BIG TIMBER EXPLORATION

Start the day with breakfast at Big Timber Bakery and some downtown Big Timber exploration. Visit the Carnegie Library and pop into the Crazy Mountain Museum to see exhibits on different facets of Sweet Grass County’s history, including early settlers, the sheep and wool industry and the rodeo. On the museum grounds, you’ll also find a replica Norwegian stabbur (food storehouse), a reconstructed homestead cabin, a 1912 one-room schoolhouse and a Lewis and Clark Expedition commemorative garden. If you’re in town in late spring or summer on a Friday, be sure to check out Big Timber’s calendar in case you can catch one of its renowned annual events, like the Crazy Mountain Fiber Fest (late spring – April or May), Sweet Grass Fest and Big Timber Rodeo (June) or Sweet Grass Brewfest (August).

SPRINGDALE AND MCLEOD RECREATION

Embark on some outdoor recreation starting in the small town of Springdale, west of Big Timber on Interstate 90. After exiting the interstate, stop by the Springdale School — a local landmark built in 1918 — as you make your way a half-mile north of town to the Springdale Bridge Fishing Access Site. Here, cast a line for brown and rainbow trout on the Yellowstone River within sight of both Hunters and Mendenhall creeks. When you’re ready to change it up, head back toward Big Timber to turn south on Route 298 to reach McLeod. In this community, nestled in the Boulder Valley, you’ll find the historic Main Boulder Ranger Station, one of the oldest facilities in the Forest Service system — if not the oldest. It served as a district headquarters and residence for Ranger Harry Kaufman and his family for nearly 40 years and was initially built as a one-room structure in 1905, before two rooms were added. It was restored beginning in 1991 and today is open to the public as a house museum, depicting the living and working conditions at what was once a remote ranger station in the early days of the Forest Service. Heading back north on Route 298 toward Big Timber, stop at the Natural Bridge Falls Picnic Area, where you can view the impressive 100-foot-tall Natural Bridge Falls. The site offers accessible paved trails and interpretive signage that explains the geologic processes that formed the waterfall. Interested in another round of fishing? Stop off at the Boulder Forks Fishing Access Site as you continue north on MT-298 — it’s a great spot for wade fishing in one of Montana’s most beautiful landscapes.

FOR THE BIRDS

Grab breakfast in Park City before hitting the road, heading east on I-90 before turning north at Laurel toward Molt. Stop at the Canyon Creek Battlefield Monument on the way — the roadside pavilion shares information on the Canyon Creek battle between the Nez Perce and the U.S. Cavalry in 1877. Hop out of the car in Molt and capture memories of small-town Montana with snaps of the community’s panoramic views and historic grain elevators. Continue on to reach two national wildlife refuges that lie very close to Molt — places you can experience Montana’s great outdoors and wildlife. The first, Grass Lake National Wildlife Refuge, was designated an Important Bird Area — an exceptionally important site for bird conservation — in 1997, so recreation here is limited to hiking and wildlife watching. The second, Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge, is one of the most productive waterfowl areas in this part of Montana; hiking and birding are popular activities, but hunting of birds and big game is also allowed.

RAPELJE, MELVILLE AND BIG TIMBER CANYON HIKING

As you loop west to ultimately return to Big Timber, you’ll encounter the town of Rapelje. The town boasts four grain elevators that are photo-worthy, and if you’re traveling through on a Wednesday or Sunday, a stop at Stockman Cafe is a must to experience Montana’s inviting small-town culture at its finest. The community-owned cafe is a restaurant and gathering place where locals and visitors can share a meal and socialize. After Rapelje’s warm welcome, continue on your way, stopping in Melville, which sits along the Sweetgrass River, to see its historic Lutheran church and its original schoolhouse building. Turn south on U.S. Highway 191, at Wormser Road turn right, and when you reach Big Timber Canyon Road, turn right again. Follow the road snaking into the Crazy Mountains all the way to Halfmoon Campground, where you’ll find the Big Timber Creek Trailhead. From here, you can embark on a short, easy and picturesque hike to Big Timber Creek Falls. The trail continues past the falls to reach Twin Lakes or Blue Lake if you decide you want a longer hike.