# Dillon (Montana)

Dillon is a city in Southwest Montana. In 2020, about 3,800 people lived there.

## Understand

Dillon is home to University of Montana Western. This is a smaller college, so not the degree of student-life and activity as other college towns.
Dillon began as a railroad town. It served as the transportation hub for the many nearby towns with gold and silver mines.

## Get in

The town is off I-15. Nearest airports are Butte and Idaho Falls.

## Get around

The central business area of Dillon can be easily traveled on foot. The city offers a free bus service M-F during the day, can request a ride by calling. Most sight seeing activities will require driving.

## See

* Bannack, 721 Bannack Rd (25 miles west), ☏ +1 406 834-3413, bannackstatepark@mt.gov. Open daily. Jun-Sep 8AM-sunset; Oct-May 8AM-5PM. Visitor Center summer only, 10AM-6PM. Best preserved of all Montana ghost towns. Guided tours available in the summer. Ice skating allowed on pond in winter with loaner skates available; call ahead to see if pond is frozen. $8 per vehicle; campsite fees range from $4 to $34. (updated Apr 2023)
* 45.21742-112.640811 Beaverhead County Museum, 15 S Montana St, ☏ +1 406 683-5027, bvhdmuseum@hotmail.com. M-F 9AM-5PM. Local history in a log building complex. (updated Apr 2023)
* Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, ☏ +1 406 683-3900. Largest national forest in Montana. Breath-taking scenery, hiking trails, and numerous campgrounds. (updated Apr 2023)

## Do

The Beaverhead and Big Hole rivers offer world class trout fishing. The Labor Day PRCA rodeo includes a parade and concerts and is named "Montana's Biggest Weekend".
* Clark Canyon Reservoir (20 miles south of Dillon, take exit 44 off I-15 onto MT-324), ☏ +1 406 683-6472. Boating and fishing. Several campgrounds. Site of Camp Fortunate, a significant point from the Lewis and Clark expedition. (updated Apr 2023)
* Maverick Mountain Ski Area, Polaris (50 miles west, take Pioneer Mountains Scenic By-Way off MT-278), ☏ +1 406 834-3454. Uncrowded skiing for all levels with 24 trails. Lodging available in town so you can play all day and not make the 50-mile drive back to Dillon. There is no cellular service for almost the entire drive and at the resort. The lodge does have free WiFi. (updated Apr 2023)

## Buy

* 3-D Gift Shop, 130 S Montana St, ☏ +1 406 683-4261. Tourist gifts. (updated Apr 2023)
* Murdoch's Ranch and Home Supply, 851 N Montana St, ☏ +1 406 683-6855. One-stop shop for any outdoor activity gear. (updated Apr 2023)

## Eat

Dillon has a few national food establishments such as Pizza Hut and McDonalds.
* Buffalo Lodge, 155 Lake Front Dr (located south of Dillon by Clark Canyon Reservoir), ☏ +1 406 683-5535. Burgers and steaks. (updated Apr 2023)
* 45.21724-112.639261 Klondike Inn, 33 E Bannack St, ☏ +1 406 683-3531. 8AM-9PM. Diner style food. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (updated Apr 2023)
* 45.21773-112.63972 Papa T's, 10 N Montana St, ☏ +1 406 683-6432. M-W 11AM-8:30PM, Th-Sa 11AM-9PM. Casual family dining. Pizzas and burgers. (updated Apr 2023)
* 45.20828-112.644583 Sparky's Garage, 420 E Poindexter, ☏ +1 406 638-2828. Su-Th 11AM-9PM, F Sa 11AM-9:30PM. 1950s-themed decor. Menu has smokehouse, burgers, and sandwiches. (updated Apr 2023)

## Drink

* 45.21583-112.642011 Beaverhead Brewing Company, 278 S Montana St, ☏ +1 406 988-0011, info@beaverheadbeer.com. Su-F 3-8PM, Sa noon-8PM. Microbrewery with a good selection of beers always on tap plus seasonal specialties. They also serve handcrafted ginger ale and root beer. Occasionally there is live music. (updated Apr 2023)
* Dillon Tap House, 24 E Center St, ☏ +1 406 683-9463. Tu W 5-10PM, Th-Sa 5PM-midnight. Rotating craft beer and wine. Bar games, yard games, and occasional live music. (updated Apr 2023)
* Hotel Metlen and Bar, 5 S Railroad Ave, ☏ +1 406 683-2335. Th-Sa 7PM-2AM. A gorgeous bar in the historic Metlen Hotel, built in 1897. Free pool on Thursday, dancing and karaoke on Friday and Saturday. (updated Apr 2023)
* 45.21705-112.64822 Mac's Last Cast, 26 S Montana St, ☏ +1 406 683-2444. M-F 11AM-11:30PM, Sa Su 10AM-11:30, may close earlier if no customers. Sports bar with full menu. Also a liquor store. Downstairs has Blacktail, a high-end steakhouse with seafood that is open evenings. (updated Apr 2023)
* 45.21764-112.64753 The Moose, 6 N Montana, ☏ +1 406 683-2649. Looks questionable from outside but a great small town bar. (updated Apr 2023)
* Susie's, 75 Swenson Way (in the Y lobby), ☏ +1 530-927-9142, funfitnutrition@gmail.com. M-F 6AM-1PM, 4:30-6PM; Sa 9AM-1PM. Smoothie and juice bar. (updated Apr 2023)

## Sleep

Dillon has a Best Western, Motel 6, Quality Inn, and Super 8.
* Andrus Hotel, 33 S Idaho St, ☏ +1 406 925-5024. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Luxury hotel in historic hotel. Rooftop terrace, fully equipped kitchen, pets welcome. (updated Apr 2023)
* Ruby Creek Campground, 1005 Selway Dr, ☏ +1 406 683-8000. Water on site. Boat ramp to Madison River. (updated Apr 2023)
* 45.21055-112.655241 Southside RV Park, 104 E Poindexter St, ☏ +1 406 683-2244. Good Sam Park. Full service sites, showers, laundry, free internet. No tents. (updated Apr 2023)

## Connect

* 45.21627-112.647881 Dillon Public Library, 121 S Idaho, ☏ +1 406 683-4544. Free. (updated Apr 2023)
* 45.21653-112.647232 Sweetwater Coffee, 24 S Idaho, ☏ +1 406 683-4141, hello@sweetwatercoffeemt.com. M-F 7:30AM-2PM. Serves coffee, juice, and Italian sodas. Made fresh daily light breakfast, lunch, and sweet treats. Free wi-fi. (updated Apr 2023)

## Go next

* Beaverhead Rock: a landmark from the Lewis and Clark Trail. There is a parking area 16 miles east of Dillon. Be sure to go another 14 miles to visit Twin Bridges.