Hamilton, MT

[kravguy]

Roksliders, the family and I are vacationing in the Hamilton area. Looking for suggestions on things to do in the area? Good places to eat? One of the days we'll prob do a bit of a road trip out through Anaconda and loop back around. I've done this the last few times we've been in different areas of the state and have gotten some really good suggestions that we ended up enjoying quite a bit. So thanks in advance.

 

[missjordan]

Naps grill is probably the original best eats in Hamilton for sure. Daly Mansion might be worth checking out too. Snowy mountain rifles if you need anything gun related


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[jimh406]

Of course, there is good fishing in the area.

We like Fiesta En Jalisco for Mexican in Hamilton. Victor Steakhouse is good for Steak.

Keep in mind that it's a long way from Hamilton to Anaconda if you are going through Big Hole. You can take a break at Lost Trail Visitor Center. The presentation at the Big Hole National Battlefield Visitor Center is worth watching if they are playing.

Do check to see if there are fires before you decide what path you travel. https://www.mtfireinfo.org/pages/current-fire-info

 

[WormSportsman]

Plus one on Naps for a great burger!

 

[406life]

You can take Skalkaho highway over to Anaconda. Do some sapphire mining along the way.
If you're feeling really adventurous, drive the Magruder corridor.
In town, the Daly mansion has one of two tiger skins I know of in the state. The history is good too.
Naps downtown is the best burger around.
St Mary's mission in Stevensville was the first white, permanent settlement in MT.
Lewis and Clark's Traveler's rest is one of two sites along the Corps of Discovery where there is physical evidence of their presence in Montana.
Pick up a copy of Troubled Trip Through Paradise, read about the last mountain man in MT and his trip through the area.

 

[jimh406]

One more thing, if you like shopping for outdoor stuff, there are a lot of options in Missoula. Scheels, Cabelas, Bob Ward's, Sportsman's Warehouse, and REI are all in Missoula. There are also a few more choices to eat there.

Also, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has a Visitor Center in Missoula and there is a water park in Missoula. Grand kids like both.

 

[WCB]

x2 on the Skalkaho highway. Take a quick walk through Philipsburg. There is a ton of hiking in the area. A pretty good easy hike is Mill Creek just NW of Hamilton. essentially ends at a beautiful waterfall you can walk right on top off. My oldest was 4 at the time and hiked the majority of it. Wife hauled our other kid (2yrs old then) on her back the whole way.

There is some fantastic fishing all over. take a drive up the East Fork of the Bitterroot...there is a pile of Bighorns along/in the road most the time.

 

[Dawg In Montana]

If you want to do some hikes check out going west from trailheads off highway 93 all along the bitterroots. Be wary of grizzlies if you go hiking and have spray or lead with you.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

Plus one on Naps for a great burger!

Is that the place that has hog wings? If so that’s definitely a good place to go.

 

[WormSportsman]

Yessir, one of my other favorites there!

 

[Hypernatremia]

If you are looking for a lake with this heat, check out Como to the south. There is also a fairly easy trail along the shore

 

[BAKPAKR]

Depending on your family’s hiking ability, you might consider a hike to St. Mary Peak out of Stevensville or to Trapper Peak out of Darby. The scenery is spectacular.

 

[Fullfan]

93 South to North Fork, turn right and drive along the Salmon River.

 

[Milestone522]

South from Hamilton 93
43 to Wisdom, then north
569 north...very scenic route to Anaconda. Eat lunch at Donovans
West on 1 past Georgetown Lake to Phillipsburg. Let the kids mine some gems
North on 1 to I90
West to Missoula (eat dinner in Missoula)
South 94 back to Hamilton

Entire trip will take a day and you will see some great towns, beautiful country, and have some good food.

If you decide to take Skalkaho, drive it coming back from Phillipsburg, it's the safer route. That Hwy looks like the Burma Road in WW2.

 

[AnnualRye]

My wife's hometown; lovely area. Quick day hike up to Blodgett Peak is worth the views. Others have already stated Skalkoho highway and I'd second that. Go down to Sula and take the road going east out of there if you have time. We saw some bighorn sheep right off the road there a few years back.

Higher Ground Brewing or Bitterroot Brewing for drinks and food, or the Rainbow if you're into seedy dive bars. River Rising or Big Creek for coffee and pastries. Maybe hit the farmer's market if you're there on a Saturday.

 

[kravguy]

Thanks to all for the suggestions. Greatly appreciated!

 

[AnnualRye]

My wife's hometown; lovely area. Quick day hike up to Blodgett Peak is worth the views. Others have already stated Skalkoho highway and I'd second that. Go down to Sula and take the road going east out of there if you have time. We saw some bighorn sheep right off the road there a few years back.

Higher Ground Brewing or Bitterroot Brewing for drinks and food, or the Rainbow if you're into seedy dive bars. River Rising or Big Creek for coffee and pastries. Maybe hit the farmer's market if you're there on a Saturday.

 

[Thinkingman]

Depending on your schedule, the Darby Rodeo is worth attending....The Yellowstone Ranch from the TV show is on the south side of Darby.
Opens this weekend with a music festival on Friday.
Other suggestions in this thread are solid.
Fly fishing is this area is excellent however we are in runoff conditions and the water needs to drop and clear before it's going to be good...Plenty of wading opportunities and you can always rent a guide.

 

[Randy11]

If you decide to take Skalkaho, drive it coming back from Phillipsburg, it's the safer route. That Hwy looks like the Burma Road in WW2.

If you're used to driving forest service roads, I've never thought the road itself is bad at all. They maintain it really well. I've pulled trailers on it a few times with no issues.

The traffic however, absolutely kills me. Anymore I basically only drive it before 7am or after 7pm to try to avoid the parade of rental minivans.

 

[Johnny Tyndall]

Peaks are still snowed in, but for sure do the Blodgett Canyon overlook hike. It's short (a mile?) and the view is outrageous. The Calf Creek Wildlife Management Area east of town could be worth a trip - neat to see that side of the valley, the view back at the Bitterroots is great, and the wildflowers should be going off. It's a bit of a haul from Hamilton, but the Bison Range NW of Missoula will be beautiful and you will probably see mule deer, bison, and elk. Goldbug Hot Springs outside of Salmon is an all-time great natural hot spring and Salmon is a neat town but that's like 2.5 hours from Hamilton.

Higher Ground is a great place for pizza and beer and family friendly. Bitterroot Brewery used to have some of the best food in town, but every time I've been lately it's been overcrowded and slow. Big Creek Coffee Roasters is great for coffee, River Rising also good coffee and sandwich spot. The Coffee Cup is a local favorite esp for breakfast/brunch. 5T Taco a bit north of town is good. I've heard Bandit Brewing in Darby is good but haven't been. Second the rec for the farmers market, good scene.

If you do drive up to Missoula, the eastside highway is more interesting than 93. Skalkaho is a great drive and P-Burg is a neat town. A fair bit of driving to go there and back though. If you make it Anaconda consider going all the way up to Butte, specifically Uptown Butte - largest historic district in the country, cool mining museum, nice pedestrian loop through some headframes, etc.