The Ultimate Guide to Anaconda, Montana

Anaconda, Montana, is one of my favorite small towns in the state – or anywhere, really.

Yes, it’s small, with a population just under 10,000, which means options for shopping, hotels, and restaurants in Anaconda are somewhat limited. But this little southwest Montana town is wildly historic, unbelievably scenic, and full of amazing local businesses and attractions.

Its location gives easy access to incredible nature and year-round outdoor activities, not to mention some wonderful day trips – and there are way more fun things to do in Anaconda than you’ve probably ever realized. And (one of my favorite things about it), you can feel the sense of true community as soon as you arrive – and that community will welcome you with open arms.

After many trips to Anaconda, we’re finally sharing everything we know and love about the town in this epic guide, which I hope will convince you to put it on your Montana itinerary!

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What to Know about Anaconda, Montana

Before we dive into the things to do in Anaconda, let’s start with a few practicalities of visiting.

Location

Anaconda sits at an elevation of almost exactly one mile on the edge of the Pintler Mountains in southwest Montana – that’s why it’s so scenic and why there’s so much great hiking nearby.

It makes an easy day trip from Butte (30 minutes), Helena (1 hour 15 minutes), Missoula (1.5 hours), or even Bozeman (1 hour 45 minutes), as well as a great jumping-off point to visit nearby Philipsburg, Deer Lodge, and Georgetown Lake. Anaconda is also a convenient stop on the drive from Yellowstone to Glacier National Park (driving via the Seeley-Swan Valley).

Driving is the only way to get there, but once you’re in town, it’s very walkable. As you can see on our custom map of Anaconda, most of the main attractions are located within about one square mile in the downtown.

Weather

Like in much of Montana, the weather in Anaconda will … encourage you to be prepared for anything. We last visited at the end of May, and IT SNOWED.

Winter in Anaconda means daylight hours are short, and you’re likely to encounter heavy snow, icy roads, and below-zero temps. Don’t expect it to get much above freezing any time in December or January. Snowfall can last well into May, as we saw, and rain is not uncommon in late-spring and early-summer.

In July and August, highs are usually in the low-80s, but temperatures do occasionally exceed 100 degrees. Even on the hottest days, though, it drops into the 40s or 50s at night (so keep that in mind if you plan on camping in Anaconda). And depending on the year, smoke from wildfires periodically poisons the air quality between late-spring and early-fall.

Best Time to Visit

For outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and kayaking, I think the best time to visit Anaconda is September. You’ll miss the worst of the heat and crowds, while getting nice weather and finding that most everything is still open for the season.

For a ski or snowsports trip, late-February to early-March is the best option. The days are starting to get a little longer, and you should still have good snow conditions for any winter activities.

Best Things to Do in Anaconda, MT

Anaconda remains off the beaten path in Montana. It’s a bit out of the way, far from a major airport, and small enough that even Montanans often overlook it. But they are missing out!

Every time we visit Anaconda, we find new things to love about the town. Read about the best things to do in Anaconda year-round, and scroll down for even more options in both summer and winter.

Take a self-guided historic walking tour.

A walking tour is a great way to introduce yourself to any new town, and this self-guided one of Anaconda is packed with local history. Within just a few blocks, you’ll pass by some of the town’s original buildings, including the 128-year-old City Hall.

To make sure you don’t miss anything (or get lost), download the Historic Montana app from Google Play or the App Store. Just type “Anaconda” in the search bar, and Anaconda Commercial Historic District will pop up in the Tours tab.

Another impressive historic building that’s not on this route is Hearst Free Library, dating to 1898. Detour just a couple blocks to it, and the super friendly librarians will love to explain its history.

Catch a movie at the Washoe Theatre.

But our favorite historic building in Anaconda is the Washoe Theatre, an Art Deco-style theatre from the mid-1930s that now operates as a movie theater. And there are no sticky floors here – the Washoe is still just as classy as it was in its heyday, with ornately-decorated walls and seating in the balcony above the main floor.

The theater only has one screen and plays one movie at a time, with showings every night. Tickets are just $9, or $7 on weekdays, and the retro snack bar serves up affordable concessions, too. Check their Facebook page for the current schedule.

Visit the Copper Village Museum and Art Center.

Copper Village is another of the top attractions in Anaconda, with an upstairs art gallery featuring rotating exhibits and a small-but-packed history museum in the basement.

The museum features an old jail cell, displays depicting early life in the area, and all kinds of artifacts from a slot machine to a piano to a telegraph machine. And both the gallery and the museum are free.

Take in the view of the Smelter Stack.

You might not expect Anaconda to hold any superlatives, but the Anaconda Smelter Stack is one of the tallest brick structures in the world. It towers above town at 585 feet (taller than the Washington Monument!).

Erected in 1919 to process the copper ore that Anaconda was built on, the Smelter Stack operated as part of the Washoe Smelter for over 60 years. The rest of the smelter was demolished after it closed in 1980, but locals organized to “Save the Stack,” and today it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is part of Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park.

Visitors can’t approach the stack, due to arsenic and other toxic contaminants in the soil around it. But the park maintains a nearby viewing platform where you can see the stack from a safe distance and learn more about its significance.

Browse in Black Dog Antiques.

Even if you’re not normally into antiquing, Black Dog Antiques is a must-see attraction in Anaconda. Located inside a historic brewery building, it’s one of those stores where you think you’ve seen the whole thing, and then you turn a corner to realize you haven’t even seen half of it. Among the dozens of booths, you’ll find a huge variety of art, books, clothes, décor, and even antique skis.

Black Dog was voted Montana’s “Best Antique Store” last year – and even more important to us, its namesake black dog was voted the state’s “Best Shop Dog.” (Sadly, the dog was not there when we visited.)

Walk the Upper Works Trail.

Probably the most popular hike in Anaconda, the Upper Works Trail is a short (just under one mile) asphalt path on the northeast edge of town. Interpretive placards along the way explain the history of the area, and the gradual climb offers views of the Pintler Mountains and the Old Works Golf Course (see below), with the smokestack (see above) visible in the distance.

Go hiking in the Pintler Mountains.

For a bigger adventure, head out of town and into the Pintler Mountains, where many trails await. This article details hikes a ton of different hikes for all levels, and the Anaconda Trails Society has some useful maps showing many of them.

Drive the Pintler Veterans’ Memorial Scenic Highway.

Taking in the stunning scenery of the Anaconda area doesn’t have to involve hitting the trail – because one of Montana’s best scenic drives begins right in town. Hwy. 1, better known as the Pintler Veterans’ Memorial Scenic Highway, connects Anaconda with nearby Georgetown Lake and Philipsburg, before eventually meeting I-90 at Drummond.

The 56-mile drive takes a little over an hour, not accounting for the stops you’ll want to make along the way. Instead of returning on the same road, you can make a loop by following I-90 back to Anaconda, which will take you through Deer Lodge and past the incredible Old Montana Prison Museum. Allow a little over two hours of drive time for the full loop.

What to do in Anaconda, MT, in Summer

Summer in Anaconda means there are even more options for things to do. Additional roads and trails become accessible, opening up more wilderness to explore, and there are a number of summer-only attractions in town as well.

Take the historic bus tour.

If you visit in the summer, the historic bus tour is easily one of the top things to do in Anaconda. The 1936 red bus, the same as the iconic jammers found in Glacier Park, runs tours lasting 1.5-2 hours on weekdays during the summer.

Tours depart from the Visitor Center and go past many of Anaconda’s historic buildings and top attractions, all of it narrated by the friendly and informative guides (who can probably answer any question you have about the area).

Hike on the Continental Divide Trail.

One of the coolest options for hiking in Anaconda is to do a part of the Continental Divide Trail, the over 3,000-mile-long trail that starts at the Mexican border and ends where Glacier National Park meets Canada.

The trailhead by Lower Seymour Lake Campground, about 30 miles from Anaconda, is the closest access point to town. From there, you can hike as little or as far as you want. If you’re up for a full day on the trail, it’s a moderate seven-mile climb to Upper Seymour Lake.

If you’re on the trail at the right time of the season, you just might encounter some hikers doing the entire CDT! (If you do, it’s only polite to share your best snacks.)

Browse the Anaconda Community Market.

If you’re in Anaconda on a Thursday between mid-July to early-September, don’t miss the farmers’ market. Area vendors sell all kinds of products from seasonal produce and locally-roasted coffee to original art and handmade jewelry. Plus there’s live music during the market, and you can grab dinner at one of the food trucks.

The market takes place from 4:00-7:00pm on the 100 block of Main Street (just head downtown, and you really can’t miss it).

Drive the Skalkaho Highway Scenic Byway.

While the above-mentioned Pintler Memorial Highway is accessible year-round, the 54-mile Skalkaho Highway Scenic Byway is only open from June to October, depending on weather.

And while it’s called a “highway,” and is in fact part of Hwy. 38, the Skalkaho Highway is a steep, curving, narrow road with sharp drop-offs, and the middle section is unpaved. Driving it westbound keeps you hugging the mountain and farther from your death the edge.

The highway begins 30 minutes west of Anaconda, where it intersects the Pintler Memorial Highway. From there, it takes around an hour and 15 minutes to drive to its terminus near Hamilton without stops – but you’ll certainly stop at Skalkaho Falls at the very least.

To add onto the scenic drive (and avoid taking the Skalkaho eastbound back to Anaconda), you can make a loop by driving from Hamilton north to Missoula, which takes you through the stunning Bitterroot Valley, and then through either Deer Lodge or Philipsburg before returning to Anaconda. Allow for about 4.5 hours of drive time to make the whole loop.

Take a mountain biking lesson at Discovery Bike Park.

In the winter, Discovery Ski Area, about 40 minutes from Anaconda, is one of Montana’s most underrated ski resorts. In the summertime, it transforms into Discovery Bike Park, an incredible destination for epic mountain biking adventures.

But if you’re new to mountain biking and feel apprehensive about the idea of barreling down the side of a mountain, I highly recommend taking a lesson. Discovery offers hour-long private and semi-private lessons on weekends, and they’re a steal at just $30.

Take a scenic chair lift ride.

To experience all of the scenery with none of the hair-raising thrills, head to Discovery Bike Park for a scenic lift ride instead. You’ll be able to ride the Silver Chief Chairlift both ways, with a stop at the top to take in the views.

Visit Lost Creek State Park.

Lost Creek State Park is small and only open from May to October, but it’s one of the best-rated state parks in Montana. Known for its rugged granite and limestone peaks and easily-accessible waterfall, it’s well worth the 25-minute drive from town. And if you’re looking to go camping in Anaconda, the park’s campground should definitely be your top choice.

Explore Granite ghost town.

No Montana trip is complete without a visit to an old ghost town, and you’re in luck, because one of the best ones is just under an hour from Anaconda: Granite. The drive from Anaconda to Granite will take you along half of Pintler Memorial Highway and right past Philipsburg.

Unlike some of Montana’s ghost towns, which have been fully developed for tourists and are now bustling commercial enterprises, not many visitors make it to Granite – so you’ll likely have its crumbling buildings and dilapidated mine shaft to yourself.

Go ziplining on Montana’s longest zipline course.

I don’t think most Montanans associate the Anaconda area with ziplining, let alone realize it’s home to the state’s longest zipline course. But Montana Zipline Adventures has seven separate ziplines, totaling over 9,300 feet. If you like your stunning scenery with a side of adrenaline, this is the adventure for you!

Play a round at Old Works Golf Course.

While I’m entirely unqualified to give advice about golfing, I can tell you that the Old Works Golf Course gets rave reviews from visiting golfers. It’s regularly rated one of the top courses in Montana, and many golf enthusiasts travel to Anaconda just to play there.

It’s a Jack Nicklaus signature course, but what’s really unique is that it sits on a Superfund site and is full of nods to that history. One glance at the Anaconda golf course, and you’ll know it’s something different.

The course is dotted with old mining equipment and historic structures, complete with placards to explain their significance. And instead of the typical white bunker sand used at most golf courses, Old Works uses black slag, a byproduct of the copper smelting process. It’s a one-of-a-kind course and an example of the revitalization of a once-devastated area.

Go horseback riding.

If you’ve always dreamed of horseback riding in Montana, you’re in luck – Royal Tine Outfitters near Philipsburg offers trail rides in July and August. Rides of various lengths and levels are available, and no previous experience is required.

Go kayaking on Georgetown Lake.

Georgetown Lake is a sizable and incredibly scenic lake that’s perfect for kayaking or stand-up paddleboarding – and it’s just 25 minutes from Anaconda. Moose Marina in the southeast corner of the lake rents both kayaks and paddleboards by the hour or the day.

Most places charge significantly more to rent SUPs than kayaks, but Moose Marina prices them the same. So if you’re interested in giving stand-up paddleboarding a try, this is a great chance to do it! And since this corner of the lake is fairly protected, the conditions are usually calm and ideal for paddleboarding.

What to do in Anaconda, MT, in Winter

No doubt, not nearly as many people visit Montana in the winter, Anaconda included. But it’s incredibly beautiful in the snow, and this area is a winter adventurer’s playground – an underrated one at that, which means low prices, no pretension, and you may just have it all to yourself.

Hit the slopes at Discovery Ski Area.

Most towns in Montana have “their” local ski hill – and Anacondans are incredibly lucky, because Discovery Ski Area is one of the best! But not many people seem to recognize that, so it’s also one of the least crowded and most affordable.

Disco, as it’s known, is about 40 minutes from town, and it has abundant terrain for all levels, from beginners to experts. AND their famous chocolate chip cookies are baked fresh throughout the day (the cookies are very soft, but the recipe is a secret). Depending on weather, you can usually hit the slopes anytime between early-December and early-April.

Go cross-country skiing.

If you’d rather ski on flat ground, you’re still in luck, because Anaconda has two amazing Nordic ski areas nearby.

The Echo Lake trail system is half an hour away (just a few minutes down the road from Discovery), and Mount Haggin Cross-Country Ski Area is about 25 minutes from town. Both areas have a variety of terrain for all levels, including flat well-groomed trails that are good for complete beginners and steep strenuous ones for experts.

Both are free to access and maintained by local non-profits and volunteers, so please leave a donation in the donation box by the entrance. If you don’t have your own cross-country skis, you can rent them at Discovery. You can hit the trails whenever there’s enough snow (which could be anytime), but they’re usually groomed from early-December to early-April.

Go ice skating in the park.

Outdoor ice skating is another one of the best things to do in Anaconda in the winter – and you don’t even have to leave town.

The Kennedy Commons is a large green space that sits in front of the Washoe Theatre in the middle of Anaconda. And in the wintertime, the town floods it to create an outdoor ice rink. During December, a huge evergreen tree strung up with lights sits in the middle of the rink. Enjoy a few laps around the ice, or skate as long as you want – it’s free! Skate rentals are available just down the road at Sven’s Bicycles.

Best Restaurants in Anaconda, MT

You’ll need to make sure you fuel up for all that adventure (and maybe wind down from it in the evenings). These are the best places to eat in Anaconda – and if you get through them all or want something different, don’t forget it’s barely half an hour into Butte.

O’Bella!

O’Bella is easily the best-known restaurant in Anaconda and widely considered to have some of the best Italian food in Montana. And while it was once famously a hole-in-the-wall spot that necessitated making reservations weeks in advance, they’ve since moved to a much larger space where it’s no longer impossible to score a table (although a reservation isn’t a bad idea on weekend nights in the summer).

Like any good Italian restaurant, O’Bella serves a range of pizzas and pasta dishes, but the black truffle mac & cheese is definitely a stand-out. Regardless of what you order, make sure to get the famous breadsticks to go with it (you can thank us later).

Gallicano’s Pizzeria

For a quicker and cheaper pizza option that’s right in downtown Anaconda, there’s Gallicano’s Pizzeria. They make a huge variety of super creative pizzas, sold in giant 18-inch pies or by the (enormous) slice.

One time we happened to visit Gallicano’s right before closing, and they gave us their last slice of pizza and all the remaining garlic knots for free!

The Hangout Café

The Hangout Café is a newer addition to the Anaconda dining scene, open for breakfast and lunch. Choose from served-all-day breakfast dishes and a long list of burgers, make a trip to the salad bar, or grab an espresso drink and baked good to go.

The interior is equal parts funky and cozy, and will probably get you in the mood for some antiquing – which is convenient since it’s located just down the street from Black Dog Antiques.

Donivan’s

What makes Donivan’s truly special is its setting: the aged wooden floors, the exposed brick walls decorated with huge black-and-white photos, the red leather booths, the high wood-tiled ceilings, and the big stone fireplace up front.

And that’s to say nothing of the food. Donivan’s is open all day, serving a huge menu of hearty dishes. A long list of burgers, steaks, pasta, and tacos, plus a savory breakfast menu, means everyone will find something to enjoy.

Anaconda Taco Company

Whether the Anaconda Taco Company has tacos depends on what time of year you visit: they serve up Mexican food in the summer months and smashburgers in the winter (Anaconda Smashburger Company just doesn’t have quite the same ring to it).

Located in a refurbished caboose outside Smelter City Brewing, it’s one of the coolest restaurants in Anaconda in any season. There’s no seating in the caboose, but you can take your food inside the brewery (or onto their patio).

Smelter City Brewing

Whether or not you’re not dining on tacos/smashburgers, be sure to check out Anaconda’s only brewery, Smelter City Brewing. It’s a huge space with lots of seating, and a clear view of all the brewing equipment on one end.

They have a bunch of board games available to play and host frequent events like trivia and live music. But most importantly, Smelter City has a resident cat named Taps! He’s extremely mellow and very friendly, often found curled up in a cardboard box on top of the bar. (No worries if you’re allergic, there’s plenty of space to steer clear.)

The Revolver

If you’re more of a cocktail lover than a beer aficionado, head to The Revolver instead. This downtown bar oozes Montana chic, and mixes up a variety of creative cocktails, including a list of revolving (get it?) and seasonal drinks. But regardless of what’s on the menu, you can never go wrong with a huckleberry cocktail.

Sip your drink at the long bar or a barrel table, or take it to the conference room in the back, where you can lounge in a cushy armchair and watch TV.

Coffee Corral

A few spots in Anaconda brew coffee in the mornings, but none of them beat the Coffee Corral. It’s got a big menu of coffee drinks and a case full of tasty baked goods, plus you’ll be charmed by the Old West-style décor.

Anaconda Events

Anaconda hosts a ton of fun events each year, so see if you can catch one during your visit. (Or if you’re not planning to attend, try to avoid visiting during them, because town will be more crowded than usual and restaurants and accommodations will likely be busy.)

Festival of the Winter Moon: mid-January

Art in Washoe Park: mid-July

Smeltermens Day: mid-August

Wildlife Art Expo: late-September

Oktoberfest: early-October

Christmas Stroll & Parade: Black Friday

Places to Stay in Anaconda, MT

There aren’t a ton of accommodations in Anaconda, but the options that do exist are incredibly memorable.

Hotels in Anaconda

Out of the handful of hotels in town, these are easily the top picks – and there’s something for every travel style.

Pintler’s Portal Hostel: There are very few hostels in Montana, but Anaconda’s got one of them – and it’s probably the best!

Yes, the rooms (and bathrooms) are shared, but it’s incredibly comfortable, super clean, and packed with amenities: a full kitchen to use, laundry facilities, books, games, Netflix, weekly yoga classes, and a huge lounge area. Plus the staff are super friendly, and it’s a great place to meet other travelers (including CDT hikers in the summer).

Hickory House Inn: A historic building that’s been converted into the quintessential B&B is the perfect place to stay in such a historic town– especially if you’re there on a romantic getaway.

The building dates all the way back to 1888, when it was constructed as the rectory for a Catholic Church. The bedrooms are spacious but cozy, and there are antique decor touches everywhere you look. And from the homemade welcome cookies to the gourmet breakfast, you’ll eat well the entire time.

The Forge: Really the only large hotel in Anaconda, this is the place to stay if you prefer a little anonymity along with lots of amenities.

The rooms are huge, the lobby is swanky, and breakfast is included. Plus it’s the only spot in town where you’ll find a fitness room, pool, and hot tub. Bonus for four-legged friends: not only are dogs welcome, they get a treat bag!

Fairmont Hot Springs Resort: If you want to be able to soak your muscles at the end of the day, head 15 minutes out of town to one of Montana’s best-known hot springs, which is only accessible to resort guests.

It’s got four pools (two indoor and two outdoor) of varying temperatures and an enormous 350-foot-long waterslide, plus an on-site spa offering massages and other treatments.

Anaconda Airbnb & VRBO Rentals

You’ll find even more places to stay in Anaconda on VRBO and Airbnb, and there are some incredibly unique options:

Shotgun Chalet: This tiny home near downtown is super cozy and has all the necessities, at a great price point.

Cottage at the Barn: This spacious cottage feels like it’s in the woods rather than just a few minutes from town, and every touch from the barn doors and light fixtures to the vintage oven and dual shower is impeccable.

The Hadley House: This bright red home near downtown sleeps six, and has a fully-stocked kitchen and cozy nooks for the upstairs beds.

Retro 3-Bedroom Home: The one-of-a-kind décor in this huge house will take you straight back to the ‘50s, and the layout makes it the perfect rental for traveling with a large family.

Camping in Anaconda

If you’re traveling the country by RV (or, like we do, by compact car and tent), you’ll have no shortage of places to camp near Anaconda.

Big Sky RV Park and Campground: This is the most convenient place to go camping in Anaconda – it’s right in town. Campers love the setting, with a stream on one side and rocky hills on the other, and it’s got amenities like showers, laundry, and Wi-Fi. It’s small, so be sure to reserve a site in advance.

Lost Creek State Park: This small state park is about 25 minutes from town, and it’s a gorgeous spot to camp when it’s open from May through October. Campsites are situated among dense trees, with views up at the towering granite cliffs. Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so make sure you get there early (and try to avoid arriving on a Saturday).

Georgetown Lake: Around half an hour from town, this gorgeous lake also has several campgrounds. There are both reservable and first-come, first-served campsites, but all of them can fill up on summer weekends, so plan accordingly.

History of Anaconda, MT

Learn a little bit more about Anaconda before you visit!

Before Anaconda existed and before Montana was even a state, this area was home to various Native American tribes, including the Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d’Oreille. Like other Indigenous peoples in Montana and elsewhere, they were largely relocated to reservations in the 1800s.

While the tribes did agree to the treaty that required them to cede most of their land to the U.S. government, the whole process was marked by manipulation and lies. With the help of poor translation, the tribal leaders were likely misled about what they were agreeing to, and the government quickly reneged on much of what the treaty had guaranteed anyway.

When the U.S. wanted to renegotiate the treaty in 1872, the Salish Chief refused to agree to the changes – so government officials just forged his signature and began enforcing the terms of the new treaty.

By the time white settlers arrived in Anaconda eleven years later, most Native Americans from the area had been forcibly moved to reservations, including the Flathead Reservation two hours northwest of town.

In 1883, “Copper King”Marcus Daly established the town when he built a copper smelter there (and eventually the infamous Anaconda Smoke Stack) to process ore from his mine in nearby Butte. Anaconda quickly flourished into a diverse town, with a large African-American community and immigrants from across Europe, nearly all of them working directly or indirectly for the smelter.

Decades of unrestrained mining created an environmental disaster in Anaconda, and after the smelting operation finally shut down in 1980, it was designated a Superfund site. Contamination from arsenic and other toxic metals forced the town to relocate an entire neighborhood, and the area around the smoke stack continues to be off-limits, with the long clean-up process still underway.

Since then, Anaconda’s economy has shifted from mining toward tourism and recreation, but like in most former mining towns, its blue-collar union roots still shine through.

Map of Anaconda, MT

Our custom map of Anaconda shows all the best things to do and places to shop, hike, eat, and stay. Anaconda is only about three miles across at its widest point, so you’ll never be too far from anything, and most of the attractions are concentrated in the tiny downtown.

Click here for an interactive version of the map!

We never miss a chance to visit Anaconda, and we hope this guide helps you plan a great trip there, whether you’re hiking, RVing, golfing, or just looking for someplace to get off the beaten path.

What are your favorite things to do in Anaconda, Montana?

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Many thanks to the Hickory House Inn for hosting us for a night during our last trip to Anaconda! As always, all opinions are our own.