Montana may be a landlocked state, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have some beautiful waterside towns. As we enter late spring, the weather will only get warmer and the urge to explore our beautiful state will get stronger. If you’re looking for some riverside fun, check out these river towns in Montana.
- Missoula
Wesley Fryer / Flickr Missoula was named one of the 10 Best River Towns by Fodor’s Travel (the Clark Fork River runs through it), and it’s a great place to visit in any season. If it’s been awhile since you’ve visited, a weekend getaway may be in order.
- Great Falls
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr Great Falls has a nice central location that’s easily accessible from almost everywhere in Montana. The River’s Edge Trail, a 44 mile trail along the Missouri River, is a beautiful place to walk or bike.
- Fort Benton
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr Fort Benton was named one of the 15 Prettiest Towns in America by Forbes, and all it takes is one drive through town to see why. The Birthplace of Montana is pretty charming.
- Thompson Falls
Keith Ewing / Flickr Thompson Falls, which sits on the Clark Fork River, is a great place to fish. Visit at the right time and you’ll be able to fully enjoy millions of acres of trails and forest lands in the surrounding Kootenai and Lolo forests.
- Ennis
Spend A Day Touring, LLC / Flickr Ennis is a beautiful little town in Madison County. It’s surrounded by the Madison Range, the Gravelly Range and the Tobacco Root Mountains, and it offers access to some of the best river locations in the state.
- Livingston
Tracy Hunter / Flickr Livingston is one of the quintessential river towns in Montana—parts of A River Runs Through It was filmed here. Sacajawea Park is the best place to enjoy the Yellowstone River views.
- Bigfork
Wikipedia You’ll find Bigfork where the Swan River joins Flathead Lake. Known as the Village by the Bay, this artsy community is home to the Bigfork Summer Playhouse, whose season starts in May.
- Miles City
David Schott / Flickr May is always a perfect time to visit Miles City because of the Bucking Horse Sale. But it has plenty of other enticing attractions like the Tongue River Winery and the Range Riders Museum.
Do you have any favorite river towns in Montana?
Wesley Fryer / Flickr
Missoula was named one of the 10 Best River Towns by Fodor’s Travel (the Clark Fork River runs through it), and it’s a great place to visit in any season. If it’s been awhile since you’ve visited, a weekend getaway may be in order.
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
Great Falls has a nice central location that’s easily accessible from almost everywhere in Montana. The River’s Edge Trail, a 44 mile trail along the Missouri River, is a beautiful place to walk or bike.
Fort Benton was named one of the 15 Prettiest Towns in America by Forbes, and all it takes is one drive through town to see why. The Birthplace of Montana is pretty charming.
Keith Ewing / Flickr
Thompson Falls, which sits on the Clark Fork River, is a great place to fish. Visit at the right time and you’ll be able to fully enjoy millions of acres of trails and forest lands in the surrounding Kootenai and Lolo forests.
Spend A Day Touring, LLC / Flickr
Ennis is a beautiful little town in Madison County. It’s surrounded by the Madison Range, the Gravelly Range and the Tobacco Root Mountains, and it offers access to some of the best river locations in the state.
Tracy Hunter / Flickr
Livingston is one of the quintessential river towns in Montana—parts of A River Runs Through It was filmed here. Sacajawea Park is the best place to enjoy the Yellowstone River views.
Wikipedia
You’ll find Bigfork where the Swan River joins Flathead Lake. Known as the Village by the Bay, this artsy community is home to the Bigfork Summer Playhouse, whose season starts in May.
David Schott / Flickr
May is always a perfect time to visit Miles City because of the Bucking Horse Sale. But it has plenty of other enticing attractions like the Tongue River Winery and the Range Riders Museum.
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