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Dilly Dally in Dillon: The Best & Most Hilarious Things To Do + Places To Visit in Montana’s Hidden Gem

Welcome to Dillon, Montana, a small town under very large ground. Set in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Dillon works for anybody who wants to be outside or who follows history. A ghost town, a hot spring, or a way back into the past, Dillon runs all three.

One of the things people come to Dillon for is the ghost towns. Bannack State Park, a short drive from Dillon, is a well-preserved ghost town that opens Montana’s gold rush era up. The other spot people take is Camp Fortunate, a site on the Lewis and Clark Trail that carries real history and a fair bit of mystery.

If you want time outdoors, Dillon will hold you. From skiing and snowboarding at Maverick Mountain to hiking along the Continental Divide, there is more here than you will get through. And when you are ready to stop, downtown Dillon runs shops, restaurants and galleries to work. So pack your bags and get ready for a trip to Dillon, Montana that stays with you.

Key Takeaways

• Dillon, Montana offers a wide variety of activities for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
• Exploring the town’s many ghost towns is a popular pastime for visitors.
• From skiing and snowboarding to dining and shopping, there’s something for everyone in Dillon.

Spirited Adventures in Ghost Towns

Winter out here is Maverick Mountain, 50 miles west of town, with well over 2000 acres of terrain. Summer out here is the Beaverhead River and the reservoir for all of the fishing on it. The hot springs run whatever the weather is doing outside of them out there. The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway runs a full 49 miles of it through the fall. Bannack.

Looking for something with a chill in it? Dillon, Montana has that covered with its ghost towns. Here are two to work:

Bannack State Park

Bannack State Park earns the stop for anybody who follows history or ghosts. This well-preserved ghost town was once a working gold-mining town in the 1860s. Today it is where people come for the town’s past, which runs deep, and for whatever else is still there.

Take a guided tour of the town and work its past and the ghosts still said to walk its streets. You might even come across the sheriff, Henry Plummer, who was hanged in Bannack in 1864.

Coolidge Ghost Town

Coolidge Ghost Town is the other abandoned mining town worth working. Set a short way from Dillon, this town was once a working community of miners and their families. Today it stands as a reminder of what was here and who lived in it.

Take a self-guided tour of the town and work the abandoned buildings and structures. Keep an eye out for ghosts and anything else, because plenty of visitors have reported things they could not explain.

Ghosts or no ghosts, working these towns is something you will not get elsewhere. So grab your camera, bring the willingness, and get out into the haunted history of Dillon, Montana.

A Dip in the Wild

Looking for a way to stop and let the week go? Take a dip in one of Montana’s natural hot springs. The tension comes out of you as you sit in the mineral water. Here are two hot springs not to miss:

Elkhorn Hot Springs

Set in the mountains near Dillon, Elkhorn Hot Springs is a rough-and-ready place that works for a day trip or a weekend. The hot springs have real country around them, with a running creek and tall pine trees. There are several pools to choose from, running from 90 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also stay the night in one of the cabins or campsites.

Jackson Hot Springs

If you want the smarter version, head to Jackson Hot Springs. This resort runs a large indoor pool, an outdoor hot tub and private soaking rooms. The water comes from a natural spring and is said to do you good. And while you are there, you can take a massage or another spa treatment.

Whichever hot springs you take, bring plenty of water, sunscreen and a towel. And check the hours and what it costs before you go. Happy soaking.

Hook, Line, and Sinker

If you fish, Dillon, Montana is where to be. With rivers, streams and reservoirs on every side, you will not run out of places to cast. Here are two spots for anybody who fishes in Dillon:

Beaverhead River

The Beaverhead River is what people take for trout, and with reason. It holds some of the biggest brown and rainbow trout in the state, so you will land something. And the country around it does its own work, with the river running the valley and the mountains standing over it.

If you are new to fishing, do not worry. There are plenty of guides and outfitters in the area who will get you started. Or, if you know what you are doing, wade in and start casting. Just bring your waders and a good pair of polarized sunglasses so you can see the fish.

Clark Canyon Reservoir

If you want a change from river fishing, head over to Clark Canyon Reservoir. This man-made lake is stocked with rainbow trout, and it works for fly and spin fishing both. And the country holds up, with the reservoir ringed by mountains and grassy hillsides.

There are plenty of access points around the reservoir, so you can find a spot with nobody else on it. And if you time it, you may see the local wildlife, deer or bald eagles.

Experienced angler or just starting, the Beaverhead River and Clark Canyon Reservoir are the two spots not to miss in Dillon. So grab your rod and reel and take a day of fishing with some of the strongest country in Montana around you.

Where the Wild Things Are

If you want something genuinely wild in Dillon, Montana, this is it. The area holds wildlife in numbers, from elk to grizzly bears. Here are a couple of places not to miss if you want to get close to some of Montana’s animals.

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest

The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is a wilderness area covering over 3 million acres of southwestern Montana. It holds a broad range of wildlife, moose, deer and elk among them. And if you time it, you may see a grizzly bear or a pack of wolves.

There is plenty of wildlife viewing in the forest, whether you walk one of the trails or drive one of the scenic byways. Keep your eyes down for signs, tracks or scat, and bring a good pair of binoculars or a camera with a long lens.

Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge

The Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge earns the stop for anybody who follows wildlife. A short drive from Dillon, this 45,000-acre refuge holds a broad range of animals, grizzly bears, moose and trumpeter swans among them.

One of the strongest ways to take the refuge is a guided wildlife tour. These tours are led by naturalists who know the ground and will help you find and name what is out there. You can also work the refuge on your own by walking one of the trails or paddling a canoe or kayak on one of the lakes.

However you work the wild ground around Dillon, Montana, it will stay with you. Just respect the wildlife and their ground by keeping your distance and following the posted rules.

Step Back in Time

Looking for a way back into the past? Dillon, Montana has that covered. Here are two places to take that will open up the history of Beaverhead County, which runs deep.

Beaverhead County Museum

If you follow history, you cannot miss the Beaverhead County Museum. This museum holds a deep collection of artifacts telling the story of the county’s past. From Native American artifacts to mining equipment, it is all in there.

The museum sits in a historic building that was built in 1881 and was originally used as a bank. The building itself is part of the story and earns the walk.

Lewis and Clark Expedition

Did you know that Lewis and Clark came through Beaverhead County on their expedition? You can retrace their steps and work their journey at sites along the Lewis and Clark Trail.

One of the strongest sites is Clark’s Lookout State Park. This park opens the whole area out around you and was used by William Clark as a lookout during the expedition. You can walk to the top of the lookout and stand where he stood reading the land.

The other site to take is the Beaverhead County Museum. The museum runs a section on Lewis and Clark and their expedition. You get artifacts out of the expedition, maps and journals among them, and what they were up against on the way.

So put your explorer hat on and take a trip back through Dillon, Montana.

Bannack State Park sits a short drive out of town and Coolidge is further out again. Elkhorn Hot Springs is up in the mountains near the town itself. The Beaverhead River runs straight through the whole of the valley. Clark Canyon Reservoir is south and the Red Rock Lakes is further south again. And Clark’s Lookout State Park sits just outside the town itself out there.

Outdoor Thrills

Are you ready to be outside? Dillon is where to do it. With the country it has and the range of things to do outdoors, you will not run out. Here are two outdoor runs not to miss.

Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway

If you follow scenic drives, the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway earns the day. This 49-mile stretch of road runs through some of the biggest country in Montana. You drive through forest, over rolling hills and under real peaks. And bring your camera, because you will be stopping.

Maverick Mountain

Do you ski or snowboard? Maverick Mountain is the answer. This ski resort sits 50 miles west of Dillon in the Pioneer Mountains. It is much smaller than Big Sky, which means fewer people and a quieter mountain. With over 2000 acres of skiable terrain, you will have room to work. And check the ski school if you are starting out or want to sharpen up.

So a drive worth taking or winter sports, Dillon covers both. Get ready for time outdoors that stays with you.

Downtown Dillon Delights

If you want somewhere with life in it in Dillon, Montana, the downtown is the answer. This part of town runs plenty to do and see, from the local university to the visitor center. Here are the parts not to miss:

University of Montana Western

If you follow higher education, take the University of Montana Western. This school is known for its block scheduling, which lets students work one class at a time over a stretch of weeks. But even if you are not a student, there is plenty on campus. Walk the grounds, take a sporting event, or take a show at the Performing Arts Center. And you may run into the school’s mascot, Willie the Bulldog.

Dillon Visitor Center

When you are ready to work the rest of downtown Dillon, head over to the Dillon Visitor Center. This place is staffed by locals who know the ground and will tell you what is actually worth doing. Pick up a map, get recommendations for restaurants and shops, and work out what is coming up. And the center runs brochures and souvenirs to carry the trip home.

And when you have had enough sightseeing, stop by the local brewery for a pint. With its easy room and the people running it, it is where to sit down and take the local pace. Cheers to a strong few days in Dillon.

Just Keep Swimming

Montana may not be the first place you think of for water sports, but Dillon runs plenty that will keep you cool through the summer. Here are some places to check:

Beaverhead Adventures

Looking for a way to work the Beaverhead River you will not get elsewhere? Beaverhead Adventures is the answer. This local company runs guided float trips, kayak rentals, and even stand-up paddleboard yoga. Seasoned paddler or first time on the water, Beaverhead Adventures covers both.

Clark’s Lookout State Park

If you want somewhere to swim and cool off, Clark’s Lookout State Park is the spot. This park sits just outside Dillon and runs a swimming area, picnic tables and plenty of shade. And it opens the Beaverhead Valley and the mountains out around you.

Whichever water activity you take, bring plenty of sunscreen and a sense of humour. Falling off a paddleboard or getting stuck in a kayak is genuinely funny, as long as nobody is hurt. So grab your swimsuit, bring the willingness, and get out on the water in Dillon, Montana.

Sleep Under the Stars

Montana is known for the size of its country, and the strongest way to take that is to sleep out in it. Dillon runs a range of options for camping and stargazing, so pack your sleeping bag and go.

Camp Fortunate

If you want camping you will not get elsewhere, head to Camp Fortunate. This historic site is where Lewis and Clark met the Shoshone Indians and bought horses for the journey west. Today you can camp on the same ground and look up at the same stars they saw over 200 years ago. Just bring your own supplies, because there are no amenities out there.

Continental Divide Trail

For anybody wanting it harder, the Continental Divide Trail runs hiking and camping under the stars. The trail comes through Dillon and opens the mountains out around you. There are plenty of campgrounds along the way, but check availability and book ahead.

Wherever you camp, bring warm clothes and plenty to eat. And look up at the stars, because you never know what will come over.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to spend a day outside of Dillon?

You cannot go wrong with a trip to Bannack State Park. It works for hiking, for eating outdoors, and for the old ghost town. If you want a run at something, rent a 4×4 and work the backcountry roads. Just pack snacks and a sense of humour. You never know what wildlife or what obstacle turns up.

Can you find any hidden gems in Dillon that tourists often miss?

Yes. One of ours is the Clark’s Lookout State Park. It is a short drive from Dillon and opens the whole area out around you. The other one is the Beaverhead County Museum. It is where to work the history of the area and see some artifacts worth the time.

What’s the most interesting thing to see at the Beaverhead County Museum?

There is so much in that museum that picking one is hard. But if we had to, the exhibit on the Lewis and Clark Expedition takes it. What they were up against and the distance they covered still lands when you stand in front of it.

Is it worth taking a trip to see Crystal Park in Dillon?

Yes. Crystal Park is somewhere you will not find twice. You can hunt for crystals, work the hiking trails, and take the country while you are at it. Just bring plenty of water, sunscreen and the willingness.

What’s the most unique thing about Clark Canyon Reservoir?

One of the strongest things about Clark Canyon Reservoir is the fishing. If you fish with a pole, this is the place. The reservoir is stocked with rainbow trout, brown trout and kokanee salmon. And if you time it, you may land something worth photographing.

Can you share any funny stories about visiting Dillon, Montana?

We once watched a group of visitors trying to take a selfie with a herd of cows. It did not go well. The cows were not interested, and one of the visitors got closer than was wise. The lesson is to respect the wildlife, even when it is only a cow.

Frequently asked questions about Dillon, Montana

What exactly is at the Bannack state park near Dillon, then, really now, in the end?

A preserved ghost town that was a gold-mining town right back in the whole 1860s. You can take a guided tour out there and work the town’s past and all its ghosts. Henry Plummer, the sheriff of that town, was hanged in Bannack right back in 1864. Coolidge.

What fish exactly are in the Beaverhead river at Dillon, then, really now, in the end?

Brown and rainbow trout, and some of the biggest of both of them anywhere in the state. There are guides and outfitters in the area if you have never done any of it. Bring the waders and a good pair of polarized sunglasses so you can actually see them. Reservoir.

What exactly is in the Beaverhead County museum at Dillon, then, really now, in the end?

Artifacts running from the Native American work right the way through to the old mining equipment. The building itself went up back in 1881 and it was originally used as a bank. There is a whole section on Lewis and Clark in there, with the maps and the journals. Free.

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