BUTTE AREA
BUTTE AREA
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AN RÍ RÁ IRISH FESTIVAL This festival takes place in August in historic uptown Butte. Entertainment includes music by sensational Irish and international performers as well as Irish history, archival photos, author lectures, film festival, children’s activities, genealogy, music and dance workshops, food, vendors and an outdoor Gaelic Mass. All events are free to the public. www.mtgaelic.org
COPPERWAY TRAILS This network of non-motorized urban trails connects to surrounding open spaces utilizing many of Butte’s railroad and stream corridors such as the Butte, Anaconda and Pacific Railroad (BA&P) corridor, Blacktail Creek and Silver Bow Creek Greenway Trails. 406.723.3177, www.co.silverbow.mt.us/454/TrailsOutdoor-Recreation
EVEL KNIEVEL DAYS The last weekend in July is dedicated to Butte’s own Evel Knievel, the world’s greatest daredevil. Weekend events include feats and stunts by some of today’s greatest stuntmen and daredevils. All events are held in historic uptown Butte and are free to the public.
LEWIS & CLARK CAVERNS STATE PARK Off I-90 east of Cardwell, Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park offers yearround cabin rentals, camping and picnicking. Daily guided tours May through September in the lighted caves are also available with candlelight tours starting in December. 406.287.3541,
www.evelknieveldays.org
www.stateparks.mt.gov/lewis-and-clark-caverns
LEXINGTON STAMP MILL AND GARDENS Located in historic uptown Butte, the Lexington was one of the early stamp mills that crushed the ore for smelting and is now surrounded by beautiful gardens. 406.723.3177, www.buttecvb.com
WHITETAIL-PIPESTONE MOTORIZED RECREATION AREA A popular riding and driving area between Butte, Whitehall and Boulder, the area provides a variety of motorized opportunities for motorcycles, ATVs and 4x4s. Trailheads are located north of I-90 at Homestake Pass and Pipestone exits east of Butte. 406.494.2147, 406.533.7600
OTHER CULTURE Other activities include art walks, a visit to the Silver Bow Twin Drive-In Theater, and the Freedom Festival/4th of July and St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. RECREATION BEAVERHEAD-DEERLODGE NATIONAL FOREST Montana’s largest national forest covers 3.35 million acres offering camping, hiking, mountain biking, fishing and other recreation opportunities as well as crosscountry skiing and snowmobiling in the winter. 406.494.2147, www.fs.usda.gov/bdnf THOMPSON PARK Thompson Park is a 3,500-acre municipal recreation area located 9 miles south of Butte on Montana Highway 2 with over 25 miles of non-motorized trails for hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. It includes a portion of the Milwaukee Railroad (now a trail) where you travel through two tunnels and a trestle that provides access to all trails, including the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail at Pipestone Pass. There are several trailheads and picnic areas that provide loop trail opportunities. 406.494.2147, 406.497.6571
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CONTINENTAL DIVIDE NATIONAL SCENIC TRAIL Butte is one of the closest cities to the trail with access to over 150 miles of trail within 30 minutes of Butte. Explore sections for a day or several days that cover areas that highlight Butte’s mining history, Boulder Batholith geology and great vistas; plus, escape from urban areas in just minutes. All segments are open to hiking, horseback riding and biking. Some sections are open to motorized vehicles south of Butte. 406.494.2147, www.visitmt.com/places-to-go/ convention-and-visitor-bureaus/butte/butte-trailmaps.html
SHEEPSHEAD RECREATION AREA Just 15 miles north of Butte, this spot is a popular day-use area for fishing at Maney Lake with two pavilions and picnic sites and an interpretative trail at Freedom Point. 406.494.2147 CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING HOMESTAKE LODGE Located beneath the Continental Divide just 3 miles from I-90 and 15 minutes from Butte, this is a fabulous setting with 37 kilometers of trails through gently rolling terrain of meadows, evergreens, aspens and beaver ponds. Incredible granite cliffs and rock croppings frame the trails. www.homestakelodge.com
MOUNT HAGGIN TRAILS These trails are located on Mill Creek Highway (Montana Highway 569) 11 miles south of Montana Highway 1 near Anaconda. Discover nearly 28 kilometers of groomed cross-country ski trails maintained by volunteers in cooperation with the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks. www.milehighnordic.org OTHER RECREATION Southwest Montana is a haven for outdoor recreation. From golfing to mountain biking, snowmobiling to hunting, and hiking and camping to bird-watching and skiing, your craving for adventure, relaxation and fun is satisfied here in our mountains, trails, greens and rivers. GEOLOGICAL FEATURES Geologic features in the area provide interest for all ages. The Bureau of Land Management manages Ringing Rocks east of Butte, which chime when tapped lightly with a hammer. Humbug Spires south of Butte offers rock climbing and hiking. Crystal Park is a favorite for crystal digging and is located on the Pioneer Scenic Byway. Some of the best blue-ribbon trout streams and rivers are within 10 minutes of Butte. 406.533.7600, 406.494.2147, www.fs.usda.gov/bdnf
RINGING ROCKS The Bureau of Land Management manages Ringing Rocks, a unique geologic feature approximately 18 miles east of Butte. The rocks in this area chime when tapped lightly with a hammer—a geologic phenomenon which can be found in only two locations in the U.S.: here and in Pennsylvania. A high-clearance vehicle is necessary to travel along this route. 406.533.7600, www.blm.gov/visit/search-details/261723/1
NEARBY COMMUNITIES BASIN Basin is a mining community home to several historic buildings and radon mines used for their claimed health benefits and is also a haven for musicians and artists. www.southwestmt.com/communities/basin.htm
WHITEHALL In the Jefferson River Valley, Whitehall is a good base for fishing and hunting. It has a nice city park and a historical museum. Be sure to check out the Lewis and Clark Murals. 406.287.2260, www.townofwhitehall.org