Things To Do In & Around Ennis, Montana

Stroll in Downtown

This is no ordinary small western town. Our Main Street is host to excellent restaurants, colorful western bars, breweries & distillery,  shops, and galleries. Fishermen can find the latest "hot" fly and get information on current area river conditions at one of the tackle shops.

Ennis also boasts an amazing display of outdoor sculptures from our Cowboy soldier at the Veterans Memorial to "A Wreck Waiting to Happen" at Rose Park from noted western artists Dave Lemon, Jim Dolan, and others. Galleries feature jewelry, baskets, gourds, prints, and original oil and watercolors. The Riverstone Gallery is home to Bern and Lexi Sundell—both award-winning artists.

Fish & Canoe the Madison River

Montana offers a level of trout fishing and adventure few other places possess. The Madison River flows through Yellowstone National Park, making it a beautiful location to sit down, relax, and wait for the fish to hop in your boat.

Fly Fishing is massively popular on the river as well. Make sure your Montana fishing license is up-to-date, and get to fishing!

Virginia City & Nevada City

The very much alive ghost town, Virginia City, Montana, is frozen in time. It is a remarkably well-preserved Old West Victorian gold mining town just 50 miles west of Yellowstone National Park (90 miles by road). When the gold ran out, there was still enough settlers left that homes and businesses were occupied, but there was not enough wealth to remodel the buildings. So it froze, and now represents the whole Victorian era. Virginia City is the true and original Old West. It is a gem, held within an incredibly rich area of natural beauty, recreation and history.

Virginia City and Nevada City lie along Alder Gulch about one mile apart, the site of the richest placer gold strike in the Rocky Mountains with an estimate total value of 100 million dollars throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. In the early 1860s, during the first three seasons, an estimated $30 million worth of gold was removed from the gulch. Ride the train, pan for gold, attend a live theater show, shop in unique gift and specialty shops and enjoy fine dining.

Discover The Old West History in Virginia City & Nevada City, Montana!

Drive Down to Yellowstone!

The Nation's first protected National Park, Yellowstone offers incredible natural beauty. Skip the crowds and hustle around the West Yellowstone entrance and enjoy Montana's stunning beauty at El Western Cabins & Lodges.

On top of seeing Old Faithful, the renowned geyser, you should also seek out the Yellowstone Grand Canyon and see the many rivers around the Madison Valley.

For the latest updates on Yellowstone National Park please visit their website directly- Click here.

Lewis & Clark Caverns

One of Montana's Natural Geologic Wonders

Discover one of the most highly decorated limestone caverns in North America.
 Enjoy a beautiful hike and experience these geologic caves at Montana's first and best-known state park. Cave access is by guided tour only with tickets available daily only on-site. There are two tour types, the Classic Tour and the Paradise Tour offered, Ticket sales are from 9 am through 4:30 pm or until tickets are sold out; no reservations except for educational groups.

The Classic Tour- is a 2-hour, 2-mile tour. The route requires visitors to navigate over 600 stairs (over 500 down and over 100 up), to bend, duck waddle, and even slide. This tour does go to areas of the caves where bats live. Please read more about restrictions due to the preservation of our bat population.

Paradise Tour- consists of a 1⁄2 mile walk, or golf cart ride if necessary, on a flat pea gravel trail. Visitors enter the cave via a 538-foot tunnel on a flat cement walk or can take a wheelchair to access the first large and decorated Grand Finale Room. Depending on visitor mobility, the next room, the Paradise Room is accessible by 10 steps up, 5 steps down, and a return in the reverse order. The Paradise Tour is especially suited for visitors with small children, those who experience claustrophobia or cannot wear a facemask, and those who have physical mobility challenges. Not only does this route avoid the vertical climb to access the cave and the 600 stairs/bending/tight spaces of the Classic Tour, but it is also the only option that views the largest, most decorated area of the Cave, the Paradise Room.

*Please note tickets into the caverns are NOT included. The state parks do NOT allow anyone advanced purchase. The Caves cannot be accessed without a ticket/tour.

Festivals

There are lots of fun small-town happenings in Ennis, like weekly music in the park, and our 4th of July parade and rodeo. Festivities on the 4th start with a tour of the Firehouse, and then continue to the parade, the rodeo, and finally the fireworks in Virginia City. Other festivals include the Ennis Art Festival the Fly Fishing Festival during the summer season, and "Hunters' Feed" in October where local merchants cook up their favorite game recipes and compete for prizes.

You'll find El Western and Ennis in the Madison Valley make a great destination for a vacation in Montana.

The Madison Valley Arts Festival

The Ennis Arts Association holds its Annual Madison Valley Arts Festival typically the last weekend in July. This fun, FREE event will take place typically from 10 am to 5 pm in beautiful Peter T.'s Park on Main Street in Ennis. In addition to the 60 juried artists, there is live music, delicious food and the famous baked goods from the Presbyterian Women. 

Virginia City - Brothel Day


Wild West Fun - June 15, 2024

Montana was once the Wild West, and Virginia City was at its heart. Brothels were a big part of the town's booming era, and for one weekend a year, visitors can dress up, dance and revel in that history. 

Step back in time with Virginia City's Brothel Day, Saturday, June 15th. Dress up in ‘ole time outfits including brothel outfits for gals, and union suits for the dudes.

The day's festivities include a shot trot (starts at 3pm), bed races (start at 4pm) and live music.. It is a hoot and a half.
People can register to participate in both ahead of time or the day of.
Bed races require a team of 5 people- 4 to push and 1 to ride.

There are cash prizes for the shot trot and bed races.

Mountain Biking Trails

Headwaters Trail System

The Headwaters Trail System is a paved network of trails, portions of which run along the former Milwaukee Railroad corridor, through the City of Three Forks to Missouri Headwaters State Park. As its name implies, the park contains the origin of the Missouri River, formed where the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers meet, where Lewis and Clark stayed on their famous expedition across the country.

The scenic trail provides stunning views of the surrounding mountains and grasslands, winds around ponds and through old-growth cottonwood trees, and ends on the banks of the Jefferson River. In 2007, the system was selected as the Montana Trail of the Year by the state's Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.

Missouri Headwaters State Park Trails

The Missouri Headwaters State Park offers 5 miles of unpaved trails to explore its picturesque landscapes by foot, horseback, or mountain bike. The park spans more than 500 acres and, within its borders, there are also opportunities to fish, boat, and more.

History lovers will also appreciate its National Historic Landmark, where the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers merge to form the great Missouri River. The Lewis and Clark expedition traversed this land in the early 1800s. Travelers today will enjoy its scenic plains and meadows, views of distant mountains, and rich wildlife.

Manhattan to the Gallatin River Trail

This multi-use trail begins in the heart of Manhattan and heads east towards the Gallatin River. The trail runs along the south side of Dry Creek Road, beginning at Yadon Road. It's a paved trail, and wide enough to accommodate different kinds of users, including pedestrians and cyclists. It also leads to a fishing access site on the river, inviting folks to stop at the river, before heading back into town.

For more information and details about trails near Ennis click here.

Hiking & Whitewater Rafting

Bear Trap Canyon

Bear Trap Canyon located outside of Ennis, offers six thousand acres of wilderness on the Madison River. This paradise of towering canyon walls and rolling hills is part of the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, Bear Trap Canyon offers hiking trails that follow the river from the trailhead south to the Ennis Dam powerhouse for 7.5 miles (15 miles round trip). Bear Trap Canyon offer a recreation area with a boat launch, parking, and restrooms.

The boat access from the south end provides rafters a nine mile float trip through whitewater and a scenic canyon with 2,000 foot cliffs; featuring the famous Class V 'Kitchen Sink' rapid as the climax of the trip. The rapids run from Class III to Class IV, and are considered among the best whitewater rapids in the state. A few outfitters run trips down the river. Whitewater skills must be honed and while permits not required for private groups, registration is necessary at the launch. Commercial floats available. 

The Brewery Follies - Adult Comedy Show

The Brewery Follies, created in 1984 is an adult comedy and sketch group. Their shows contain musical numbers, comedy sketches, and just plain silliness. There is also risqué, and bawdy humor, and shows can involve social and political commentary. The Brewery Follies do not make it their mission to perform a show fit for families and young children.

Enjoy a piece of history when you visit the show's unique location. Deep within the history of Virginia City stands Montana's first brewery, established in 1863 by German-born Brewmeister H.S. Gilbert. Except for a little restructuring (added room for the small stage, piano, and bar), the architecture and atmosphere of the building are much the same as it was nearly 150 years ago.

Norris Hot Springs

Many of our guests love to enjoy a relaxing soak in one of the areas geothermal hot springs.

Norris Hot Springs' pool holds over 38,000 gallons of fresh, hot mineral water. They have added locally milled fir planks to create their unique 30' x 40' pool. A simple sprayer system creates the perfect soak by circulating the spring water and cooling the pool to a pleasant temperature below 100 degrees in the summer, and as warm as 106 in the winter.

Norris Hot Springs is located 19 minutes north of the El Western MT-84.

Virginia City Players - Virginia City Opera House

Founded in 1948, the Virginia City Players is the oldest continually operating professional summer theatre company in the Northwest! These creative shows are family-friendly and offer a great way to enjoy theatre, history, and more!

The Players perform 7 shows a week starting Memorial Day weekend and continuing through Labor Day. Shows Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at 4:00 pm. Fridays & Saturdays at 7:00 pm. Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm.

Call ahead for tickets: 406-843-5314

Madison Meadows Golf Course

Madison Meadows Golf Course is an exciting 9-hole regulation course right in town. This Frank Hummel designed course offers an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all skill levels and features fantastic mountain views.

Prior reservations are preferred before arrival. To book a tee time, call (406) 682-7468.

Discover the West by Horseback

The Madison Valley offers spectacular views of mountain vistas, river channels, wildlife and more. A great way to experience the natural beauty of what Montana has to offer is by horseback.

Wolf Pack Outfitters, our partner, will create a unique experience for you and your family, by customizing your outing based on your family's skill level and interests. Due to the logistics needed to create your experience, we recommend you book early.

Tubing the Lower Madison River

Guests and locals alike love to take a relaxing float down the breathtaking Madison River, relax, and take in the scenery! Our partner, Madison River Tubing, offers shuttle-assisted tube trips with all the necessary equipment, and the shuttle service needed for a great 3.5-hour float.

Shuttle Assisted Tube Trip: Meeting you at the River, Madison River Tubing will supply VINYL-FREE tubes, life jackets, straps to connect groups, shuttle assistance, and very personable staff at the put-in and takeout, allowing you to focus on having fun with friends and family during your tubing trip.

A variety of trip add-ons and upgrades are available including waterproof speakers, cooler tubes with ice, and standup paddleboards. Come enjoy a relaxing and worry-free day on the water, with a reliable shuttle back to the put-in negating the need for 2 vehicles. Minimum age is 3 years old on all of our tubing trips.

We recommend booking your trip with Madison River Tubing early.

Ennis National Fish Htchery

The Ennis National Fish Hatchery (NFH) is a broodstock hatchery, authorized by Congress in May 1930. The Ennis Hatchery is the largest facility in the Service's National Broodstock Program and is one of only two rainbow trout Broodstock hatcheries in the nationwide Federal Hatchery system. A broodstock hatchery specializes in rearing fish to adult size, then taking the eggs from those fish, incubating them, and shipping them to production hatcheries where they are incubated, hatched, and the fish raised to stockable sizes. Most hatcheries produce fish of various sizes and then stock these fish in public lakes and streams, providing anglers with hours of fishing fun.

Visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour of our visitor center and walk through the hatchery building where eggs and small fish are reared. There is a kiosk in the parking lot with visitor information and tour directions. Guided tours for groups are available if scheduled in advance by phone. There is also a display raceway with rainbow, blue, and albino trout that weigh up to 10 pounds!


With over 3,000 visitors annually, the dedicated staff at the hatchery will normally be available to answer your questions. The visitor center, raceway, picnic tables, restrooms, and drinking fountains are accessible to visitors. Contact Ennis NFH at (406) 682-4847 for additional information.

Museum of the Rockies

Discover a world of captivating exhibitions at the Museum of the Rockies,  designed to engage members and visitors of all ages, the exhibits offer a captivating blend of science, art, culture, and history. The museum presents an additional three to five changing exhibitions each year.

Immerse yourself in their primary exhibits, including the awe-inspiring Landforms/Lifeforms and Dinosaurs Under The Big Sky in the Siebel Dinosaur Complex, which unveils the wonders of prehistoric life. Explore the captivating narrative of Welcome to Yellowstone Country, delve into the rich heritage of Enduring Peoples, and uncover the profound stories of the past in the Paugh History Hall. On the second floor, Explore Yellowstone in the Martin Children's Discovery Center, young visitors delight with its interactive exhibit, designed especially for children up to eight years old.

Montana Grizzly Encounter

Montana Grizzly Encounter is a Grizzly Bear Rescue & Education Sanctuary located in Bozeman, Montana. Founded in 2004, MGE provides a spacious and natural home for rescued grizzlies. At the same time it offers the public a place to come and learn about grizzly bears as they watch the majestic animals “up close” in a beautiful mountain setting.

ZipLining

Geyser Whitewater Expeditions

46651 Gallatin Road

Bozeman, MT

 (406) 995-4989

Montana Whitewater Rafting & ZipLine Co.

Join their fun-loving and knowledgeable guides for a unique and memorable adventure! Enjoy a half-day, full-day or overnight raft trip on the Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Rivers. Fly across the Gallatin River on a zipline tour, learn to fly fish or kayak, go river tubing! Try a package for a full day of fun - like the Zip ‘n Dip (raft & zip line).

Hyalite Canyon

Hyalite Canyon Recreation Area is the most heavily visited recreation area in Montana with two day-use areas. Langohr, along Hyalite Creek, provides wildlife viewing and fishing midst towering rocky peaks. Hood Creek and Chisholm Campground are starting points for numerous short and long hiking routes into the dense timber up to alpine meadows and lakes on the peaks above. History Rock is a short hike, while mountain bikers thrill the fast descents along abandoned logging roads into Sourdough Canyon or back down the paved access road. The reservoir's "no-wake" rule makes it a canoeing and fishing pleasure. Located 15 miles south of Bozeman off of South 19th Avenue, this area should not be missed. In winter Hyalite has numerous ice climbing and XC skiing opportunities.

Bird Watching-Madison River Valley

Located on El Western at Bear Creek Meadow, an ideal willow/grass complex with sage and rabbit brush invites many of the wonderful birds to visit the area. The bird-watching on the property often keeps us all in awe. Outside of El Western just up the road on Ennis Lake, many guests can spend hours bird-watching, along the surrounding foothills on the north end of the lake and into the juniper/Douglas fir mixed forest. South of the lake, agricultural lands, and short grass prairie spaces create yet another ideal environment for varying bird species.

Bird-watching seasons in the Madison River Valley run from:

May - July for breeding birds

March - June and August - November for shorebirds and migrants.

Some of the many species you could witness include Trumpeter Swan, Surf Scoter, White-winged Scoter, Red-breasted Merganser, Pacific Loon, Common Loon, Western Grebe, Clark’s Grebe, American White Pelican, Bald Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, American Coot, Long-billed Curlew, Franklin’s Gull, Herring Gull, Caspian Tern, Forster’s Tern, Willow Flycatcher, Cordilleran Flycatcher, Western Kingbird, Western Tanager, Brewer’s Sparrow, McCown’s Longspur, Lazuli Bunting, Common Grackle, and Bullock’s Oriole.

Pack your binoculars and enjoy the exploration.