Dillon

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, . 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)
  • 🌍 Beaverhead County Museum, 15 S Montana St, ☏ +1 406 683-5027, . 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

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)
  • 🌍 Klondike Inn, 33 E Bannack St, ☏ +1 406 683-3531. 8AM-9PM. Diner style food. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. (updated Apr 2023)
  • 🌍 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)
  • 🌍 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
  • 🌍 Beaverhead Brewing Company, 278 S Montana St, ☏ +1 406 988-0011, . 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)
  • 🌍 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)
  • 🌍 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, . 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)
  • 🌍 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

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.
Routes through Dillon
Helena ← Butte ←  N  S  → Dubois → Idaho Falls
END ←  SW  NE  → Jct E → Ends at W E


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