Need a historic mountain town escape with rustic charm and outdoor adventure? Head to Anaconda! Tucked in the Pintler Mountains of western Montana, Anaconda blends mining heritage with natural beauty. Whether you’re soaking in hot springs, exploring forest trails, or teeing off at a mountaintop golf course, this quiet town delivers big on scenery and small-town character.
Anaconda, MT Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Hike or ski at Discovery Ski Area – Just 30 minutes from town, this hidden gem offers alpine skiing in winter and mountain biking or hiking in summer.
- For History Buffs: Tour the Anaconda Smelter Stack – See one of the world’s tallest free-standing brick structures, a remnant of the town’s copper boom days.
- For Shoppers: Browse antique shops and galleries downtown – Discover vintage finds, handcrafted goods, and Western Montana art.
- For Couples: Soak at Fairmont Hot Springs – Relax in natural mineral pools just outside town with stunning mountain views.
- For Families: Visit Washoe Park – Enjoy picnic areas, walking trails, and the free Anaconda Fish Hatchery, a favorite with kids.
When I like to visit Anaconda, MT
The best time to visit Anaconda is from June through September for hiking, golfing, and warm-weather activities. Winter (December–March) is ideal for snow sports at Discovery Ski Area and soaking in hot springs. Fall brings golden foliage and fewer crowds, while spring offers quiet charm and trout fishing.
Tips for getting to Anaconda, MT
- If you are traveling by car: Anaconda is located off MT-1, the Pintler Scenic Highway, about 25 miles west of Butte and 2 hours from Missoula or Bozeman.
- By Air: The closest airport is Bert Mooney Airport in Butte (BTM), 30 minutes away. Larger airports are in Missoula (MSO) and Bozeman (BZN), about 2 hours each by car.
- By Bus: Intercity bus routes serve nearby Butte; car rental is recommended for local travel.
Where I like to stay in Anaconda, MT
- Recommended for Families: Fairmont Hot Springs Resort – Full-service resort with hot springs pools, waterslides, golf, and family-friendly dining.
- For Couples: Hickory House Inn – A romantic bed-and-breakfast in a historic mansion with cozy rooms and homemade breakfasts.
- For a Budget Stay: Forge Hotel, BW Signature Collection – Clean, modern, and centrally located with easy access to town and attractions.
Best Things to Do in Anaconda, MT
1. Georgetown Lake
A popular destination for outdoor recreation in Anaconda, Georgetown Lake offers opportunities for windsurfing, camping, fishing, boating, and more. A large mountain lake, it’s surrounded to the south by the Pintlers and to the north by the Flint Creek Range. Anglers can frequently be seen trying to catch Kokanee salmon or rainbow trout in Georgetown Lake, which features four public boat ramps and is considered to be the most prolific lake in the state of Montana. During the winter season, the lake is often used for snowmobiling and ice fishing. There are also several national forest campgrounds located around the lake.
Anaconda, MT, Phone: 406-859-3211
2. Washoe Theater
The Washoe Theater was built as an “extravagant movie palace” in the town of Anaconda, Montana back in 1931, but didn’t open to the public until 1936, as a result of the Great Depression. Listed on the National Register of Historic Sites, the Washoe Theater was the last theater to be constructed using the Art Deco style and features murals, Art Deco furnishing, and ornamentations in golf leaf, copper, and silver. The Washoe Theater is still going strong today and in 2013, changed from using a 35mm film projector to more modern digital projector, allowing the Washoe to start screening 3D movies.
305 Main St, Anaconda, MT 59711, Phone: 406-563-6161
3. St. Timothy's Memorial Chapel
St. Timothy’s Memorial Chapel provides both tourists and local residents alike in Anaconda, around Georgetown Lake, and the surrounding area with a gorgeous setting featuring amazing views of the lake and the Pintler Mountains. The chapel was built on a hillside approximately 600 feet above the scenic Georgetown Lake near Anaconda, at the Southern Cross ghost town. St. Timothy's Chapel is constructed of both stained and clear glass, as well as native stone, and features a Celtic cross. The chapel is able to seat up to 170 people and the windows offer views of the Continental Divide and the Pintler Wilderness Area.
2285 Southern Cross Rd, Anaconda, MT 59711, Phone: 888-407-4071
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
4. Black Dog Antiques
Black Dog Antiques is the only antique mall in the town of Anaconda, Montana, home to unique treasures and finds from over thirty antique dealers. The upscale antique retail store offers an eclectic mix of gifts, home decor, collectibles, antiques, and vintage pieces. Visitors can wander from one room to the next exploring the wide variety of antique gems and oddities mixed in with a huge array of furniture, bottles, jewelry, railroad and mining memorabilia, treasures from Anaconda and Butte’s heyday, and much more. Black Dog Antiques is open from 12:00pm until 5:00pm, seven days a week.
1200 E Park Ave, Anaconda, MT 59711, Phone: 406-563-0478
5. Hearst Free Library
The Hearst Free Library is a great example of the classic libraries constructed during the turn of the twentieth century. Opening to the general public of Anaconda, Montana in June of 1898, the library still remains open today to the town’s reading community, as well as visitors, over one hundred years later. Boasting a commanding spot on Main Street, the Hearst Free Library is a classic, impressive gem gifted to the town by Phoebe Hearst. One of the best types of library structures, the building is considered by many to be unrivaled in the state of Montana.
401 Main St, Anaconda, MT 59711, Phone: 406-563-6932
Where I Like to Eat in Anaconda, MT
- Recommended for Families: Donivan’s Restaurant – Hearty breakfasts, burgers, and classic American comfort food in a family-friendly space.
- For Casual Dining: Smelter City Brewing – Locally crafted beers and a relaxed taproom often hosting food trucks and live music.
- For a Special Night Out: Barclay II Supper Club – Retro fine dining with steak, seafood, and cocktails in a throwback supper club setting.
My favorite local events:
- For Families: Anaconda SummerFest (July) – A lively festival with vendors, live music, kids’ activities, and food trucks in Washoe Park.
- For History Buffs: Smeltermen’s Day Celebration (August) – Honors the town’s mining past with parades, reunions, and community spirit.
- For Holiday Cheer: Christmas Stroll and Tree Lighting (December) – Local shops, carolers, and lights kick off the festive season downtown.
Day Trip Itineraries Within 30–90 Minutes of Anaconda, MT:
- For Culture: Butte, MT (30 min) – Explore mining history at the World Museum of Mining or take an underground tour in this once-booming city.
- For Outdoor Fun: Georgetown Lake (25 min) – Fish, boat, paddleboard, or snowmobile around this alpine lake surrounded by peaks.
- For Scenic Views: Pintler Veterans Memorial Scenic Highway – Drive MT-1 for dramatic mountain, lake, and valley vistas between Anaconda and Philipsburg.
- For Ghost Town Exploration: Granite and Garnet (60–90 min) – Roam Montana’s best-preserved ghost towns for a peek into mining-era life.
- For Skiing: Discovery Ski Area (35 min) – Great terrain for all levels, from groomed trails to challenging glades and bowls.
Plan Your Trip