Experiences
Referred to as the "Richest Hill on Earth", Butte and the surrounding area are home to some of the richest experiences in the Montana!
Bannack State Park
Bannack State Park is both a state park and ghost town located west of Dillon, Montana and 1.5 hours south of Butte.
The town was founded in 1862 as a gold mine and continued to operate into the 1950's when it was declared a state park. Bannack has over 60 structures still standing, and if you look close enough, you can still see rails from the old mine to the south!
Annually, on the 3rd full Saturday and Sunday of July, the park hosts "Bannack Days", an event that brings Bannack back to its glory days!
World Museum of Mining
Once known as "The Richest Hill on Earth," the World Museum of Mining tells the story of Butte's rich mining history.
The World Museum of Mining is one of the few museums in the world located on an actual mine yard, the Orphan Girl Mine. With fifty exhibit buildings, countless artifacts, and sixty-six primary exhibits in the mine yard, visitors can spend a couple of hours to an entire day lost in the unfolding story.
YellowStone National Park
Just 2 hours south of Butte, those staying for a while can make a day trip to the world's first national park!
Yellowstone is filled with unique wildlife and geology. Sitting on a hotspot, geysers and hot springs occur naturally and color the park in a unique way only nature could!
An Ri Ra
The An Rí Rá Montana Irish Festival is a celebration of the Irish heritage and contribution to the people of Montana. This festival has created its place as a world-class event that draws people from not only Montana, but across the United States and internationally. The An Rí Rá is regarded as one of the best Irish festivals in North America.
Berkeley Pit
The Berkely Pit, started in 1955, was a large truck-operated open-pit copper mine until mining ceased in 1982. By 1980 nearly 1.5 billion tons of material had been removed from the Pit, including more than 290 million tons of copper ore. The pit enabled Butte to claim the title The Richest Hill on Earth.
The pit is 7,000 feet long, 5,600 feet wide and 1,600 feet deep from the high wall on the north side just below the Kelley mine. Present day visitors can view the mine from a platform located above it.
Grand Teton National Park
Rising above a scene rich with extraordinary wildlife, pristine lakes, and alpine terrain, the Teton Range stands as a monument to the people who fought to protect it. These are mountains of the imagination. Mountains that led to the creation of Grand Teton National Park where you can explore over two hundred miles of trails, float the Snake River, and enjoy the serenity of this remarkable place.
Montana Folk Festival
The Montana Folk Festival features performances and demonstrations by over 200 of the nation’s finest musicians, dancers and craftspeople. It showcases multiple performances by more than 20 Artists/groups on six stages including a dance pavilion dedicated to participatory dancing, a family stage with performances appealing to children of all ages, and a Montana folklife stage. In addition to the performance stages, there are several themed festival areas: the Montana Folklife Area, the Family Area, two Festival Marketplaces and the Festival Food Courts.
Glacier National Park
Come and experience Glacier's pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a hiker's paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness and solitude. Relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road. Explore Glacier National Park and discover what awaits you.