Sweet Grass: Nature, Waterfalls, and Heritage

The upper Yellowstone River flows through Sweet Grass County and offers high-quality cold-water fishing in relatively little-altered habitats. With no dams or river-wide diversion structures, its course remains free-flowing. River conditions and fishing regulations can change; check the latest information before a fishing trip.

River, Waterfall, and Wildlife

At Natural Bridge Falls, the Boulder River plunges over a 100-foot drop. The natural rock bridge for which the site is named collapsed in July 1988. Today, the waterfall and geology are the main attractions. Amenities listed include accessible paved trails, picnic tables, interpretive signs about geological processes, and opportunities for photography and fishing; individual offerings may change.

Natural Bridge Falls is also the starting point for the Green Mountain Trail. For directions, it lies 27 miles south of Big Timber on Secondary 298.

To reach the Boulder Forks Fishing Access Site, travel from Big Timber via McLeod Street and Highway 298. The Grey Bear Fishing Access Site has a large open area for camping and picnicking. Check current road and facility conditions for these two destinations before setting out.

Wildlife is also a defining part of the landscape. Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park covers 98 acres; there, you can observe a prairie dog community in its natural environment. Habitat areas created by this community provide foraging habitat, cover, or living space for burrowing owls, black-footed ferrets, and mountain plovers.

Museums and Historic Places

The Crazy Mountain Museum features a replica of a Norwegian stabbur, a tipi, the one-room Sourdough Schoolhouse, the Fjare Homestead cabin, and Lewis and Clark gardens. Its exhibits cover the first settlers of Sweet Grass County, the Cremer Rodeo, and the development of the sheep and wool industry. A diorama shows Big Timber, Montana, as it looked in 1907. Together, these subjects offer insight into different chapters of local and regional history.

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church is a Late Gothic Revival-style building. Architecture and religion are among the areas of its historical significance. Its periods of significance are listed as 1875–1899, 1900–1924, and 1925–1949; 1894 is identified as a significant year.

Big Timber Town Hall served as the town’s government offices, fire department, and jail from its construction in 1909 until 1966. It is also historically significant for its association with the Progressive Era movement in Big Timber. Members of the Spannring family farmed the land at the John Otto Spannring Family Farm from 1917 to 1949.

The Big Timber Carnegie Public Library has served Big Timber and Sweet Grass County since 1913. Its holdings include Montana-related collections and archives of every past edition of the local newspaper, the Big Timber Pioneer. Two Rivers Gallery in downtown Big Timber is a nonprofit visual arts gallery. It opens a new exhibition on the third Friday of every month and promotes workshops by local and visiting artists. Check the current exhibition and workshop calendar for a specific date.

Seasonal Highlights

For 2026, the Big Timber Farmers Market was scheduled weekly from mid-July to early September at Lions Club Park. The planned offerings included fresh farm produce, locally produced meat, homemade treats, and handmade crafts. If you are planning for a later season, check the dates again.

Discover more destinations: Big Timber, Chouteau County, Mineral County, Judith Basin County, Wibaux County, Lake County, Powder River County, Beaverhead.

For the broader travel guide: Montana.