In our previous blog, we journeyed roads less traveled from West Yellowstone to Anaconda, MT through historic, mountain, farming, river, mining and cowboy country! In this blog, we’ll introduce you to a remarkable community—the "Prettiest Little Town in Southwest Montana" — and then continue our enchanting, scenic drive of less traveled roads from Anaconda to West Glacier, pointing out some of the amazing attractions—natural and otherwise—along the way. Enjoy the journey. We're starting with an extraordinary view!
At 10,607 feet (3,233 meters), the incomparable Mt. Haggin towers over Anaconda like a guardian, its impressive presence both protecting the locals and welcoming visitors. With its majestic peaks and rugged slopes, it is a singularly awe-inspiring experience (and hike if you're adventuresome enough!). Mt. Haggin stands within the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Area and the Beaverhead-Deer Lodge National Forest— the largest national forest in Montana—through which also passes the Continental Divide Trail. Trails, lakes, wildlife and vistas abound. Interested in how to access this area? Visit the Anaconda Trail Society or view the display available in Pintler's Portal Hostel.
Anaconda offers a plethora of outdoor activities and attractions. From hiking, biking, rock-climbing, foraging and fishing blue ribbon waters to golfing, zip-lining and sightseeing, Anaconda has it all! In town: play a round at Old Works Golf Course, the only public Jack Nicklaus-designed course in Montana, where historic mining relics and black bunkers are incorporated into the course; hike the Washoe Park or Old Works Trails for creekside or historic experiences. Tour Anaconda's historic Smelter Stack State Park, or catch a show in the 93-year-old Washoe Theatre!. And for the most memorable experience possible, try out Montana Zipline Adventures—the longest zipline in all of Montana.
Learn all about this historic community's rich past when you visit the Copper Village Museum and Art Center. Downtown businesses offer goods, services, food and beverages in restored historic buildings. The Bighorn Bottle Shop & Wine Bar and Smelter City Brewing are particularly popular among locals and visitors alike, both for their beverages and for their magnificent buildings. For the most pleasant community gathering, check out the Anaconda Community Market every Thursday evening during Anaconda's gorgeous summer months and long summer days.
This remarkable little town produces extraordinary events. People travel from all over the country and the world to the annual Goosetown USA Softball Tournament, Wayne Estes Basketball Tournament, Smelter City Scamper, Art in the Park, Wildlife Art Expo, Festival of the Winter Moon, 6 Hours of Disco, Montana Saddle Club Association Omoksee State Championships—the list goes on. This little town is a remarkable discovery. While you're here, take time to visit, participate and explore.
What's more, there are six (yes six) Wildlife Management Areas in the Anaconda vicinity. Decide to take some in, and you can be here for a while!
When it’s time to get back on the road, follow the Montana Highway 1 west out of town. Once again, you’ll be on the Pintler Veterans’ Memorial Scenic Byway, a 64-mile route showcasing classic Montana scenery—stunning mountain ranges, picturesque alpine lakes, and vast meadowlands. Leaving town, you’ll have the Flint Creek Range to the north and the breathtaking peaks of the Anaconda Range (known locally as “The Pintlers”) to the south.
In about 20 minutes, you’ll be traversing the shores of Georgetown Lake, a beautiful, 3,700-acre alpine lake famous for large populations of trophy-sized rainbow trout, brook trout and Kokanee salmon. In addition to fishing, Georgetown Lake also has excellent boating, hiking, biking, and picnicking (see map here). Or, as an alternative side-trip, turn right on Echo Lake Road and drive about 5 miles to the Echo Lake trails or Discovery Basin Ski Area and Bike Park for excellent hiking and mountain biking.
Once past the lake, enjoy the short descent into the picture-perfect Flint Valley. Here, the Anaconda Range gives way to the Sapphire Mountains to the west and the John Long Mountains to the north. Stunning mountain vistas, expansive valleys, crystal clear streams—this is Big Sky country! Scan the valley and foothills for elk, bighorn sheep, deer and moose, often seen in the area.
Just 30 miles from Anaconda, you’ll come upon Philipsburg, a charming small town that began as a trading outpost and mining camp in 1866. Philipsburg is home to the Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine—one of the oldest and largest sapphire mines in the world—which has produced over 180 million carats of sapphires in its 130 years. Visit the store in downtown Philipsburg, or better yet, have an extraordinary experience at the mine itself (turn left on Skalkaho Pass Road, MT Hwy 38, six miles south of, and before, you get to Philipsburg). Come prepared to make a day of it!
Philipsburg, MT offers a beautifully renovated National Historic Business District featuring a world-class candy shop with antique treasures, The Sweet Palace; a craft brewery, The Philipsburg Brewing Co.; and the near-by Granite County Museum & Cultural Center, among other businesses and attractions.
Back on the highway, head toward Drummond, Interstate 90, and the terminus of the Scenic Byway. Along the way, look for moose feeding along Flint Creek, which parallels the roadway for much of the way. Or look for elk and deer on the flanks of the Flint Creek Range and Mt. Princeton, which towers above to the east. Enjoy the peacefulness—the scenery on this stretch is stunning!
After crossing the Clark Fork River, look for signs to Interstate 90 West toward Missoula, or stay on Front Street for a quick detour into Drummond, a tiny agricultural-based cow town. If you're looking to stretch your legs, check out the Ohrmann Museum & Gallery, featuring the paintings and sculptures of Bill Ohrmann, an artist, rancher and environmentalist. Or grab a burger at one of the cafes, restaurants or bars you'll find there.
To continue, make your way to Interstate 90 and head west for about 44 miles through the Bearmouth Canyon to Bonner Junction (home of the world-class KettleHouse Outdoor Amphitheater (think Lyle Lovett, Lindsey Stirling, Ziggley Marley) and craft brewery, built on the banks of the Blackfoot River and Montana Highway 200 East. Exit the interstate and continue on MT-200 east for about 30 miles to Clearwater. This stretch is nestled between the Rattlesnake Mountains and wilderness area to the west and the Garnet Mountain range to the east.
A few miles after crossing the Blackfoot River, you arrive in Clearwater and the junction with Montana Highway 83 North, also called the Glacier Parkway. Turn left and head toward Seeley Lake, just 15 miles away. This stunning stretch of highway traverses the shores of Salmon Lake, a natural, glacially formed 660-acre lake considered by many to be one of the most beautiful lakes in the Clearwater River basin. Along the eastern shore, you’ll find Salmon Lake State Park, 42 acres of hiking, fishing and water activities—a great place to take a break and soak in the scenery.
A few miles beyond Salmon Lake, the narrow canyon opens into the expansive Seeley-Swan Valley and Seeley Lake, a stunning lake and community flanked on each side by the Mission Mountains to the west and Swan Range to the east. The Seeley Lake area is brimming with outdoor activities, including hiking, biking and paddling. Or, just relax on one of the many beaches surrounding the lake (see map here). The choices are seemingly endless!
The Seeley-Swan Valley is anchored by Seeley Lake in the south and Swan Lake in the north. For the next 60 miles driving north on the Glacier Parkway, the scenery takes center stage. Snow-capped mountain peaks, pristine alpine lakes, rivers and streams—the entire area is a postcard come to life!
The crown jewel of the Seeley-Swan Valley—and Northwestern Montana for that matter—is the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, three expansive wilderness areas that together form 1.5 million acres of protected habitat and wild lands, accessible by only trail. The wilderness complex, the third largest in the lower 48 states, is home to grizzly and black bears, lynx, wolverine, deer, elk, gray wolves, moose, mountain lions, mountain goats and sheep, just to name a few. Gazing east, "the Bob", as it is called, spans as far as the eye can see, and it is majestic!
Once at Swan Lake, enjoy 10 miles of beautiful shoreline as the highway parallels the lake. Numerous viewing points and pullouts make for excellent photo opportunities. Several miles beyond the lake, the highway will turn west toward Kalispell Bay and the northern shores of the massive Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi.
(To continue to Kalispell, MT-83 North will intersect with Montana Highway 35 West. Turn right and continue for about 7 miles to Montana Highway 82 West. Exit left and continue toward Kalispell Bay and Somers. Or, for a more direct path to West Glacier, stay on MT-35 to the junction with Montana Highway 206, which will intersect with US Highway 2 East in the Columbia Falls area.)
After crossing the Flathead River and traveling past Kalispell Bay, you’ll come to the junction with US Highway 93 North. Turn right and head for Kalispell, a city of about 25,000 people and the metropolitan center for the region. With its proximity to Flathead Lake, Whitefish and Glacier National Park, the activities and attractions around Kalispell are boundless, making it an excellent place to explore. `But if you are headed for West Glacier and just passing through, a walk through Historic Downtown (self-guided walking map here), a quick stop at a local museum, or a stroll around Woodland Park would be excellent choices for a brief stop.
Back on the road, continue north on US 93 through the vast Flathead Valley toward Whitefish (an excellent side trip destination) to the junction with US Highway 2 East. Turn right and continue for about 25 miles to West Glacier and the western gateway to Glacier National Park—the “Crown of the Continent” —home to two dozen glistening glaciers, over 200 alpine lakes, majestic mountain peaks, and 1,600 square miles of picturesque landscape. GNP is truly a national treasure!
It is said the shortest distance between two points is a straight line, and while that may be true, it doesn’t mean it’s the most enjoyable. Sometimes, taking the route less traveled can make all the difference—enjoy the journey!
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