Browning

Browning is a town in Northwestern Montana. It is the headquarters for the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. About 1,000 people lived there in 2020.

Understand

The townspeople are proud of their heritage and active in the recognition and rights of Native Americans. The reservation is huge, encompassing an area of over 3,000 square miles. While the town has 1,000 people, the Blackfeet Nation has 16,500 enrolled members.

Get in

By car

Browning is near the intersection of Hwy 89 and Hwy 2.

By train

See also: Rail travel in the United States

• 1 Browning station, Heart Butte Rd, south of Hwys 2/89. It is an unstaffed station. This is a seasonal stop open from October to April (updated Oct 2023)
  • Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States of America. (updated Mar 2022) Route stopping in Browning:
    • Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago.

Get around

As with most of Montana, you will need a car to get around. Some locations are within walking or biking distance of each other.

See

Northern American Indian Days is one of the largest gatherings of United States and Canadian tribes. It is held the second week in July for 4 days.

• 1 Blackfeet Nation Bison Reserve, Along US Rte 2 (between Browning and East Glacier), ☏ +1 406 338-2945, blackfeetbuffalo@gmail.com. Tribe's bison herd, visible from the road. (updated Apr 2023)
• 2 Museum of the Plains Indian, 19 Museum Loop (US Hwys 2 and 89 West), ☏ +1 406 338-2230. Jun-Sep: 9AM-4:45PM daily; Oct-May: Tu-F 11AM-3:00PM; check website as hours can change. Variety of exhibits such as historic clothing, horse gear, weapons, and household implements. Many of the northern plains tribes are represented. Jun-Sep: $6 adults, $5 seniors, $2 children 6-16, free for children under 6. Oct-May: free for everyone. (updated Apr 2023)

Do

• 1 Glacier Peaks Hotel and Casino, 416 W Central Ave, ☏ +1 406 338-2274, toll-free: +1 877 238-9946. daily, 10AM-midnight. Slot machines, poker, and bingo. Must be 18 to play any casino game in Montana. 

Buy

• 1 Blackfeet Trading Post, 133 Central Ave W, ☏ +1 406 338-2275, faughtsblackfeet@yahoo.com. Tu-F 9:30AM-5:30PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. Specialty native made crafts. (updated Apr 2023)
• 2 Western Curios, 129 Central Ave E, ☏ +1 406 338-2815. Variety of tourist items. (updated Apr 2023)

Eat

• 1 Billie Jo's Home of the Bigfoot, 201 3rd Ave SW, ☏ +1 406 338-3370. Pizzas and burgers. Breakfast, but menu is limited. (updated Apr 2023)
• 2 Nation's Burger Station, 205 Central Ave, ☏ +1 406 338-2422, manager@nationsburgerstation.com. Burgers, sandwiches, and dogs. Ice cream treats too! (updated Apr 2023)

Sleep

Several lodges and ranches nearby offer overnight stays for a more rustic experience. You will need to use a general search on the web to find these as the offerings can change yearly or seasonally.

• 1 Going to the Sun Inn and Suites, 121 Central Ave E, ☏ +1 406 338-7572, reservations@goingtothesuninn.com. Variety of room styles. WiFi, breakfast, fridge/microwave (updated Apr 2023)
• 2 Lodgepole Gallery & Tipi Village, 245 US 89, Durham Rd (2 ¼ miles west of Browning on US 89), ☏ +1 406 338-2787. Cabins outside of town. Tipi lodges no longer available. Gallery features contemporary and traditional fine art including Indian art. (updated Apr 2023)

Go next

• Blackfeet Trail, 70-mile self-guided tour through reservation. 15 historical markers with information about important sites along the route.
• Glacier National Park, 13 miles west
• St. Mary, the eastern entrance to Going-to-the-Sun road is 41 miles away

Routes through Browning

Spokane ← East Glacier ←	W  E	→ Cut Bank → Minot
Kalispell ← East Glacier ←	W  E	→ Cut Bank → Shelby
Fort Macleod ← St. Mary ←	N  S	→ Choteau → Great Falls