New To Anaconda? Top Things To Do in Anaconda, MT This Summer 2024
Anaconda is a little gem tucked away in the Pintler Mountains, just outside the more raucous Butte. It attracts all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts and is especially known for hunting, hiking, and mountain biking.
Being an Anaconda, Montana resident myself, I put together a list of my favorite things to do here. And there are plenty.
I keep a calendar with all of Anaconda’s upcoming events so that I can schedule my yoga class offerings around them (and so I can attend the events myself). Take a look and see what’s coming up:
Here’s everything our small town loves about living here.
Stuff To Do In Town
The small businesses offer more than just friendly service… they also host A LOT of events around town. Here’s what’s on offer now. I’ll be updating this list as I talk to more people throughout the year.
Weekly Yoga Classes
I teach weekly yoga classes, at 5:30 p.m. on Mondays at Pintler’s Portal Hostel and at 6:30 on Tuesdays at Copper Village Museum. Each class is $10 cash or via Venmo. I try to make my classes super beginner-friendly while providing something challenging or rewarding for more advanced practitioners. It’s a Come One, Come All situation!
On Mondays, the yoga class is a juicy yin flow that stretches the hips and spine. It’s perfect for after a weekend of fun in the mountains, whether hiking or mountain biking! I love that it takes place at the hostel… as a former nomad myself, I’ve found so much inspiration in many hostels around the world. I love meeting people and so this opportunity to bring the community to meet the travelers is very exciting for everyone involved. Come by, get some deep stretches, and hear some interesting stories from travelers from around the world!
On Tuesdays, the yoga class has a more athletic vinyasa flow for the sweat junkies in Anaconda. I like this big open space of the museum with carpeted flooring because it’s honestly just an epic space for a yoga class. It can fit tons of people and you get to see the rotating art exhibits while flowing through yoga.
I also have a few upcoming yoga workshops that I’ll add here once the details materialize. Follow me on Instagram to get the latest details on upcoming classes and events: @yogawithmarquis
Anaconda Trail Society Events
Anaconda Trail Society organizes weekly events for hiking, mountain biking, and trail maintenance. You can find all of their upcoming events on their Events Page. For any trail maintenance events, look for an Eventbrite link where you’ll reserve your spot.
Follow them on Instagram to stay up to date: @anacondatrailsociety
Discover Anaconda Events
Discover Anaconda regularly hosts events and coordinates with small businesses around Anaconda. You can follow them on Instagram to get details on current and upcoming events.
Pintler’s Portal Hiker Nights
July 17th Pintler’s Portal Hostel is hosting a Hiker Night for the Continental Divide Trail south bound hikers, otherwise known and SOBOs and August 22nd a Hiker Night for north bound hikers NOBOs. The hostel feeds them food and drink for no charge and invites the community to come mingle with hikers from all over the world. You can get all of the details on Facebook:
Anaconda Community Market
The Anaconda Community Market is a fun summer treat that goes from July 11 to September 5 on Thursdays at 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. If you’re in town during the summer, then this is a fun way to explore the local vendors and just enjoy the great summer weather that southwest Montana has to offer.
Old Works Golf Course
Old Works Golf Course is Montana’s premier golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus right in the heart of Anaconda. Most visitors notice the black sand immediately, which is made from the furnace slag of the old copper smelter that first founded this small town. While the course itself is very unique and steeped in history, it’s the virtual golf courses inside the Old Works Golf Course clubhouse that really got my attention. You can select from all kinds of golf courses around the US and play those courses with drink in hand. You can follow them on Instagram to see their upcoming events: @oldworksgolfcourse
Bighorn Bottle Shop And Wine Bar
The Bighorn Bottle Shop is a nice quiet wine bar where you can enjoy a civilized drink and chat with your friends. They have a really nice tapas-style menu so that you can snack while you drink. The most exciting event they have is their “Free Sample Saturdays” from March 16 to Jun 15. Every Saturday, Bighorn pours 3-6 different products for you to try before you buy.
If you’ve already missed that, then they have a free Solstice Party coming up on June 22 at 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Bighorn Bottle Shop is partnering up with Anaconda Bicycles and Recreate Climbing and Fitness of Butte for and outdoor family event.
They also have a Wine Tasting & Social with 3 guests – Washington, Italy & Spain on June 26 from 4:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., tickets selling from between $10 and $45.
Follow their Instagram to see what they’re up to in real time: @bighornbottleshop
Smelter City Brewing
Smelter City Brewing is a classic watering hole that hosts an impressive space. The place is always full of families, bubbly chatter, and a neighborhood cat. They’re regularly hosting events if you’re looking for a little action. Otherwise, it’s the best spot in town for your 3-beer limit in Montana. You can follow them on Instagram to get the latest updates on events.
Washoe Theatre
Washoe Theatre is one of Anaconda’s most treasured historic places. They show only one movie at a time and tickets are $6. The theater is magnificently decorated, with an art deco style on the outside and a vintage Depression-era style on the inside. I love coming here by myself whenever a movie I like is playing.
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Outdoor Activities
Southwest Montana is known for its beautiful mountains and those begin right here in Anaconda. It’s in a prime location too, just an hour from Helena and an hour and a half from Bozeman or Missoula, making it an easy weekend getaway for “city” dwellers.
Lost Creek State Park
Lost Creek State Park is just outside of Anaconda and is a beautiful little area for a picnic and meandering hike. Water runs down the sides of the mountains, flowing into the creek that the state park is known for. This Montana State Park has a fee for nonresidents: $9. If you’re a Montana resident, then you already pay the state park fees with your vehicle registration.
Lost Creek State Park also has camping, making it a fun and well maintained spot to camp out while exploring the Pintler Mountains. You can reserve your campsite or cabin here: https://montanastateparks.reserveamerica.com/
Georgetown Lake
Georgetown Lake is the go-to for lake activities in the area. It’s massive and has little campsites tucked around the perimeter. There is a moose that hangs out on the northwestern end of the lake. There are a few bays where you can kayak or paddle board while looking at the clear water below. The backdrop is a delight: snowcapped Pintler Mountains.
Even the drive to the lake is an absolute delight, where you’re likely to see bighorn sheep in the adjacent fields.
Hiking and Trail Running
The Pintler Mountains have no shortage of hiking trails, so go wild exploring your maps of choice. I’ve got all of these upcoming events in my embedded calendar above, but you can also follow @anacondatrailsociety on Instagram to get reminders about their upcoming events.
- A Hill Hike & Trail Run
- Date/Time: June 12 @ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Description: Casual hike or trail run. Meet at the parking area between Mt Carmel and Upper Hill Cemetery.
- Upper Old Works Hike & Trail Run
- Date/Time: June 19 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
- Description: Casual hike or trail run. Meet at Cedar Park Lanes Bowling Alley.
- C Hill Hike & Trail Run
- Date/Time: June 26 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
- Description: Casual hike or trail run. Meet at the end of the Lower Cemetery.
- Blue Eyed Nellie WMA Hike
- Date/Time: July 10 @ 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
- Description: Hike at Blue Eyed Nellie WMA. Meet at the parking lot off Cable Rd.
- Garrity Mountain WMA Hike & Trail Run
- Date/Time: July 17 @ 11:30 am – 1:30 pm
- Description: Casual hike or trail run. Meet at Garrity WMA Parking Lot.
Mountain Biking
Emily and Matt at Anaconda Bicycles have done a great job organizing public rides with Anaconda Trail Society to create a full summer calendar for all mountain biking enthusiasts. Check my embedded calendar above to see all of the upcoming rides they have scheduled. Or follow them on Instagram to get updates there: @anacondabicycles
- 4 Mile Basin Mountain Bike Ride
- Date/Time: June 19 @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
- Description: Out-and-back ride. Meet at picnic area on Old Highway 10.
- Foster Creek Road Gravel Bike Ride
- Date/Time: June 26 @ 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
- Description: 26-mile gravel bike ride. Meet at Anaconda Bicycles.
- Lost Creek Trail Mountain Bike Ride
- Date/Time: July 3 @ 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
- Description: Out-and-back ride. Meet at Lost Creek trailhead.
- Foster Creek Trail Mountain Bike Ride
- Date/Time: July 17 @ 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
- Description: Out-and-back single track ride. Meet at Foster Creek trailhead.
For more information and to sign up for events, visit Anaconda Trails Society Events.
Discovery Ski Area / Bike Park
Discovery Ski Area is a cute little family operated ski hill with epic winter conditions and turns into a bike park during the summer. You can buy tickets to the bike park here for either a scenic ride up the chairlift, a single ride park pass, or an all mountain day pass.
The bike park is designed for all levels and professionally maintained so that it’s smooth riding conditions.
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort
Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is where families with rambunctious children go to hang out in a pool for hours at a time. It’s good fun and in a picturesque location, though I’d say it’s more like a public pool than a hot springs. Plus, you need to book a room to go to the pools anyway, so it’s not really worth going out of your way for if you don’t intend to stay there.
If you stay at the Fairmont RV Park then you can get access to the pools as well but for a much smaller price tag.
Closing Thoughts
I include upcoming events in my weekly newsletter, along with a free online yoga class and other things related to a yogic lifestyle in Anaconda, Montana. Sign up for my newsletter to stay up to date on everything Anaconda related!
