Dillon, Montana, is a small charming town in Montana’s Beaverhead Valley. The Pioneer Range lies to the west and the Tobacco Root Mountains to the east. Dillion sits near Bannack ghost town, Clark Canyon Reservoir, and Maverick Mountain ski area.
Over 50 historic buildings line Dillon’s main street, symbols of Montana’s formative years, and many museums preserve the town’s history. Read on to learn about eleven of the best things to do in Dillon, Montana, any time of the year.
Table of contents
- Bannack State Park, an iconic ghost town
- Maverick Mountain Ski Area
- Clark’s Lookout
- Lewis and Clark Trail
- Red Rock Lakes Wilderness Area
- Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway
- Clark Canyon Reservoir
- Beaverhead County Museum
- Natural hot springs
- Continental Divide Trail
- Summer events
11 things to do in Dillon, Montana
1. Visit Bannack State Park, an iconic ghost town
Visiting the surrounding ghost towns is one of the best things to do in Dillon, Montana. Dillon, MT, is only a half-hour drive from the historic city of Bannack, Montana’s first gold mine site and one of the most popular ghost towns in Montana. Bannack is well known for its exquisitely preserved buildings.
In 1961, Bannack was declared a National Historic Landmark. Walking among the empty buildings of Bannack is a step back in time, where you can see structures from Montana’s past. You can visit Bannack on your own or with a tour guide.
2. Ski or snowboard at Maverick Mountain
Montana has many ski resorts, including large resorts like Big Sky Ski Resort and smaller ones like Maverick Mountain. Skiing at Maverick Mountain is one of the best things to do while in Dillon, Montana. It’s a quiet ski area in a picturesque area.
Maverick Mountain is located 50 miles (80 km) west of Dillon in the Pioneer Mountains. It’s much smaller than Big Sky, but it offers smaller crowds as well. The peak of Maverick Mountain sits at 8,250 ft (2,510 m) and offers 2,020 ft (616 m) of vertical. One chairlift and one rope tow service twenty-four trails and 425 acres (172 hectares) of territory.
Skiers here enjoy small crowds and views of the Pioneer Mountains. In the evening, experience the geothermal waters of Elk Horn Hot Springs.
3. View the town from Clark’s Lookout
The Lewis and Clark Trail is almost 5,000 feet (1,524 m) long and passes through more than 50 different Tribal nations. The Trail follows the path of William Clark and Meriwether Lewis’ expedition to the Pacific Ocean in the 1800s.
On the edge of Dillon, just above the river, lies Clark’s Lookout State Park. This point was a key stop on the Lewis and Clark Trail. William Clark climbed to this point on August 13, 1805, sketched a map, and took compass readings for the route ahead.
This is easily one of the best things to do in Dillon, Montana. It takes about 30 minutes to walk from downtown Dillon, MT, to the lookout. It takes only 3 minutes to drive there. Once there, you’ll be able to walk Clark’s path to the vantage point and enjoy views of the entire Beaverhead Valley. There’s interpretive signage, a monument in the shape of William Clark’s compass, and a picnicking area.
4. Explore sites along the Lewis and Clark Trail
Other important sites along the Lewis and Clark Trail are located around Dillon. Dillon was one of the last stops before the expedition met one of its largest challenges of the journey: the Rocky Mountains.
The following places were key stops that changed the course of their journey to the Pacific:
- Beaverhead Rock. As the expedition reached the headwaters of the Missouri River, they realized they needed an alternate form of transportation – horses. Sacagawea recognized Beaverhead Rock, realizing that the expedition was near her home tribe, the Shoshone, who might help.
- 20-minute drive north of Dillon on MT-41
- Camp Fortunate. Here, the team met a band of Shoshone natives who sold them much-needed horses. The expedition then crossed the Rocky Mountains at Lemhi Pass on horseback. The exact location of Camp Fortunate is now covered by the waters of the reservoir. A historical marker sits on the shores of the reservoir.
- 20-minute drive south of Dillon on I-15.
From Camp Fortunate, the expedition continued into present-day Idaho, turned north up the Salmon River, returned to Montana near Lolo, turned west over Lolo Pass back into Idaho.
If you’re out in nature in Montana, exploring the L&C trail, always carry bear spray and bear bells.
5. Visit Red Rock Lakes Wildlife Refuge
The Red Rock Lakes Wilderness Area was established in 1935 in Centennial Valley. It is one of the few marshland wilderness areas in the United States. Red Rock Creek flows through it, and the Centennial Mountains sit along its southern edge.
The refuge is a region of untouched wetland, home to over 250 wildlife species, including:
- Sandhill cranes
- Trumpeter swans
- Curlews
- Peregrine falcons
- Eagles
- Hawks
- Owls
- Moose
- Badgers
- Wolves
- Wolverines
- Pronghorns
- Bears.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service oversees refuge wildlife, protecting them from human interference. As a result, there are no formal, maintained walking trails. However, visitors can walk the game trails carved out by moose, deer, and wolves.
Carry bear spray and bear bells when exploring the refuge.
6. Drive the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway
The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway is a country road that traverses through the Pioneer Mountains in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. The route takes you from Wise River through the Pioneer Mountains to Polaris and Dillon.
Quick facts
- Length: 49 miles (79 kilometers)
- Road: Paved
- 4×4: Not needed
- Traffic: Light
- Trailers: Permitted
- Season: Closed during winter
Sites
- 10,000-foot granite peaks
- Forests and meadows
- Wildlife (elk, deer)
- Coolidge Ghost Town
- Crystal Park
- Lacy Creek
- Lupine Picnic Area
- Elkhorn Hot Springs
There is a small restaurant and gift shop in Wise River at the north end of the byway. Otherwise, there are no services along the way. Pack plenty of water and food for the journey.
Other nearby scenic drives include the Big Hole Valley Scenic Drive and the Mt Haggin Scenic Drive.
Read more: 15 most beautiful scenic drives in Montana
7. Boat, hike, picnic, or swim at Clark Canyon Reservoir
One of the best things to do in Dillon, Montana, is to boat, swim, hike, or picnic at Clark Canyon Reservoir. Clark Canyon Reservoir spans over 5,000 acres (2,023 hectares) and features concrete boat ramps, picnic shelters, and beautiful beaches.
8. Discover Dillon’s history at the Beaverhead County Museum
One of the best things to do in Dillon, Montana, is to discover Dillon’s history at the Beaverhead County Museum. The Beaverhead County Museum is in a log building in downtown. The museum features documents, photographs, and other relics from Beaverhead County.
The exhibits include a Lewis and Clark diorama, an authentic homesteader’s cabin, a schoolhouse, agricultural equipment, a natural history exhibit, and a Union Pacific Depot from 1909.
The museum also offers family research services for anyone interested in exploring their family history.
9. Bathe in a natural hot spring
Two natural hot springs are within an hour’s drive of Dillon:
- Jackson Hot Springs. This hot spring resort offers a pool, rooms, a fireplace, shuffleboard, and a restaurant.
- Elkhorn Hot Springs. Elkhorn has been in business since 1918 and features an outdoor pool, indoor wet sauna, restaurant, cabins, and lodge rooms. There is no cell service here, but the lodge supports WiFi calling.
Read also: 23 best hot springs in Montana
10. Hike the Continental Divide Trail
There are plenty of hiking trails near Dillon, Montana, and the Continental Divide Trail is one of the best.
The Continental Divide Trail runs from Canada to Mexico through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. The stretch of trail near Dillon runs along the Idaho-Montana border, about an hour’s drive south of town. For those who love hiking, this is easily one of the best things to do while in Dillon, Montana.
This trail is in grizzly bear habitat. Pack bear spray and bear bells while hiking here.
11. Attend a summer event
One of the funnest things to do in Dillon, Montana, is to attend one of the town’s many summer events, including:
- Art walks. Experience a downtown Dillon art walk. See artists at work in local studios and browse artwork for sale.
- Beaverhead Treasure Hunt. Each year, University of Montana Western (UMS) Glass Arts students create 200 glass stones. The city hides them in local businesses and historic sites for the public to find. The event takes place between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
- Community Yard Sale. This is a community yard sale at Kiwanis Park.
- RatPod. This is a one-day charity event. A group cycles through the Pioneer Mountains to raise money to empower cancer survivors and their families. Pre-registration is required.
- Farmers market. From July 24 to September 16, a Saturday farmers’ market takes place on Washington Street from 9 am to 1 pm.
Find the full list of summer events in Dillon, Montana, at the Visit Dillon website.
