City / town · Montana

Harlowton

Best timeMay–Sep
From you
Nearest airportBIL · 76 mi
On this page

Overview

Harlowton is in central Montana. About 950 people live there. It is the county seat of Wheatland County.

4 sights · 3 things to do · 2 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Harlowton

Harlowton Milwaukee Depot Museum

Showcases the history of the Harlowton railroad and the growth of the town.

Judith Gap Wind Farm Energy Center

Montana's largest wind farm which is, at times, the highest producing facility in the U.S. Visitor kiosks are located at the Wind Farm entrance called Blade Park.

Wheatland County Court House

Of special interest are the pioneer bronze sculpture, entitled "And They Called the Land Montana", and the Veteran's Honor Wall located in front of the court house.

Upper Musselshell Museum

Local museum featuring local artifacts as well as collections of fossils and bones, a 2000-year-old buffalo skull and a new Plains Indian exhibit. Located in two sandstone buildings constructed prior to 1909.

Chief Joseph Park

Basketball court, volleyball court, short disc golf course. Fishing pond. Picnic areas with grills. RV and tent sites also available as first-come, first-serve.

Smoking Boomer Rail Trail

The old Milwaukee Railroad trackbed has been converted into this easy walking path. Dogs and bikes allowed.

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)

Jan: 0.9 in rain0.9"Jan: high 34°F, low 15°F34°15°JanFeb: 0.8 in rain0.8"Feb: high 37°F, low 17°F37°17°FebMar: 1.4 in rain1.4"Mar: high 46°F, low 24°F46°24°MarApr: 2.5 in rain2.5"Apr: high 54°F, low 30°F54°30°AprMay: 2.9 in rain2.9"May: high 63°F, low 39°F63°39°MayJun: 3.3 in rain3.3"Jun: high 72°F, low 46°F72°46°JunJul: 1.3 in rain1.3"Jul: high 82°F, low 52°F82°52°JulAug: 1.3 in rain1.3"Aug: high 81°F, low 50°F81°50°AugSep: 1.4 in rain1.4"Sep: high 71°F, low 42°F71°42°SepOct: 1.8 in rain1.8"Oct: high 57°F, low 32°F57°32°OctNov: 1.3 in rain1.3"Nov: high 42°F, low 22°F42°22°NovDec: 1.0 in rain1"Dec: high 33°F, low 14°F33°14°Dec

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.
  • BIL Billings Logan International Airport, Billings — 76 mi away. Directions
  • BZN Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Bozeman — 78 mi away. Directions

Harlowton is at the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 (US-12), U.S. Highway 191 (US-191) and State Highway 3 (MT-3). It is about an hour-and-a-half northwest of Billings and 2 hours east of Helena.

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 Harlowton Milwaukee Depot Museum, Smoking Boomer Rail Trail, Upper Musselshell Museum
  • Lunch Loco Creek Grill
  • Afternoon Wheatland County Court House, Chief Joseph Park
  • Dinner The Graves Hotel
  • Evening Barky's Bar and Casino

Day 2

  • Morning Judith Gap Wind Farm Energy Center
  • Evening Oasis 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

    Harlowton is surrounded by the Crazy, Little Belt and Big Snowy Mountains, which are a part of the Lewis and Clark National Forest.

    Get in

    Harlowton is at the intersection of U.S. Highway 12 (US-12), U.S. Highway 191 (US-191) and State Highway 3 (MT-3). It is about an hour-and-a-half northwest of Billings and 2 hours east of Helena.

    Get around

    As a small town, there is no public transportation. Everything in town is within walking distance.

    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

    See Harlowton Milwaukee Depot Museum

    Showcases the history of the Harlowton railroad and the growth of the town.

    📍 307 Central Ave S☎ +1 406 632-4443⚠ Last checked Dec 2020 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Judith Gap Wind Farm Energy Center (Blade Park)

    Montana's largest wind farm which is, at times, the highest producing facility in the U.S. Visitor kiosks are located at the Wind Farm entrance called Blade Park.

    📍 1030 US Highway 191, Judith Gap12 miles N of Harlowton on US-191/MT-3🕒 Spring/Summer: Mon-Fri 8AM-5PM☎ +1 406 632-4540⚠ Last checked Dec 2020 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    See Wheatland County Court House

    Of special interest are the pioneer bronze sculpture, entitled "And They Called the Land Montana", and the Veteran's Honor Wall located in front of the court house.

    📍 201 A Ave NW⚠ Last checked Dec 2020 — confirm before you go
    Maps

    See Upper Musselshell Museum

    Local museum featuring local artifacts as well as collections of fossils and bones, a 2000-year-old buffalo skull and a new Plains Indian exhibit. Located in two sandstone buildings constructed prior to 1909.

    📍 11 Central Ave S & 36 Central Ave Sdowntown☎ +1 406-632-5519⚠ Last checked Dec 2020 — confirm before you go
    MapsWebsite

    Do

    There are three parks located within Harlowton: Chief Joseph Park, Deer Park, and Fischer Park.

    Do Chief Joseph Park

    Basketball court, volleyball court, short disc golf course. Fishing pond. Picnic areas with grills. RV and tent sites also available as first-come, first-serve.

    at end of B Ave NW🕒 Open during daylight💲 Free☎ +1 406 632-5523Checked Aug 2023
    Maps

    Do Smoking Boomer Rail Trail

    The old Milwaukee Railroad trackbed has been converted into this easy walking path. Dogs and bikes allowed.

    📍 Central Ave Strailhead at Milwaukee Depot Museum parking lot🕒 Open during daylight💲 FreeChecked Aug 2023
    Maps

    Do Lewis and Clark National Forest

    Offers plenty of acreage for recreational activities such as camping, sightseeing, hunting, OHV riding, and snowmobiling. Fishing access sites are located along the Musselshell River or at nearby Deadman's Basin or Martinsdale Reservoir.

    MapsWebsite

    Eat

    Drink

    The 3 bars are within a 2 block area.

    Drink Barky's Bar and Casino (Stockmans Bar)

    Bar / Café

    Small town bar with lunch and dinner menu.

    📍 17 Central Ave N🕒 10AM-midnight daily☎ +1 406 632-4621Checked Jul 2023
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    Maps

    Drink Gally's Brewing Co

    Bar / Café

    Handcrafted beer, pool room, live music.

    📍 30 Central Ave SThe Montana Building🕒 Mon-Thu 4-8PM, Fri 2-9PM, Sat noon-9PM, Sun noon-7PM☎ +1 406 632-5838Checked Jul 2023
    Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube
    MapsWebsite

    Sleep

    Stay Corral Motel

    📍 1307 US-12☎ +1 406 632-4331⚠ Last checked Dec 2020 — confirm before you go
    Maps

    Stay Country Side Inn

    📍 309 3rd St NE☎ +1 406 632-4119⚠ Last checked Dec 2020 — confirm before you go
    Maps

    Go next

    • Bair Family Museum (25 miles west) is a complex featuring tours of the Bair mansion, an art museum, and ranching memorabilia.
    • Deadmans Basin Reservoir (22 miles east) is a popular fishing and boating spot. There is also swimming and camping.

    Nearby

    My experience

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