Trip Planner
About 20 miles northeast of Bozeman in the Shields Valley, Wilsall is a quiet town of roughly 300 residents with rich history, big-sky views and access to some of Montana’s best-kept secrets. Framed by the Crazy Mountains to the east, the Absarokas to the south and the Bridgers to the west, the scenery steals the show.
Wilsall sits within the homelands of the Apsáalooke (Crow) people, who have stewarded this valley and its waterways for generations. We honor their ongoing connection to this place and encourage visitors to learn about its Indigenous cultural significance while exploring respectfully.
Just outside town is the Anzick Site, one of North America’s most important archaeological discoveries: a Clovis-era burial of an infant alongside ocher-covered stone tools, dating back more than 12,000 years. The find helped shape our understanding of early peoples on this continent and their migrations.
The Shields River offers excellent trout fishing, and two-lane drives and gravel rides radiate toward trailheads, creek bottoms and wide-open prairie. In winter, Bridger Bowl Ski Area — about 30 minutes southwest — adds classic locals’ skiing to the mix. Year-round options include hiking, horseback riding, hunting (in season), wildlife viewing, and snowmobiling — with plenty of room to breathe and big sunsets to close the day.
Eat at the bank. Seriously. The Bank Bar and Vault Restaurant — once Wilsall’s actual bank — now serves giant burgers made with beef from just down the road. Try the Thunder Jack or Wilsall Zinger, and chase it with a cold local beer; you’ll walk in a stranger and leave with a story. For a hands-on agritourism experience, book a visit to Muddy Creek Ranch — join their Grass-fed Beef Tours, go bird-watching along the creek bottoms, and, in season, take part in guided hunting opportunities, plus other unique ranch activities.
Stock up at Val’s Deli before heading out to fish, hike or ski. Want something different for your overnight stay? Book a teepee at Fort Wilsall Campground — complete with a fire ring.
In June, rodeo fans descend on Wilsall for the annual Wilsall Rodeo — a two-day celebration with sanctioned events, parades and the Fireman’s Breakfast & Parade. Then in August, cowboys and cowgirls return for the Wilsall Ranch Rodeo, a regional favorite known for its spirited competition. Come winter, the Holiday Bazaar and Local Craft Fairs bring the community together with handmade goods, festive treats and seasonal cheer.
