Unusual Things to Do in Anaconda, Montana

Anaconda, in Southwest Montana, is among one of the most historic towns in the state. Its industrious origins date back to the late 1800s and the enormous copper mining industry that struck it rich across the area. Remnants of this thriving period are still noticeable throughout the community today. These visual tips consist of a record-breaking Smelter Stack on the horizon as well as black-sand bunkers at the local golf course. Locate your next stop on a Montana holiday with our checklist of the best things to do in Anaconda.

Georgetown Lake

A prominent location for outdoor entertainment in Anaconda, Georgetown Lake provides opportunities for windsurfing, outdoor camping, angling, boating, and also much more. A large mountain lake, it’s bordered to the south by the Pintlers as well as to the north by the Flint Creek Range. Anglers can regularly be seen trying to catch Kokanee salmon or rainbow trout in Georgetown Lake, which includes four public watercraft ramps as well as is considered to be one of the most respected lake in the state of Montana. Throughout the winter season, the lake is usually made use of for snowmobiling and ice fishing. There are likewise numerous national forest camping sites located around the lake.

Washoe Theater, Anaconda, MT

The Washoe Theater was developed as an “luxurious movie palace” in the community of Anaconda, Montana back in 1931, but really did not available to the general public up until 1936, as a result of the Great Depression. Detailed on the National Register of Historic Sites, the Washoe Theater was the last theater to be built utilizing the Art Deco design as well as attributes murals, Art Deco furnishing, and also decorations in golf copper, silver, and fallen leave. The Washoe Theater is still going strong today as well as in 2013, altered from making use of a 35mm movie projector to more contemporary electronic projector, enabling the Washoe to begin screening 3D motion pictures.

Drive the Pintler Veteran’s Memorial Scenic Highway

The Pintler Veterans’ Memorial Scenic Highway is a 64-mile route that connects Anaconda to Philipsburg and Drummond. It uses an extremely picturesque option to the interstate between Butte as well as Missoula. And with snowboarding, wilderness areas, and also huge lakes along the way, it’s a real avenue for experience from Anaconda.

The path travels through huge swaths of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. One of the first major tourist attractions on the freeway heading west from Anaconda is Georgetown Lake. The sterling Anaconda Pintler Mountains back this large reservoir, using an enjoyable location for a day or weekend break getaway.

Several trailheads are accessible from the breathtaking freeway. Several of these routes endeavor right into the renowned Anaconda Pintler Wilderness with startling, rugged optimals cresting the Continental Divide. This backpacking heaven is a must-do for exterior fanatics in Montana. Particularly those that favor to have wild areas without the crowds.

Swing the Day Away at Old Works Golf Course

The Old Works Golf Course supplies Montana’s many unique golfing experience as well as the only Jack Nicklaus training course open to the public in the state. This 18-hole program has numerous tee locations to fit all capabilities. As well as the course’s copper mining beginnings are abundant throughout the round.

The fairway rests atop what utilized to be the place of Anaconda’s very first copper smelter. This Old Works lay dormant for a number of years up until its designation as a Superfund site in 1983. Less than six years later, with enormous resident and also federal government effort, as well as a little layout assistance by Jack Nicklaus, the Old Works Golf Course opened to the public.

Alongside early mining antiques lining some of the fairways, famous views of the far-off Anaconda Smelter Stack are readily available from a few tee boxes. The training course’s most remarkable touch of history originates from the black sand traps, infused with slag — a result of the copper smelting procedure.

Hit the Slopes at Discovery Ski Area

Exploration Ski Area, one of Montana’s ideal ski resorts, is about 20 miles west of Anaconda on the Pintler Scenic Byway. This popular place for winter recreation has over 2,200 skiable acres and also a healthy mix of beginner, intermediate, and professional runs. The mountain likewise has a laid-back ambiance, with pleasant lift assistants as well as rarely ever before lengthy lift lines.

Together with exceptional snowboarding, the resort likewise has facilities like services, lessons, and also a comfortable base lodge to obtain warm. The lodge dishes out cafeteria-style food, including homemade baked cookies oozing with chocolate. The ski area also organizes real-time events throughout the period, such as music acts as well as snowboarding competitions.

And it’s greater than simply downhill winter sports and also snowboarding at Discovery. The facility additionally aids preserve a considerable collection of Nordic trails nearby. These cross-country and snowshoe courses circle the nearby Echo Lake and also connect to the lodge.

The hill also thaws off in the summertime to reveal a vast network of downhill hill cycling trails. This lift-enabled bike park has wood building elements, like berms, bridges, and jumps. The Discovery Bike Park provides rentals and mountain bike lessons for those new to the sporting activity.