Butte, Montana is a consolidated city-county located in Silver Bow County in southwestern Montana. The community was originally established in 1864 as a mining camp, but it developed rapidly later in the 19th century, and it eventually became the first major city of industry in Montana. Around the turn of the 20th century, Butte was also a large copper boomtown. Because of the many opportunities for employment in the mines, a large number of immigrants from Asia and Europe arrived in the area during this time period. Butte continued to grow and develop throughout the early and mid-20th century, and as of 2022, the city's population is approximately 34,700.
While visiting Butte, you may want to begin by checking out a few of the many fascinating museums. For example, there's the MBMG Mineral Museum, where you can learn about the minerals and geology of the region. You could also head to the World Museum of Mining to learn more about the fascinating mining history of Butte. Other interesting educational attractions in the area include the Dumas Brothel Museum, the Historic Clark Chateau Museum & Gallery, and the Copper King Mansion. If you're interested in the performing arts, you could catch a show at the Covellite Theater or the historic Mother Lode Theatre.
If the sun is shining while you're in town, consider heading to the breathtaking Granite Mountain Memorial Overlook or take a day trip to the iconic Our Lady of the Rockies statue. When you're ready for a bite to eat, you can stop by exceptional restaurants like M&M Bar & Cafe or Casagranda's Steakhouse. Then, after dinner, you might want to visit Headframe Spirits to sample some of their delicious spirits. Before you depart Butte, a few other attractions worth checking out are the Berkeley Pit, Lewis and Clark Caverns, and the Butte-Silver Bow Public Library.
Campgrounds Near Butte, Montana
If you're looking for a nice camping location around Butte, one quality option is Southside RV Park. There, you can stay in one of the 41 full-hookup RV campsites for between $39 and $43 per night. The campground offers a peaceful atmosphere, and there's an on-site camp store where you can purchase RV products and laundry supplies. Plus, the park even features a DVD library for guests.
Another lovely campground in the area is the Butte KOA Journey, which has RV sites with full hookups as well as a pool and hot tub. Located just outside downtown Butte, the campground has propane and firewood available. And if you're looking to have some outdoor fun, you could rent a bike at the campground and go riding on one of the nearby trails.
Situated at the base of a majestic mountain range, the Fairmont RV Park boasts a whopping 152 RV campsites with full hookups. You can rent one of the sites for $44-$50 per night, and if you need, you can use the on-site RV dump station as well. The campground offers a general store, public telephones, a gas station, a clubhouse, and RV supplies.
State Parks Near Butte, Montana
Bannack State Park is situated in Beaverhead County, Montana, and it's no ordinary state park. The park is a ghost town and a National Historic Landmark located at the site where the mining town of Bannack once existed. Bannack was founded in 1862 and, at its peak, had a population of approximately 10,000. Today, visitors can explore the 60 remaining buildings and learn about Bannack's fascinating history. The park offers a variety of awesome activities and tours, including ghost walks, gold panning, and a Junior Ranger Program for the kids.
Located in southern Montana, Missouri Headwaters State Park is known for marking the official starting point of the mighty Missouri River. Comprising 532 acres, the serene state park is home to abundant wildlife, lush vegetation, and lots of beautiful scenery. The area also features the Three Forks of the Missouri National Historic Landmark, which represents one of the places where the famous Lewis and Clark expedition camped. Visitors can learn about the area's amazing history and partake in activities such as hiking, fishing, kayaking, camping, bird-watching, and wildlife viewing.
If you enjoy activities like fishing and bird-watching, one natural area you'll want to visit is Salmon Lake State Park. Located in western Montana, the park is home to the beautiful Salmon Lake, where visitors can fish for largemouth bass, kokanee salmon, yellow perch, northern pike, and several species of trout. The peaceful area is also home to amazing bird species like great blue herons, bald eagles, osprey, and many others. Other activities often enjoyed at the park include watersports, swimming, and hiking the lovely trail that surrounds the lake.
National Sites Near Butte, Montana
If you'd like to step back in time to the Old West, Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site is a fantastic place to check out. While you're there, you can visit the Thoroughbred Barn, which contains many historic horse-drawn vehicles that were once used to help keep the ranch operating. The site, which was once home to one of the largest ranches in the country, features a variety of reenactors playing the roles of blacksmiths, cowboys, and chuckwagon cooks. Visitors can enjoy the reenactments and check out the many horses and cattle inhabiting the area. In total, there are 18 historical buildings to check out, as well as several trails to explore.
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway is a beautiful stretch of highway that runs between Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone National Park. You can take a scenic drive along the highway and enjoy the wonderful views of crystal-clear lakes, volcanic rocks, and geothermal geysers. If you like, you can also stop by some of the great trails and majestic waterfalls located along the parkway.
Another fascinating site to check out is Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, located in southern Idaho. The unique site is known for its breathtaking lava fields, which contribute to its surreal, otherworldly landscape. During your visit to the unbelievable preserve, you can hike through incredible rock formations, walk along the rim of a cinder cone, and even descend into the fascinating lava tubes. The site is particularly amazing during the winter when it becomes a beautiful destination for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
National Forests Near Butte, Montana
Surrounding the bustling city of Helena, Montana, Helena National Forest covers 976,000 acres and is home to several breathtaking mountain ranges. The forest is perhaps most known as the place where Lewis and Clark opted to cross the Continental Divide during their famous expedition. Helena National Forest is also home to the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area as well as a wildlife management unit. Popular activities in the forest include fishing, geocaching, stargazing, and exploring hiking trails like the Arrastra Creek Trail and the Sauerkraut Wall Trail.
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is nestled in southwestern Montana and comprises a whopping 3.36 million acres. Back in 1908, the massive forest was formed by two separate forests under the orders of President Theodore Roosevelt. There are several mountain ranges in the forest, including the Bitterroot, Centennial, and Elkhorn ranges. Visitors often get the chance to spot fascinating wildlife species such as timber wolves and antelope, and there are also several excellent hiking trails and peaceful campgrounds.
Another lush forest in southern Montana is Gallatin National Forest, which covers more than 1.8 million acres. Originally established in 1899 as a forest preserve, Gallatin National Forest features valleys, ridges, rivers, lakes, and mountains. Visitors travel to the forest from all over to do some fishing, climb the mountains, or hike the 2,290 miles of scenic trails. A few of the most popular nature trails to explore are the Hyalite Peak Trail, the Lava Lake Trail, and the Pine Creek Lake Trail.
