Boulder MontanaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Boulder, Montana.
1. Elkhorn State Park
HISTORIC GHOST TOWN
Elkhorn State Park offers visitors a glimpse into Montana's silver boom through excellently preserved frontier architecture. The ghost town features beautiful hiking and picnicking sites perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can explore the historical structures while enjoying the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.
2. The Heritage Center
LOCAL HISTORY MUSEUM
The Heritage Center preserves and showcases the rich history of Boulder and the surrounding region. Exhibits feature artifacts, photographs, and stories that highlight the area's mining heritage, pioneer life, and community development. Visitors can gain insight into the cultural and historical significance that shaped this Montana town.
3. Veterans Park
PATRIOTIC COMMUNITY SPACE
Veterans Park honors those who served in the United States military with a peaceful community space in Boulder. The park features memorial displays, flagpoles, and landscaped areas for reflection and recreation. Local events and ceremonies are often held here to commemorate important military dates and celebrations.
4. Boulder Hot Springs
HISTORIC GEOTHERMAL RESORT
Boulder Hot Springs is a renovated and redesigned resort that was originally built for Helena and Butte's wealthiest families. The historic property offers geothermal hot springs perfect for swimming and soaking, providing a relaxing interlude for visitors. This unique spa destination features natural mineral waters known for their therapeutic properties.
5. Boulder Farmer's Market
LOCAL PRODUCE SHOWCASE
The Boulder Farmer's Market offers local produce, meat, and crafts every Thursday from July to September. Visitors can purchase unique Montana goods directly from the people who produce them. The market provides a genuine taste of local culture and agricultural traditions of the region.
6. Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park
MAGNIFICENT LIMESTONE CAVES
Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park features famous limestone caverns with spectacular formations that visitors can tour. The park also offers hiking and biking trails through beautiful Montana landscapes just a short drive from Boulder. An amphitheater hosts educational programs and events throughout the visitor season.
7. Music and Art Festival
CREATIVE LOCAL SHOWCASE
The Boulder Music and Art Festival is hosted annually in September by the Chamber of Commerce. The event showcases local and statewide performers alongside displays by local artists. Visitors can experience unique, one-of-a-kind Montana culture that makes for a memorable vacation experience.
8. Crazy Mountain Museum
REGIONAL CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Crazy Mountain Museum houses well-organized exhibits on Big Timber's history, people, and the Crazy Mountains near Boulder. Highlights include displays on the famous Cremer Rodeo, sheep and wool exhibits, and a collection of chaps and cattle brands. The museum grounds also feature an early-20th-century schoolhouse and a Norwegian stabbur (storehouse).
9. Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park
UNIQUE WILDLIFE VIEWING
Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park offers visitors the chance to observe comical prairie dogs in their natural 98-acre protected habitat. The critters pop out of their underground homes, stand upright, sound chirping alarms, and dash between holes, creating an entertaining wildlife viewing experience. These 'barking squirrels' were mentioned in the journals of explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark during their famous expedition.
10. Natural Bridge State Monument
STUNNING GEOLOGIC WONDER
At Natural Bridge State Monument, visitors can witness the Boulder River disappear underground, creating a natural bridge, before reappearing as roaring falls in the Boulder River canyon. Hiking trails wind through the area, allowing visitors to explore this impressive geologic formation from various vantage points. Interpretive signs throughout the site explain how this natural wonder was formed over time.
11. Main Boulder Ranger Station
HISTORIC FORESTRY BUILDING
The Main Boulder Ranger Station is one of the oldest ranger stations in the United States, located a few miles past Natural Bridge. The historic building now serves as an interpretive center educating visitors about forest management and conservation history. Architecture enthusiasts appreciate the classic design representative of early Forest Service structures.
12. Yellowstone River Trout Hatchery
FISH CONSERVATION CENTER
The Yellowstone River Trout Hatchery provides visitors the opportunity to view and learn about cutthroat trout, a species native to Montana waters. Located just a five-minute drive from Big Timber's town center, the facility offers educational displays about fish conservation and breeding programs. Spring is considered the best time to visit when visitors can see the fingerlings (young fish) in the rearing tanks.
13. Boulder Fiddle Fest
TRADITIONAL MUSIC CELEBRATION
The Boulder Fiddle Fest celebrates traditional American folk music with performances by local and regional musicians. This vibrant event brings together fiddle players of various skill levels for competitions, workshops, and jam sessions. Spectators can enjoy toe-tapping tunes while experiencing an authentic slice of Montana's cultural heritage.
14. Boulder Car Show
CLASSIC AUTOMOBILE EXHIBITION
The Boulder Car Show displays vintage, classic, and unique automobiles for enthusiasts and casual visitors alike. Car owners from across the region bring their prized vehicles to compete for awards in various categories. The event typically includes food vendors, music, and a festive atmosphere that appeals to the whole family.
15. Christmas Bazaar
HOLIDAY CRAFTS FAIR
The Christmas Bazaar in Boulder offers a wide selection of handcrafted gifts, decorations, and seasonal items made by local artisans. Shoppers can find unique Montana-made products perfect for holiday gift-giving while supporting the local community. The festive atmosphere includes seasonal treats, holiday music, and community spirit that captures the essence of small-town Montana celebrations.