Big Timber

The Boulder River which flows near Big Timber.

Big Timber is in south central Montana. About 1,600 people live there.

Understand

Surrounded on three sides by the Absaroka-Beartooths and the Crazy Mountains, the area hosts the gateway to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Areas and contains amazing scenery. The Yellowstone River, Boulder River, and the many smaller streams in the area are famous for fly fishing. The fantastic scenery provided a backdrop for movies such as 'A River Runs Through It' and 'The Horse Whisperer'. Big Timber is the county seat of Sweet Grass County.

• Yellowstone District forest service office, 225 Big Timber Loop Rd. Big Timber, +1 406 932-5155

Nearby are the towns of Greycliff and McLeod, both with little service.

Get in

Located on the I-90 corridor between Livingston and Billings.

Get around

Once you're in Big Timber, most things are reachable by foot but there is no shortage of parking either so it's fairly easy to get around.

See

• Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area. covering 920,310 acres, is an administrated unit of the Gallatin National Forest, Custer National Forest and the Shoshone National Forest and is named for its jagged peaks resembling bear's teeth and for the Native Americans that lived in the area. 
• 1 Crazy Mountain Museum, 2 South Frontage Rd, ☏ +1 406 932-5126. The Crazy Mountain Museum is a historical museum featuring exhibits that reflect the history of Sweet Grass County and the surrounding area. (updated May 2016)
• 2 Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park, Old US Hwy 10 Greycliff. This 98-acre park offers the opportunity to observe the prairie dog community in its natural environment.  

Do

The nearby Boulder River is world famous area for fly fishing, outfitters can be found in town. Ask at local fly shops and check river conditions online. June is high water month due to snow melting at higher elevations which can make rivers treacherous, the water muddy and difficult to fish.

• 1 Overland Golf Course, 338 Big Timber Loop Rd, ☏ +1 406 932-4297. An uncrowded 18 holes with a spectacular view of the Crazy Mountains. Club house has pizza and brats. $21 9 holes, $35 18 holes. (updated Aug 2023)
• 2 Yellowstone River Trout Hatchery (north end of McLeod St), ☏ +1 406 932-4434. Visit the hatchery to see cutthroat trout. Learn about Montana's fish management practices. Call ahead for a tour. Free. (updated Aug 2023)

Buy

• Montana Taxidermy, 519 W 1 Ave, ☏ +1 406 932-5246. after spending your whole vacation catching only one fish, at least you can bring it here to get it stuffed and keep it forever. 

Drink

Coffee

• The Coffee Stop, 415 West 1st Ave, ☏ +1 406-932-8646. when you want a little something more than basic coffee then this is the place. 

Bars

• Timber Bar, 116 McLeod, ☏ +1 406 932-4040. every town in Montana needs an old-school bar full of cowboys and locals, this is the one for Big Timber. 

Sleep

• The Grand Hotel & Restaurant, PO Box 1242, ☏ +1 406 932-4459. THE place in town for fancy dinner and wonderful place to stay. 
• Big Timber Montana Koa Kampground, 693 Highway 10 E, ☏ +1 406 932-6569. Camping, in Greycliff 

Connect

Local FM radio stations

• KMXE 99.3 FM; Red Lodge
• K240CO 95.9 FM; Livingston
• KXLB 100.7 FM; Livingston
• K213AU 90.5 FM; Big Timber

Stay safe

When you're out exploring remember this is bear country. Be bear aware while fishing or camping. Plenty of other wildlife may come close. Remember they are wild and can react badly to people. Keep your distance and enjoy watching.

Even though the streams look crystal clear, giardia parasites can be present. Do not drink from the stream (unless you boil the water) or you could be very sick.

Go next

• Enjoy a soak in one of Montana's hot springs at either White Sulphur Springs to the northwest or Chico Hot Springs to the southwest.

Routes through Big Timber

Bozeman ← Livingston ←	W  E	→ Columbus → Billings
Bozeman ← Livingston ←	S  N	→ Harlowton → Lewistown