Montana’s small towns are what makes it so charming and for most, so desirable. The pace of life in small towns tends to be a bit slower, and it’s definitely simpler. Big Sky Country is full of such places, and these 13 seem to embody the peaceful atmosphere Montanans embrace.
- Choteau
Sam Beebe / Flickr Choteau is home to about 1,700 people. It’s so charming that David Letterman fell in love with it and bought a ranch nearby. Despite possible Letterman sightings, life is simple in Choteau, and that’s how people like it.
- Fort Benton
Ron Sipherd / Flickr Life in this beautiful little Missouri River town is about as simple (and wonderful) as you’d imagine.
- Stevensville
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr Stevensville was settled by Jesuit Missionaries hundreds of years ago. It remains a tranquil place to live and a fun place to visit.
- Phillipsburg
TxBuell9SX / Flickr This little town of about 900 people is the gem of the Treasure State… and speaking of gems, you can mine for sapphires in the area.
- Scobey
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr You’ll find this little town just 14 miles south of the Canadian Border in Eastern Montana. Scobey is home to the Daniels County Museum and Pioneer Town as well as lots of birds of all sizes.
- Libby
Holly Hayes / Flickr Libby lies in the heart of the Kootenai Valley and is surrounded by the Cabinet Mountains and the Purcell Mountains. Life there is beautifully slow and simple.
- Hamilton
Jimmy Emerson DVM / Flickr Missoula is lovely and all, but head an hour south and you can live in Hamilton, a charming town of 4,556 where life is a lot simpler.
- Cut Bank
Don Barrett / Flickr With a cost of living that’s lower than the U.S. average, an average commute time of 11 minutes and citywide events like Shakespeare in the Park, Cut Bank is a great place to live for anyone seeking a simple life.
- Jordan
Jimmy Emerson DVM / Flickr This tiny town is home to just under 400 people who love the simple life.
- Ekalaka
J Stephen Conn / Flickr Ekalaka is tucked into the southeast corner of the state, and it’s home to a closeknit community of about 350 people. Most of the locals would call the sherrif’s personal cell phone before calling 911.
- Livingston
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr People from all walks of life flock to Livingston, which sits at the foothills of the Absaroka/Beartooth wilderness. Maybe it’s because it’s surrounded by so much natural beauty (it’s just north of Yellowstone), but Livingston is a peaceful place.
- Troy
Jimmy Emerson DVM / Flickr The Gateway to Montana is nestled between mountains in Lincoln County. Between the scenic views and all the wildlife in the area, it’s the perfect place to visit (or live) when you need a change of pace.
- Paradise
Jerry Huddleston / Flickr The name says it all. This tiny town has a rich railroad past and is surrounded by beautiful scenery.
What’s your favorite small and slow-paced town in Montana?
Sam Beebe / Flickr
Choteau is home to about 1,700 people. It’s so charming that David Letterman fell in love with it and bought a ranch nearby. Despite possible Letterman sightings, life is simple in Choteau, and that’s how people like it.
Ron Sipherd / Flickr
Life in this beautiful little Missouri River town is about as simple (and wonderful) as you’d imagine.
Forest Service Northern Region / Flickr
Stevensville was settled by Jesuit Missionaries hundreds of years ago. It remains a tranquil place to live and a fun place to visit.
TxBuell9SX / Flickr
This little town of about 900 people is the gem of the Treasure State… and speaking of gems, you can mine for sapphires in the area.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
You’ll find this little town just 14 miles south of the Canadian Border in Eastern Montana. Scobey is home to the Daniels County Museum and Pioneer Town as well as lots of birds of all sizes.
Holly Hayes / Flickr
Libby lies in the heart of the Kootenai Valley and is surrounded by the Cabinet Mountains and the Purcell Mountains. Life there is beautifully slow and simple.
Jimmy Emerson DVM / Flickr
Missoula is lovely and all, but head an hour south and you can live in Hamilton, a charming town of 4,556 where life is a lot simpler.
Don Barrett / Flickr
With a cost of living that’s lower than the U.S. average, an average commute time of 11 minutes and citywide events like Shakespeare in the Park, Cut Bank is a great place to live for anyone seeking a simple life.
This tiny town is home to just under 400 people who love the simple life.
J Stephen Conn / Flickr
Ekalaka is tucked into the southeast corner of the state, and it’s home to a closeknit community of about 350 people. Most of the locals would call the sherrif’s personal cell phone before calling 911.
People from all walks of life flock to Livingston, which sits at the foothills of the Absaroka/Beartooth wilderness. Maybe it’s because it’s surrounded by so much natural beauty (it’s just north of Yellowstone), but Livingston is a peaceful place.
The Gateway to Montana is nestled between mountains in Lincoln County. Between the scenic views and all the wildlife in the area, it’s the perfect place to visit (or live) when you need a change of pace.
Jerry Huddleston / Flickr
The name says it all. This tiny town has a rich railroad past and is surrounded by beautiful scenery.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
