Overview
Stillwater County is in Yellowstone Country, part of Montana.
1 sights · 5 things to do · 1 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Stillwater County
Mystic Lake Hike
Very popular 5.8-mile out-and-back hike. 1,420 ft elevation gain. Excellent place for trout fishing. Camping allowed if you'd rather stay, fish, and explore. Or continue on to Huckleberry Creek, Island Lake, & Silver…
Museum of the Beartooths
Local history. Open on Saturdays during the summer.
Sioux Charley Hike
6.5-mile out-and-back trail with 931 ft elevation gain. Sioux Charley is a great, moderately easy, day trip. You can also continue on the trail to Flood Creek or Tripod Hill.
Montana BBQ Cook-Off
All day event with concerts, vendors, and of course the BBQ cook-off.
Nitro National Hill Climb
Full weekend of motorcycle competition. Camping available.
Great Montana Sheep Drive
For over 30 years this unique event brings thousands to the small town. Parade, sheep shearing contests, log sawing calcutta, street vendors will keep you busy all day long.
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.
- BIL Billings Logan International Airport, Billings — 43 mi away. Directions
- COD Yellowstone Regional Airport, Cody — 78 mi away. Directions
Columbus, Park City, and Reed Point are on Interstate 90 (I-90).
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 Museum of the Beartooths, Sioux Charley Hike
- Lunch 307 Bar & Grill
- Afternoon Nitro National Hill Climb
- Evening Main Street Commons
Day 2
- Morning Mystic Lake Hike, Montana BBQ Cook-Off
- Afternoon Great Montana Sheep Drive
- Evening Palladium Draughthaus
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
The majority of towns are formed around the Stillwater River with a few along the Yellowstone River. A large section of the county is in Custer Gallatin National Forest. There are wonderful camping and fishing experiences.
The town is named Absarokee and the mountains/wilderness is Absaroka. Weirdness, but they are both pronounced Ab-zor-kee.
Cities
- Absarokee — great basecamp for outdoor adventures
- Columbus — largest town and county seat
- Fishtail — excellent fly fishing nearby
- Nye — near several camping and hiking locations in the Beartooth Mountains
- Park City — small agricultural town
- Rapelje — near two wildlife refuges
- Reed Point — known for the Great Montana Sheep Drive
Get in
Columbus, Park City, and Reed Point are on Interstate 90 (I-90).
Rapelje is at the intersection of Highway 306 and 478.
The remainder can be accessed from Highway 78.
Get around
While all towns can be walked, you will need a car to access them. You will also want a vehicle to explore.
See
Do
Events
Do Great Montana Sheep Drive
For over 30 years this unique event brings thousands to the small town. Parade, sheep shearing contests, log sawing calcutta, street vendors will keep you busy all day long.
Buy
Eat
Eat 307 Bar & Grill
Lunch and dinner. Burgers, rib-eye, and prime rib all with angus beef.
Drink
Drink Main Street Commons
Stop in for a coffee and find out what's going on in the area. This little spot in Absarokee is a full community center.
Drink Palladium Draughthaus
Craft beer.
Sleep
Stay Itch-Kep-Pe Park
Camping sites for both trailers and tents alongside Stillwater River. Very basic, but it's free. Walk-in only.
Stay safe
This is bear country. Be bear aware before you start exploring the wilderness. Plenty of other wildlife may come close. Remember they are wild and can react badly to people. Keep your distance and enjoy watching.
Go next
- Beartooth National Highway - from Absarokee head to Red Lodge
- White Sulphur Springs - enjoy the quaint town and take a soak in the hot springs
Nearby
Laurel
City / town · 20 listings · 30 mi away
Big Timber
City / town · 10 listings · 31 mi away
Red Lodge
City / town · 20 listings · 31 mi away
Billings
City / town · 50 listings · 44 mi away
Cooke City
City / town · 9 listings · 50 mi away
Livingston
City / town · 20 listings · 57 mi away
Harlowton
City / town · 14 listings · 60 mi away
Powell
City / town · 8 listings · 67 mi away
My experience
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