The History Center of the Lewis and Clark County Historical Society is located in the historic Steamboat Block in downtown Helena. The site connects Helena’s cityscape with the history of the county. Check current visiting hours before your trip.
History and Art in Helena
The area that became Lewis and Clark County was created in the Montana Territory in 1864 and renamed in 1868 after the Lewis and Clark Expedition. This sequence distinguishes the creation of the area from its later naming. The Montana Military Museum also has its own focus: its exhibits cover the origins of the Special Forces, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and US Army operations. Here, you can encounter both the history of the expedition and topics in military history.
The Holter opened in 1987 so that the Helena community could experience contemporary art in central Montana. It presents between 25 and 30 rotating exhibitions each year. The Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts offers another way to engage with art: it was founded in 1951 on the site of the former Western Clay Manufacturing Company. Its public offerings include classes, gallery visits, retail, self-guided tours, and organized group visits. As the visitor program may change, it is recommended that you check current offerings before your visit.
Landscapes and Routes in the County
Lewis and Clark County includes sections of the Rocky Mountain Front and the Continental Divide, as well as the Big Belt Mountains and the Missouri River. The region also includes sections of the Old North Trail and the River Road to the Buffalo. Thus, landscape features and historic routes sit alongside one another, without implying a single travel route. Spring Meadow Lake State Park is on the western edge of Helena. Lincoln, meanwhile, is near the Bob Marshall Wilderness and the Scapegoat Wilderness and is connected with the Blackfoot River, designated a “Blue Ribbon” river.
The expedition’s history also leads to the landmark Gates of the Mountains: Meriwether Lewis gave it its name during the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Gates of the Mountains Boat Tours offer a 120-minute boat ride departing from their own marina. The scenery along the ride includes forested slopes, rugged rock formations, and the Missouri River. As tour details may change, check the current seasonal schedule before your visit. The site also has a public boat ramp; check this visitor facility before your trip as well.
Another way to include the Missouri River in your visit plans is the Meriwether Picnic Area beside the river. It has a picnic shelter, fire rings, restrooms, and drinking water. Check the condition of these facilities before your trip. For a hike, the scenic Meriwether Canyon Trail (253) is a clearly described option: it is 6.0 miles long, rated moderate, and leads into the Gates of the Mountains Wilderness Area.
From Nature Viewing to a Ski Area
Montana WILD combines nature-related topics with public programs: the facility has an aquarium with live fish from Montana and offers free programs to the public. Tizer Botanic Gardens & Arboretum has its own focus on plants and gardens; the grounds include 14 different gardens. Together with Spring Meadow Lake State Park, these facts illustrate different connections with nature without presupposing any particular recreational activity.
Those interested in skiing will find another attraction at Great Divide Ski Area. The area is on the Continental Divide and has 127 runs across three mountain peaks and three different valleys. As information about the ski area may be updated, check the current specifications before visiting. You can then consider the options described according to your own interests, from art and history to river and landscape experiences and skiing.
Discover more destinations: Helena, Glacier, Silver Bow, Sweet Grass, Lake County, Judith Basin County, Mineral County, Prairie County
For the main travel overview: Montana.
