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Hamilton is a city of about 5,000 people in the Bitterroot Valley of Northwestern Montana. It is the central trade area for the many farms, ranches, and orchards in the valley, and a base for exploring the steep Bitterroot Range.
This article also covers other nearby attractions and small towns across the Bitterroot Valley.
Understand
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Hamilton is the county seat of Ravalli County. It was founded by Butte copper king Marcus Daly in the late 19th century. It was named for J.W. Hamilton, who provided the right-of-way to the railroad. Daly is said to have wanted to begin business in the then county seat of Grantsdale, but was denied the opportunity. He supposedly founded Hamilton out of his own pocket as a reaction to being rebuffed at Grantsdale.
Get in
[edit | edit source]Hamilton is on US-93. 50 miles to the north is Missoula. 50 miles to the south is Lost Trail Pass taking you into Idaho. The few towns on this stretch of US-93 are quite small.
The nearest airport is Missoula International Airport (MSO IATA).
Get around
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Many of the shops and restaurants are spread out along US-93, making a car or bicycle best for getting around.
See
[edit | edit source]- 1 Daly Mansion, 251 Eastside Highway, ☏ +1 406 363-6004, darlene.gould@dalymansion.org. Summer: tours on the hours 10AM-3PM, daily; Winter: tours by reservation Mon-Fri, call +1 406 363-8048. The summer home of mining magnate Marcus Daly, one of Montana's founding fathers. $15 adults, $14 senior/military, $8 ages 6-17.
- 2 Ravalli County Museum (Ravalli County Courthouse), 225 Bedford St, ☏ +1 406 363-3338, museum@ravallimuseum.org. Tue Wed Fri 10AM-4PM, Thu 10AM-6PM, Sat 9AM-1PM. Located in former Ravalli County Courthouse, the museum has displays of local and Montana history. $3 adults, $2 student/senior/military. Free Th and Sa.
Do
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- 1 Blodgett Canyon (west on Main St, turn right onto Ricketts R for 0.5 mi, left onto Blodgett Camp Rd (FS-736) for 5.5 mi, past the FS-735 junction to Blodgett TH.). A scenic canyon carved over 2,000 ft (610 m) deep into the eastern flanks of the Bitterroots. It is also one of the best big wall climbing spots in Montana. The tallest route is the South Face of Flathead Buttress, at about 1,200 ft (370 m) of sustained vertical.
- Blodgett Creek Trail. This trail follows the valley 12 mi (19 km) one-way and then up into Idaho. Look for 1 Horsehead Arch, Montana's largest natural arch, atop the southern ridge about 3 mi (4.8 km) in.
- Blodgett Overlook Trail. Hike 3 mi (4.8 km) round-trip to a lookout along the southern ridge.
- 2 Lake Como (8 miles south). Swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking trails. Camping available.
- 3 Skalkaho Falls (go 3 miles south of Hamilton, then turn east on Hwy 38). Take a scenic drive through Skalkaho Pass, a primitive seasonal road to reach the falls. The road ends in Philipsburg. No RVs or trailers. There are no guardrails on this narrow, mostly gravel mountain road.
Events
[edit | edit source]- Montana Mule Days, Ravalli County Fairgrounds, 100 Old Corvallis Rd, ☏ +1 406 381-3316, montanamuledays@gmail.com. Annual 3 day event in the beginning of June. Montana's largest mule and donkey show.
Buy
[edit | edit source]Eat
[edit | edit source]Drink
[edit | edit source]- 1 Bitter Root Brewing, 101 Marcus St, ☏ +1 406-363-PINT (7468). Taproom: Daily 11:30AM-8PM; Kitchen: Tue-Sat 11:30AM-8PM. Serves about six of its microbrews on any given date; the taproom and restaurant also occasionally hosts live music.
- 2 Hidden Legend Winery, #5 1345 US 93, Victor (just north of Hamilton on US-93), ☏ +1 406-363-6323, toll-free: +1-888-355-9463. Offers tastings of several varieties of mead (honey wine). The winery also produces dandelion wine.
Sleep
[edit | edit source]- 1 SkyWater Cabins, 797 Hwy 93 S (2 miles south of Hamilton), ☏ +1 406 363-0980, rivercampcabins@gmail.com. Cabin rentals. Fully stocked kitchen, Wi-Fi, private deck with gas BBQ. Private 5 acre lake allows catch and release without a license.
- 2 Angler's Roost RV & Campground, 815 Hwy 93 S (3 miles south of Hamilton), ☏ +1 406 363-1268, anglersroost@montana.com. Variety of campsites, including riverside rural areas and large pull through hook-up sites. Popular stop off for travelers to get ice-cream and browse the gift shop. Ramp access to the Bitterroot River for fishing and floating.
- 3 Bitterroot River Inn and Conference Center, 139 Bitterroot Plaza Dr, ☏ +1 406-375-2525, toll-free: +1-877-274-8274.
Connect
[edit | edit source]Go next
[edit | edit source]- Lost Trail Ski Area (47 miles south): Over 60 marked trails on 1,800 acres. Covers 2 mountains.
- Lolo
- Missoula
- Salmon
- Philipsburg
- Anaconda
| Routes through Hamilton |
| Missoula ← Lolo ← | N  S | → Salmon → Twin Falls |