Header image: Warren LeMay – CC BY 2.0
What is in Cut Bank, Montana?
Some of the most popular things to do in Cut Bank, Montana include:
- Events and festivals (such as Shakespeare in the Park)
- Glacier County Historical Museum
- Lewis & Clark Trail historical sites (Camp Disappointment, Cut Bank Camp, and more)
- Walking trails
- Street murals
- Farmers market
- Restaurants
And much more. While this is a small town, you won’t be short of fun things to do while you’re here.
Read on for a detailed list of the top 15 things to do in Cut Bank, Montana.
What is Cut Bank Montana known for?
Cut Bank, Montana is known for guided fishing trips, birding, camping, a beautiful golf course, several good restaurants, and fun events, like Shakespeare in the Park.
It’s also near the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and Glacier National Park, serving as a convenient stop-off point for those traveling to Glacier from the north or northeast of Montana.
15 Best things to do in Cut Bank, Montana
Skip to:
- Walk local hiking trails
- Visit Glacier County Historical Museum
- See Camp Disappointment
- Attend a local event
- Go camping
- Play a round of golf
- Visit City Park
- Visit the cinema
- Go shopping
- View downtown’s street murals
- Visit the farmer’s market
- Try the local cuisine
- Explore the Blackfeet Indian Reservation on the Blackfeet Trail Tour
- Relax on Lake Francis
- Day trips from Cut Bank
1. Walk local hiking trails
Take in the natural beauty of Cut Bank and go for a hike! There are plenty of trails to explore on the Cut Bank Trail System.
Of the three completed sections of the Cut Bank Trail System, the most popular one is the two-mile Coulee Trail, which sits just south of town on Cut Bank Creek Coulee. The trailhead is located at the Lookout Road and Mountain View Boulevard intersection.
The trail system is close to town and gives you quick access to the beautiful surrounding nature with breathtaking views. You might even see some wildlife along the way!
Note: Seeing wildlife in Montana is common. While this is a moving experience, the wildness of these creatures should be respected. Keep a safe distance from bears, moose, and other wildlife while hiking or driving in Montana.
Always keep bear bells and bear spray with you.
2. Visit Glacier County Historical Museum
One of the best things to do in Cut Bank, Montana, is to visit the 14-acre Glacier County Historical Museum, which takes you back in time to the frontier life of the region.
Its exhibits include a 1917 schoolhouse, caboose, oil worker’s house, homestead replica, Lewis and Clark exhibits, and info on the local Blackfeet Tribe.
If you’re lucky enough to visit on a weekend, you’ll be able to speak with the costumed characters from the time (1915), who help you understand frontier life around Cut Bank.
3. See Camp Disappointment
One of the best things to do in Cut Bank, Montana, is to visit a key point along the Lewis & Clark Trail just outside of town – Camp Disappointment.
During his return journey from the Pacific, Lewis traveled to the headwaters of the Marias River to check if it reached past the 49th parallel, which would expand the northern boundary of the Louisiana Purchase.
Upon reaching their destination on July 22, 1806, Lewis and his team’s hopes were shattered. They faced bad weather for days, left, and on the way back found themselves in a devastating encounter with a group of Blackfeet natives.
How to get there:
Camp Disappointment is located two miles northeast of Browning on private property on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. You need permission to enter and a 4-wheel drive vehicle to get there.
However, a monument erected by the Great Northern Railroad in 1925 lies about four miles south of the actual campsite near milepost 233 on US Highway 2, about 20 minutes west of Cut Bank by car.
4. Attend a local event
Cut Bank, MT is home to several events throughout the year, including the Parade of Lights, Holiday Bazaar, and Business Appreciation Days.
Shakespeare in the Park also stops at Cut Bank City Park every summer, which is a real highlight. Though you aren’t guaranteed to see a Shakespeare classic.
The Lewis and Clark Festival is another local favorite, which features live music, a parade, sports events, contests, a flag ceremony, and more. Montana Fun Weekend is another exciting event that features a car show, bike show, airplane fly-in, drag races, and more.
Check the Cut Bank Chamber website for a complete list of events. There’s sure to be something for everyone to enjoy!
5. Go camping near Cut Bank, Montana
If you love spending time outdoors, then you’ll definitely want to go camping while you’re in Cut Bank. Camping is easily one of the best things to do near Cut Bank!
Cut Bank features two RV parks right in town, while the other nearest campgrounds are within an hour’s drive.
Cut Bank, Montana Campgrounds:
- Glacier Mist RV Park
- Sunset RV Park
Campgrounds within an hour’s drive of Cut Bank:
- Duck Lake Campground (Babb)
- Red Eagle Campground (East Glacier Park Village)
- Sleeping Wolf Campground (Browning)
6. Play a round of golf
Test your skills at the 9-hole Cut Bank Golf and Country Club.
7. Visit City Park
One of the best things to do in Cut Bank, Montana is to visit the local city park, called City Park.
At City Park, you can picnic, go for a walk, jog, or play some games with friends. However, we recommend leaving the park once it gets dark.
8. Visit the cinema
When was the last time you went to the cinema?
One of the best things to do in Cut Bank, Montana, is to visit Glacier Cinemas for a night of popcorn and a movie. They’re sure to be playing the latest blockbusters, plus a few other interesting showings.
9. Go shopping
Cut Bank, Montana has many unique shops for you to explore, from antique stores to local boutiques. You’re sure to find something special to take home with you!
Stores in Cut Bank, Montana:
- The Garage Sale Store. A local retailer with trendy women’s youth apparel on Main St.
- Marketplace on Main. A cozy and very inviting gift shop on Main St.
- Rose Petal Floral, Cafe, & Supplies. Floral, gift shop, and cafe – a perfect combination.
- Northern Village Shopping Center. The local shopping mall offering a variety of goods.
10. View downtown’s street murals
One of the best things to do in Cut Bank, Montana, is to take a stroll through downtown to view the local murals.
The murals reflect the natural environment, culture, and key historical moments from this area, depicting former homesteads, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the local ranching industry, and Native American culture.
11. Visit the farmer’s market
One of the best things to do in Cut Bank, Montana, is to visit the local farmer’s market. The local Montana Hutterites are staples here, selling their fresh eggs and other goods from their farms.
Other items available here include Made in Montana gifts, fresh baked goods, local produce, flowers, woodworking crafts, and artisan crafts.
The Cut Bank farmer’s market runs Wednesdays from 3 to 6 p.m. (from around June to October) at Cut Bank City Park.
12. Try the local cuisine
Here are some of the top restaurants in Cut Bank, Montana:
- Water to Wine Steakhouse & Terrace. Typical American cuisine with some Mexican dishes.
- Village Dining & Lounge. A classic American diner with a great ambiance and top customer service offering standard American cuisine.
- Garden of Eat-in. An excellent lunch spot with typical dishes, such as sandwiches, polar dips, poutine, and more, known for their large portions.
13. Explore the Blackfeet Indian Reservation on the Blackfeet Trail Tour
The Blackfeet Trail Tour winds through the Blackfeet Reservation, consisting of 28 stops that offer a glimpse into the tribe’s history and culture.
This is a ruggedly beautiful area where the plains meet the Rocky Mountains. Visitors can easily imagine what this landscape looked like centuries ago.
A notable stop is the Old North trail, which dates back nearly 10,000 years. Its exact purpose remains unknown, with some speculation that it once crossed the Bering Land Bridge, serving as a route for settlers traveling to the Americas from Siberia.
Other stops include important points along the Lewis & Clark trail and much more. It takes one day to complete the route by car.
Read more about the tour and download a tour map at the official Crown of the Continent website.
14. Relax on Lake Francis
Lake Frances is a popular destination year-round. The lake sits in the middle of the prairie with the Sawtooth Range in the backdrop.
In the summer, popular activities include windsurfing, jet skiing, boating, fishing, and swimming. In the winter, snow falls on the ice-covered lake, creating ideal conditions for ice fishing, tubing, skating, and snowmobiling.
Lake Frances lies about 30 minutes southeast of Cut Bank, near the town of Valier. It’s easily one of the best things to do near Cut Bank, Montana.
15. Day trips from Cut Bank
If you’re looking for a change of pace, then consider visiting one of the charming towns not far from Cut Bank.
Cut Bank is near some of the best places to visit in Montana, such as East Glacier Park Village and Shelby.
Towns nearby Cut Bank that make a great day trip include:
- Shelby. A small town. While there’s not a lot to do here, the people are friendly and the environment is charming with small businesses, parks, an old-fashioned carousel, fairgrounds, and an Amtrak station.
- Browning. Headquarters of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and home of the Museum of the Plains Indian.
- East Glacier Park Village. Gateway to Glacier National Park, with stunning scenery and comfortable lodging.
- Devon. The first prairie ghost town. A plains country town on the Great Northern Railway.
- Sunburst. The name comes from the dramatic sunrise over the Sweetgrass Hills that illuminates the local fields.
Explore all that these cities have to offer and return to the peace and quiet of Cut Bank after a day of adventure.
Is Cut Bank, Montana a good place to live?
Cut Bank, Montana has one of the highest crime rates per capita of all cities and towns in Montana. Still, Cut Bank is a nice place to live. It features a tight-knit community, a great school system, and some nice shopping and entertainment options.
Learn more about life in Cut Bank in our article: Is Cut Bank, Montana a good place to live?
Is Cut Bank, Montana the coldest spot in the nation?
While Cut Bank, Montana dons the nickname, “Coldest Spot in the Nation”, which is printed on a giant penguin statue at the entrance to town, Cut Bank is not the coldest spot in the United States.
However, Glacier County (where Cut Bank is located) experiences frigid temperatures in winter, averaging lows of 15°F (-9°C).
Learn the history of the penguin statue and find out how Cut Bank got this nickname in our article: Is Cut Bank, Montana the coldest spot in the nation?
