Overview
Choteau is a town in Central Montana. It is the county seat of Teton County. About 1,700 people live there.
4 sights · 2 things to do · 3 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Choteau
Montana Dinosaur Center
Part of the Montana Dinosaur Trail. Has model of the longest dinosaur, a diplodocus, and the first baby dinosaur bones collected in North America.
Teton Pass Ski Area
400 skiable acres with 3 lifts.
Freezout Lake
From mid-March to mid-October hundreds of thousands of snow geese and tens of thousands of trumpeter and tundra swans visit the lake. There is a tracker for fall and spring migration
Old Trail Museum
Museum with a bit of everything. Fossils, Blackfeet and Métis histories, history of the region.
Pine Butte Swamp Preserve
Abundant variety of wildlife - grizzlies, beaver, elk, bobcat, and bighorn sheep to name some. Only part of the preserve is open to the public.
Teton Disc Golf
18 Holes. Course info on south side of Pavilion.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 85°F; winter lows dip to about 18°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Missoula)
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.
- GTF Great Falls International Airport, Great Falls — 44 mi away. Directions
- HLN Helena Regional Airport, Helena — 84 mi away. Directions
- GEG Spokane International Airport, Spokane — 249 mi away (major hub). Directions
Choteau is at the intersection of U.S. Highway 89 (US-89) and U.S. Highway 287 (US-287).
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Freezout Lake, Teton Disc Golf
- Lunch Log Cabin Cafe
- Afternoon Old Trail Museum, Montana Dinosaur Center
- Dinner John Henry's Restaurant
- Evening Copper Creek Coffee
Day 2
- Morning Pine Butte Swamp Preserve
- Lunch Outpost Deli
- Afternoon Teton Pass Ski Area
- Evening Antler 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
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Get in
Choteau is at the intersection of U.S. Highway 89 (US-89) and U.S. Highway 287 (US-287).
The nearest commercial airport is Great Falls International Airport (GTF).
Get around
You will need a personal vehicle, or bike, to get around Choteau.
When adventuring outside of town, be sure you plan for fuel and download maps. Wide open country is great to explore, just don't expect to always have service and amenities.
See
Do
Choteau has a number of guides, outfitters, and other local experts for hiking, hunting, or fishing.
Eat
Eat John Henry's Restaurant
Pizza.Beer.Chicken according to their sign but really has a wide variety on the menu.
Eat Log Cabin Cafe
Diner food with outdoor seating available.
Eat Outpost Deli
Not really a deli, more a traditional café.
Drink
Drink Antler Bar
Relaxed atmosphere of a small town bar.
Drink Copper Creek Coffee
Coffee shop with hot breakfast and lunch sandwiches.
Sleep
Go next
- Gibson Reservoir (51 miles southwest) includes 15 miles of shoreline for trout fishing. There is a 200 ft concrete dam.
Nearby
Sun River
City / town · 1 listings · 29 mi away
Great Falls
City / town · 43 listings · 47 mi away
Shelby
City / town · 7 listings · 50 mi away
Wolf Creek
City / town · 9 listings · 56 mi away
Cut Bank
City / town · 17 listings · 57 mi away
Browning
City / town · 12 listings · 64 mi away
East Glacier
City / town · 13 listings · 65 mi away
Belt
City / town · 9 listings · 68 mi away
My experience
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