Silver Bow: Trails, Mining History and Museums

An extinct volcano, trails along Silver Bow Creek and traces of mining offer different perspectives on Silver Bow. Big Butte is the eroded volcanic neck of an extinct volcano whose last eruption took place more than 49 million years ago. In Butte, historic sites, museums and memorials tell the story of the area’s mining history. As you plan your stay, consider whether you’d most like to explore outdoor trails, architecture and history, or exhibitions.

Trails in Thompson Park and along Silver Bow Creek

Thompson Park is a municipal recreation area with 25 miles of non-motorized trails for hiking, horseback riding or mountain biking. The Milwaukee Road Trail runs through the park: The gently sloping trail is 4.5 miles long and extends south to Pipestone Pass. There are barbecue grills and restrooms at the Eagle’s Nest Trailhead and in the park’s picnic areas.

The Silver Bow Creek Greenway Corridor offers a different route length. It stretches for 26 miles along Silver Bow Creek between Butte and the Warm Springs Ponds. About 70 percent of the corridor has been remediated and restored; this proportion may change as work progresses. In Thompson Park, the Milwaukee Road Trail is part of the trail network; the Silver Bow Creek Greenway Corridor follows Silver Bow Creek as a separate route.

Mining History in Butte and Walkerville

The Butte-Anaconda Historic District encompasses the communities of Butte and Walkerville. Buildings and mining sites in the historic district showcase architecture associated with the development of a Western mining economy. Both guided and self-guided tours are available there.

The World Museum of Mining was built on the historic 22-acre site of the Orphan Girl Mine. Its exhibition areas include Hell Roarin’ Gulch, a reconstructed mining town from the 1890s with more than 50 buildings. For another perspective on mining, visit the Berkeley Pit, which can be viewed from a designated overlook. The Berkeley Pit Viewing Stand is generally open from mid-May to mid-September; weather conditions may affect the season. Check visiting dates before making plans.

From 1955 to 1982, the Berkeley Pit produced enough copper to pave a four-lane, four-inch-thick highway from Butte to Salt Lake City, Utah, and another 30 miles beyond. This comparison conveys the scale of production without reducing it to a mere number. A monument at Granite Mountain Memorial honors the 168 miners who died in the deadliest hard-rock mining disaster.

Museums, Architecture and Special Places

The preserved Mai Wah Noodle Parlor and Wah Chung Tai buildings house a museum. It tells the story of Montana’s Asian population; the Mai Wah Museum also explores the history and culture of Asian people in the Rocky Mountain West. The Mineral Museum displays more than 1,300 specimens, including minerals from Butte and Montana, as well as exhibits on local mining history. Admission is free. In a fluorescent room, minerals glow pink, orange or blue under ultraviolet light.

The Copper King Mansion was built for William A. Clark from 1884 to 1888. The brick mansion has 34 rooms and features stained-glass windows, frescoed ceilings and hand-carved woodwork. Tours with trained guides are offered from May through September. As the seasonal schedule may change, check the dates before your visit.

Our Lady of the Rockies stands on the Continental Divide and is 90 feet tall. The site is on private property and cannot be reached in a private vehicle; an official tour is required to visit. The fact that Butte lies at the junction of Interstates 15 and 90 is also a useful reference point when traveling there.

Tours, Events and Travel Planning

Old Butte Historical Adventures offers three different tours year-round; reservations are recommended. The tours cover each decade from the 1890s through the 1950s. Those interested in performing arts and film will find a venue with a long history at the Covellite Theatre: The building was constructed as First Presbyterian Church in 1896 and has served as a performing arts venue in Butte since the 1940s. On the second weekend of every April, the theater hosts the annual Covellite International Film Festival.

Recurring festivals offer their own distinct experiences, too. Every August, a free, family-friendly festival at the historic Original Mine Yard celebrates Irish heritage with traditional music, dance and cultural workshops. An annual, free, community-organized winter festival in Butte features cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, curling and ice skating, among other activities. The Butte Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center helps visitors find their way with interpretive mining exhibits, displays of native wildlife and a gift shop; it also carries hand-tied flies by George F. Grant.

This lets you tailor your search to your travel plans without trying to fit these very different visitor experiences into a single itinerary.

Explore more destinations: Glacier, Madison County, Park, Flathead, Sweet Grass, Sanders.

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