — Google review

Such an amazing boat ride! The tour guide was great, had so many fun facts and was super entertaining with his stories as well! Highly recommend

Dani J — Google review

Nice park, friendly staff. Close to West Glacier entrance and to good bike trails!! Take time to go over to Whitefish. Beautiful place to live.

Terry F — Google review

Very informative tour! Had a great boat ride and very senic.

Nancy S — Google review

Visited for a short time as a pit stop driving from Bozeman, MT to Shelton, WA. Beautiful scenery.

Chuck J — Google review

Had not been there in years . Lived in HELENA Back in the 1950’s and Missoula in 1970’s . Went back in 2021 wife in 2021 ( her first time in Mt. Enjoyed The Tour. Saw the IDAHO DREAM from MOVIE “THUNDERBOLT & LIGHTFOOT”.

Bruce R — Google review

Absolutely stunning and rich in history. It was the best fishing we found in the area.

Charlie ( — Google review

Great experience!!! 2nd time I have come, will come again!! Beautiful scenery, informative tour, kind people, great food!!! I recommend!! I brought all my resident from my assisted living and they were very accommodating and helpful!!

Jacquelyn S — Google review

It was truly breathtaking. Our captain was amazing and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. The gift shop and cafeteria is worth a visit as well, so make sure you make time for Gayes of the Mountains!

Kelly D — Google review

It was wonderful our guide was very knowledgeable about the Lewis and Clark Trail and the fire jumpers when that all started and I remember seeing and hearing stories and I did see a movie on it and he was right there on that next time I'm going to get me some books but this is something I will never for get

Julie U — Google review

Wonderful place to get out on a trail and get some solitude ...

Cory W — Google review

This is a must see destination! Breathtaking views & historical information lead by knowledgeable tour guide/boat captain.

Janet G — Google review

What an amazing tour and affordable for the family.we bought tickets ahead of time .plus we brought snacks and drinks with us and shopped the gift shop after the tour .beautiful pictures and interesting history . No wildlife was spotted on tour ..it was a beautiful day .plan to get there early, buy tickets ahead of time

R B — Google review

The boat tour was absolutely beautiful!I'd definitely bring my parents, when they come to visit, if it's just a boat tour.I'm only giving 4 stars, because of the dinner, what we paid was not worth it, at all! $59 for a steak dinner.....I didn't get a steak, I got 4 thin cut strips of steak, some potatoes and a salad. My husband said the chicken w/ fettuccine was good....but again, not worth what we paid

Kristy M — Google review

The Gates of the Mountain boat tour is wonderful!!! We bring our assisted living residents over every summer from Butte, MT. Everyone that works there is so accommodating and helpful. Since we have such a large group, they assist us on and off the boat, deliver our food from the snack bar and carry our coolers. The information on the tour is fun and interesting. They are absolutely the BEST! We have never had a bad experience there. It is so wonderful to be able to provide such a great experience to our assisted living residents. Thank you!

Tonya K — Google review

We went by on a Monday when the boat tours are not in service. I don’t know if it is worth the stop if you can’t go out in a boat. The view isn’t that spectacular just from land. Certainly pretty but not sure it’s worth going out of your way to see. Just FYI for those considering adding it to their road trip.

Megan M — Google review

Went there with a great Friend & Husband. Worth going, experiencing. Beautiful.

Linda W — Google review

Nice relaxing boat ride. Beautiful day. Very informative and entertaining tour.

Art S — Google review

4.8

(67)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (111)

4.5

(661)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (112)

Helena, MT 59602, USA

19

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (113)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (114)

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State park

Nature & Parks

Park

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is a stunning destination offering guided tours of vast limestone caverns, as well as picturesque trails, picnic spots, and a well-equipped campground. The park has seen recent improvements including a new visitors center. The classic tour led by experienced guides offers breathtaking views along the way and interesting facts about the area. However, it's important to note that the tour is physically demanding with steep ascents and challenging maneuvers within the caves.

Amazing adventures underground. This is a beautiful park with some wonderful staff. Can’t wait to come camping here, and hike around some more. We did the holiday candlelight tour, and it was a blast, but I can’t wait to come back and see some more formations.

Karl H — Google review

We did the classic tour. Jim was our guide. You can definitely see that he has 17 seasons under his belt. The trek up to the entrance has amazing views along the way (if you aren't scared of heights.) We stopped a few times along the way and Jim gave us fun facts to give everyone a break from the hike. It is almost exactly 2 hours from the start to the finish of the tour. It is a physically demanding tour. I would say 4.5 out of 10 maybe a little less depending on your age and fitness level. But.... it is 100% worth the small effort to see. Only downside. You don't get to see much of the paradise room from where the classic tour stops before the exit.

Greg M — Google review

Nice park with two visitors centers and lots to see. The displays in the visitors center are really helpful for understanding the caverns formation. They have some samples of stalactites that you can touch, too.Greer Gulch trail from the upper picnic area is quite nice and there’s great views. There is a historic out as at the start of this trail with a good interpretive sign. The Rangers are really helpful.

LS S — Google review

*please like if you found helpful *So much fun! Staff is very knowledgeable and the view inside is amazing! *may be a bit tricky for taller/larger ppl getting* as it has a few slopes and areas to duck under. But well worth it!Growing up in MT I have visited several times through my life and this year did the candle lit tour. It was so much fun!*please like if you found helpful *

Jordin K — Google review

Super cool tour through the very first state park in Montana. We did the classic which included a short hike up the mountain followed by a descent into the caverns. Really liked the slide as well as all of the cool rock formations. Our tour guide Tom was very knowledgeable and had a lot of interesting facts about the area. Definitely a nice stop for the adventurous and nimble bodied.

Brian M — Google review

Seattleite here, being a tourist. Caverns came recommended by a Billings' friend. Definitely worth the drive from Bozeman. Check their schedule online.Though I read the web description/warnings, I was woefully ill-prepated for this Classic tour jaunt. I'm fat, forty and female and I went alone since here on business. I was last in line all day but Lily never made me feel badly or a burden. Kind, courteous...I felt safe all day. The jokes/puns/facts were perfect. Would recommend for anyone not already on the verge of a heart attack or claustrophobic.

Sherri D — Google review

Great place to visit. This location is up the mountain. Stop by the visitors center and get a good schedule of the tours and the types of tours. There is a souvenir shop there and a very friendly and attentive staff. I highly recommend this location. Please don't bring small children here they may not like the darkness and may become disruptive. Overall this was a very cool and interesting trip to the caverns. Just seeing the formations was amazing and our tour guide she was awesome.

Mr O — Google review

Fantastic caverns. Not as huge and grand as Carlsbad but more accessible and has some amazing history. There is a Classic and a Paradise room tour. I did the classic and it was amazing but has 600 stairs, a half mike climb, low ceilings, and a bump or two on the head involved. The Paradise room is a level walk to the entrance and a tunnel to the biggest room for those less capable of the physical requirements

Sean L — Google review

Visiting Lewis and Clark Caverns for the first time was a very unique experience. We did the classic tour and our tour guide, Bradley, was very personable and knowledgeable, cracking jokes and making it fun overall. There is a cute gift shop and cafe and the food was really good! There is lots of crouching and some slick parts but the views are well worth it!

Nicole R — Google review

They are short 10 of their 15 guide positions, leaving the few existing, dedicated guides less cross-trained on many parts of the cavern--a legal necessity for exploring said parts--so the trip isn't as chock-full of adventure and correspondingly fun stories (especially for the kiddos) as it used to be.Also, the grand finale, the Paradise Room, has been removed from the tour and made a separate event (doubling revenue but halving guest experience).

Thomas H — Google review

We took the easier "paradise" tour. It was guided by Jim, a lifelong Montanan. He was a wealth of knowledge of local history and geology. The walk-up to the cavern had great views and was easy, but was about half a mile.

Kevin B — Google review

We did the classic tour, and it was such an awesome experience! We also had arguably the best tour guide around! She was the perfect combination of knowledgeable and funny! We are so happy we made the trip from Yellowstone to see this! The hike up the mountain is hard if you’re out of shape but it is so worth it! Once you get to the cave entrance it’s pretty easy from there on, as long as you can bend frequently. Overall great experience, we will be back the next time we’re in Montana!

Jessi G — Google review

Short car ride through, with elevation gaining quickly! We scheduled a tour of the caverns and then decided to use our downtime before to hike the trails. It was midday and hot: probably over 100. The trails were well kept up and the signs easy to navigate with distance included. Make sure to bring water and if you have time: a trip to see the mines. They are barred off to keep people out, but allow bats access, but you can still see in with a good flashlight. Beautiful scenery, but good hiking shoes a must and the physical ability to hike steep grade.

Jessica R — Google review

$8 state fee to enter. I skipped the visitor center but where you get the tour permit you can pay there. Tours are available to buy online ahead of time and they had my name on the list when I got there. Show up early for water, restrooms, etc. I did the classic tour. Once you depart it's a tough hike to the cave entrance at the top of a mountain. Once inside the cave is great. Well lit. Difficult. Stooping, bending, twists, turns, one little slide you have to sit down for. Tour guide I had was awesome and funny. Mike. You'll know. Saw colonies of bats and a good history of the cave and how old it really is. When you get out you have to walk down to the parking area. Cafe and gift shop there btw.

Darrin R — Google review

2 hour tour, 9:30am-11:30am, is $15 per ticket, our tour guide, Bill, was excellent and the formations are out of this world.

D. H — Google review

Watch for the red stair and ask about it !! I was on the fence about going but so glad I did as it was beyond any photo I’ve seen and an experience I will never forget ! You have to be fit enough to make it to the mouth of the cave and while it wasn’t an issue for my group I can see where it might be an issue for others but smart of them as you have to make it through the cave too. Go and get awed.

Greg S — Google review

Amazing cave! Great steps, handrails, lighting, great tour guide. The hardest part was getting to the cave. It's a steady uphill climb for a half mile. There are places to pull over and rest. Once there, the cave steps were mostly downhill. We took the Classic tour. There was a less strenuous hike called the Paridise tour. That doesn't have the steady seep incline to get to the cave but you only see two rooms. Loved it and highly recommend it!

Springrae79 — Google review

Loved our tour guide, sadly didn't get her name. We did the classic tour guide and prepare for a hike going up along with stairs. However, once to within the cave, you get to go down a SLIDE! A slide in the cave is really cool and one in a kind. Our tour guide even pointed out cool rock formations such as a big foot or a married couple aging. Very informative and fun trip altogether. If in Montana, a highly recommended place indeed.

Naniko N — Google review

My first visit here was amazing. Bridget our guide was 5 stars all the way. She was super funny, professional and was great at telling stories. The cave is really great too with some really cool rooms and some fun ups and downs. Definitely worth a visit 😃

Rappel A — Google review

We did the Classic tour. The walk up to the cave entrance is a workout! But, worth it. Beautiful views. The caverns are amazing. So many formations. The guide was funny and informative. We got to see bats and their babies. Thankfully this cave doesn’t have white nose syndrome! I hope it never makes it here.

Katie R — Google review

What a great local treasure every one should visit. Fyi be in fair shape and large persons should not take the classic option or if claustrophobic.

Robert B — Google review

We went on the standard tour and my wife and I both had fun. There were some right spaces inside the cave and there were a few who weren't able to make it up to the entrance of the cave since it's all up hill (not too steep).

Aaron R — Google review

Really great and informative cavern tour. The website talks about the tour distance, but doesn't mention how much stooping you have to do in some parts of the tour. I'm 6'4" and had to crawl in a couple of spots. I'm older and found the stooping a bit too difficult. The guide was great and I would do it all again. Just be careful if you have knee or hip issues and are tall. No restroom during the tour.

Brian P — Google review

It's a really cool experience, I've lived in Montana for most of my life, and this was my first visit to the caverns. I definitely recommend it for a fun day trip!

Hanna — Google review

Buy tickets ahead and online. if u've visited another cavern (cave), DO NOT use the same shoes for the safety of the bats. They do sell daily, but first come, first serve and sell out fast. The classic tour is 2 hours, and the only hard part is going up to the cave, which is an uphill climb. We had so much fun inside the cave and expected more crawling, but it wasn't much. Our tour guide was penelope (i think), and she did great. She said she was new and apologized for being awkward. But she did great and appreciated that she had notes. It was like she was just talking to us as if like we've known for a few days. I would like to thank the tour guides for showing up! W/o them we wouldn't be able to see the caverns!!

Audrey C — Google review

Amazing caves! Absolutely stunning! The tour guides are super funny and know their stuff. Some of our group did the Classic (harder) tour and some did the Paradise (easier) tour. We all loved it. The cave is lit, so you don't need a flashlight. A light sweater or hoodie is perfect for the temperature in the cave. For those wondering if they are physically able to do the Paradise tour, there are only about six steps in the cave you'll need to be able to climb, but you'll need to be able to walk about a half mile on a flat, gravel path. In the Classic tour, you'll need to be able to do a fairly steep, short hike, and do some duck-walking in a short area of the cave.The cave is way up in the hills and the drive up has some gorgeous views. There is a nice picnic area on the way up. The gift shop at the top has a cafe, if you want to buy a hot lunch.At the entrance of the park, the Visitor Center is small. The ranger there was very helpful with info about the area. She told us about the Junior Ranger badge that is available for Montana State Parks and got our kids set up to earn it. The campground is right by the Visitor Center and although not huge, is very nice.

Sarah C — Google review

We had Lilly/Lillie as our tour guide and not only was she very charismatic but her knowledge of the cavern, the history and the surrounding area was beyond impressive. The caverns were very well taken care of, my group and I had a wonderful time!

Braelyn H — Google review

Love this little piece of Montana and U.S. history. The classic tour is pretty strenuous. We had a great guide. He was incredibly knowledgeable and funny. Definitely not for people who get claustrophobic easily but worth it if you can push through. Definitely worth seeing if you are interested in United States history.

Summer S — Google review

Amazing and unique experience near Bozeman. Take an afternoon in the summer to visit this state park (the first in Montana) and tour the caves. Highly recommend the Classic Tour for 2-2.5 hours. Nick was our guide and he was a perfect fit for the role, including endless jokes, facts and humor. The route has some ducking and crouching, but can be traversed by almost anyone. It is well worth the time to explore this unique state park.

Brad K — Google review

Simply outstanding. We did the classic tour. Blake was great. Bit of a hike to the caves and some tights spots throughout the tour. Took two hours. Don’t believe the website for booking the tours. They are first come first served at the ticket booth. We almost didn’t go because it was “sold out”. Go do this. Totally worth it.

Gerry H — Google review

Caves are awesome! Your guide not so much. Matt jokes around the whole time trying to be funny and as you would guess it gets very old fast. Caverns are worth the trip to look at for sure just make sure you get someone else to do your tour guide.

Joshua T — Google review

I recommend the classic tour 1000%! It is two hours, the most taxing part of the tour is the path up to the elevation of the entrance, they do give you 30 minutes to get there though. The 600+ stairs are mostly taken down into the caverns. This can be taxing on the knees for some. Just to give you an idea though, I am a plus size gal recovering from a dislocated patella and had a broken hand at the time and I had absolutely no problems.

Lori E — Google review

The most physical cave tour we have done. The assent up the mountain trail to the cave entrance is an endurance test. 300ft rise in elevation at a steep angle. You must complete the trip up in a half hour or they will not let take the cave tour. The guide was very knowledgeable and made the group interact. You also will need to be able to stoop low, crab walk, twist, and turn. There is even a small opening you must slide through. It was well worth the price.The campground is also nice. HOWEVER, there is no advance notice about bear activity for people using pop-up campers. The tent area has a bear box and trash box, but all other sites have regular trash cans. Also, the showers had pilot light issues, so we had to insure ice cold showers for $3 ea. The park knew about the issue but did not keep tabs on it. Only ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️for the camp ground.

Pete Z — Google review

Loved my tour here last June with my family can’t remember the name of our guide but she was amazing funny and knowledgeable about everything and could tell she genuinely loved her job. The cave part was great very beautiful inside and surroundings.

Joseph S — Google review

Nice tours with option of easy or difficult. We opted for difficult. We are old and overweight but managed okay. Lots of stairs and stooping, crawling and even sliding on your behind. Beautiful cavern. Check tour times so you can time your arrival. You cannot take packs, purses etc. On the more difficult tour. You will hike up the hill 3/4 mile to the cave entrance. If it's hot out, it could make it arduous.

Michele S — Google review

A must see when in Bozeman, three Forks, Mt.2 types of tours, an easy, short 1:30 hrs, the Classic/ original , longer 2:30hrs, you get to see all chambers in the cave.

Liliana F — Google review

Beautiful campgrounds with electric hookups at the site. Portable water is available near the dump stations. Clean restrooms.Don't miss out on the cavern tours.

Ron S — Google review

4.7

(2007)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (117)

4.5

(524)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (118)

25 Lewis & Clark Caverns Road, Whitehall, MT 59759, USA

(406) 287-3541

20

Big Sky Resort

34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (119)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (120)

34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (121)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (122)

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Ski resort

Nature & Parks

The Big Sky Resort is introducing renovations to its Huntley Lodge and Summit Hotel, featuring over 200 guest rooms with updated and spacious designs. The hotel remains family-oriented with the inclusion of bunk bed lofts in select suites. Additionally, a new high-speed chairlift will be available for visitors to enjoy. This mountainside condo hotel offers upscale accommodations with sophisticated interior decor, complete with an outdoor pool for relaxation.

Great skiing at Big White. We had a wonderful Christmas in April with over 30 inches of new snow in a week. Terrain is awesome - from beginner to world class expert. Steeps, breathtaking views, tree skiing, blue cruisers, and big terrain park - there's something for everyone. I love the bubble chair lifts with heated seats. The village is small but has lots of character. We stayed at the Huntley Lodge and it was great, nicely updated. Will be back again soon.

Tiho T — Google review

Great resort. Lots of run options, large ski lifts with bubbles to protect you from the weather. Lines are short due to large and fast lifts. The staff is fantastic. The map shows lots of beginner hills. Brought my boys who are beginners and I think they are overly optimistic as many of the beginner slops are more advanced. Great place for experienced skiers not as great if you are a beginner.

Dale W — Google review

Big Sky Resort is absolutely amazing! The breathtaking mountain views, endless ski runs, and top-notch facilities make it a dream destination for any outdoor enthusiast. The variety of terrain means there's something for everyone, whether you're a beginner or an expert. The resort is well-maintained, and the lifts are fast and efficient, so you can spend more time on the slopes. Plus, the staff is friendly and helpful, ensuring you have an incredible experience from start to finish. The après-ski options and lodging are fantastic, rounding out the perfect mountain getaway. If you're looking for an unforgettable skiing or snowboarding adventure, Big Sky Resort is the place to be!

Sean M — Google review

Huge! You would need several days to ski the whole resort, there are lots of various terrains and excellent lift and staff. The mountain is beautiful and you gotta go to the top if it's a sunny day! The base is not very good this year considering it's already March, I stuck on rocks multiple times when ski on seemingly untouched powder. Very easy to find parking and shuttles are very frequent if you park far from main base.

Yizhi Z — Google review

I booked the condo my friends own in Village Center for the week. The condo itself was very nice and clean, and the front desk staff members were friendly during my few interactions with them.The relatively few on-resort dining establishments that were open were somewhat often closed during their posted business hours, leaving us to eat something we didn’t want or go off-resort.The check-in process was confusing, and involved going to a different building than where we were staying, only to have someone escort us to another parking lot after quite a wait and get us checked in at the building where we were staying. I’d rather have been able to go to our parking area directly.I was to park in the owners’ lot per my friends, but it was closed for an event the weekend we arrived. It was open after that for parking, but we were never given the code we asked for to access it, and had to park farther away during our time here. It was no dealbreaker, but for what it costs to own a condo here, I’d think the owners’ lot should always be available for them and their guests to use.The hiking/biking trails and the disc golf courses are excellent. The hiking and biking trails are fantastic. The resort itself is in a beautiful location. It’s an outstanding place to get away and recharge.Overall, the stay was very enjoyable, and the minor annoyances were acceptable considering the rates available at the time I booked. For people paying the current asking prices to stay here, the resort should do better.

Ed W — Google review

Had a fantastic week here March 10-18. Great dump of snow midweek to give a couple of days of fresh powder - terrain is amazing with broad spread of difficulties from green all the way to triple? black diamond runs... The lifts are efficient and mostly with short lines. The tram system to the top of Lone Peak is a pay as you go system, with an additional daily fee on top of your existing lift pass. This cost varied from $50-80USD/Day and is based on expected demand. The tram caries only about 10-12 people each time, and only leaves every 5minutes or so, hence the wait times can be very long to get the lift (we waited 65 minutes), even when they only seem short in length. On a powder day, you feel a bit like you're letting the day go to waste a bit by standing around... But the terrain on lone peak is less travelled, so snow is less tracked. We had a deep powder run down Liberty Bowl (waist-deep powder) which was minimally tracked, so even for the cost of the tram add-on, I am still glad we did it!! It was phenomenal!!Overall, not the cheapest place to have a family ski holiday, and probably would find a trip here with my whole family too cost prohibitive, but as this was taken as part of a conference trip, the tax deductible nature of many expenses made it pretty affordable overall...

Peter D — Google review

Disclaimer trail maps make it look bigger than it is. It’s still massive. Don’t take the moose lift, it’s 20 minutes with no bar. But the glades are perfect. The bowl is fun. The catwalks are are long and the trails are smooth

John J — Google review

This was an incredible and fantastic adventure. It is a thrilling activity surrounded by the gorgeous Gallatin National forest. Our zip-line guides were friendly and helpful. I would highly recommend this zip-line to anyone visiting the Yellowstone or Bozeman areas.Only one word of caution, please check their website for weight by restrictions for safety. You can also rent a mountain bike, you can bike from top to bottom. There’s a lift that can take you to the top.

Marzlyn B — Google review

I have to say that we were truly amazed with the facilities, activities, food and service. The staff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable. We came in July to visit some of the area’s national parks and wished we would have stayed one extra day to spend time on the grounds. We stayed in the Huntley Lodge and our breakfast was included in the Chet’s Restaurant. You never really have to leave the resort and there is no shortage of activities. Highly, highly recommend staying here!

Julie W — Google review

I live and work at the big sky resort, our snow paths are phenomenal, a lot of various locations to rip the Nar worth every minute. The area host several events yearly such as archery, weddings, snow events, hiking events. Really worth looking into if you are a fellow Nomad like myself.

James S — Google review

We had been coming to Big Sky for decades until they raised the ski rates a while back. However, we were able to take advantage of the early season ski and stay prices. The new upgrades on this mountain are surely worth it. Heated chairlifts, no lines, great customer service!!! Food was great and everyone was very helpful and friendly.Geoff at Huntley Lodge was great and our first point of contact at checkin.

Dacia E — Google review

This resort is amazing. So much to do and see. The food is fantastic but what makes it really special is the staff. All attentive and helpful. One staff member in particular was always there for me and ready to help. Whether it was with restaurant recommendations or just his exceptional service Chad Lewis made our trip. Great work!

Mark S — Google review

The Good- The Huntley Lodge is very nice and comfortable. The pool/hot tub area is nice however the jets were not working in one of the hot tubs.- The breakfast was great! Plenty of choices and a great meal to start the day.- The Peaks Restaurant and Cabin Bar & Grill were outstanding. Great dinners at both.- Loved the Exchange area to get a quick bite, drink, and pickup groceries - however the lines for checkout was long and slow.- The demo shop was great! Very friendly and knowledgeable staff.- Ski valet guys were friendly and considerate.- The skiing was fantastic! Lift staff were great!The Bad- Bell people didn't ask if we needed help with our bags when we arrived. We weren't directed to the ramp to roll our bags up.- Check-in person had a bad attitude and was not helpful. Didn't solve problems especially for those who are first-timers.- A lot of room noise from floor above. Walls and ceilings don't limit noise well.- A lot of misdirection and miscommunication from ski rental shop when returning ski equipment.- Ski instructors are great but more helpful when either be asked to help or being paid for a lesson.We had a great time at Big Sky and would recommend it. I believe there may be need for additional training in soft customer service skills.

Larry R — Google review

Beautiful scenic tram rides, views, hiking and mountain bike trails. Went with my husband and friends but would definitely come back with our kids. Saw many families out enjoying the outdoors; love to see it. Ample free parking. Don’t forget your sunscreen and sunglasses!

Bunny H — Google review

Very nice resort that is huge. They have a little bit of everything for everyone. My only complaints are the prices of everything. Be prepared to spend a lot of money if you come to visit or want to ski. We did a full day on Saturday February 4th, with lift tickets and rentals, and our son did a ski school for his age group (age 7). We wanted to do a half day Sunday. My buddy who did a full day Sunday paid $248 for a full day ticket, while I got a half day ticket around 1 pm for my son and I and it was $200 for me and $130 for him. He was a beginner and did not get off the magic carpet. That’s one thing that’s not clear on the website if a lift ticket is required or not for the magic carpet, or if I needed one to help him or not. Another thing was at the end of his lesson on Saturday his instructor said that they offered half day lessons and we should sign him up for Sunday. When we went to sign him up for Sunday we were told they don’t do half day lessons for his age group, that we could book a half day private lesson for $875 or a full day private lesson for $1075. Two waters at Madison village was $10.75. So just prepare to spend about double on everything. Nice resort with lots to do just budget accordingly.

Daxton S — Google review

Big Sky is arguably the best ski resort in the continental US. I like it because there is so much variety in terrain. The only negative is the village is not at the resort unlike Vail or Whistler, so you have to drive a couple miles to have more food, beverage, and entertainment options.

Peter G — Google review

Dangerous ski place. Very crowded and the ski patrol does nothing to control the situation. There is a separate area for beginners but it full of teenagers going 100 mph going back to the lift. I saw several colitions and serious falls in a green run called Mr K and it was supposed to be a "slow" area.

REL V — Google review

Beautiful place but it’s up on the mountain not in the little town. It’s an absolutely beautiful drive up here from big sky.Service was excellent, including a call letting us know the restaurants up in the hotel were closed because of the off-season.Would probably be incredible to stay here if you were skiing.Room rates in big sky are insanely high. But got a decent rate for this place online prepaid.

Tom K — Google review

Big Sky is a beautiful resort, but keep in mind that nothing is cheap there!! If you aren't afraid of that you'll have a great time as there is a ton to do. We took the family and it was great fun for all ages. Definitely recommend the Adrenaline Zip Line, and for the those chasing a view, the gondola ride to the top is worth it. From 13k feet you can see three different states. Next time we visit will be during the winter to hot the slopes! Enjoy!

Aaron H — Google review

Loved this place. We took a tram up the mountain and very much enjoyed the views. We came in June and there was still snow.

Eileen M — Google review

The dining and swimming facilities were very good. We encountered a few staffers with terrible customer service and were annoyed to assist us. There were a few other staff that were very great though. The location is right on the hill, if you are interested in biking, hiking, or skiing its a great spot. It was a tough drive in and they were doing construction. I don't think the hotel was worth the price.

Doug K — Google review

I recently visited Big Sky Resort and had a truly enjoyable experience. The resort offers stunning views, excellent facilities, and friendly staff, making it a great destination for ski enthusiasts.However, I feel it's important to mention that the pricing seems quite steep, especially considering that more than half of the mountain was closed during my visit. While I understand the costs associated with maintaining such a large resort, a daily lift ticket price of $234 felt excessive given the limited access. It would be beneficial for guests if the pricing reflected the actual availability of the trails and facilities.

Angelo R — Google review

Massively overpriced. Riding the tram is extra - what? Awful food at the base lodge. The lifts are great but I bet this place is usually jam packed. Such great terrain but in many ways they've taken the fun out of skiing and just made it a way to charge you at each step.

Damian D — Google review

Big Sky Resort is an outstanding destination for skiing and outdoor adventures in Montana. The vast ski terrain offers something for everyone, from gentle slopes for beginners to challenging runs for experts, all with spectacular mountain views.The resort’s accommodations are comfortable and convenient, with a range of options to suit different preferences and budgets. The staff is friendly and attentive, making sure your stay is enjoyable and hassle-free.Dining at Big Sky is excellent, with a variety of restaurants serving delicious meals made from quality ingredients. Beyond skiing, the resort offers numerous activities like snowboarding, zip-lining, and mountain biking, making it a great year-round destination.Big Sky Resort combines natural beauty, top-notch facilities, and excellent service to provide an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re here for the winter sports or the summer activities, it's a fantastic place to enjoy the great outdoors. Highly recommended!

Muhammad H — Google review

Had an Amazing experience at Big Sky, from the time we drove up to the time we left service and amenities were outstanding! When we arrived Geoff unloaded our car and delivered everything to our room (we had alot!) Great personality and knowledgeable about the area. Then Mack gave us a beautiful room, we felt pampered, it was spacious, clean and comfortable. Everyone at the resort gave us great recommendations for both food and adventure. Then Joe got us all loaded up and delivered back to our car and on our way. Great experience overall and would love to get back there to spend even more time there. Thanks again😀❤

Candace C — Google review

Great ski hill but man the conditions are rough.The atmosphere is wonderful. DJ in the evenings. Almost a steamboat party vibe.Runs are slightly shorter.Not a fan that you have to pay for the tram. But I guess it keeps down the traffic.A lot of chair lift issues and the lines have been pretty long

Charissa K — Google review

This ski resort is HUGE. You could easily spend 2 days here and not repeat a run. The amenities are awesome. Heated seats on some lifts. Covers to pull down over you when it snows. They have great areas for beginners— our 7 year old had a great time. But also double black options for experts. I love that they have an excellent adaptive ski program associated with the resort. We didn’t find that until the day we left, but still be back to have our daughter with Down syndrome take a class. The lift tickets here are pricey. No question. We used our mountain collective passes which made that part easier to swallow for us. 2 days at Big Sky almost parts for the entire pass.

Brooke B — Google review

Our group attended a conference at the Big Sky Resort this week. The rooms were spotless, the food was excellent, and the service was top notch from the valet service to the hotel staff. Shout out to Chad who went above and beyond for us during our time there. Can’t wait to go back!

Rob N — Google review

Still has ski maps THANK YOU!!! I didn't actually stay at the resort but I did ski 3 days and I want to say as someone who doesn't want to fumble with phone on lift, still having paper ski maps was VERY nice. The staff was also very friendly and helpful.

Chase — Google review

If there's ever a place suitable for skiers and boarders who have not once been on the slopes as well as those who have been on the slopes from the time they were in diapers, Big Sky is the place to be. It is truly massive, so much variety of terrain, amazing snow quality and gorgeous views. You want to do it Big, you do it at Big Sky.

Nikhil S — Google review

We visited the scenic summit trams. There were 3 open at the time: lots of mountain bikers taking advantage of the amazing trails! We were there to hike and soak up the scene. Trams were secure and staff super informative and kept riders safe. I'm scared of heights so no photos on the ride up, but views were breathtaking. Must experience this at least once! We would return for the bike trails. My girls would love that!

Jessica R — Google review

We spent New Years Eve at Big Sky and then Jan 8th at Big Sky for snow biking. We were up at Madison Village for the snow biking. The guys at the rental spot were nice and helpful, and making sure our 10 year old was comfortable. The snow bikes are highly recommended! They are so much fun! People operating the ski lifts were also helpful to slow or stop the ski lifts so our daughter could load and unload safely.

Johns J — Google review

Great place to ski! Amazing area. Slopes for everyone of all skill levels. There is no way anyone could get board here. The staff is extremely friendly. The drive to get there is breathtaking seconded only by the views from the slopes.

David O — Google review

Beautiful mountain and gorgeous resort. As an amateur skier, I was surprised by the difficulty of the runs, but really enjoyed them all. Little to no line for the lifts, nicely groomed runs, variety of food options, and excellent lift service. Every Monday and Wednesday they have avalanche dog meet and greet, which was a lot of fun and educational. Highly recommend visiting Big Sky for your next ski/snowboard trip. Keep in mind the drive from Bozeman to Big Sky can be difficult at night, even in great conditions.

Teagan T — Google review

I spent a week snowboarding at Big Sky with friends. The mountain is fantastic. The scenery beautiful. Nice long runs at all levels. Nice lifts. No long lines. Only negative is the cost of the lift tickets. Very expensive.

Ray L — Google review

Very confusing w poor instructions. Beautiful location but for skiing I would definitely go elsewhere. Many other better locations and more friendly w/o confusion.

Sharon M — Google review

I recently spent a week at the Huntley Lodge. The service was excellent; especially front desk, valet/parking personnel and housekeeping. The room was extra clean and the setting was lovely. However, the hallways and other "back of house" areas could use an upgrade. Once you leave the common areas, there is a marked difference in the vibe.

E. G — Google review

We had a great time here and are planning a trip back. Plenty to do and loved the feel of the resort. Staff were friendly and gave great recommendations. Was a little disappointed when I told the front desk that the room had no shower gel as I was going to breakfast and when I returned an hour later there was still no shower gel. I ended up using shampoo to shower. Room 271 on August 14

David P — Google review

4.6

(3649)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (124)

4.5

(1390)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (125)

50 Big Sky Resort Rd, Big Sky, MT 59716, USA

(800) 548-4486

I'll never travel to Red Lodge without this trip planner again

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21

Ousel Falls Park & Trailhead

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Park

Nature & Parks

Ousel Falls Park & Trailhead is a hidden gem nestled in the Black Hills National Forest, offering miles of great hiking, beautiful lakes, and plenty of mountain peaks to climb. The park features several popular trails including Beehive Basin Trail and Ousel Falls Trail. The latter leads to a stunning waterfall that is easily accessible via a paved trail, making it suitable for all visitors. Along the way, hikers can enjoy picturesque views of the surrounding nature.

Beautiful winter hike ! Can be done with no snow shoes but a few slippery areas. The altitude will get you out of breath easily !

Charnita K — Google review

Beautiful moderate difficulty, shorter hike with scenic views. This is a beautiful hike in Big Sky with a nice water fall at the end. There's some moderate elevation change but it's a very well maintained path the entire way. You follow a stream back up to the falls and get a wonderful view there. Couple of spots to stop on the way and have a picnic. I believe the round trip was about 3 miles give or take. Worth it for a relatively short, easy hike.

John H — Google review

Easy hike and beautiful views. Large waterfall frozen but you can still hear the water rushing under the ice.

Laura T — Google review

A great trail, and is handicap accessible. My daughter made the trek with us, but there are steep inclines up and down the trail. Several bumps could present problems for wheelchairs also but is a manageable trail with spectacular scenery.

Mike B — Google review

Free parking and two very clean bathrooms add to the appeal of this location, which is perfectly situated. You can take the trail behind the restroom to reach the waterfall—about a 40-minute walk if you're in decent shape, or an hour if you enjoy taking pictures. The trails are steep but relatively flat. Although we didn’t see any bears, bear spray is recommended.

Jorge G — Google review

Amazing trail. In 1 mile you can see so much. Trail is through a beautiful gorge ending with a waterfall

Alex G — Google review

Gorgeous place. One of the best waterfalls i have been to. Well kept trail and plenty of benches. So many spots to look at along the way and access top and bottom of the falls. easy enough hike. Be prepared for some mosquitoes though. We got bit. There are some slightly dangerous spots so watch your kids. it was fairly busy on a summer late afternoon weekday. We got there a bit late and had the falls to ourselves for a bit though. Check out the top and bottom area

Nicole D — Google review

It is a flat trail full of switch back elevation changes. Check the time of year to make sure the paths are clear. Some snow and ice may be on the paths in May. Absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. Worth the walk. Go to the large falls since you can go to the base and top of the falls.

Becky L — Google review

Great hiking trail. It’s paved but at this time, snow pack remains throughout. Highly recommend checking it out!

Jen D — Google review

Very nice hike to several waterfalls. Entire hike is a long the river and crosses it several times. Wooded area with paved walking path to get to falls. They're is some up and down but it is a fairly easy walk.

JW O — Google review

Nice, well maintained trail to beautiful and peaceful falls, with plenty of places to pause or stop for a picnic (or rest)

Kevin K — Google review

A beautiful shorter but very sweet hike of about 1.6 miles roundtrip. So scenic with a big waterfall at the end. Immersed in forest and trail at bottom runs alongside the river. I also brought my bear spray as always hiking in bear country. Restrooms are in the parking lot right next to beginning of trail

Mamie Z — Google review

Beautiful, I’m a senior over weight and out of condition and heading out on trail wasn’t sure about how coming back up to parking area would be but I did it! Wasn’t as bad as I imagined just took it slow. Worth every step!

Lori S — Google review

There is plenty of parking. Two parking lots. The trail is approximately 3 miles round-trip. The trail is well marked. It is an easy hike. There are several benches and picnic tables along the trail. The falls are not very big but the hike is very scenic along the river. You cross a couple of bridges. You can see the falls from a viewpoint and also walk down some steps to the base of the falls or walk to the top of the falls. The hike is close to the center of town and easy to find.

Vicki N — Google review

Beautiful location. Easy trek down to the falls area. Can potentially be a bit more challenging in the winter when there is more ice present.

Jesse P — Google review

Great hike, lots of ups& downs. Dog friendly with stunning views.

Brian G — Google review

Amazingly relaxing hike through beautiful nature with peaceful waterfalls and streams. Easy to understand different trail paths and ease of use, with a difficulty level of hike as beginner

Roger B — Google review

This place is absolutely beautiful! The hike itself is very easy and you can get in and out in less than an hour. Different trails to choose from and there is a bathroom on site. This is a new fave for us!

Mrs A — Google review

The water was extremely cold, but it was fun to swim in. The hike was amazing alongside the sights you get to see along the trail. The people we met were very friendly and taking pictures is a huge thing here for everyone. So, do be careful not to photo bomb and ask to take pictures with everyone else. Quite an amazing experience and must need to travel.

Naniko N — Google review

What an experience words cannot describe the feeling you have when you’re in the moment here!! Absolutely Breathtaking Views close to town and town center short walk or free ciy bus ride @bigskyconnect#mymisohungry

Emilio M — Google review

Absolutely BEAUTIFUL trail we made it to the top and loved it!! Highly recommended trail its about 1.7 miles round trip. Are dogs had so much fun! Bring bear spray!

Camilo R — Google review

At the beginning of June, the falls are really flowing and it is so impressive. Incredible area and very well maintained trail that the whole family can do

John V — Google review

Love to return when the falls aren't frozen. Nice hike and great scenery along the way.

David P — Google review

Ousel Falls is a BEAUTIFUL waterfall!! Easily one of the most impressive in this area of Montana. Best thing is? It is very easy to get to! The trail is paved, which even makes it handicap accessible (albeit with some steeper parts), and it’s a nice 20-minute stroll to get to the main falls. Don’t think it’s boring along the stroll though - you have beautiful views of the trees and river and other scenery all along the path!In summer, it’s a pretty popular destination. Many people in Big Sky visit with their dogs just to get their exercise in, and after it rains the falls are even more impressive. Try to time your visit after some heavier rainstorms (of course keeping in mind it’ll be muddy, so wear proper shoes)!In winter, the falls are even more beautiful. They are pretty much entirely frozen, and you can walk right up to the ice! It is otherworldly seeing so much ice around, even if you’re from Big Sky! As an added bonus, way fewer people come in winter, so you might have the whole park to yourself! Do keep in mind though, it is quite slippery walking down to the waterfall in winter, especially if there have been some warmer days before your visit (as melting and re-freezing forms ice on the path), so be very careful when you’re visiting, and bring shoes with proper treading!All in all, this is a must-visit when you’re in Big Sky. Whether you’re coming to the area in summer to visit Yellowstone, or in winter to ski up at the mountain, take one morning and head down to Ousel Falls. You’ll not be disappointed!

Michael — Google review

EXCELLENT! The Ousel Falls Trail was maintained very well and signage was visible and abundant. Beautiful trail with gradual switchbacks, bridge crossings and a beautiful set of falls that reminded me of Oregon/Washington Coast. This trail is maybe .5/.7 miles back and same distance back out. Great way to spend a small portion of the day. There are some picnic tables along the way, pack something to eat and enjoy the views and sounds of the falls for a few...please make sure to pack out whatever you brought with you👍🏻

Just J — Google review

This has been by far one of the most beautiful trails I’ve ever done. Total of one mile down and one mile back. The trail is easy to walk through snow, has amazing scenery perfect for pictures and has good signage to let you know where to go. Plenty of picnic tables and benches to sit on.

Chrissie Y — Google review

One of the most beautiful hikes I’ve been on. The waterfall is stunning and so is the surrounding scenery. Short hike, only about a mile there and a mile back, and the trail is very well maintained. Lots of snow still on the trail in mid-May, but it was still manageable and the waterfall was not frozen.

C. T — Google review

4.9

(765)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (137)

5.0

(576)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (138)

Ousel Falls Rd, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730, USA

(406) 458-5433

22

Montana Whitewater Rafting & Zipline - Gallatin

34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (139)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (140)

34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (141)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (142)

Raft trip outfitter

Tours

Fishing charter

Recreation center

Tour operator

Horseback Riding Tours

Fantastic Family Fun Day for 6 (ages 11-47). Highly recommend the Zip & Dip package. Perfect introduction of both activities leaving my kids wanting more, "next time can we do class 4 rapids and the 6 bridge zip". Thank you to the staff for unforgettable experience for our family.

Adam O — Google review

First off I hate heights more than anything but, I had a great time still. My wife loved every minute.The zips were amazing and had great scenery especially the ones that went over the river.The guides were really funny and kept everything light hearted which is what I needed so big thanks to Sean and kayden or k money. I believe that was their names.

Carter D — Google review

Great for all ages! Took my family (youngest 12) and we all faced some fears today! Our guides Drew and Cody made the experience so safe and fun!! We were lucky to have them. Take the super zipline adventure if you can: it's so worth it!

Jessica R — Google review

Our first time zip lining. Did the Classic and happy we did. Anna and Joey are great guides. The landing is easier and gentler than it looks! Fantastic views over the Gallatin River.

Kevin T — Google review

We had an amazing time whitewater rafting with Montana Whitewater Rafting. I have to say that aside from this place being extremely organized and very knowledgeable the guides really made it extra fun. I highly recommend this outfit to anyone looking to whitewater raft in Montana. I cannot say enough good things about our guide Clara, she was fun, professional, knowledgeable and very friendly. Thank you Clara for being amazing…

David P — Google review

We were fortunate enough to be able to book in on the same day for White water rafting. Our guide was Gareth and he did an amazing job with us (2 adults and 2 children).It was so hot outside that it was a great pleasure by each boy to be dunked in the water where it was calm.Gareth was very effective at mitigating any dangers that we could have faced, especially with young children. At no point did any of us feel overwhelmed for our levels.We found all of the rest of the staff to be friendly and more than willing to assist us with anything that we needed.We highly recommend families to come here and enjoy the nature of the river.

John W — Google review

This was a wonderful family experience especially for teenage boys!I was concerned about everyone being cold, but Montana Whitewater Rafting had all the equipment needed from wetsuits, to booties, to life jackets and helmets. If you choose to do this as a last minute adventure, Montana Whitewater Rafting will prepare you for a wonderful experience! We truly enjoyed our guide, Gavin, and his intern, Will!

Kimberly A — Google review

Had so much fun! Family loved the experience. Lots of smiles and laughs. Thank you to the staff for being professional and caring. Also would like to thank our guide Zach ! We will always be grateful for the memories❤️

Melissa P — Google review

We had an awesome experience! Our guide Elizabeth was fun and knowledgeable…she made us comfortable throughout. My family has 2 non swimmers but we all felt safe and had a great time out at the river! Definitely give it a try if you are in the area…it’s an experience to remember :)

A P — Google review

Amazing experience. Did the half day more challenging Gallatin River run, our guide was Gavin Cooper and he was simply amazing, kept us all safe and made you feel confident on the river. Highly recommend this place. Get out there!

Erika — Google review

We rafted with Archer (great guide!) this past week on a 130pm trip. He was an awesome guide and thanks to his recommendation, we had the best BBQ we've ever had in West Yellowstone. Ty Archer!! The river was a little slower than our personal preference but that's just this time of year. The scenery was beautiful and we would definitely come back to do it again! Thanks for a great raft trip!

Karen B — Google review

We booked a private boat for a family friendly "less challenging" whitewater trip as we had 2 young kids (ages 6 and 7) coming along. The river is high this time of year so it was a lot faster and rougher than expected. They put us with a senior guide, Robert and he was awesome! He gave clear instructions, and the kids were screaming with excitement (thankfully the photos confirmed this) the whole time. From booking the trip, getting outfitted with all the gear, drop off/pickup, etc....it was all super organized and easy! We all had a great time, felt completely safe and would highly recommend Montana Whitewater!

Stephanie S — Google review

Came here with my husband and it was our first time fly fishing. We had an amazing time and learned a lot of fly fishing! This was so memorable and a huge highlight of our trip. I wish I could remember the persons name that helped us that day because he was amazing and super welcoming! We plan on coming back next year and bringing back our ten year old daughter!

Sandra M — Google review

We had a great time rafting with Montana Whitewater! Our guide Cameron was friendly, easy going, and very knowledgeable. The staff walk you through everything you'll need for the trip and they provide all the gear, which is included in the fee. We had fantastic weather (I don't think Montana Whitewater can take credit for that, lol) and a really fun crew on our trip down the Gallatin. The youngest in our group was 8 and the oldest was a grandpa and we all had a great time! Definitely a must do experience at least once while on your Montana adventures!

Seren S — Google review

Been WW rafting dozens of times (well over 30 times) and this trip was top 5 because of the staff and the attention to detail. Took my kids (14, 16, 18, 20 years old) on the More Challenging trip and because of our guide (Julia) they all had a wonderful (and safe) experience. Kudos.

Kevin K — Google review

Montana White Water has been the best! Great rafting trips and zip lines. All staff was kind and made our adventures super fun. Special shoutout to the office in Gardiner staff who were understanding in us missing our first trip bc of Bison in Yellowstone blocking the road! Allowed us to rebook without cancellation fees on a trip 2 days later. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Courtney D — Google review

We had an amazing trip down the Gallatin River with Montana Whitewater today! Amazing views and the rapids were an absolute blast. Our guide Barbo was a serious pro at what he does and kept us safe and very entertained! He was hilarious and also a wealth of knowledge about the area. We couldn’t have been happier. A cool adventure. Highly recommend!

Grace N — Google review

On June 7, 2024, the river was at a very high level so our scenic float trip turned into a whitewater rafting trip. They called us the day before to make sure it was OK. I had to cancel one of our party who has a bad knee and back, and they refunded his fee. Julia was our guide and she was a delight. We had a gorgeous sunny day, even if the water was freezing cold. The wetsuits really helped to keep the warmth in, but if it was cold and windy outside, I don’t think it would have been quite so fun. We had an absolute blast!

Cher A — Google review

Montana Whitewater was amazing!!! It was so fun my kids are raving about it. It was super cold outside but they provided wet suits, jackets and water shoes that kept us warm! Our guide Jeb was incredible and made sure we had a blast and stayed safe. We would definitely recommend this company! Super organized and kind group.

Kimberly R — Google review

Had a great experience. My wife did not want to go but was glad she did after. The views were breathtaking and Julianna was a great guide. Would definitely do this one again next time we are in town.

Chris K — Google review

We did this as a family of 8 with 5 adults and 3 kids ages 9 and under. We did the “less challenging” rafting course and it was perfect for their ages. The guides are awesome and our very nervous 7 year old came out saying he had a blast. Professional and safe, while having tons of fun. Highly recommend!

Reagan B — Google review

Highly recommend Montana Whitewater Yellowstone Zipline experience. Very well organized, friendly staff and guides. Had a great rush! Staff was great at keeping us safe and making sure the whole family had fun.

Nick G — Google review

Great time! Every single person we interacted with really seemed to love what they doWe did the less challenging white water rafting with our 7 year old. Henry was our guide and kept us entertained in the calm water and in the action during rapidsWe also did a zip line with Kaiden and Chase (Chance?). These guys were amazing. Kaiden had our son attached to him for the zips, and he was incredibly patient. Our son was TERRIFIED in the beginning, but by the end he was laughingThank you for the great memories!!

Amanda T — Google review

Top notch organization! The entire staff worked together to make it a fantastic experience! Veryknowledgeable and safety was a top priority. It was our first time ever whitewater rafting & will be a memory we will cherish forever! I highly recommend them! Shout out to our guide, Tom who made us feel comfortable, was a pleasure to listen to his knowledge of the area & his expertise!

Lynne B — Google review

Excellent customer service and a great adventure.Had a girls trip planned to the Big Sky area for 6 friends and booked Rafting plus Fly Fishing through Montana Whitewater during our trip. Spoke with a few representatives before/during the booking process to figure out the best arrangement of trip options based on differing levels of interest/comfort within our group, and also how best to coordinate timing on different excursions. When the week of the trip came, I had a family emergency that left me unable to attend the vacation with the rest of the crew. Spoke with Lily more than once while trying to sort out the best adjustments to our bookings and she was always super gracious and accommodating, which was very much appreciated with everything else going on. Just got photos back from the girls in the group who were still on the trip and they had an amazing time and loved their guide Tim!

Mary F — Google review

We had a fantastic time whitewater rafting! We went mid August and the river was a bit low, it made for a very enjoyable trip that wasn’t too difficult. We were able to chat with the others in our boat and see the beautiful scenery. Our guide Everett was amazing and the rest of the staff were super friendly and fun!

Kesha G — Google review

4.9

(646)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (143)

5.0

(2953)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (144)

63960 Gallatin Rd, Gallatin Gateway, MT 59730, USA

(406) 763-4465

23

Museum of the Rockies

34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (145)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (146)

34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (147)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (148)

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Museum

Children's museum

The Museum of the Rockies located in Bozeman, Montana is a world-class cultural and natural history museum that boasts an extensive collection of dinossaur fossils. The museum features a fully mounted T. Rex skeleton that was completely uncovered in Montana. The museum also features exhibits on regional and native history as well as laser planetarium shows.

The exhibit was amazing! So many kinds of dinosaur bones and fossils and very cool American Indian displays as well as some antique cars and quilts and replicas of the way people used to live. Went to the planetarium. It was somewhat interesting, but not enough to maintain my focus. I had hoped that Montana Sky would've been showing all of the stars at night and expanding to an outer space journey showing galaxies and constellations from telescopes and in space. That would've been amazing for the planetarium room.... Instead, it was just diagrams basically of the stars in our system and how to find them. Well, that's what I got out of it. Regardless, the Museum of the Rockies is definitely worth seeing. Their gift shop is very nice, too.

Storytime A — Google review

Wonderful museum for kids and adults. Nicely curated with a great collection of dinosaur exhibits (including Montana's T-Rex). I also caught the Da Vinci exhibition outlining his many famous paintings and brilliant inventions (highly interactive). A wonderful facility--highly recommended.

Cathleen C — Google review

We really enjoyed the museum. It was bigger than we anticipated. The children had a good time. There's some interactive exhibits and a cute children's area upstairs. There are some shows included with the purchase of the museum pass and it is best to look at the schedule for these first to decide which ones you may want to attend. The staff in the living farm museum were very informative and passionate about their job.

Jared A — Google review

Great local museum! I especially loved the pioneer exhibits, lots of strange little trinkets from people moving west. Excellent dinosaur exhibit as well! For a small museum, there's a lot to see. Definitely worth a wander!

Catherine Y — Google review

We visited the Museum of the Rockies on a weekday, early morning when they opened. We tried the day before in the afternoon, but the parking lot was completely packed so we went next day. The morning was perfect! No wait and the staff was super friendly and helpful in guiding us on how to see everything in the museum. Perfect for littles who love dinosaurs and there are other exhibits and artwork that I enjoyed so much. Agree with other reviews that this is a nice stop to make if you're in the area.

Vanessa G — Google review

Great museum - specifically the dinosaur exhibits and the outdoor 'living history' house. AAA discount and senior discounts are available, too. I would recommend 2-3 hours to walk through everything and get the full experience.

Ryan S — Google review

A gem in Bozeman! It has a planetarium, kids area upstairs, movie auditorium, interactive areas, huge dinosaur display and Living Farm next door. The kids loved the newest exhibit as well as the movie. Then we enjoyed the farm afterwards. Educational and fun!

Mamie Z — Google review

Though my daughter (age 5) enjoyed herself and doesn't know the difference, I have to say that there was disappointment in my heart that the animatronic dinosaurs are gone. They really brought paleontology alive for me when I was younger!! The wheel on the dime collector was missing, and not one of the pencils at the drawing station in the interactive portion was sharp enough to actually use. We also were unable to make it to the kids show at the planetarium as it is available only once in the whole week! We'll be returning, of course, because there isn't anything to compare in the greater area, and she did still enjoy her experience.

Rebecca R — Google review

Great place to learn history of dinosaurs, native Americans, early settlers, and much more. I also sat through a showing of a super volcano in the planetarium.Grandson loved the place, younger 10 year old did okay, was a lot to take in.Eager staff, that I think is part of the college kids who work also with digging up bones...staff the entire place and will answer any questions you may have.Nice gift shop.I would come back to this if I was driving this way again.

Rhonda B — Google review

Very nice collection of fossils and historical items from the area. The Tinsley homestead with the amazing cabin and outbuildings was a real treat. The docents were all super friendly and informative. Check their operating days as the homestead is not open year round. Highly recommended!

Patti I — Google review

We have been wanting to go for a while now and we were not disappointed. We did go to the planetarium show, which was good. Lots of cool dinosaur exhibits. Many things I have not seen or learned before. This is great for the young and old.

Katie B — Google review

A great experience and dream come true for any dinosaur lover. We arrived at their last hour so they kindly gave us half price. We did not get a chance to see the planetarium but the dinosaur exhibits were phenomenal.The number of fossils they have on exhibit is astounding. You can see lots of variety of dinosaurs, a full T-Rex skeleton, the skulls of a Triceratops from infancy to maturation, and so much more. In one of the fossil rooms, they quietly play dinosaur sounds on the speakers, the ambience is executed perfectly to make it sound as if you are truly in a Time Machine visiting a long gone period on Earth.

C. T — Google review

We spent around 3 hours here, as two 30 yr olds. The dinosaur bones and info were awesome! There's also some smaller exhibits for Yellowstone, the Native Americans, and an outdoor recreation of an 1880s working farm.

Meg P — Google review

We visited Museum of the Rockies for spring break and we had a great time. The planetarium was by far our favorite! We loved watching the stars and seeing the Montana skies. It was very educational and we loved seeing the exhibits. We certainly will recommend. My son is seven and he loved it. His favorite was everything but especially the Montana sky show!

Kemoshire — Google review

As a dinosaur enthusiast since childhood the Museum of the Rockies was always a must visit for me if I ever got the chance and it did not disappoint. The breadth and variety of the paleontological exhibits were really world-class as expected from such a famous facility.I didn't really know what the museum had to offer apart from the dinosaur exhibits before visiting so I was pleasantly surprised by the additional areas particularly the exhibit about transportation in Montana since I'm also a car enthusiast. There was also a great exhibit of Leonardo Da Vinci's inventions in one of the main galleries. Unfortunately I hadn't been able to allot more time to my visit and missed out on the planetarium and the Living History Farm outside. Adding those in I'd certainly recommend devoting at least half a day to the museum for anyone wanting the full experience instead of just the two hours or so I had on my visit. That being said, I at least have something to look forward to on a future return visit.

Oliver ( — Google review

The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana, offers an informative and engaging showcase of DaVinci's works and inventions, providing remarkable insights into the creative genius of this ahead-of-his-time man. The museum's diverse exhibits, including the captivating dinosaur display and a collection of transportation and housing artifacts, add to the experience. The Living Farm exhibit at the Tinsley House offers a nostalgic journey into the past, perfect for photographers and those interested in history. With a range of displays and a 20-minute IMAX film, the visit can span 2-3 hours, allowing reflection on each exhibit. While the admission is $20 for adults, discounts are available for AAA, seniors, and children. With something for visitors of all ages, the Museum of the Rockies promises an enriching and enjoyable visit.

Chris N — Google review

Pretty cool little museums with a bunch of dinosaurs 🦕, info on the moon, and a planetarium. It is informative and a great place to take the kids.

Eddie R — Google review

Dinosaurs don’t really fascinate me but my fiancé loves them lol. I must say they have an extensive collection. My absolute favorite was the living history farm! So stunning and what an amazing way to live. I was very jealous. The planetarium was alright. There were lots of children talking through the whole thing. I know they’re children, but come on parents lol.

Katie A — Google review

We went today and had a great time. It's definitely interesting. Especially if you like dinosaurs. It's really well done. It deserves five stars. I highly recommend going if you get the chance.

Toby T — Google review

I visited the Museum of the Rockies in July 2023. Amazing museum and really enjoyed the dinosaur exhibit. The fossels were amazing to see and a must if you're passing through or staying in the Yellowstone area.

Brian L — Google review

The Museum of the Rockies hosts seasonal rotating exhibits (microbes during our visit at the end of December 2023) as well as permanent installations exploring Montana's geology, paleontology and Old West history. The dinosaur exhibit is the best part of the museum. If you have young guests, the upper floor is a good place for babies and small children to play and learn too. For an additional fee, there are regular planetarium shows, and seasonally a historic working farm.As in-state, but out-of-town guests, we visit once or twice a year. Rotating exhibits are a hit or miss, but we always look forward to visiting the dinosaurs, seeing a planetarium show and shopping in the gift shop.Imagine my shock and disappointment to learn that as of January 2024, MOR is no longer honoring ASTC members from Helena, even though it is 99 miles outside the local area of Bozeman. Since there are so few museums in Montana as it is, this really is a blow to our cultural and learning opportunities.

Lauren Q — Google review

Great educational experience for kids and adults. Very clean environment and friendly staff.Planetarium observation room is great.The dinosaur fossils and all was incredible.

Jas D — Google review

Excellent experience! Our 3 year old had an absolute blast in the educational and fun children’s area upstairs. Could have easily spent hours there looking at all the different exhibits, but unfortunately we didn’t arrive until 1.5 hours before closing. They had lots of interactive, interesting exhibits to look through.

Jessica S — Google review

Hands down the best dinosaur museum I have been to!! I have been to around 5 or 6 dinosaur museums so far and this is best I have been to. It may not have had as many dinosaur fossils as others but it had a phenomenal mix of fossils real and caste as well as cited information and facts.The museums has scenes of how dinosaurs died, sizes of triceratops and T-Rex skulls, and very well labeled fossils where caste vs real was color coded. There was also a planetarium show included with our tickets about meteors including the one that killed dinosaurs which I have always wanted to know more about. There is also a gift shop.Honestly this museum mix of cited facts and engaging information for each exhibit is what put it over the top from all of the others. If you are to any capacity a Dino lover I do recommend this museum as it was so worth it for me. To top it all off there is a glass room where you can see real excavation in action and we talked for a long while to a kind man who told us about his home country, why he loves his job and dinosaurs and showed us what it looks like to repair a broken T-Rex Tooth.Thanks Museum of the Rockies!! 🦖🦕

Ellie-Kay B — Google review

Great Dino exhibits and always has an interesting rotating exhibit. Great interactive area for kid on the 3rd floor. Always a great way to spend a couple of hours with the whole family Planetarium and other videos are always a treat as well.

Josh D — Google review

This museum was so much fun! There were loads of dinosaur fossils with lots of educational information. It was really neat to learn about everything that was found locally, especially the collection of triceratops of all different ages. The planetarium show was a must see as well. Fun for kids and adults alike.

Michelle B — Google review

This museum has a full t-rex skeleton. This alone will be worth the full price of admission for some. There’s actually a lot about dinosaurs here, as well as exhibits about the natives of Montana and even some classic cars. A planetarium is also here, but it is pretty cramped and the video they showed, while interesting, did make half the audience dizzy.This place will be more interesting soon when they get their new temporary exhibits up, but none were there on this day. Still a rather good museum all things considered.

Eaglewing13 — Google review

The museum is decent, though not overly impressive. My family and I took our time and finished the entire exhibit in about an hour and a half. It's possible to go through the whole museum in under an hour if you're moving quickly. My main gripe is that for the $20 admission fee, I expected more exhibits and a longer experience. However, the dinosaur exhibits, particularly Montana's T. Rex, were spectacular.

Adriel P — Google review

Always wanted to visit and today was the day. Great dinosaur exhibit. They have a very large collection and I loved the T-Rex and Triceratops skulls. Well worth the stop.

Tim N — Google review

Premier Dinosaur Museum and Planetarium. Dinosaurs and Fossils with stunning displays and monumental Dinosaurs from Montana. I take tours here and I was pleased they had some of the Anzac displays available. Be sure that your come early it is worth hours of your time.

Montana T — Google review

The cinema show is absolutely worth it for the $4 extra, makes you think about how insignificant we are in the vastness of spaceThe T-Rex skulls were impressive.The Homestead living farm the guides inside completely ignored me and kept talking amongst themselves.

Alan O — Google review

The dinos are fascinating, and they have some great exhibits, but they had no rotating exhibit, and the price was the same. It isn't the biggest of deals but there wasn't much else to see besides the dinos, cars, a native American exhibit (which I could talk about but wont), and the planetarium shows that we're, sorry to say, lack luster. I LOVE a good museum, and this was good...just needed someone to run the planetarium that didn't make me want to sleep. Super nice, though.

Razzi — Google review

Located about 7mins from downtown Main Street this is a good museum for young visitors and most of the exhibits are about dinosaurs 🦖The outbuilding are worth the visit to understand what farming life was like back in the day.

Niki V — Google review

1000% recommend visit MoR if you're in the area! It was my first time in Bozeman and I flew in for a Spartan Race. I'm from Washington so I've gone to a ton of museums along the west coast but not a lot can beat the fossil collection that MoR has. As a rock hounder and wannabe fossil hunter I was so happy I got to visit. A full T-rex?! Amazing. The featured exhibit was mythical creatures and that was pretty cool. The native collection was thoughtful and had some really amazing dolls, beadwork, and clothes.Next time I come back to Bozeman I'm definitely going to visit again! I missed the planetarium and living history sections this visit and didn't notice until I had already left and looked at the map a little better.

Rheannon R — Google review

The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman is a treasure trove for dinosaur enthusiasts. Housing one of the largest and most comprehensive dinosaur fossil collections in the world, it offers an unparalleled glimpse into prehistoric life. The displays are meticulously curated, showcasing everything from towering T. rex skeletons to intricate fossilized nests. The interactive exhibits and detailed explanations make the experience both educational and awe-inspiring. Whether you're a paleontology buff or just curious about Earth's ancient past, the Museum of the Rockies is a must-visit destination.

I M — Google review

So cool!!!! We landed in Bozeman after a long flight including a layover, and we saw this on the map and decided to visit on a whim. Did not disappoint! I don't think I've ever seen so many dinosaurs in one room before. Looks like a small museum on the outside, but it feels neverending when you get inside, and it is PACKED with dinos. The room with all the ceratopsia skulls was astonishing. Like I said, I've never seen so many dinosaur parts in one room before. Not to mention the variety!!Seems like a very very genuine and passionate museum; some attractions like this have much less to display for much more money and just seem cash-grabby, but I would gladly pay more than the $20 admission here.Even though we were totally beat beforehand, we had a really great time. My phone was dying so these are the only pictures I could get, and they only scratch the surface of this place. Next time I take a trip out to Bozeman, I'll have to visit again.

Mason D — Google review

4.8

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4.5

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600 W Kagy Blvd, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA

(406) 994-2251

24

Downtown Bozeman Partnership

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Association / Organization

Sights & Landmarks

The Downtown Bozeman Partnership is a non-profit organization that serves as a central source of information for shopping, dining, culture and events in the charming downtown area. This trendy college town is well-groomed with beautifully decorated corridors and an up-and-coming downtown scene. Despite some businesses displaying Black Nationalist symbols which may make some people uncomfortable, the atmosphere is generally friendly and welcoming.

What a wonderful trip. The people in Bozeman and all over Montana are super nice. Such a beautiful part of the country.

James I — Google review

Spend two days in Bozeman (at least) to give yourself time to hit Main Street and take in as many shops and bars and restaurants as you can. The Main Street is awesome but go down some side streets as well. Also, get out for some nearby hikes like Drinking Horse and the “M”. If you are lucky, maybe there will be a street festival for music or art. Farmer’s market is on Tuesday!VictorB

Victor B — Google review

Wonderful downtown, very friendly people, nice place to visit.

Steven F — Google review

Gotta love downtown Bozeman! Great shops & eateries! Visit Windermere Bozeman- Downtown for all your real estate needs.

Ken S — Google review

Convenient to downtown but noise and traffic array definite issue.

John T — Google review

The downtown is very nice. It's a trendy college town. Black Nationalist symbols in a few windows May make people uncomfortable.Everyone we met was very nice. We enjoyed lunch and some ice cream.

Kent S — Google review

It is located at North entrance of Yellowstone national park

Choi J — Google review

Of course there are great shops and restaurants. But who knew Bozeman was so artsy??!! Stop in at the local galleries to see work from local artists. Then stroll along Main Street to catch glimpses of world class sculptures. You can find the guide map posted at Soroptimist Park at the corner of Main and S.Rouse Ave. Don’t miss the sculptures at the Bozeman Public Library too. The town of Bozeman is festooned with world class sculptures. Gem!!!

Grace R — Google review

Awesome must see

Van B — Google review

An up and coming downtown with more and more outside restaurant seating becoming available. A nice, well groomed, beautifully decorated downtown corridor.

David G — Google review

Great places to go , shop and food ! Great town

Miles I — Google review

4.6

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4.5

(1029)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (158)

222 E Main St #302, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA

(406) 586-4008

25

Bridger Bowl Ski Area

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Ski resort

Nature & Parks

Bridger Bowl Ski Area is a popular non-profit skiing destination with 8 lifts supporting 75 runs. It offers great terrain, views, snow quality and fair prices. The resort's amenities such as food and drinks are enjoyable while the staff is helpful and friendly towards all visitors. One of the best aspects of this ski area is that it isn't crowded which makes it perfect for families with kids who can enjoy themselves without any fuss or long lines!

This place has some of awesome terrain, views, snow, prices. Absolutely no crowds. Friendly service. Great for kids.

M L — Google review

This was our first Montana Ski experience and we will be back! What a treasure Bridger Bowl is. Friends of mine had told me it’s a “hidden gem” and isn’t that the truth! Bridger Bowl makes a Montana ski experience possible for big families. You get incredible mountain skiing experiences for a great price. So many options at the multiple chalets to eat and hang out. Great staff all around, everyone is friendly! Really fun skiing, excellent snow and well groomed runs, and plenty of options for all levels of skiers. We had 5 teenagers on the trip and they were highly satisfied and impressed, not always an easy accomplishment!

Katherine B — Google review

This is definitely a top class ski area. I’m from Houston Texas so when it comes to skiing I’m definitely out of my element as it’s just not something that I have ever learned how to do. Came here today and the staff was super welcoming and helpful/friendly. Went on the baby ski slope and kind of got some basics down on how to ski and move around. For anyone new to skiing like me I’d highly recommend taking some ski lessons as ultimately that’s the route I’m going to go. Definitely a lot harder than it looks and I have all the respect in the world for folks that can ski well for sure, as this isn’t easy. The other slopes and areas look incredible so hopefully once I get my skill level to a respectable level I’ll be able to take on the more challenging stuff. Also something worth mentioning is the cafeteria on site is incredibly good and they have lots of good choices for food. Highly recommended this place as it’s a lot of fun!

Brian J — Google review

The place I fell in love.... With snowboarding 😅🏂❄️ we always have a good time. Even if we leave limping. It's a convenient place to go for a pretty affordable price (compared to big sky) The staff are kind and happy. The food is a little expensive and not the best, so we pack sammiches. Overall, a laid back place with great views 😎

Sarah K — Google review

Great spot for first time skiers. We went with locals from the area because we needed a low key spot where the kids could learn how to ski and have fun. The staff was very friendly and helpful and gave great advice and recommendations. We decided to get the kids into a group lesson at 12:30pm. It was a 2 and a half hour lesson with a total of 5 kids in the group. Megan their instructor was awesome! She had the kids doing the basics in no time. The kids loved her so much we signed up again the next day for private lessons with her. We also had Margo help the older more advanced kids and she was very good as well. The equipment rental staff was again very friendly and helpful especially with first timers who didn’t know how to wear or use the boots, skis etc. the on-site cafeteria has good options for food and the Bar had delicious belly warmer cocktails. Overall we spent two days at Bridger Bowl and loved it so much. Highly recommend for beginners and families with younger kids.

Bina P — Google review

Affordable, Fun, with outstanding skiing and facilities.We didn’t want to spend a fortune at Big Sky and we are now Bridger people! The skiing was great. There is terrain for anyone at any skill level and the facility is more than large enough to not be stuck on the same runs over and over all day.There are four lodges throughout the made and mountain and all of them have delicious food and are very clean and well maintained. Getting our lift tickets in the morning was quick and easy and every employee we dealt with the whole trip was extremely friendly and helpful. Bridger Bowl is a great place for anyone looking for a fantastic, affordable ski trip.

Eddie B — Google review

Just a good all around place to ski an enjoy. Food an drinks good. All workers there are friendly and helpful. An priced right

Craig B — Google review

This is a great value ski. The negative reviews here just seem like grumpy jingleheimers. The slopes were perfect and had great powder today. I went on a holiday as well and it was not too crowded at all. The lodges are decent, ski passes are fairly priced for the value, and it was not overcrowded even in the holiday. Overall it is an excellent value that I would recommend.

Jackson B — Google review

My first ski activity EVER!! I thought Bridger Bowl was awesome!! I had a great time!! $20 for the beginner area. And if you go on 3 on a wheel days, it's $30 lift tickets!! Well worth it!

Mike S — Google review

Worth every penny! Great runs at ALL skill levels and more mountain than most will enjoyably cover in a day. Rounded out by great staff and facilities you truly could not go wrong a day or 3 at Bridger!

Tim A — Google review

I love this ski resort we went on a holiday weekend and it wasn't even crowded It was perfect everyone was nice It was clean easy to get around everything that you would want for a perfect day. We took the snowboard lessons for an hour and a half I would highly recommend that before you get on a snowboard it was so helpful lessons were fantastic It is a must visit

The ( — Google review

Cool little resort close to town. Gets super crowded on powder days. Grooming is pretty much non-existent on this mountain. Many of the runs are littered with choppy moguls. There's not much off piece skiing unless you hike the ridge. Could be way better with a few more lifts and daily grooming.

Alex B — Google review

A really good skiing area, they have great places to start skiing, and some pretty good intermediate skiing areas, but there aren’t very much. More up the mountain they have a lot more of advanced and proficient hills. Great place to start though, and i’d really recommend.

Ryder C — Google review

First skiied here in 1976, spent the next 2 years figuring how to get here. Think I have gotten the best snow years so far. But, Bridger is changing fast. Beware of out of control snoboarders, or hs kids on traverses or groups so interested in talking, they stop traffic getting into and out of lifts. Week days are best, and earlier is always better than later. Good luck. Ps avoid powder days. Go back country. 🎿😪

Charles J — Google review

We hosted our wedding in September 2023 at the mid-mountain Deer Park Chalet at Bridger Bowl and it was WONDERFUL! In the winter, Deer Park is a cafeteria-style dining establishment – but in the summer, it is a beautiful event venue. I cannot sing Jimbo and his team’s praises enough. Jimbo is extremely communicative and helpful. We were able to tour the venue twice and utilize many of the decorations they have collected throughout the seasons. The food is done in-house and was raved about by our guests (bison tenderloin and chicken piccata). The venue is accessible via personal vehicle and bus service, which was a huge plus! It is absolutely gorgeous and truly speaks for itself. I highly recommend considering using Bridger Bowl’s Deer Park Chalet for your next event, wedding or otherwise. Oh, and the skiing is great too!

Cache — Google review

Our favorite place to ski locally. Fair prices and their instructors and group ski programs are awesome! I hope they keep the Bridger Badgers multi week groups. Our son is having a blast this year!

Christina J — Google review

Loved it! A great mountain, good slopes with no wait at the lifts (Wednesday), and beautiful views. Snacks and drinks were decently priced as was rental equipment. We’d definitely come back.

J. W — Google review

Great place for the whole family. Beginners, advanced, playful skiers. It’s a lot of fun!

Jade — Google review

4.8

(1414)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (163)

4.5

(305)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (164)

15795 Bridger Canyon Rd, Bozeman, MT 59715, USA

(406) 587-2111

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26

Upper Geyser Basin

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Geyser

Nature & Parks

Hot Springs & Geysers

The Upper Geyser Basin is a geothermal area in Yellowstone National Park that features the famed Old Faithful geyser as one of its most popular attractions. The basin also contains many other thermal features, making it a popular hike for tourists.

This review is for Upper Geyser Basin & Old Faithful Observation Point Loop which was a ~4.9 miles round trip that took ~2.5 hours to complete.This was one of those unique hikes with various geysers and pools. The trails are located within walkable distances from the Old Faithful hotels and visitor center. Ideally, it would be best to start the hike early in the morning to avoid the crowd. Most of the trail consisted of flat boardwalks and paved asphalt. The boardwalks were icy in some spots during the morning.Observation Point part of the trail was somewhat pointless because there was no "wow factor" in terms of any view. It was still a nice stroll in the wooded areas, eventually reaching Solitary Geyser. Furthermore, this part of the trail had some inclines and declines.The steam from the geysers have an unpleasant sulfur smell.Carry bear spray; the chances of encountering a bear is lower at popular trails but you never know.Short video of the hike for those interested! https://youtu.be/WJGWI2obiwA

Ed — Google review

The most people we met after entering the park. In the gift shop, it’s very crowded, the score of tour experience was not high. But if you choose the trailhead, it will be much more comfortable.

Tiffany S — Google review

If you love Yellowstone and geysers, this is a great place to experience both. A visit can last from a few hours to weeks and you will still see something new. Great place to see nature. Each season has its own charm. Winter is beautiful. Summer can be hot, but you can explore more easily.

Lynn O — Google review

Welcome to the Upper Geyser Basin, home of the famous Old Faithful! Not only that, but the majority of the world's active geysers are located here, too.If you plan on watching Old Faithful erupt, make sure you get here early. The limited benches will fill up fast. There is an Observation Point to view Old Faithful. It's a bit of a hike, but there are fewer people. The Observation Point is roughly 0.8 miles from the Visitor Center. If you want to walk the entire loop, then it is roughly 2.1 miles.I recommend circling the entire Upper Geyser Basin. The entire loop, including the Observation Point, is roughly 4.0 miles (6.4 km). Feel free to go your own path, but I suggest walking up the mountain to the Observation Point, coming down via the Solotary Geyser trail. Then, circle the Geyser Hill before continuing down to the Morning Glory Pool. You then walk the road back to Old Faithful, passing by Daisy Geyser and Castle Geyser. Speaking of which, there are 4 other geyser eruptions you can view other than Old Faithful: Castle, Grand, Daisy, and Riverside! Eruption time and day(s) are posted in the visitor center and online. So, be sure to do your research before heading out for the day!

Stephen K — Google review

A huge basin with vast no of small and medium geysers. Each geyser has its own speciality. Some has erruptions, some excrete colorful water, some are just deep and hot. It has small wooden trail in between to look at all geysers. A nice way to gain scientific knowledge. Just don't get close to geysers, it maybe harmful as there are various mineral and the surface is hot.

Saurabh D — Google review

Easily one of the best trails in the park. The boardwalk starts at Old Faithful and moves west toward Biscuit Basin. There are actually two path running mostly parallel. The boardwalk is one while the other is a paved accessible path. I. My opinion it's best to start by parking near Biscuit Basin, walking to Old Faithful on the boardwalk, getting lunch in town, and returning on the accessible path. That way you get the comfort of a break and see slightly different views on the return. See my photos for a trail map posted on site.

Michael B — Google review

Upper Geyser Basin is a small trail that’s worth taking because at the end you will find Morning Glory Pool which’s good for taking pics consisting of rainbow. But we can actually find a lot of geysers and hot springs in between the trail. During the trail you can find river flowing through which allow us to capture a few decent pics.

Sai S — Google review

A wonderful boardwalk (mostly) journey through a basin of hydrothermal features. I implore you to take the time either before or after Old Faithful to check out the plethora of other features in this area.

Leah B — Google review

Although it's famous for old faithful. There are way more than old faithful. Lots of geysers other than old faithful keeps erupting day and night. Maybe you should stop by those while waiting for old faith erupting

Chien-Chang C — Google review

The UPPER GEYSER BASIN is vast a geyser basin with magnificent views. If you visit here in May when the weather is still cold and even snowing, the steams are so huge that you won't be even see far away. In the summertime, the steams will be significantly smaller. This basin is the best geyser basin in the park for visit although there are several other geyser basins along the way before you reach this one. This basin is also the closest to the Old Faithful Geyser.

Qizhigang — Google review

My favorite NP is YS. Upper geyser basin is not to be missed but don't stop at Old Faithful. The colorful, gurgling surprises lay ahead along the trails behind Old Faithful. Go as far as possible. Or at least Morning Glory Pool.

Christine G — Google review

We enjoyed our experience at Upper Geyser Basin over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. There are so many geysers within walking distance of Old Faithful. We were fortunate to observe both Grand Geyser and Old Faithful erupting during our short visit. The highlight for our group, however, was Morning Glory Pool. The moderate sized crowds did not negatively affect our ability to enjoy the geysers in any way. Parking at Upper Geyser Basin was more than adequate.

Tom A — Google review

Your mind will be blown by the magnitude and variety of this famous Yellowstone location. Plan to spend at least an hour exploring the vicinity, do NOT just watch Old Faithful and then leave. A bountiful array of geysers, fumaroles and other geothermal oddities await as you traverse the boardwalks and pathways among the different sites. If you have the time, make it all the way to Morning Glory Pool, one of the most beautiful and mysterious sites in the park!

Jared S — Google review

Normally I like to get off the beaten path, but walking through the Upper Geyser Basin was really worth it. Each of the geothermal features is unique and interesting, and collectively they are kind of mind blowing. Make sure you check out the punchbowl and the black sand pool... and while you're in that area, it's not that much effort to walk down to the Black Sand Basin, which is teeming with interesting geothermal activity.

Gregory W — Google review

There’s a lot more than just “Old Faithful” at Upper Geyser basin, which is a good thing if you miss an eruption and don’t want to wait for the next one.That’s what happened to us. We parked our car JUST as an Old Faithful eruption occurred. We could see the water above the trees and knew we missed it.But there are SO many other awesome things to see at Upper Geyser Basin.Multiple “Visitor Center” type facilities aside, there are plenty of trails with smaller geysers and colorful bubbling pools.When I say “trails,” I don’t mean your typical dirt hiking trail either. Yellowstone has plenty of those too, but the trails around Upper Geyser Basin are either paved or on wooden platforms. Many (if not most) are even handicap accessible!Like many of the incredible attractions at Yellowstone, the geysers and bubbling pools at Upper Geyser Basin are beautifully otherworldly.

André C — Google review

The Upper Geyser Basin is home to Old Faithful Geyser and Old Faithful Inn, Morning Glory Pool, Beauty Pool, Crested Pool, Castle Geyser and many other water features geysers and vents. The Firehole River also flows through this Basin. Old Faithful Inn is there. It dates back to 1904. Right off the back is a viewing area for the Geyser and there is also a second story viewing deck. A boardwalk trail begins at Old Faithful Geyser, which erupts roughly every 90 minutes now. This boardwalk is flat and even so walking along it is relatively easy. It is wide enough to accommodate wheeled rides, and bike rentals are available. The Firehole River flows along this basin between the water features.The geysers mentioned above are along the boardwalk on the way out to Morning Glory Pool. The distance is roughly 1.5 miles. Wear good walking shoes and sunscreen is the sun is quite bright.

Celeste R — Google review

After viewing Old Faithful we headed off to the Upper Geyser Basin that is just behind the area. There are many geothermal event areas and lots of variety of pools and geysers. The boardwalk makes it an easy stroll between areas. You can get a map for a $1 donation so you can plan your route.We were lucky enough to catch Old Faithful in a second viewing from the boardwalk from behind the area as we were walking on the path back. It was a great non crowded area and perfect viewing from above.

Michelle N — Google review

4.9

(69)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (178)

5.0

(1354)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (179)

Wyoming 82190, USA

27

Old Faithful

34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (180)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (181)

34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (182)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (183)

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Nature & Parks

Hot Springs & Geysers

Old Faithful is a renowned geyser in Yellowstone National Park that captivates visitors with its regular eruptions of hot water. It is not the oldest geyser globally, yet its eruptions are awe-inspiring, reaching heights averaging 130 feet and sometimes even soaring to 180 feet.

Beautiful!!! Amazing!! If you have the opportunity to see old faithful please do. Plenty of seats available, enormous gift shop. This goes off every 90 minutes give or take 15 minutes. There is a schedule inside the gift shop on the screen. It does not last that long, 3 minutes maybe. Worth the wait though. Parking I wouldn't worry about!! It's a must see.

A F — Google review

Had a great time, you can also trail or hike if you are into this. The wild animals were not aggressive as said, just need to approach with caution and be sensitive to their habitat. The geyser was awesome, sounds like a jet taking off. I had a wonderful time there. The ticket purchased for 38 dollars at the gate was for 5 days. So you can continue journey from where you left off.

Randy C — Google review

Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park is an absolute must-see, and there's plenty of parking available. However, it tends to fill up quickly, so it's best to arrive early at the location.The geyser is conveniently situated near the parking area, making it easily accessible by a short walk. It erupts with hot water and steam every 30-45 minutes, providing an extraordinary spectacle that is truly awe-inspiring. It's heartwarming to witness everyone patiently waiting for the event, adding to the charm of the experience. The reliability of its eruptions makes it an iconic moment to cherish with friends.To plan your visit accordingly, you can check all the eruption timings on the geyser times mobile app. The area surrounding Old Faithful is perfect for both exploration and relaxation, offering a wonderful setting for spending quality time with friends.

Krishna — Google review

Awesome geysers, hot springs, mud pots. Old Faithful is pretty epic and center, and a guaranteed show, but in the 70 minutes or so between eruptions you can walk around to see lots of other geological wonders, including other geysers that erupt randomly and can be even more fun. Super crowded, but plenty of things to see outside the main attraction, and lots of amenities and easy parking.

Justin R — Google review

Viewing Old Faithful from eye level was more impressive than the overlook. There were several other geysers in the area that were impressive to watch, too! We even saw our a Bison up close as we were coming walk back from the overlook.

Michael F — Google review

You just have to see it yourself. One of many geysers in that area one can access on wooden walkways. There are clocks in some of the buildings that predict when old faithful will go off and they are pretty accurate, and you can tell when the crowds start gathering near the view areas. Hotel, restaurants, general stores, gas station, 3 parking lots, and hundreds of people walking around. Really cool.

Pierre 1 — Google review

Old Faithful Geyser is definitely a sweet reward after a tiring wait! It builds up anticipation with plenty of teasing spurts before it finally shoots water high into the sky, and it’s worth every second. You can count on it to erupt, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience that’s both exciting and memorable. The viewing area is well set up, offering plenty of space to watch comfortably. A must-see if you’re visiting Yellowstone!

Alpha R — Google review

This is a beautiful landscape and a unique experience. We had higher expectations for the results but it was still a must see. There is many other cool places to stop in yellowstone. We were only able to go through a small portion of all of what is to see. There is a nice gift shop and other amenities near old faithful. This is a majestic park to go see. It wasn't extreme busy being that it is winter and that was really nice.

Robert G — Google review

Check visitor center for estimated times of eruption, all 3 we saw happened within 10 minutes of their estimates. Old faithful seems to be on a 90 minute rotation. Walk the trail to see even more geysers and springs. Very easy. Boardwalk is well maintained. Lots of seats along the way for breaks or just to enjoy the view. Old faithful was cool but I loved the colors of the others, the grotto and riverside toward the end before morning glory (my personal favorite) was amazing. It’s about a 1.5 mile walk from old faithful to morning glory, 3 miles round trip.

Joel C — Google review

Old Faithful stayed true to its name, gracing us with a couple of its signature eruptions during our visit. While it wasn't my top highlight (Yellowstone is brimming with beauties), the build-up and suspense added a fun twist! Definitely worth the wait and watch.

Molly C — Google review

Awesome experience!! So cool to see this gem. You can check for eruption times before you go but when you go you better get there early if you want to sit on a bench because it fills up fast! Nice visitor center, gift shop and grill nearby. Definitely worth seeing if you're in the park.

Joshua T — Google review

Visiting the national park for the second time. Amazing one. The park had estimated a time of eruption and it happened promptly. Visitor center was beautiful. Lot of good information. Visited it this time as part of a snowmobile tour.

Sowmya — Google review

The first spot we thought about when planning our Yellowstone trip was Old Faithful, one of the most iconic and well-known features in Yellowstone National Park.Old Faithful is famous for its predictable eruptions, which occur approximately every 60 to 110 minutes, making it a reliable attraction for visitors. Watching it was like seeing a natural fountain, with eruptions lasting between 1.5 to 5 minutes and reaching heights of 106 to 184 feet (32 to 56 meters).Old Faithful’s eruptions are powered by geothermal activity beneath the Earth's surface. Water seeps into the ground, is heated by magma, and eventually builds up pressure that is released in an eruption.There is an information center where visitors can learn about Old Faithful, which was the first geyser in the park to receive a name. It has been a major draw for tourists since the establishment of the park in 1872, playing a crucial role in the early development of Yellowstone as a tourist destination.Designated viewing areas around Old Faithful, including boardwalks and benches, provide safe and optimal viewing spots. There weren’t just eruptions in the area; there were also many beautiful geysers, rivers, and basins along the boardwalk, allowing visitors to explore as well.We spent hours exploring the area, and it was clear why Old Faithful remains one of Yellowstone National Park’s most beloved and enduring attractions.

Weeranat W — Google review

If you crave for mother nature's wonder, this is one of the places to watch and marvel the majestic display of power. Every minute you wait for Old Faithful to "perform" is worth it. This is the crowning glory of America's first national park.

TR C — Google review

Yellowstone is a great place to visit for 1-3 days. Mystic falls hike and Yosemite lake are highly recommended. I bring your lunch since staff at the eating areas are somewhat disorganized, expensive, and crowded. Be prepared - Lots of people stop and block the roads when animals are present which is pretty frustrating. Tons of wildlife, picnic areas, geysers and hot springs.

David S — Google review

Old Faithful was definitely faithful. Impressive natural phenomena. The entire site was actually a joy to experience. Facilities were clean. The site offers much more than simply this geyser. More hot springs and smaller geysers all along a boardwalk and pathways. Don’t bring your dog. They are not allowed. And I have to say this site had one of the best gift shops in the park.

Craig B — Google review

Beautiful in the cold weather. You can hike on the boardwalk without snow shoes. In other areas I recommend renting them. Just $14 at the Snow Lodge. It was as low as -12 when we were there but so beautiful. We saw a river otter and bison.

Doreen O — Google review

Drive up as old faithful was blowing, what amazing sight. Make sure you stop by while in Yellowstone. I came at 7pm and there were not many people. The sunset was gorgeous. The cool weather in July made the walk pleasant.

Laura R — Google review

We got there right after it rupted which made the crowds disperse. We got front row seats for the next one will have to wait about an hour but it’s worth getting the best shot to get front row seats. There’s also trails around or you can see other spectacular things if you don’t want to wait.

Nick L — Google review

One of the most popular and famous things to do and a must do in the Yellowstone park when you visit.There are many other geysers that have much more spectacular eruptions than the Old Faithful but the Old Faithful are the most frequent of eruptions.You can also view the eruptions from the observation deck of Old Faithful inn that gave you a different perspective of this world famous natural wonders.

Steven C — Google review

It was pretty cool. Once in a lifetime thing. I didn't spend much time their or walk any trails. But I did see old faithful explode! So I'd spend more time their next time. I was just in the area so it's worth the stop. I'd go back for sure.This old bison just walked up to everybody. I got a little too close. But I ended up running away because it was so close to me.& yes park rangers know when it's going to blow.

Arron R — Google review

Old Faithful, a renowned geyser located in Yellowstone National Park, holds significant cultural importance for many Native American tribes who have long inhabited the Yellowstone area. Before the park was established, tribes such as the Shoshone, Bannock, and Blackfoot visited the geyser for both its physical and spiritual properties. They viewed the regular eruptions and the larger geothermal features of the park as sacred manifestations of the Earth's power. This deep spiritual connection is reflected in the myths, rituals, and names they ascribed to these features, integrating them into their cultural and religious life. The connection emphasizes a broader respect and reverence for the natural world, which is a central element of many Native American belief systems.

Katie O — Google review

A natural wonder for sure. Very crowded, kids aren't all out of school yet. We had the pleasure of exploring and enjoying the park. It rained most of the 9+ hours we were in the park. We were glad that we brought our rain coats and thoroughly appreciated the park for what it is...Gorgeous!

Briggetta B — Google review

It's an amazing site to see. Watching up to 8400 gallons of boiling water erupt from the earth every 60 to 90 minutes is something I hope everyone can see this at some time in their lives. There are some things to consider, 2 days after we visited, there was an incident where an eruption took out part of a walkway at Biscuit Basin, 2 miles from Old Faithful. Even though our planet is unpredictable, it is a beautiful site to see. My only recommendation is that you enter the park around 6am to avoid lines going into the park and if you plan on going to old faithful, try to be at the parking lot by 7 am otherwise it gets hard to find parking.

Patrick C — Google review

Old Faithful is absolutely stunned to watch. I recommend watching it in the morning as there is very few people. Also, get the geyser time app, it tells you very accurate times.The visitor center and viewing areas are well-organized, providing excellent vantage points for watching the eruption. Old Faithful is not only a highlight of Yellowstone but also a quintessential natural attraction, deserving of every bit of its five-star acclaim.

Joey J — Google review

Glory of nature with the Old Faithfull timing it's predictable event over & over & over... Never getting tired of this natural precision of time in a timeless atmosphere.. Wish Chinese folks would be more quiet for sake of a perfect experience.

Jesper P — Google review

Amazing example of the power of our natural world. Visitor center is new with a theater and both adult and children exhibits which talk about not just old faithful but the entire park. Go early and expect to spend the full day mostly due to traffic and the amount of people. We went in mid May, it was a perfect combination of cool weather and moderate amount of visitors. Also a bonus for going in the spring were the baby Bison.

Peter G — Google review

The main & must visit (experience) event @ Yellowstone National Park. The estimated eruption time was 12:41 pm & people started to get together at least 30 minutes before. It was fully packed by 12:41 pm. It had some small & minor eruptions before the time. The true main event started at 12;43 pm & last about 3 minutes. It was magnificent, fabulous & awesome r how Mother Nature created this routine miracle. Everything was amazing & pleased to personally observe & experience this “show”. OMG, it’s indeed the Old Faithful.

J.David H — Google review

The tour guide had information about when the geyser would erupt. I’m happy to say we saw Old Faithful in action! It was beautiful! There are other smaller geysers and hot springs to marvel at located on a walkway to the left of Old Faithful.

Stephanie C — Google review

Breath taking. This place is like no other I've ever been. There are two hotels on site, with the historic one being closed in winter season. The geyser is amazing and the information center is full of educational things. We will be back. Dress warm if going in winter, and plan to book a top snow travel tour.

Marcus — Google review

We took the hike to observation point. Steep 1 mile hike. Need to be in good shape for the hike. Narrow path made on dirt and rock. The view was worth the climb.

Manfred D — Google review

Have visited here three or four times in the last decade or so. It has been wonderful each time. Yellowstone is a place everyone should plan to see, and Old Faithful is the center point attraction of the entire trip. So much to see and such a great time seeing it.

Ben M — Google review

The geyser, if you are able to wait and see it, it's of course spectacular! However, it has a schedule and you have to find the website that is predicting its eruptions and wait for it in order to see. The Old Faithful location is the largest attraction point with large general store, eateries, visitor center, and a quite good lodge there. Another spectacular geyser, Grand Geyser is a one mile hike away that is also timed but more inaccurately which we heard of being just as great as the Old Faithful geyser. When you do have time to wait and see the Old Faithful to erupt, you may want to stand up wind. Otherwise the heavy steam may block the geyser fountain at all, especially when it's cold.

Qizhigang — Google review

Great place with a guaranteed show! In between two lodge hotels with some choices for food but nothing amazing. It's really about the geyser. Also there are trails nearby and a few other geysers in the walkable area that are worth seeing.

Bryant K — Google review

This is the best value in the entire park. Since the geyser erupts every hour or so, AND the park updates signs predicting when the next eruption will occur (it is an approximation and can be off by 10 minutes), you can ensure you maximize your time here.There is plenty of space to view the geyser, as well, and you never feel crowded. Very leisurely, relaxing, and open space with a few gift shops and a small museum. Overall, a very surreal experience.

Charles H — Google review

I love Yellowstone National Park, and I'm obsessed with going there. I'm only 2 hours from the park, so I visit often. I love all areas of the park. Old Faithful is wonderful to watch, no matter how many times I've seen it. I also love Old Faithful Inn. It's rustic look is beautiful. We've stayed there a couple of times over the years.

Sabrina W — Google review

Made it to the last seconds 😂🤣😂🤣. So I waited for about 50 minutes then my phone died so no more videos ☹️☹️.A beautiful park to visit , since yesterday snow was present and made the park even better if you ask me. It wasn't perfect but it wasn't a disappointment either.🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲

Luis G — Google review

We missed the previous show by about 20 minutes. We had to wait about 45 minutes for the next one. The park posts the expected time and they will tell you that is +/- 10 minutes. It is well worth the wait. There are benches to sit on to watch.

Larry O — Google review

If you were not fully aware Old Faithful is one of several geysers within a 15-20min walk. Many of them aren't as predictably active but the hole/mouth of the geysers are still interesting.We saw the Grand Geyser erupt before Old Faithful and although it was impressive, the Grand Geyser impressed us more just on shear length. We did watch from the hotels balcony so it was less crowded then standing from the walk way.

Shannon M — Google review

Old Faithful is perhaps the most iconic feature of Yellowstone National Park, and for good reason. This legendary geyser has been captivating visitors for over a century with its predictability and power. Erupting approximately every 90 minutes, Old Faithful shoots a towering column of steaming water into the sky, reaching heights of up to 180 feet. The sight is both awe-inspiring and humbling, a vivid reminder of the incredible geothermal forces at work beneath Yellowstone's surface.The area around Old Faithful is well-equipped to handle the large number of visitors it attracts, with plenty of viewing areas that allow for a great view of the eruption from various angles. Whether you're watching from the comfort of the historic Old Faithful Inn, from the boardwalk, or up close at the geyser's edge, the experience is unforgettable.While Old Faithful's eruptions are the main attraction, the surrounding Upper Geyser Basin offers a rich array of geothermal features, including hot springs, fumaroles, and more geysers. This makes Old Faithful not just a single spectacle but a gateway to exploring one of the most active geothermal areas on the planet.For those visiting Yellowstone, witnessing an eruption of Old Faithful is a must. It's a moment of pure natural wonder, a timeless display of the earth's raw power and beauty.

K D — Google review

So this place is kind of cool. I must say wonder why they call it old faithful every 60 to 90 minutes. An incredible eruption of steam and hot volcanic water explodes out of the ground. People sit around the boardwalk and literally wait for this to happen quite seen to be a part of as soon as we walked in, she let loose her steam and we were able to see it within 5 minutes. You can tell when everybody starts to gather around that it's about to happen after it happens take a walk around to the rest of the Geysers, as there's some pretty cool, smaller ones, but all have charm. Needless to say we were there 5 days before the biscuit basin incident feeling Blessed and grateful to be able to see this at this time in its magnitude!!

LAND R — Google review

Old Faithful is the most reliable geyser at Yellowstone national park. The rangers can predict the next eruption within a 15 minute window. It erupts every 90 to 115 minutes. There is always an anxious crowd waiting so get a seat early so you have a good view. There's a board walk with benches. While waiting you'll be able to view the "stupid human tricks" while waiting... people always try to walk close to the geyser or wild Bison while you're waiting for the next event.

Noble M — Google review

Of course you have to stop here! It’s beautiful. If the visitors center is closed the Yellowstone Lodge has the eruptions time posted. If you have time hike the trail that overlooks old faithful for another perspective - this hike is a bit rough in spots. While old faithful is the “star” of this area, the Grand Geyser is in my opinion more spectacular when it erupts. There are benches near the Grand Geyser. I got some great pictures. It is amazing how accurate it's timing is. Make sure you check the times and get there earlier than what is anticipated. I would like to recommend Mcrae Investigations agency for all your investigative needs. This firm offers detailed professional investigative services, litigation cases, monitoring and tracking, child custody, gather information for court cases and lots more. For more info, see mcraespy at outlook dot come. Thank you.

Charles A — Google review

Got here at 7am about one hour before it erupted. Perfect time to walk around and look around. Such a beautiful place that everyone should experience at least once!

Jorge G — Google review

This stop was nice. It's one of the village so it has gas station, lodge, general store, and eatery. Good stop for washroom break, and find food to eat. The ice cream at the general store was good, big scoops. The Mountain berry and huckleberry fudge were good! Food was pretty standard and a bit pricey as expected. We came here twice so we got to see the geyser shoot up twice on 2 different days. This is one of the popular stops. Many people came and wait to see it active. It shoots up pretty high, close to two storey high. Pretty cool to watch. It ran about a good minute at max and then about 1mins smaller ones. Worth the wait.

Sisca G — Google review

Great to witness first hand. Nice boardwalk with bench seating to wait for the eruption to occur. Had a Bison stroll by while waiting. Park Rangers were actively monitoring and looking out for the animal and visitors.

Tricia W — Google review

Always love this place! If you're a nature lover like me or you want to see a spectacle of nature, you'll love this place! It's especially nice if you go during a time that's not so busy. You can enjoy the geysers, especially good old Old Faithful, while basking in the serenity and peace of the outdoors. It's a beautiful opportunity!

Ben B — Google review

We were able to find seating even though we arrived like 5 minutes before it went off. It was super cool and the app is very good at approximating the time of the eruption. We went in May and there wasn't too many people. I only gave it four stars because it's a little over hyped but still awesome.

Jason N — Google review

Old Faithful is certainly an embodiment of the enigmatic spirit of nature and the physical surroundings of the world — a memorizing experience that cannot be ignored by any individual (regardless of their age). If you pragmatically plan when you visit and arrive 10-15 minutes before the planned eruption, that should be perfectly timed to take a few photos and enjoy the scenery. There is such an amazing array of wildlife, including squirrels and blue jays, to observe, while working in tandem with a richly covered forest. Coming in late May in the evening, there isn’t a more perfect timeframe to watch Old Faithful with anyone accompanying you!Tip: If you plan on watching, go to the benches on the right side of the walkway, due to the fact that there is a near guaranteed opportunity of snagging one or two.

Jackson M — Google review

Super cool geyser that probably is a tourist trap given what's nearby. Old Faithful is extremely accessible and near so much development that you'll be watching this eruption with a thousand other people or more. Go early in the morning like around or before sunrise for the best views. There's almost nobody there and the steam is WAY more impressive in the cold - see my photos. It's free to watch at any time of day.The visitor center has this geyser timed to within a ten minute window for each eruption. Times for this and other geysers can be found in the different visitor centers around the park, the park lodges, and online on the Yellowstone website.

Michael B — Google review

Always a good time! We watched once from the viewing area in front of the visitors center, and once from back on one of the trails. We were there in mid-September, and got to the area early, so no big crowds. Old Faithful is an absolute must see when visiting Yellowstone. Iconic America!

Lynne S — Google review

4.7

(24600)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (187)

4.5

(5080)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (188)

Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190, USA

(307) 344-7381

28

Norris Geyser Basin

34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (189)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (190)

34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (191)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (192)

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Geyser

Nature & Parks

Hot Springs & Geysers

Norris Geyser Basin is the hottest geothermal area in Yellowstone National Park. It offers a museum, trails, and geysers for visitors to explore. If you're interested in the history of the National Park Service, a quick stop at the Park Ranger Museum on your way to Mammoth is worth it. Norris Geyser Basin also provides an opportunity for a short walk to stretch your legs and take in the morning scenery.

Feels like one of the nature’s wonder, water heated by the Yellowstone volcano continuously form the steam which puts on a natural show all the time. The blue water and skies are treat for eyes. Be prepared for the pungent smell though.

Sumanth R — Google review

A wonderful place with many interesting thermal features. The steam boat geyser is very colorful in the winter and also it has many interesting steam pools.During the winter this location is accessible only by the snow coaches operated by many tour companies.

Hannibal B — Google review

This is a basin in Yellowstone National Park 🏞️ with a lot of geysers in it. This looked really active with a lot of geysers erupting. The loop walk around basin was great. The emerald spring was particularly beautiful. Definitely a must visit.

Pratik G — Google review

Amazing beauty, diversity of nature wonders, all in one place! Thanks, John, the great guide from Yellowstone Vacation Tours, for making this our first long stop!

Elahe J — Google review

Norris Geyser Basin is a must-see for anyone visiting Yellowstone! This geothermal area is stunning and fascinating to see. There are steaming geysers, boiling springs, and vibrant mineral deposits. The walk through the basin is a journey through another world. With every step, you're greeted by new sights. The entire area is alive with geothermal activity, and you can truly feel the power of nature beneath your feet. I was particularly impressed by how well-maintained most of the boardwalks and trails are, making it easy to navigate the area while also allowing you to get up close to these incredible features. Just be sure to give yourself plenty of time—there’s so much to see, and you’ll want to take it all in. Overall, this is a must visit.

Joey J — Google review

A basin full of geysers. There are 2 parts for the basin, Porcelain basin and Back basin. Both are equally beautiful.Porcelain basin is very big, but you can see complete basin and all the geyser from overlook point. The colors are very nice and unique.On the other, Back basin is not single basin as it has subparts. The steamboat is nice.Since Yellowstone has many geysers like this, you may seem disinterested if you have already seen old faithful and grand prismatic. But trust me it has its own beauty. A nice place to spend some time.

Saurabh D — Google review

Been here during August 2019 and was my first ever trip to YNP.I found Norris Geyser Basin with all different geysers located there really so beautiful. Mind you... it was really warm walking around there but then again, so typical for being around geysers. I would visit again and again if I could!Wait for the "Steamboat Geyser" to go off 😁Hope you enjoy my picts.

Pascale S — Google review

I feel like steamboat geyser was more majestic than old faithful. Very cool.

N S — Google review

It’s a beautiful place in Yellow Stone National Park. You should not miss it.It has a great path for walking. Enjoy 360 degrees of the basin! It usually takes about 50 minutes to walk around it with taking pictures.

Tina H — Google review

Entire trail loop was just so pretty during sunset! It was interesting and informative to learn about the geothermal features and experience some of them first-hand.

Priyanka R — Google review

Un endroit irréel, on se croirais sur une autre planète, c'est un mélange de sons, d odeur de souffre ,de bouillonnements et de jets de vapeur dans un décor d' arbres blanchis par les gars et la chaleur.C est vraiment magique de déambuler au milieu de ce décor incroyable.(Translated by Google)An unreal place, it feels like you're on another planet, it's a mixture of sounds, the smell of sulfur, bubbling and jets of steam in a setting of trees whitened by the guys and the heat. It's truly magical to wander through this incredible setting.

Al B — Google review

Must see and visit when coming to Yellowstone. Take the full walk around the geyser basin. you wont regret it. The day we were there one of the vents was spewing consistently and with a LOT of force.

Chirag B — Google review

This is a must do part of your Yellowstone Park experience. It’s a big loop to walk and you get bro see a lot of geothermal activity. Stay on the trail. It’s dangerous (possibly deadly) to go off the trail and get close to the scalding hot water/mud!VictorB

Victor B — Google review

You never know what to expect at Norris; Yellowstone'most active region. We were very fortunate to see several geysers, that have long dormant periods, erupting. There are two parts, given the large area but both require you to be in reasonable shape and involve steep hills.

Lee M — Google review

Welcome to Norris Geyser Basin, one of the hottest and most acidic of Yellowstone's hydrothermal areas! Here is home to the Steamboat Geyser, the tallest active Geyser eruption in the world! There are approximately 32 geysers, springs, caldrons, and pools here. However, every year, there are new hot springs and geysers appearing all along the trail. These come in various colors: from yellow to dark brown/rust and from Emerald green to dark blackish-green. Despite the overwhelming number of geysers, the guide highly recommends these 3: Steamboat Geyser, Porcelain Springs, and Emerald Spring. Others that I recommend are Blue Mud Steam Vent, Yellow Funnel Spring, Pearl Geyser, Palpitator Spring, and Minite Geyser. These have unique colors or fun little eruptions for you to enjoy.Note, if you plan on visiting all of these geysers and springs, be prepared to spend at least an hour. The Back Basin (lower half) is approximately 1.6 miles (2.4 km) long, while the Porcelain Basin (upper half) is 0.6 miles (0.8 km) long. If you want to walk the entire combined trail, it'll be April 2.5 miles (4.0 km) long. Make sure you stay on the trail and fully hydrated!

Stephen K — Google review

One of the places in Yellowstone you should definitely go. Too many active geysers. My picks- Emerald Pool, Steamboat Geyser and Porcelain Basin. The place will smell like rotten eggs due to the sulphur content.

Karan — Google review

One of the better collections of geothermal features at Yellowstone. So much variety in a small area!

Lisa W — Google review

Very first stop on our yellowstone excursion! easy parking and 25 mins walk for to enjoy the whole thing!Many geysers and attractions to enjoyKeep in mind always walk on the trail and smell in the air little weird.

Ankit C — Google review

This place is amazing! Easy access to the paths and really cool features. One of our favorite geyser basins during the trip!

Russell G — Google review

Beautiful basin! Yellowstone has so many amazing basins, If you have the time add Norris basin to your itinerary, it’s worth it! Long boardwalks and beautiful landscape!

Noa H — Google review

Fascinating to see all this geothermal activity in a whole valley from up close. One can only assume, what immense energy is to be found in the inside of our planet, that water on the surface is cooked in the way to be observed at Norris Geyser Basin at Yellowstone National Park. For safety reasons, guests are only allowed to walk on a boardwalk that forms a circle of about a mile. However, as impressive the large gas clouds may look, they do smell like rotten eggs, but it's still worthwhile seeing this place.

Dietrich S — Google review

Sentiers en boucle très bien aménagés sur des planches et donnant accès au geyser en toute sécurité. De la vapeur omniprésente et une faible odeur de souffre ajoute à l'expérience. Belle couleur des roches à observer et photographier. Bref, un incontournable du parc Nationale de YELLOWSTONE.(Translated by Google)Very well laid out loop trails on boards giving access to the geyser in complete safety. Pervasive steam and a faint smell of sulfur adds to the experience. Beautiful color of the rocks to observe and photograph. In short, a must-see in YELLOWSTONE National Park.

Jean F — Google review

Definitely a must see in Yellowstone. The Porcelain Basin area is by far the most scenic in the area. Expect to walk downhill and then back uphill a good amount to reach the boardwalks. There's a small museum and park souvenir store at the trailhead. Once parking fills (which happens early) plan to park on the side of the highway and walk in. See my photos for a trail map posted on site.

Michael B — Google review

First bit of advice, go early or parking will be cray cray! This series of hydrothermal features is just awesome! Paved or boardwalk trails throughout and you can hike as little or as much as you want! Several different trails that you can take, kinda like “choose your adventure” books!

Leah B — Google review

If google didn’t limit me from posting all the photos I took I would have put them all! It was so beautiful and there are 2 loops one .6 miles and one 1.6 miles. The loops have totally different gysers and we did both loops! Definitely do them both!

Zachary B — Google review

Norris Geyser Basin has pristine geysers and lots of unique geothermal features. The area is less well developed as a tourist spot and that may add to its lure. The porcelain basin has an otherworldly landscape of textures and looks, bubbling hot pots, and acrid fumes that fill the air. You can feel them up close. There is a lot to see in the back basin, but the boardwalk is in a state of disrepair that needs to be addressed. We would like to go back to explore the basin place further.

Rakesh G — Google review

This place should be the focal point of the Yellowstone National Park. It's a very cool place to bring your kids to learn the breathing earth.

Love T — Google review

This geothermal area often gets overlooked but is still impressive in its own way. Has many unique features and everspot is a little different. Not quites as busy as the other geyes basins but is becoming more popular. This parking lot is usually full as well with parking backing up on to the road.

Wyatt P — Google review

4.9

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4.5

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29

Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River

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Waterfall

Nature & Parks

The impressive Upper Falls of the Yellowstone River in Yellowstone National Park is a majestic and potent waterfall that offers stunning views and exhilarating hiking trails. This natural wonder, known for its immense power, drops 109 feet into the remarkable river below and meanders through the renowned Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. While it may not receive as much attention as its counterpart, the Lower Falls, this captivating waterfall still attracts a considerable number of visitors who are captivated by its breathtaking beauty.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.We drove up from Jackson in early October. Created by erosion from the Yellowstone River, the canyon is more than 1,000 feet deep, 4,000 feet wide and 20 miles long. The 1st parking lot was full so we drove past and found a pull over which led to the trail that overlooks the canyon and waterfall.

SPARKY — Google review

The Upper Falls Viewpoints in Yellostone offer some incredibly artistic views. The Falls are beautiful, and mesmerizing. Although there are some viewpoints right off the parking lot, there are others down some easy trails. I highly recommend stopping here if you're visiting Yellowstone!

Lisa B — Google review

Wow. Somehow we missed this stop during our first visit to Yellowstone some years back. This was by far my favorite 'tourist' stop. This is a must visit for any trip to Yellowstone. Breathtaking views and awesome photo-op.

Dan K — Google review

Craziest water feature the is to see. Massive. Magnetic. Captivating. Loved the trails, the views, all of it

Sasha S — Google review

So close view of falls and immense force of nature

Rachita M — Google review

Magnificent view of the falls from the viewing platform. Absolutely worth the hike

S S — Google review

This was the highlight of our trip. It was an overcast and rainy day, but the view was amazing. We drove across the bridge to the first parking lot. From there we took the trail up to artist point. It was a long hike in a paved trail, with a lot of elevation change. The views along the way were superb though.

Jonathan B — Google review

For my regret, in time when we visited, the third week of May, the road to Canyon village was closed due to the wheather condition. So, our way from Wilson to Gardiner took much more time. Any way, was amazing.

Plamen K — Google review

Incredible views and thunderous sound of the waterfall make this a must see for your Yellowstone experience.

John B — Google review

A nice iconic waterfall. You can also see the rainbow it creates due the splash.

Imelda W — Google review

Not quite as impressive as the lower falls but still amazing.

Wyatt P — Google review

Beautiful in winter !! Drove up there in snowmobiles.

Sowmya — Google review

Upper Falls in Yellowstone National Park is located on the Grand loop road close to Hayden Valley and Canyon Village depending from where you are coming. The parking lot size is pretty decent with restrooms. This is the Yellowstone river which drops to the upper falls and then drops again to lower falls and finally flowing through the canyon. The view of the gushing water is a great spectacle. You can also feel the mist on your face.

Sritama C — Google review

Huge fan of waterfalls and the Upper Falls certainly did not disappoint! Haven't made it to the Grand Canyon yet but the ravine coming away from the falls has to resemble it on a small scale.The falls themselves were really beautiful and the scenery in the back drop were out of this world. There were some neat hikes to it as well which is always a plus!

Adam — Google review

Best time to be here is after Memorial Day even if the weather looks potentially gloomy the clouds will part and give the visitors some stunning pictures.If you have a camera with a nice telephoto lens or a Bridge Camera superzoom you will have a plethora of opportunities out there.-Hayden Valley and Lamar are just so super duper for wildlife opportunities….. Managed to film this Grizzly sow and her 2 cubs from a good 100+ yards out.Bring your bug repellent you will need it in early June to the end of the month.

Pete P — Google review

One of our favorite parts in Yellowstone. Absolutely breathtaking! We saw a few rainbows by the waterfall and it’s so relaxing!

Grace L — Google review

A breathtaking view of upper falls was best viewed from this point. Min of 5-10 mins walk from the parking lot. There’s another view point as well to see these falls but I personally liked this one. I visited with my friends in the month of July for long weekend.

Neha T — Google review

Between two major falls of Yellowstone, the Upper Falls is 109 feet high and extends to South Rim Drive Road. The falls' flow cascades onto the road. We were amazed to witness the falls' flow even from the road. Missing them won't be a disappointment, as the view from the road is still enchanting.

Tasnim I — Google review

4.8

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5.0

(1440)34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (204)

Wyoming 82190, USA

30

Yellowstone Lake

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Lake

Nature & Parks

Bodies of Water

Yellowstone Lake, a vast freshwater lake within the national park, offers breathtaking hiking trails, fishing areas, and boat rentals. To navigate its waters, a permit is required for all types of vessels including motorized and non-motorized ones like float tubes. These permits can be obtained in person at various locations throughout the park. The fees range from $5 to $20 depending on the vessel type and duration of use.

Frozen Yellowstone lakeHow powerful the nature is.

Sabrina H — Google review

Yellowstone Lake is the largest body of water in Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone Lake freezes over completely every winter in late December or early January, with ice thicknesses varying from a few inches to more than two feet. The lake usually thaws in late May or early June. Yellowstone Lake remains cold year-round, with an average water temperature of 41°F (5°C). Because of the extremely cold water, swimming is not recommended.Yellowstone Lake has the largest population of wild cutthroat trout in North America. How a Pacific Ocean fish was trapped in a lake that drains to the Atlantic puzzled experts for years. Figuratively, if one could pour all the water out of Yellowstone Lake, what would be found on the bottom is similar to what is found on land in Yellowstone: geysers, hot springs, and deep canyons.

Prasenjit S — Google review

Absolutely one of the most beautiful lakes in America! Peaceful. Serene. Huge!!It is a must see. Take a picnic lunch, stop at one of the picnic areas. Enjoy the views!

Cherie W — Google review

Lake Yellowstone is an absolute treasure within Yellowstone National Park. The lake's crystal-clear water, surrounded by majestic mountains and lush forests, creates a serene and picturesque setting. The sheer size of the lake is impressive, and the tranquility of the area makes it perfect for anyone seeking a peaceful escape into nature.Make sure to pack layers, as the weather can be unpredictable, and bring a camera to capture the jaw-dropping scenery. Whether you're into boating, fishing, or simply enjoying the views, Lake Yellowstone is a must-see destination that showcases the raw beauty of nature!

Sampath D — Google review

Really big and beautiful lake. It’s still an iced lake when I was there, but I think it should be pure water now. You can see this lake from different angles. Now you might be able to take a boat through bridge bay. You can go to west thumb to see how geothermal landscapes merge with lake and it’s really awesome!

Chien-Chang C — Google review

As I was driving out of the area, came upon these two bisons grazing by the lake.

Ej C — Google review

During our trip to the park, we drove around searching for a nice spot to see Yellowstone Lake. We finally found it when we arrived at the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center. This spot offers the opportunity to walk around the beautiful shoreline and enjoy the vastness of Yellowstone Lake. We were stunned by the size of the lake and its undeniable beauty. At this spot, you can see the endless blue lake stretching out before you, providing breathtaking scenery.Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation lake (above 7,000 feet) in North America, covering approximately 136 square miles (352 square kilometers) with over 110 miles (177 kilometers) of shoreline. It sits at an elevation of about 7,732 feet (2,357 meters) above sea level.After seeing it for ourselves, it easily became a must-see destination that we would recommend to anyone visiting Yellowstone National Park.

Weeranat W — Google review

We have explored and thoroughly loved Yellowstone National Park each of the numerous times we have visited. Lone Star Geyser is a favorite spot and a wonderful hike from Lone Star back to Old Faithful Lodge! Everyone should see Yellowstone. You’ll gather lifetime memories there.I regret not touring Yellowstone in winter when I was young! It’s on my bucket list! ♥️

Di Y — Google review

Such a beautiful scenery, a must stop on your trip through Yellowstone.

Tyler S — Google review

So so many places to stop along this lake. Mountainous backgrounds, excellent sunrises and sunsets, and plenty of geysers and trails.

Charles H — Google review

so pretty! the water is so blue. love seeing the mountains and trees all around.

Sarah B — Google review

Too sad we went there around Fall and winter, the sky was unclear. The weather was cold. We will be back around summer. It would be much better.

Hey.junebug — Google review

Clearest water, chilly water but so peaceful an mesmerizing. An wildlife around it was amazing. Watching sunrise there was absolutely phenomenal

Kelly G — Google review

A beautiful lake that looks like ocean.

KKK K — Google review

Taking the walk, looking how crazily hot springs are meeting the lake at west thumb!

Gargi G — Google review

Beautiful lake that has boat access

Marc P — Google review

Yellowstone Lake was one of my favorite parts about Yellowstone National Park. It’s a huge lake, with very beautiful views. It reminded me of the California coast. There are lots of places to pull off along the coast with picnic tables. Some areas are thermal and you can see steam coming out on the shore.

Kristina D — Google review

This lake is huge. We went to the part by the Fishing Bridge Visitors Center. We also enjoyed the lake from the West Thumb Geyser Basin.The lake shore at the visitor center was so serene. I highly recommend visiting it here. There were almost no people around.The West Thumb Geyser Basin was also pretty neat. It was cool that there was geothermal activity right on the lake.You'll likely drive by this lake while in Yellowstone at some point. You might as well stop for a bit to enjoy it.

Jacqueline T — Google review

Fantastic driving towards Fisher's Bridge coming from West Thumb.... Beautiful vistas and do look for dead wood as it makes great pictures! 😉

Pascale S — Google review

There is nothing I could say that could better describe the beauty of this lake inside a beautiful park. Hard to miss if going through the park but make sure and stop.

Brett H — Google review

Yellowstone lake cover 136 surface miles and it is the largest high elevation lake in North America.Interesting fact is that there is no fishing allowed from the “fishing bridge” since 1973.Yellowstone Lake runs through numerous parts of the park but we found the best view to be on East entrance road. I would highly recommend Steamboat Point picnic ground for awesome views of the water during a stop for lunch or dinner. Steamboat is just a mile or so east of the fishing bridge. Enjoy.

Nyor M — Google review

Yellowstone lake is huge one and its around 20 miles around. We took several stops where there was spectacular views. Its a beautiful view and drive

Ashwini V — Google review

4.7

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4.5

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34 Best Stops Between Spokane and Red Lodge (2024)
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