Beaverhead County

Nowhere is the history and flavor of the Old West more vividly retained than right here in this rugged wonderland of Southwest Montana.

One of the largest counties in the United States, Beaverhead County boasts an area as large as Connecticut and Rhode Island combined, yet with a population totalling only about 8,000. Since Lewis and Clark traversed this area in 1805, it has emerged dramatically as a magic lure to miners, trappers, cattlemen, sheepgrowers, and - more recently - to outdoor enthusiasts, historians and artists.

Here the visitor will discover majestic mountains and quiet valleys, replete with trout-laden streams and lakes, big game habitats, and trails through wilderness retreats. A major portion of the county ("the cradle of Montana history") continues to harbor the ghost towns, mining camps, and Indian-White battlegrounds, preserved in authentic realism.

Come visit Beaverhead County - where western hospitality is not just a slogan, but a way of life! Imagine seeing a high mountain meadow covered with shooting stars, dog-tooth lilies, pasque flowers and buttercups; watching the splendor of the Milky Way nightly and counting shooting stars to fall asleep; quiet so deep you can hear your soul relax; walking after dark unafraid; hunitng, photography, or just seeing wildlife, moose, deer, antelope, fox, eagles, hawks and gophers; being surrounded by a real cattle drive; going to a rodeo and barbecue.

• FISHING: Part of the best-kept secret is the fact that we have one of the the best fly fishing areas in the world! Our blue ribbon designated streams include: the Beaverhead River, the Big Hole River, the Madison River, and Clark Canyon Dam right here. Besides the pristine rivers, the number of small streams in which to catch "Brookies" is astounding. All within a one-hour drive of Dillon.
• WEATHER: We boast one of the best climates in the nation with an average annual precipitation of 9.53 inches, and an average temperature of 66.2 degrees in the summer. We have more solar days than Texas, and crisp, clear, unpolluted air 24 hours a day.
• BEAVERHEAD NATIONAL FOREST: The Beaverhead National Forest, one of the area's largest resources, contains seven major mountain ranges and makes up the headwaters of three rivers. This forest spans 110 miles north to south and contains 2 wilderness areas, with 66% being classified as roadless. It contains nearly 70 miles of designated National Recreation Trails, 30 undeveloped campgrounds, 4 picnic areas, 5 boating sites, miles of groomed winter trails for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing and over 1,500 miles of maintained system trails that provide access to extensive unroaded portions of the forest.

Dillon, and Beaverhead County Montana are among the best kept secrets in the west. Here in the sunny southwest corner of Montana, high in the Rocky Mountains is one of the finest places you could call "HOME!"