Trip Planner
Named for the willow-lined creek that runs along its edge, Willow Creek sits quietly beneath the Tobacco Root Mountains with a clear view of 10,604-foot Hollowtop Mountain. The town may be small, but its sense of identity is strong — and it’s got a loyal following of visitors who return for the food, the scenery and the no-rush atmosphere. There’s no stoplight here, and you won’t need one. Willow Creek’s layout includes a post office, a church, a school, a fire hall and a saloon.
Nearby, Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park offers an underground look at one of the largest and most elaborately decorated limestone caverns in the Northwest. Guided tours are offered May through September, with special candlelight tours in December. The park also includes camping and hiking, and is Montana’s very first state park.
Another nearby stop worth making is Madison Buffalo Jump State Park. From the top of the limestone cliffs, you can take in expansive views of the valley and learn how American Indian hunters worked in teams to drive bison off the ledge, a practice that sustained tribes for thousands of years.
Willow Creek Café and Saloon, built in 1910, serves up mouthwatering meals in a historic space complete with pressed-tin ceilings and floral wallpaper. Its ribs have earned statewide fame, and its specials (think chicken saltimbocca, steak with brandy mushroom sauce, or oysters on the half shell) make it more than worth the detour, as does the surprisingly refined wine list.
The Willow Creek Café & Saloon hosts live-music nights year-round — think Americana, country and blues. It’s an intimate room, so arrive early to snag a table and check the week’s lineup.
Willow Creek keeps it small but spirited. The Fourth of July Parade & Community BBQ brings neighbors to Main Street with flags, floats and grill smoke in the air.
