Tucked away in a sprawling valley within the Deer Lodge National Forest in southwest Montana, Anaconda is one of the state’s best-preserved historic towns. Dating back to the days of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company which operated in Butte, Anaconda is famous for its smelter stack—one of the town’s most important landmarks.
Surrounded by the towering Pintler Mountains, Anaconda is a destination where outdoor recreation is never far away. You can find all kinds of adventures nearby, from cross-country skiing to backcountry hikes.
With the mountains and rising smokestack visible from every point in town, Anaconda offers a picturesque and charming country experience. There’s a rich local cultural scene, and annual events are held at different points throughout the year, bringing to life the sense of community spirit.
Whether you’d like to embark on an outdoor adventure, soak up the local arts scene, or discover the fascinating history of a town that began as one of the most important destinations in Montana, there’s something for everyone in Anaconda.
Regardless of why you are visiting, one of the best ways to experience the area is by staying at one of the best bed and breakfasts in Anaconda.
Travel Tips for Staying in Anaconda
The best time to visit Anaconda tends to be during the summer months, from June through August. The weather is sunny and warm, while the nights are still cool. However, also expect the most crowds during this time.
That said, Anaconda can also be a great winter destination, as it’s a short distance from the Discovery Ski Center in Philipsburg. If you would like to engage in winter sports while visiting Anaconda, plan your trip between December and March.
There’s no airport in Anaconda, but there are a few nearby. The closest airport is Bert Mooney Airport in Butte, which is about half an hour away. The airport connects to a limited number of destinations, however.
The closest major airport is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, which is served by several airlines and connects to 30 destinations, both domestically and internationally.
Many travelers visit Anaconda as part of a Montana road trip. The town is located just off 1-90 and is easy to reach via road. There is also a bus service run by Jefferson Lines that travels from Billings daily. The journey takes just over three and a half hours.
There’s limited public transport in Anaconda, but the main area of town that contains most of the attractions is easy to explore by foot.
Outdoor recreation features some way on the itineraries of most travelers visiting Anaconda. There are several opportunities for fun outdoors in the wilderness surrounding the town, with options for skiing, fishing, horseback riding, and ATV tours close by.
Golf is one of the most popular outdoor activities in Deer Lodge, and the Anaconda Country Club offers a premium course. Along with the 9-hole course, the club boasts a driving range, a chipping and putting green, and a pro shop.
You might like to kick off your visit to Anaconda with a trip to the Anaconda Visitor Center. Run by the Chamber of Commerce, the center lies within a replica of a railroad station, which boasts an impressive train display.
There are trained staff at the center who can provide information about the local area and answer any questions you might have.
If you do visit Anaconda in the summer months, you can take a vintage bus tour of Anaconda that leaves the Visitor Center. The tour runs from 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday, from mid-May through mid-September.
History fans must visit the Copper Village Museum and Art Center, which is dedicated to promoting local art and educating visitors about the history and heritage of Deer Lodge County. Classes and events are also held at the center, so check out the website ahead of your Anaconda trip to see what might be happening during your visit.
Of course, the Anaconda Smoke Stack is the most iconic landmark in town, and no trip to Anaconda is complete without a visit to the state park.
The smelter stack, which was constructed in 1919, is no longer in operation but serves as a testament to the rich mining heritage of the town. It also happens to be one of the tallest free-standing structures on the planet.
There are other notable parks worth visiting in the area too, including the idyllic Washoe Park, which is home to Warm Springs Creek.
This is a great destination for families visiting Anaconda as the park also has a fish hatchery, playgrounds, and a baseball field. There is also an outdoor pool at the park which is always one of the most popular places in town during the summer months.
While in Anaconda, it’s also worth taking a short trip out of town to see the pristine Georgetown Lake, which is a blue-ribbon fishery. An ideal getaway for the whole family, the dense pine forest surrounding the lake offers the chance for peaceful walks and wildlife viewing.
You can also pay a visit to the Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, located at the base of the Pintler Mountains. The resort offers indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, golf, and a variety of dining establishments.
While you do have to be a resort guest to use most facilities, it’s worth staying a night or two on either end of your Anaconda trip to relax and enjoy a full resort experience.
The Top Bed and Breakfasts in Anaconda
1. Kaiser House – Philipsburg – $
Nestled in the quiet town of Philipsburg, around 20 minutes from Anaconda, Kaiser House is a historic downtown bed and breakfast offering four comfortable rooms. Though they boast modern creature comforts, including Wi-Fi, TV, and air-conditioning, there’s still an air of old-world charm about the property.
A hot breakfast is offered to every guest in the Breakfast-Lounge Room, which boasts a fireplace that is lit during winter evenings. The bed and breakfast also sits above the Snookies Mercantile, a unique gift shop with its own wine and cheese cellar.
Guests have access to their own private bath and heated floors—a welcome treat for those visiting during the ski season.
2. Iron Wheel Guest Ranch – Whitehall – $-$$$
You can’t have a much more authentic Montana experience than staying at a guest ranch. The Iron Wheel Guest Ranch operates primarily as an outfitter offering outdoor experiences, including float fishing trips and horseback trail rides.
However, they also run a vacation rental bed and breakfast establishment with seven guest rooms available.
Some of the guest rooms at the ranch have private bathrooms, while others have shared baths. Every room has comfortable bedding and every guest has access to the communal areas of the property, including the dining room, kitchenette, and common areas upstairs and in the basement.
The Iron Wheel Guest Ranch is located in the town of Whitehall, which is in Jefferson County, just under an hour away from Anaconda.
3. The Forge Hotel, BW Signature Collection – Anaconda – $$
The Forge Hotel is not your average bed and breakfast. Run by Best Western, this lavish property has all the perks of a chain hotel, including an on-site fitness center and bar, plus the convenience of a complimentary breakfast. Meal options include American buffet style, á la carte, and breakfast to go.
Guests can take in views of Anaconda from the picturesque terrace, or explore other features around the property. There’s an indoor pool and hot tub, a shared lounge, and a 24-hour front desk in operation at the hotel.
Plus, there’s a casino and shared lounge on site where guests can mingle with other travelers and have some fun.
The rooms come complete with air conditioning, a wardrobe, bed linen, towels, a desk, and private bathrooms. Select rooms also have kitchenette facilities with a stovetop for guests who’d like to do their own cooking.
4. Hickory House Inn – Anaconda – $$
The Hickory House Inn is one of Anaconda’s premiere accommodation establishments. The inn lies in the heart of town and is just minutes from some of the most famous local attractions, including the Copper Village Museum and Arts Center, the Washoe Theater, and the Smoke Stack State Park.
Guests are treated to a free full breakfast every day, and they’re welcome to stroll along the terrace, relax in the garden, and explore the rest of the scenic grounds. The guest rooms offer comfortable bedding and air conditioning, along with free Wi-Fi.
If you’re looking for outdoor fun during your trip to Anaconda, Hickory House also offers 18 holes of golf and ziplining. Children also have access to a select catalog of books.
5. The Broadway Hotel – Philipsburg – $$-$$$
Philipsburg’s Broadway Hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and serves as the ideal lodging for travelers wanting to immerse themselves in the history of the region.
The charming hotel offers a variety of rooms and suites, many of them decorated with old-world Montana furniture. Guests also have the chance to stay in a rustic log cabin for total privacy.
A continental breakfast is served every morning, and guests are invited to enjoy the shared lounge. Sip tea by the fire, challenge another guest to a game of chess, or lose yourself in one of the library’s many books.
There’s also free high-speed internet at the hotel, plus television in all of the nine guestrooms.
6. Copper King Mansion Bed & Breakfast – Butte – $$$
The Copper King Mansion is one of Butte’s greatest landmarks, and it also happens to be one of the best bed and breakfasts in town. There are 34 rooms in the mansion, four of them available to stay in as part of the property’s bed and breakfast service.
Every morning, guests will enjoy breakfast served in the main dining room, which features period furniture and opulent glass windows. Guests can also tour the mansion during the summer months and learn more about the Clark family who once lived at the property and left a lasting mark on the town of Butte.
Butte is just 20 minutes away from Anaconda and is home to several interesting attractions, including the World Museum of Mining and Our Lady of the Rockies monument.
7. Fish Creek House Bed and Breakfast – Silver Star – $$$
Fish Creek House is located in Silver Star, around an hour’s drive from Anaconda. The property offers sweeping views of the rural surroundings, including the rugged nearby mountains.
The bed and breakfast boasts a rustic design that will make guests feel like they’ve been transported back to the days of old Montana.
A generous breakfast is served every day, with omelets, pancakes, homemade bread, and Montana granola often on the menu. Guests have a choice of two themed guest rooms, each with a private bath, and they are welcome to relax by the fireplace in the shared living room, or in the idyllic garden.
Adventure awaits just minutes from Fish Creek House. The Beaverhead Deerlodge National Forest is a stone’s throw away, offering endless trails for horseback riding, skiing, and hiking. There’s also free private parking at the property.
8. Gunslinger Gulch – Anaconda – $$$
A guest ranch dating back to the Old West, Gunslinger Gulch is the bed and breakfast of your cowboy dreams. With a variety of units available for rent and camping opportunities on offer (including horse camping in the paddocks), Gunslinger Gulch is one of Anaconda’s most loved destinations.
Just 10 minutes from town, the ranch offers several on-site activities, including horseback riding, mountain biking, and archery, plus other entertainment forms that were common in the Old West. Best of all, guests can stay in authentic converted buildings, such as a covered wagon and an old jailhouse.
There are also exciting events held at the ranch from time to time, including murder mystery weekends and birthday party packages for locals.
Conclusion
There’s a healthy selection of bed and breakfast establishments in Anaconda and the surrounding towns. We’ve picked out the best B&B for every kind of traveler, whether you’re looking for an authentic rural Montana experience or prefer a more lavish establishment.
List the Bed and Breakfast which is most suitable for…
- Best Luxury Bed and Breakfast in Anaconda: Copper King Mansion Bed & Breakfast
- Best Boutique Bed and Breakfast in Anaconda: The Broadway Hotel
- Best Cheap Bed and Breakfast in Anaconda: Kaiser House
- Best Family Bed and Breakfast in Anaconda: Gunslinger Gulch
- Best Romantic Bed and Breakfast in Anaconda: Fish Creek House Bed and Breakfast