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Shutdown Alternatives: The Next Best Things in Montana’s Small Towns

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Charming small towns across Montana offer a variety of authentic shopping, dining and cultural experiences.

Montana has more spectacular unspoiled nature than anywhere else in the lower 48 states, and that's not limited to our national parks. Our vibrant and charming small towns serve as gateways to natural wonders throughout the state providing breathtaking experiences by day and relaxing hospitality at night. It's important to remember that although the federal government may be shut down, Montana's State Parks, hundreds of day hiking trails in our national forests and our cities and towns are still open for business. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Gateway Towns, big sky, bozeman, dillon, ennis, government shutdown, mike garcia, montana

Gardiner Gateway launches Yellowstone North Gate project with fanfare

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Bill Berg, president of the Greater Gardiner Community Council, speaks in front of the Roosevelt Arch during the Gardiner Gateway Project kickoff event Thursday. Joining him on stage were, from left, Daniel Bierschwale, President, Gardiner Chamber of Commerce; Clara Conner, Division Engineer, Western Federal Lands Highway Division; Marty Malone, Commissioner, Park County, Mont.; Brian Schweitzer, Governor of Montana; and Dan Wenk, Superintenden of Yellowstone National Park. (Ruffin Prevost/Yellowstone Gate - click to enlarge)

It was only smiles and fanfare for the Gardiner Gateway Project launch among an impressive lineup of local, state and federal officials who came together to sign and celebrate an agreement that will govern a sweeping reconfiguration of the park's North Gate and the historic downtown and business districts in Gardiner. Montana Gov. Brian Schweitzer and Yellowstone National Park Superintendent Dan Wenk take a brief stagegoach ride to Arch Park on Thursday at the Gardiner Gateway Project kickoff event. (Ruffin Prevost/Yellowstone Gate - click to enlarge) The iconic Roosevelt Arch was the backdrop for solidarity and speeches, along with a little stagecraft that saw dignitaries "arrive" at Gardiner's Arch Park in a stagecoach and vintage yellow tour bus. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Gateway Towns, bill berg, brian schweitzer, dan wenk, daniel bierschwale, gardiner, gardiner gateway project, marty malone

Pig racing makes Montana bar a unique Yellowstone attraction

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Tourism slowed to a trickle in many small towns around Yellowstone after a series of spectacular fires in 1988 burned across nearly one third of the park. So, with a local population of only 83 people in Bearcreek, Mont., bar and restaurant owner Bob "Pits" DeArmond knew he had to do something to attract attention, and visitors. So got into pig racing. "We just figured pig races might be the thing," said DeArmond, owner of the Bear Creek Saloon and Steakhouse, home of Bear Creek Downs. A natural-born promoter, DeArmond has tried a number of attractions and events around his place in addition to pig racing, including a sagebrush golf tournament, a velcro wall and iguana races. Continue Reading →

Filed under: attractions, bars, bear creek, bearcreek, fun, just for fun, montana, pig races

Montana bar stakes claim as Yellowstone attraction where pigs fly

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Pigs race at Bear Creek Downs, a seasonal swine derby near Red Lodge, Mont. (Montana Office of Tourism - click to enlarge)

Tourism slowed to a trickle in many small towns around Yellowstone after a series of spectacular fires in 1988 burned across nearly one third of the park. So, with a local population of only 83 people in Bearcreek, Mont., bar and restaurant owner Bob "Pits" DeArmond knew he had to do something to attract attention, and visitors. So he called in the pigs. "We just figured pig races might be the thing," said DeArmond, owner of the Bear Creek Saloon and Steakhouse, home of Bear Creek Downs. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Gateway Towns, attractions, bear creek, bearcreek, fun, gambling, just for fun, montana