Hamilton

Hamilton is a small city in Northwestern Montana, and is the and the county seat of Ravalli County. Just under 5,000 people lived there in 2020. It is the central trade area for the many farms, ranches, and orchards in the Bitterroot valley.

Understand

Hamilton was founded by copper king Marcus Daly in the late 19th century. It was named for J.W. Hamilton, who provided the right-of-way to the railroad. Daly is said to have wanted to begin business in the then county seat of Grantsdale, but was denied the opportunity. He supposedly founded Hamilton out of his own pocket as a reaction to being rebuffed at Grantsdale.

Get in

Hamilton is located directly on US-93. The nearest airport is 50 miles north in Missoula. 50 miles to the south is Lost Trail Pass taking you into Idaho. The few towns on this stretch of 93 are quite small.

Get around

Many of the shops and restaurants are spread out along I-93, making a car or bicycle best for getting around.

See

• 1 Daly Mansion, 251 Eastside Highway, ☏ +1 406 363-6004, darlene.gould@dalymansion.org. Summer: tours on the hours 10AM-3PM, daily; Winter: tours by reservation M-F, call +1 406 363-8048. The summer home of mining magnate Marcus Daly, one of Montana's founding fathers. $15 adults, $14 senior/military, $8 ages 6-17. (updated Mar 2023)
• 2 Ravalli County Museum (Ravalli County Courthouse), 225 Bedford St, ☏ +1 406 363-3338, museum@ravallimuseum.org. Tu W F 10AM-4PM, Th 10AM-6PM, Sa 9AM-1PM. Located in former Ravalli County Courthouse, the museum has displays of local and Montana history. $3 adults, $2 student/senior/military. Free Th and Sa. (updated Mar 2023)

Do

• Montana Mule Days, Ravalli County Fairgrounds, 100 Old Corvallis Rd, ☏ +1 406 381-3316, montanamuledays@gmail.com. Annual 3 day event in the beginning of June. Montana's largest mule and donkey show. (updated Mar 2023)

Drink

• Bitter Root Brewing, 101 Marcus Street, ☏ +1 406-363-PINT (7468). Taproom: Daily 11:30AM-8PM; Kitchen: Tu-Sa 11:30AM-8PM. Serves about six of its microbrews on any given date; the taproom and restaurant also occasionally hosts live music. (updated Nov 2021)
• Hidden Legend Winery, #5 1345 US 93, Victor, ☏ +1 406-363-6323, toll-free: +1-888-355-9463. Located just to the north of Hamilton on US-93, offers tastings of several varieties of mead (honey wine). The winery also produces dandelion wine. (updated Nov 2021)

Sleep

• SkyWater Cabins, 797 Hwy 93 S (2 miles south of Hamilton), ☏ +1 406 363-0980, rivercampcabins@gmail.com. Cabin rentals. Fully stocked kitchen, WiFi, private deck with gas BBQ. Private 5 acre lake allows catch and release without a license. (updated Oct 2024)
• Angler's Roost RV & Campground, 815 Hwy 93 S (3 miles south of Hamilton), ☏ +1 406 363-1268, anglersroost@montana.com. Variety of campsites, including riverside rural areas and large pull through hook-up sites. Popular stop off for travelers to get ice-cream and browse the gift shop. Ramp access to the Bitterroot River for fishing and floating. (updated Mar 2023)
• Bitterroot River Inn and Conference Center, 139 Bitterroot Plaza Drive, ☏ +1 406-375-2525, toll-free: +1-877-274-8274. (updated Nov 2021)

Go next

• Lake Como (8 miles south): Swimming, fishing, boating, and hiking trails. Camping available.
• Lost Trail Ski Area (47 miles south): Over 60 marked trails on 1,800 acres. Covers 2 mountains.
• Skalkaho Falls: Take a scenic drive through Skalkaho Pass, a primitive seasonal road to reach the falls. The road ends in Philipsburg. To get there go 3 miles south of Hamilton, then turn east on Hwy 38. No RVs or trailers. There are no guardrails on this narrow, mostly gravel mountain road.

Routes through Hamilton

Missoula ← Lolo ←

N  S

→ Salmon → Twin Falls