8 Best Small Towns To Visit In Montana

Montana is the fourth-largest state in the United States, yet it has fewer than 1.2 million residents spread across more than 147,000 square miles. That wide gap between land and population means many of its communities remain small, but far from quiet in what they offer visitors. Beyond the well-known pull of Yellowstone and Glacier, the towns to visit in Montana in 2025 give travelers a closer look at how history, outdoor access, and local businesses shape daily life.

In the Flathead Valley, Kalispell and Whitefish connect art galleries, breweries, and historic homes with quick access to Flathead Lake and Glacier National Park. Anaconda tells a different story, with its copper-mining roots preserved in landmarks like the 585-foot Smelter Stack. That variety is what makes traveling through these towns in 2025 feel both grounded and memorable.

Big Sky

Big Sky is a walking hamlet where cuisine, art, fresh air, and equipment come together between peaks. There are boutiques, a grocery store, an outdoor gear store, and a Big Sky Resort Store with branded apparel and mementos in the 600-acre town center. Daily hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The 1.6-mile (round-trip) paved and simple Ousel Falls Trail is just a short drive or brisk walk from Town Center. It descends between 240 and 400 feet, passes through three river forks, and finishes in a waterfall with a swimming pool and picnic area below. The path is lined with interpretive signs. All year long, the trail is open. It freezes into icy cascades in the winter; traction gear like Yaktrax are advised.

Soldiers Chapel is a cultural highlight worth visiting outside the center. It was built in 1955 and features enormous glass-stained murals. It is open from May to Labor Day. Local crafts and art can be found in galleries such as Gallatin River Gallery, which features jewelry, sculpture, photography, and artwork created by local artisans.

Anaconda

In the foothills of the Anaconda Range, Anaconda unfolds like an open book of local ingenuity, mountain access, and mining history. About 1.2 miles southeast of the town center is the tall Smelter Stack, which is now a state park with a viewing area and explanatory panels. Constructed in 1918 and standing at around 585 feet, the stack is still the world’s largest free-standing brick masonry building. About five miles west on Highway 1 is the Anaconda Saddle Club, a local treasure. It features an octagonal log clubhouse that was constructed in 1945; the building and the location have a rustic past and serve a community purpose.

Main Street and Commercial Street are the hubs of city life. The old City Hall is now home to the Copper Village Museum and Art, which is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features a gift shop, archives from the Marcus Daly Historical Society, and rotating exhibitions of Western, folk, and modern art. Kennedy Commons, where a seasonal outdoor ice rink opens in front of the Washoe Theater, is the site of community meetings during Anaconda’s winter. You may rent skates nearby at Sven’s Bicycles, and skate laps are free.

Columbia Falls

Columbia Falls holds its own between Glacier National Park and Flathead Lake. River’s Edge Park spans over 20 acres along the Flathead River. It has riverside walking trails, picnic spots, and a stocked pond for kids to fish, perfect for quiet nature time without leaving town. For longer walks or mountain views, the Columbia Mountain Loop Trail begins just outside the town limits. It’s a 5-mile loop with challenging terrain. The payoff is sweeping views of Glacier Park, the Whitefish Range, and the Swan Range.

Thrill seekers can slip into the treetops at Glacier Ziplines, a canopy course with seven lines and valley views. Tours last about two hours over roughly three-quarters of a mile. Locally crafted finds await at The Sapphire Shoppe on 12th Ave W. It showcases real Montana sapphires, agate jewelry, fossils, art, and home decor, excellent for souvenirs or one-of-a-kind gifts.

Whitefish

Whitefish links mountain access with a compact, historic downtown. Trails begin in town and wind outward. The Danny On Trail climbs to the Big Mountain summit. It’s a hiker’s challenge with wildflower meadows, huckleberry patches, and wide valley views. Non-hikers often ride the scenic chairlift for the same views. Around the corner, the Ski Heritage Center Museum of Skiing sits near the Stumptown Ice Den. Its exhibits highlight the 10th Mountain Division, the Hill roaring Cabin interiors, ski pioneers, and upcoming displays of historic ski lift gear.

Year-round entertainment pops up with Stumptown Art Studio, where visitors can drop in for pottery painting or glass fusing. Meanwhile, the Whitefish Winter Carnival runs in early February, with a penguin plunge into Whitefish Lake, a grand parade, skijoring races, and themed performances.

Livingston

Steam and rails give birth to Livingston, 26 miles from Bozeman. Located in a 1902 train station just downtown is the Livingston Depot Center. The seasonal museum is open inside from Memorial Day to Labor Day. One display highlights the Northern Pacific’s contribution to local development and charts the rail’s part in the creation of Yellowstone National Park. Park County history is covered at the Yellowstone Gateway Museum, which is only a block away. Native culture stories, local manuscripts, interactive exhibitions, and a convenient gift store are all available.

Sacajawea Park is located outdoors on the banks of the Yellowstone River. Anglers cast from chairs, kids test the playground, and visitors eat picnics on lush meadows. There are also exciting Fourth Friday Art Walks organized by the Livingston Gallery Association. Galleries welcome guests to socialize and meet artists, stay open late, and serve refreshments. Livingston’s local spirit is claimed by dive bars throughout the nights.

Polson

Under 90 minutes from Missoula, Polson feels vibrant and grounded on the southern shore of Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake in the Western United States. You can rent pontoon boats, kayaks, jet skis, and powerboats from local outfitters like Riverside Recreation to explore the lake. Polson’s lakefront parks are key town spaces. For instance, Boettcher Park is beloved by families for its sandy beach, grills, nearby restrooms, and relaxing views; it is great for paddle board or kayak rentals, too.

Head to Kerr Dam, now Seli’š Ksanka Qlispe’ Dam, for a quiet surprise. A short boardwalk leads to dramatic views of the spillway. Spring snowmelt makes it especially impressive, but the viewing area stays open year-round. Another cornerstop is the Miracle of America Museum. It spotlights hundreds of Americana pieces, vintage motorcycles, military vehicles, jet planes, a 1912 Harley-Davidson, a schoolhouse replica, oddities, like UFO memorabilia and phonographs.

Gardiner

Within a day-trip distance from Billings, Gardiner begins where history and the wild meet. The Roosevelt Arch, constructed from local basalt and standing 52 feet tall, marks the only park entrance open year-round. Its cornerstone was laid by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903, and the phrase “For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People” reads, echoing the spirit of Yellowstone’s founding. A walk down Main Street brings you to Parks’ Fly Shop. Since 1953, it has served anglers with custom flies and guided float or wade trips on the Yellowstone and Gardiner Rivers.

Wellness follows adventure. Yellowstone Hot Springs boasts a large 102 °F mineral pool, alongside a cooler plunge and a hotter soak zone. Meanwhile, the nearby gentle stretch of the Rescue Creek Trail is also a catch. It runs along the Yellowstone River before turning toward Rattlesnake Butte. Hiking out a mile or two and back gives a peaceful escape with river views and low elevation gain, ideal if you prefer short, nature-rich walks.

Kalispell

The Rocky and Swan Mountains provide a magnificent background for Kalispell. One such example is the Conrad Mansion Museum, founded by Kalispell in 1895. More than 90% of the interior of this 13,000-square-foot shingle-style house has been preserved. To learn more about early Kalispell society, visitors can now explore its formal rooms, servant quarters, and gardens. From May through October, Saturday mornings are when the Kalispell Farmers Market is open. Produce, eggs, meats, baked goods, and artisan crafts like jewelry and ceramics are all included, offering a genuine taste of local business in the Flathead Valley.

Lone Pine State Park, with its 7.5 miles of multipurpose trails, is a short ride out. Hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and snowshoers (rentals are $5 per person or $10 per family in winter) may take in views of the valley, meadows, and woodland; it’s also a great place for birdwatchers and anybody looking for a peaceful elevation. Adventurers can also travel six miles southwest to High Country Trails, an 800-acre private ranch offering half-day to 1.5-hour guided horseback rides. They offer picturesque valley vistas and saddle-bag lunches and are available from May to September.

Final Thoughts

Visiting Montana’s smaller towns in 2025 reveals just how different life can feel from one corner of the state to another. In Big Sky, the draw is year-round recreation built around the Gallatin River and resort slopes. Gardiner, by contrast, thrives on its position at Yellowstone’s northern entrance, where rafting guides and wildlife tours shape daily routines. Looking across them together, a clear picture emerges: the best towns to visit in Montana are not copies of one another but complements. Taken as a group, they show the many ways Montana communities sustain themselves while still welcoming visitors.