Overview
Called "The Heart of Montana", Lewistown has many of the activities that make Montana a tourist destination, from big game and bird hunting to fishing, camping, biking, hiking and skiing. It is the geographic center of the state. The population was 5,901 at the 2010 census.
2 sights · 6 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Lewistown
Central Montana Museum
Guns, saddles, fossils.
Lewistown Art Center
Big Springs Trout Hatchery
Visit the hatchery to see rainbow and brown trout plus kokanee and chinook salmon. Learn about Montana's fish management practices.
Charlie Russell Chew Choo
Dinner and a show on a historic train
Limekiln Trail
Recreation area in the Judith Mountains. Hike to overlook is about 4.5 miles out and back. 1,000 feet of elevation gain.
Montana Winter Fair
Traditional agriculture based fair. Open Fiddle Contest, Quilt Show & Workshops, Fiber Arts Show & Workshops and Re-creations Show and Sale, Farm & Ranch Trade Show, Skijoring, Ranch Sorting Clinic & Comp…
Plan your trip
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- GTF Great Falls International Airport, Great Falls — 96 mi away. Directions
- BIL Billings Logan International Airport, Billings — 96 mi away. Directions
Lewistown is on U.S. Highway 87 (US-87) and Montana Highway 200 (MT-200) from the east and west. From the north it is on U.S. Highway 191 (US-191).
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 Central Montana Museum, Lewistown Art Center, Limekiln Trail
- Lunch Dash Inn
- Afternoon Charlie Russell Chew Choo, Montana Cowboy Poetry Gathering
- Evening Big Spring Brewing
Day 2
- Morning Big Springs Trout Hatchery, Montana Winter Fair
- Afternoon Chokecherry Festival
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
It is surrounded by five mountain ranges: the Snowies, the Judiths, the Moccasins, the Belts, and the Highwoods.
Be sure to pronounce the town correctly - Lewis-town not Lewis-ton - or the locals will let you know your mistake.
Get in
Lewistown is on U.S. Highway 87 (US-87) and Montana Highway 200 (MT-200) from the east and west. From the north it is on U.S. Highway 191 (US-191).
By plane
Get around
As with most of Montana, a vehicle is the best way to get around. The historic downtown area is walkable, and walking tour maps can be picked up at the Chamber.
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
- Big Spring Creek runs through the middle of town. You'll find access points for fishing or floating around the area.
- City trails are woven through town. There are 24 total miles, mostly paved, that you can walk or bike.
Events
Do Montana Winter Fair
Traditional agriculture based fair. Open Fiddle Contest, Quilt Show & Workshops, Fiber Arts Show & Workshops and Re-creations Show and Sale, Farm & Ranch Trade Show, Skijoring, Ranch Sorting Clinic & Competition, Arm Wrestling, Chess Tournament & Polar Plunge. For the kids, there's the Stick Horse Rodeo, Old McDonald’s Barn, Meet & Greet with the Ice Queen and Youth Beef Show.
Eat
Drink
Drink Big Spring Brewing
Microbrewery with 5 main stays and variety in their rotators. Uses local ingredients, even fresh roasted coffee beans and local honey.
Sleep
Stay Half Moon Ranch
Go next
- Crystal Lake (31 miles south, about an hour due to mountain travel) is a gorgeous turquoise lake with a campsite and mountain bike trails. For those fit enough, take a hike to the Ice Caves to see the columns of ice and skating rink floor.
Nearby
My experience
Write about your trip here. Notes save automatically in this browser as you type; back them up from My journal.