Area & Things To Do: Locally, Regionally, & Statewide
The Big Belts across the Missouri
Helena, Montana
Experience the best that the Rocky Mountain west has to offer in Helena! The Gates of the Mountains, named by Lewis and Clark, are 30 minutes away. Thursday evening, this conference invites you to a BBQ and a guided boat tour on the Missouri River through the Gates of the Mountains. You'll be right on the trail of Lewis and Clark. The source of the mighty Missouri is within an hour at Three Forks, Montana. There are cowboys, Indians, hot springs, and ghost towns, all within an hour. Bring your love of the arts, walking or hiking, history, or the outdoors. Bring or rent a kayak, fly rod, or mountain bike. Breathtaking beauty lies at your door tendered with refreshing western hospitality.
- Attractions - a Chamber of Commerce site
- City Parks & Recreation - Check out the Park Map/List.
- Climate
- Events Chamber
- Events Downtown
- History
- Helena National Forest - including the Continental Divide at MacDonald Pass
- Hunting & Fishing - Spring bear hunt usually ends late May.
- Images of Helena as She Was
- Maps Online from the Montana State Library's Natural Resource Information System - Montana Geographic Information Clearinghouse enables you to make and print the maps you need.
- Montana Historical Society - the conference will be going here for a reception on Wednesday evening, May 21st hosted by the Internet Archive.
Helena enjoys mountain hiking and biking trails that you can walk or ride to from your hotel. Maps of this South Hills Trail System are available at local sporting good stores along with the map of the road and trails of the Helena National Forest.
Rocky Mountain Montana -- Big Sky Overview
Helena lies at the heart of the legendary recreation, history, and western culture of the Montana Rocky Mountains. We lie halfway between Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park. It's just under four hours south by car through incredible beauty to Yellowstone's Old Faithful. Many Glacier in Glacier National Park is under five hours north. Once there, you are within striking distance of the Blackfoot Reservation, Canada, and Banff. Though the average May, daytime high temperature in Helena is 65° at 4000 feet elevation, weather can be a factor particularly at higher elevation. Also, some park amenities are not open yet, but it's a great time to visit the national parks before the crowds arrive.