Fishtail

You might miss it if you blink, but Fishtail delivers far more than meets the eye. Located along the scenic Absarokee Loop between Billings and Bozeman, this farming and ranching community is a launchpad for hiking, fishing, camping and exploring the Beartooth Mountains. With Rosebud Isle access nearby and guest ranches dotting the countryside, Fishtail has long been a quiet favorite for outdoor adventurers. Nearby West Rosebud Lake and Emerald Lake offer stunning alpine scenery and recreation, while the West Rosebud Trailhead provides access to some of the most iconic backcountry routes in the Beartooths.

At the heart of town is the historic Fishtail General Store. Built in 1900, it’s the oldest continuously operating general store in Montana, selling everything from fishing licenses to antiques, camping gear to handmade soaps. Locals swear by the store’s house-made sausage, crafted in the original meat market section, while the cinnamon rolls from the Fishtail Grind coffee counter, located inside the store, have earned a reputation of their own. If you’re lucky, they’ll still be warm when you walk in.

Just outside of town, Tippet Rise Art Center spans more than 10,000 acres of working ranchland and features an extraordinary collection of large-scale outdoor art, film screenings and musical performances. It's a place where art and nature blur — and where artists from around the world come to create and perform among the rolling hills and endless sky.