Montana's Backroad to Yellowstone
Open space and wildlife. Cowboy towns, fly-fishing, and great food. Things to do and places to stay. Roll down US Highway 287 on Montana's Backroad to Yellowstone!
You have discovered the Backroad to Yellowstone in southwest Montana where there are so many things to do! Take your vacation in a new direction through the Madison Valley and find unspoiled landscapes, untamed wilderness, pristine lakes and abundant wildlife. Learn the story of Quake Lake and the geology of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Visit Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park for a 2-mile hike and tour of the caverns. Stop for a picnic at one of several fishing access sites along the clear, rushing Madison River. Camp, hike or ride horseback in the quiet of the non-motorized section of the Beaverhead National Forest. Fish, raft, kayak and swim in the warm months. Or come for winter and snowshoe or cross-country ski through some of the most peaceful forests in Montana – followed by a soak in the Norris Hot Springs while you listen to live folk music.
Ennis is a year-round western town in the heart of the Madison Valley with unique shops and galleries, delicious restaurants and distinctive lodging – all one-of-a-kind and owned by the folks greeting you on your arrival. Explore our Main Street and take a sip at a local distillery. Belly up for a brew at a cowboy bar with a hitching post. Shop for wholesale silver jewelry, western boots, fishing and hunting gear and locally sourced gifts. As you wander, pick up a guide and take in the outdoor art walk. Dine upscalewith fine wines, have a piece of home-made pie or try a fresh scone with a local latte. Any time of day there are great spots to satisfy the foodie in you. And when you are ready for a great night’s sleep, choose from budget friendly motels, a remote retreat or complete your Montana immersion with a stay in a fishing cabin or fishing lodge with all the modern comforts.
More things to do? Well, of course. Events – lots of them! Most famous is the 3rd and 4th of July parade and rodeo in Ennis, but also the Art Festival, the Brew Fest, the Ennis-on-the-Madison Fly-fishing Festival and Hunters’ Feed for starters. What else? How about golf course at 5000’ for long drives, a first-run movie theatre and a bowling alley? Ennis offers the traveler all the services you need to keep your vacation on track, but there is still more to explore.
Historic towns are tucked in the mountains between the Madison and Ruby valleys are the living and past reminders of the wild-west days of gold fever. Virginia City lives on as you walk the boardwalk and peer into the windows of the past –literally. Nevada City boasts a Nickelodeon museum with dozens of music machines and a walking tour of authentic western buildings, including a two-story outhouse! Ghost towns and the ghosts of the past are everywhere. At night there are even more things to do! The Brewery Follies and the Virginia City Players entertain with vaudeville, plays, song and dance. Events in Virginia City include the Victorian Balls, a motorless parade and historic stagecoach tours of the town and Boot Hill. In Nevada City, live reenactments of the days of vigilante justice play out giving travelers a glimpse of frontier justice and the true wild west.
Exploring the Backroad to Yellowstone along US Hwy 287 will take you out of your routine and give you a chance to take in a big slice of all that Montana has to offer. There are things to do, places to eat and stay and sights to see. Take your time, breath deep and leave refreshed!
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