Helena, Montana

Helena, the capital city of Montana is just a short few hours drive from Bozeman. To get to Helena from Bozeman, take I-90 west and turn north either on HWY. 287 at Three Forks, or on I-15 a little further down the road in Butte. You can also turn north on MT 69 at Whitehall, which meets up with I-15 in Boulder. For those who prefer to fly, Helena has a small regional airport that is 2.5 miles from the city center. With consistently stable weather and modern facilities, Helena Regional Airport is the most reliable departure/arrival point in Montana.

Helena was first populated by nomadic Native American tribes as early as 12,000 years ago. The Blackfeet, Salish, Crow, and Bannock tribes were all known to pass through this "transitional zone" which was never a permanent home for any single Native American tribe. Later, in the 1800s, fur trappers and gold miners settled in the region. When the gold ran out, Helena almost became a ghost town. It_s centralized location saved it however, turning Helena into a crucial redistribution hub, and then into the territorial banking center. Once Helena became the capital city of Montana in 1875, Helena became the political center of the state as well.

Today Helena is a successful town that focuses on politics, education, culture, and recreation. Situated adjacent to the Rocky Mountains, Helena offers a plethora of outdoor activities. Bring your hiking boots to hike on the Continental Divide Trail, or through the Blackfoot Meadows. You can also hike up Mount Helena that overlooks town from 5,460 feet. Keeps your eyes open to wildlife such as river otters, elk, mink, and bighorn sheep. Biking and camping options are also just as spectacular.

If water sports are your true passion, you_ll find Helena's 4 lakes entertaining. Hauser, Helena, Holter, and Canyon Ferry Lakes all offer the best in boating, fly-fishing, canoeing, windsurfing, and swimming. You won't want to forget your fishing rod--sections of the Missouri River just below the Hauser Dam are known to bring in brown trout weighing over 15 lbs. Helena lakes also bear one of the biggest populations of genetically pure westslope cutthroat trout. Boat tours that follow the same route that Lewis and Clark took in the early 1800s are also available and will make you as if you were back in the Old West.

Another unique activity found in Helena is the opportunity to hunt for gold and sapphires in the same fashion as the early settlers. Official mining companies will take you out to streams and retail mines to help you strike it rich. If you find yourself unlucky, you are not alone--Helena is full or ghost town remnants left behind by people who gave up on their get-rich-quick schemes long ago. They are also worth exploring.

Helena also offers festivals of different varieties at different times of the year. Summers bring rodeos and jazz performances, while the winters bring Dog-sled races and micro-brew festivals. Whatever season you visit, you_ll find that culture is alive in Helena, Montana.

Other Online Resources

  • Whitefish Montana
    Community and travel information for Whitefish Montana, just outside of Glacier National Park.

    • Something not quite right? .