Stillwater County combines striking elevation changes with art in the landscape, river destinations, and local history. The county stretches from the Beartooth Mountains through the valleys of the Stillwater River and Yellowstone River to the northern lake basins and coulees. Elevation ranges from about 3,400 feet near Park City to over 12,000 feet near Granite Peak. This range offers different options for planning your trip, from large-scale sculptures and hiking trails to waterways and historical collections.
Sculptures and Trails at Tippet Rise
Tippet Rise Art Center features large-scale sculptures on a 12,500-acre working ranch. Visitors can explore the grounds independently on 15 miles of trails and 13 miles of gravel roads connecting the sculptures. Sculpture van tours, meanwhile, last about 2.5 hours and stop at numerous artworks on the ranch. This offers two ways to explore: on your own along trails and gravel roads, or on a tour with stops at many sculptures. Tour dates and operations may change; check before planning a van tour. Trail conditions can also vary.
Hiking by the River and in the Wilderness
Woodbine Campground borders the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and sits on the banks of the Stillwater River at an elevation of 5,300 feet. From there, you can see the surrounding snow-capped peaks, which reach 10,000 feet. The Woodbine Falls Trail is a 1.5-mile loop hike from the campground to a waterfall. Another option is the Stillwater Trail, which provides access to the wilderness and reaches Sioux Charley Lake after 3 miles. This gives you the choice of a loop starting at the campground or a trail leading to a named lake, without specifying a difficulty level or hiking time.
Wildlife and Waterways
Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge covers 160 acres and is surrounded on three sides by the 1,828-acre Hailstone Waterfowl Production Area. The refuge is open to hunting, wildlife viewing, and photography. Check the refuge’s current rules before your visit. Non-motorized boating, camping, fishing, and hunting are available at Buffalo Jump Fishing Access Site; rules and restrictions at the site may change.
The Stillwater River flows 70 miles from the high mountains of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and empties into the Yellowstone River near Columbus. Known as a “Blue-Ribbon fishery,” it is known for rainbow trout, brown trout, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, and brook trout. Fishing regulations and access options may change; check current conditions before visiting to fish.
County History and Visit Planning
The Museum of the Beartooths documents Stillwater County’s history back to the 1870s through stories, art, oral histories, artifacts, and images. The T.T. Brown Schoolhouse is part of the museum grounds. Visitors can also tour a Northern Pacific freight caboose from the 1960s. The “Hard Rock Mine” exhibit covers the history of mining in the county; individual exhibits may change. Twelve properties in Stillwater County are listed in the National Register of Historic Places, though register listings may change.
Road routes also offer different ways to plan your trip. From Absarokee, State Highway 420 heads toward Nye through grasslands and farmland along the Stillwater River. Check current road conditions before setting out. In Columbus, the Stillwater County Chamber of Commerce serves as a visitor information center; current office details may change. Columbus also offers a route to Yellowstone National Park via Beartooth Pass. The pass is open seasonally; the Beartooth All-American Road follows U.S. 212 from south of Red Lodge to Cooke City and onward to the park’s northeast entrance.
Explore more destinations: Columbus, Madison County, Powell County, Sweet Grass, Wheatland County, Beaverhead, Sanders, Roosevelt County.
For the broader travel overview: Montana.
