Trip Planner
At the confluence of Rock Creek and the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River on the Bozeman Trail — an 1860s gold-rush route that crossed tribal homelands — Rockvale makes a memorable impression. You’ll spot the place by the large, old-school Ferris wheel parked outside the Fort Rockvale Restaurant and Casino, a longtime landmark at the intersection of highways 212 and 310.
The Fort at Rockvale, built in 1958, continues to serve locals and passersby with hearty meals, cold drinks and a dose of Montana road-trip wonder. Its location marks what was once a major junction for traders, trappers and cattle drivers headed west along the Bozeman Trail.
While little remains of the original townsite — aside from the cemetery — Rockvale is still a stop along the way for travelers heading to Yellowstone via the Beartooth Highway. River lovers have easy access to fishing, kayaking or floating on both Rock Creek and the Clarks Fork.
Grab a seat at The Fort at Rockvale — part restaurant, part sports bar, part casino — and get to know this Montana institution. The burgers are big, the beer’s cold, and the regulars are ready to talk.
Camp close to the action at Rock Creek Campground, just down the road from Fort Rockvale. It’s a solid base for fishing, floating, or launching a scenic drive to the Beartooths, Red Lodge or Yellowstone National Park.
Keep an eye out for Fort Rockvale’s seasonal happenings, from the Helping Hand Poker Run motorcycle charity event to game-day events in the sports bar.
