Just 45 miles south of Missoula and 47 miles north of the Idaho border is where you will find the attractive and fast-growing city of Hamilton. On a vacation to Hamilton Montana, you'll be able to enjoy all that the scenic Bitterroot Valley has to offer, which includes soaring mountains and acre after acre of forested public lands. While exploring the city of Hamilton Montana, you can visit old homes like the Daly Mansion or drop in on the Ravalli County Museum for a look into the area's rich history. Big city touches, a fascinating historical side, and proximity to the great outdoors are just some of the reasons why a vacation to Hamilton Montana is so rewarding.

Marcus Daly, who was an Irish immigrant turned Copper King, founded Hamilton Montana back in 1890. After the city was laid out, Daly decided to build a summer residence in Hamilton. The mansion that Daly built on the banks of the Bitterroot River still stands to this day, and instead of serving as a residence, it is open to the public for tours. A National Historic Site, it is a terrific place to learn about the history that helped to shape the city of Hamilton. The Ravalli County Museum is another excellent place to gain insight into Hamilton's past. Housed inside the old Ravalli County Courthouse, the Ravalli County Museum offers exhibits that include an antique kitchen, a miner and trapper's room, and a Lewis and Clark display. The Lewis and Clark Montana Trail passes by Hamilton, and it was at the nearby Lost Trail Pass that the two famous explorers crossed into Idaho. After learning more about Montana history during your vacation to Hamilton Montana, you might head over to the Ponderosa Art Gallery to check out its collection of sculptures, woodcarvings, and paintings, which center mostly around Native American, Western, and wildlife images.

The beautiful Bitterroot Mountains rise up along the western edge of the Bitterroot Valley, and on its eastern edge, the Sapphire Mountains lie. As such, enjoying a scenic drive is among the top things to do in Hamilton. Whether you rent a car or have your own wheels, cruising along Highway 93 and taking in the breathtaking scenery will help you appreciate the area. Towns like Lolo provide good stopping points when you need to break from your position behind the wheel. You can also make a stop at the Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, which is a great place to do some wildlife viewing. Some working ranches can be found throughout the Bitterroot Valley, and if you're looking for ways to complement the choices when it comes to the Hamilton hotels, you might stay at a dude ranch. Dude ranches, or guest ranches as they are also known, are working ranches that give tourists the option of staying onsite. You can typically enjoy a lot of horseback riding at the Montana dude ranches, which is partly the reason why they are so popular. Hamilton travel offers a lot in the way of diversity when it comes to both attractions and accommodations.

Montana Map

When looking for places to stay in and around Hamilton, you can also check out the area cabins, some of which are quite luxurious. You can also go camping if you please, and the Bitterroot National Forest is among the top places in the region to find campsites. The Bitterroot National Forest, half of which pertains to the largest continuous pristine wilderness in the contiguous United States, not only boasts forested regions, but also big game animals, rugged mountain peaks, and steep canyons. In addition to camping in the Bitterroot National Forest, you can rent a cabin if you prefer a little more in the way of comfort. When building your Hamilton travel itinerary, places like the Bitterroot National Forest can help you build it quickly.

Among the warm weather, outdoor activities that you can enjoy while engaging in Hamilton travel are white water rafting, boating, fishing, hiking, and wildlife viewing. During winter, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are among the favorite things to do in Hamilton Montana. With so much to do both in and around town and out in the open wilderness, a vacation to Hamilton Montana can certainly be a diverse one. No doubt you'll be taking in the savory scenery during your visit, and if you're interested, plane tours that offer a bird's-eye view of the Bitterroot Valley are available. From the air or from the ground, this picturesque part of the state will take your breath away.