Gateway to the Breaks
in Central Montana
Fort Benton, the birthplace of Montana, is located just off US Highway 87. Relive the history of early Montana by taking a historic walking tour on the levee and viewing the inspiring landscape as you enter the Upper Missouri River Breaks.
- Museums in Town - Museum of the Upper Missouri, The Museum of the Northern Great Plains, Montana Agricultural Center and tours through the reconstructed Fort Benton fur post which includes the bastion, the oldest building in Montana. Open Memorial Day through September (admission charged). (406) 622-5316.
- Wild & Scenic Missouri River - 149 miles of the Upper Missouri protected in its natural free-flowing state. Fort Benton is the western gateway community to the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument.
- Geraldine and Square Butte - Noted scenic and geological Natural Area. Wildlife and raptor viewing. South 26 miles on Highway 80. No public access to Square Butte.
- Highwood Mountains - 20 miles south. Wildlife viewing, camping (fee), picnicking, hunting, mountain biking.
- Loma - 11 miles north on Highway 87. Richard Wood Watchable Wildlife Area, one mile south of highway. Lewis and Clark “Decision Point” Overlook. Earth Science Museum (admission charged). (406) 739-4361.
- Virgelle - 27 miles north on Highway 87. Major launch point for floating the National Wild and Scenic Missouri River. Virgelle is a restored, homestead- era settlement and boasts one of three remaining ferry crossings on the Upper Missouri River.
- Signal Point - 9-hole public golf course. One mile southeast of Highway 87.
- BLM’s Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument - Visitor Center and River Contact Station. Interpretive displays and river floating information. Open year ‘round. (877) 256-3252 or (406) 622-4000.
- Lewis & Clark State Memorial “Explorers At the Marias” - Located on the historic levee.
- Shep Memorial - Located on the levee. In memory of a legendary, faithful dog.
Fort Benton Chamber of Commerce, (406) 622-3864.
