Overview
Big Timber is in south central Montana. About 1,600 people live there. Surrounded on three sides by the Absaroka-Beartooths and the Crazy Mountains, the area's fantastic scenery provided a backdrop for movies such as A River Runs Through It and The Horse Whisperer.
2 sights · 3 things to do · 2 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Big Timber
Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park
This 98-acre park offers the opportunity to observe the prairie dog community in its natural environment.
Crazy Mountain Museum
The Crazy Mountain Museum is a historical museum featuring exhibits that reflect the history of Sweet Grass County and the surrounding area.
Overland Golf Course
An uncrowded 18 holes with a spectacular view of the Crazy Mountains. Club house has pizza and brats.
Yellowstone River Trout Hatchery
Visit the hatchery to see cutthroat trout. Learn about Montana's fish management practices. Call ahead for a tour.
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness
covering 920,310 acres, is an administrated unit of the Gallatin National Forest, Custer National Forest and the Shoshone National Forest and is named for its jagged peaks resembling bear's teeth and for the Native Ameri…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 14°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Bozeman)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- BZN Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Bozeman — 58 mi away. Directions
- BIL Billings Logan International Airport, Billings — 68 mi away. Directions
Big Timber is on Interstate 90 (I-90), between Livingston and Billings.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Crazy Mountain Museum, Yellowstone River Trout Hatchery, Overland Golf Course
- Afternoon Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park, Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness
- Evening Timber Bar
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
The Yellowstone River, Boulder River, and the many smaller streams in the area are famous for fly fishing.
The Big Timber is the county seat of Sweet Grass County.
Nearby are the towns of Greycliff and McLeod, both with few services.
Get in
Big Timber is on Interstate 90 (I-90), between Livingston and Billings.
Get around
Once you're in Big Timber, most things are reachable by foot but there is no shortage of parking either so it's fairly easy to get around.
See
Do
- The Boulder River is world famous area for fly fishing, outfitters can be found in town. Ask at local fly shops and check river conditions online. June is high water month due to snow melting at higher elevations which can make rivers treacherous, the water muddy and difficult to fish.
Do Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness
covering 920,310 acres, is an administrated unit of the Gallatin National Forest, Custer National Forest and the Shoshone National Forest and is named for its jagged peaks resembling bear's teeth and for the Native Americans that lived in the area.
Buy
Shop Montana Taxidermy
after spending your whole vacation catching only one fish, at least you can bring it here to get it stuffed and keep it forever.
Drink
Drink The Coffee Stop
when you want a little something more than basic coffee then this is the place.
Drink Timber Bar
every town in Montana needs an old-school bar full of cowboys and locals, this is the one for Big Timber.
Sleep
Stay safe
This is bear country. Be bear aware while fishing or camping. Plenty of other wildlife may come close. Remember they are wild and can react badly to people. Keep your distance and enjoy watching.
Do not drink from the stream (unless you treat the water) or you could be very sick. Even though the streams look crystal clear, giardia parasites can be present.
Go next
- Enjoy a soak in one of Montana's hot springs at either White Sulphur Springs to the northwest or Chico Hot Springs to the southwest.
Nearby
Stillwater County
Rural area · 13 listings · 31 mi away
Livingston
City / town · 20 listings · 32 mi away
Harlowton
City / town · 14 listings · 42 mi away
Bozeman
City / town · 48 listings · 54 mi away
Red Lodge
City / town · 20 listings · 56 mi away
Cooke City
City / town · 9 listings · 56 mi away
Laurel
City / town · 20 listings · 58 mi away
Belgrade
City / town · 6 listings · 59 mi away
My experience
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