Life is pretty great in The Last Best Place, isn’t it? Montana is full of small towns, each with its own unique set of charms. And in most of those small towns, the locals get to enjoy the kind of close-knit communities that don’t seem to exist anymore.
If you want the kind of life where you can be greeted by name at the bank and the grocery store, where you can leave town knowing your neighbors will watch your house, where you feel supported by the people around you… you’ll love small town Montana. We could spend all day naming towns that qualify for this list, but we’ll start with these 15.
- Cohagen
Just Having Some Fun / Flickr Cohagen lies along Highway 59 southeast of Jordan, and it’s a tiny town with some big-hearted people.
- Seeley Lake
Bitterroot / Flickr Not only is Seeley Lake situated on one of Montana’s most scenic drives, Highway 83, but it’s a wonderful place to vacation and an even better place to live.
- Nashua
The West End / Flickr About 300 people call Nashua home, and the odds are good that nearly every one of them know each other’s names.
- Augusta
Robert Lz / Flickr The Augusta area is beautiful, and visiting feels like stepping back in time. The 315 people who live there are proud to call it home.
- Troy
Richard Bauer / Flickr Nestled along the banks of the Kootenai River, the small, scenic town of Troy is often called the Gateway to Montana.
- Scobey
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr The people in Scobey joke that, aside from wheat, people are their largest export. However, the 1,082 people who do live there know and respect each other. And they know a good town when they see one.
- Winnett
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr Winnett might not be a tourist destination, but it’s paradise for those who love to hunt. And with a population of under 200 people (as of 2013), there’s no doubt that everyone knows each other.
- Clinton
Juan Calderon / Flickr The home of the notorious Testy Festy might be close to Missoula, but it has a very different atmosphere. Life in Clinton is quiet, peaceful and spent next to nature.
- Plains
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr If you like a small town life with plenty of outdoor activities (kayaking, fishing, rafting), all while being reasonably close to bigger cities like Missoula, Plains might be a perfect fit.
- Two Dot
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr Two Dot was named after a cattleman named “Two Dot” Wilson, and since 1900 it’s been home to a small group of close-knit people.
- Circle
Kara Oehler / Flickr About 627 people call this Eastern Montana town home, and living there means being greeted by name almost anywhere you go.
- Thompson Falls
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr The people of Thompson Falls have a lot of hometown pride, and it shows. Every year they gather for Beautification Days, a three day period where everyone pitches in to clean up the community.
- Big Timber
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr Big Timber is a busy place during the summer since it’s close to many outdoor excursions. But for most of the year, the small town stays quiet and the locals enjoy its natural beauty.
- Baker
Don Barrett / Flickr This little town sits close to the North Dakota border, and its residents enjoy a quiet life together.
- Paradise
Jerry Huddleston / Flickr Paradise lives up to its name. Just ask one of the 200 people who live there.
What are some other Montana towns where everyone knows your name? Feel free to share in the comments.
Just Having Some Fun / Flickr
Cohagen lies along Highway 59 southeast of Jordan, and it’s a tiny town with some big-hearted people.
Bitterroot / Flickr
Not only is Seeley Lake situated on one of Montana’s most scenic drives, Highway 83, but it’s a wonderful place to vacation and an even better place to live.
The West End / Flickr
About 300 people call Nashua home, and the odds are good that nearly every one of them know each other’s names.
Robert Lz / Flickr
The Augusta area is beautiful, and visiting feels like stepping back in time. The 315 people who live there are proud to call it home.
Richard Bauer / Flickr
Nestled along the banks of the Kootenai River, the small, scenic town of Troy is often called the Gateway to Montana.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
The people in Scobey joke that, aside from wheat, people are their largest export. However, the 1,082 people who do live there know and respect each other. And they know a good town when they see one.
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
Winnett might not be a tourist destination, but it’s paradise for those who love to hunt. And with a population of under 200 people (as of 2013), there’s no doubt that everyone knows each other.
Juan Calderon / Flickr
The home of the notorious Testy Festy might be close to Missoula, but it has a very different atmosphere. Life in Clinton is quiet, peaceful and spent next to nature.
If you like a small town life with plenty of outdoor activities (kayaking, fishing, rafting), all while being reasonably close to bigger cities like Missoula, Plains might be a perfect fit.
Two Dot was named after a cattleman named “Two Dot” Wilson, and since 1900 it’s been home to a small group of close-knit people.
Kara Oehler / Flickr
About 627 people call this Eastern Montana town home, and living there means being greeted by name almost anywhere you go.
The people of Thompson Falls have a lot of hometown pride, and it shows. Every year they gather for Beautification Days, a three day period where everyone pitches in to clean up the community.
Big Timber is a busy place during the summer since it’s close to many outdoor excursions. But for most of the year, the small town stays quiet and the locals enjoy its natural beauty.
Don Barrett / Flickr
This little town sits close to the North Dakota border, and its residents enjoy a quiet life together.
Jerry Huddleston / Flickr
Paradise lives up to its name. Just ask one of the 200 people who live there.
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