Hidden In Montana's Rocky Mountains Is A Valley City With A Manicured Downtown And Outdoor Recreation

About an hour's drive south of the snow-capped mountains and cozy charm of Missoula, the town of Hamilton, Montana, emerges from a landscape surrounded by towering mountains and deep forests. This is an area of Montana's Rocky Mountains known as the Bitterroot Valley. As the largest town in the valley, Hamilton is known for its accessible, manicured downtown and the endless outdoor recreation opportunities that the Last Best Place is famous for.

Established in 1890, Hamilton has gone through a series of changes throughout its history. Most famously, Hamilton was a timber town utilized by Copper King Marcus Daly. He used Hamilton's forests to feed his mine and smelting operation, which brought prosperity to the town. In the early 1900s, Hamilton became known for its uniquely designed brick storefronts, nearly all of which are still in use today.

Thanks to the Missoula Airport's (MSO) accessible cross-country flights, taking the hour-long drive to Hamilton makes the town incredibly easy to get to. As far as what time of year you come, Hamilton is open year-round for a multitude of different activities and sports. So, in all honesty, there really isn't a bad time of year to visit, depending on your interests.

It's easy to think of Montana in extremes. On the one hand, you have a place like Triple Creek Ranch in Darby, a chic, rustic getaway that isn't all that far from Hamilton. On the other hand, you have Nevada City, an abandoned mining town that oozes Wild West flair. Hamilton is certainly a combination of these two extremes. It's rustic and quiet, while also exuding a charm and class that make it the jewel of the Bitterroot Valley.

The Hamilton Commercial Historic District on West Main Street is listed in the National Register of Historic Places thanks to its unique architectural character. Coffee shops, bookstores, restaurants, independent breweries, and boutiques built from fire brick, metal, and mullioned glass line the street, lending an extremely manicured, old-time feel to the town. Some well-known stops include Naps Grill, Chapter One Bookstore, and Explore the Arts.

However, the most beautiful and well-tended property in Hamilton has got to be the Daly Mansion. The enormous home built by the town's founder, Marcus Daly, is an absolutely gorgeous Queen Anne-inspired Victorian home set on around 46 sprawling acres. Visitors can come explore the grounds on weekdays and enjoy tours during the summer season. It's a splendid location not to be missed on a trip to Hamilton. If you're visiting in July, be sure to experience the Daly Days and Brewfest, where the town comes alive to celebrate its businesses and history.

No trip to Montana is complete without experiencing the wilderness the state is so famous for. The Rocky Mountains surround Hamilton on all sides and make for some truly spectacular vistas. They also make for some exceptional hiking. As part of the wider Bitterroot National Forest, Hamilton offers no shortage of trails that can take you to some pretty amazing destinations. One of the best is the Blodgett Overlook Trail, a 3-mile round trip trail of steady elevation that looks out over Blodgett Canyon and the surrounding Bitterroot wilderness. Mountain bike riding and horseback riding are also allowed on the trail.

What would a trip to Big Sky Country be without a spot of fly fishing? It is arguably one of the very best things to do in Montana. Longtime anglers will remember Montana as the setting for the classic novella and 1992 film "A River Runs Through It." While the movie filmed most of its water scenes on multiple rivers in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, the Bitterroot River is a waterway of equal majesty and abundance.

Hook up (pun intended) with one of the many angling outfitters — such as Bitterroot Anglers or Fly Fishing Always — to get the most out of a day's worth of fishing on the river. You'll feel like you are in a movie as you cast for the region's signature trout. It's a great way to experience the nature of this beautiful slice of western heaven.