Dillon Region

Big Hole National Battlefield
Northwest of Dillon near Wisdom, an interpretive center and historic trails tell the vivid story of the 1877 battle between five bands of the Nez Perce and Colonel John Gibbon's troops (406-689-3155).

Bannack State Park
West of Dillon on Hwy. 278, this ghost town was the site of Montana's first big gold strike and once served as Montana's territorial capital. It was also the home of notorious sheriff Henry Plummer. Walking tour. Open year round (406-834-3413).

Beaverhead County Museum
Indoor and outdoor exhibits include early mining and ranching exhibits, Indian artifacts and natural history. Also see the one room school house and a branded boardwalk (406-683-5027).

Historical Walking Tour
Take a look at turn of the century architec-ture on homes and buildings dating from Montana's gold rush era.

Lewis and Clark Trail Sites
Several locations of interest to Lewis & Clark followers are in the Dillon area including Camp Fortunate Overlook near Clark Canyon Dam, Beaverhead Rock north of Dillon and Clark's Lookout.

NEE-MEE-POO
The Nez Perce National Historic Trail is a 1,170 mile trail that follows the route of Chief Joseph's bands, including the battlefield site in the Big Hole Valley.

Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway
Beginning at Elkhorn Hot Springs north-west of Dillon, this scenic route runs through national forest land to Wise River with excellent views of the Pioneer Mountains, camping and hiking opportu-nities and a ghost town at the abandoned settlement of Coolidge.

Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
These remote lakes 26 miles east of Monida are a nesting area for the endan-gered trumpeter swan, and home to many species of wildlife. There is also a museum and walk through.

Clark Canyon Reservoir
Many fishing access sites and a park that provides areas for boating, picnicking and camping, 20 miles south of Dillon.

Beaverhead River
A blue-ribbon trout stream that's a favorite for expert fly-fishermen flows right through Dillon.

Crystal Park
Search for smoky crystals in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest 26 miles from Wise River on the Pioneer Scenic Byway.

Cattail Marsh Nature Trail
Near Clark Canyon Dam south of Dillon; drive over the dam and turn right at the fishing access sign.

Visitor Information Center
Stop at the old Union Pacific Railroad Depot for statewide visitor information and a look at a restored Lewis and Clark diorama (406-683-5511).

WMC Art Gallery
The Seidensticker Wildlife Collection is a featured exhibit at the gallery on the campus of Western Montana College. Seasonal hours of operation, please call in advance (406-683-7126).

Elkhorn Hot Springs
North of Polaris, 43 miles from Dillon on the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway, take a soak in the mineral waters (406-834-3434).

© 2005 Gold West Country and Tempest Technologies, LLC. Site designed by Tempest Technologies, LLC.