Things to Do In & Around Ennis, Montana

The spirit of the West is alive and well in Ennis, Montana. A tradition of supplying local ranchers and travelers that began during the western expansion and Gold Rush of 1863 continues today. Ennis can provide all the necessities for visitors including a full-service grocery store, laundry, ATM's and service stations. Heck, we even have gourmet coffee!

THE MADISON VALLEY ARTS FESTIVAL

The Ennis Arts Association will hold its 27th Annual Madison Valley Arts Festival Saturday, July 29. This fun, FREE event will take place 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 will be live music by the Music Bachs and Friends who sing and play Bluegrass, fiddle tunes, and cowboy songs. There will be delicious food from the Lil Hogpit and the famous baked goods from the Presbyterian Women. Free rock painting for the kids and an EAA members' art raffle. Bring the family, invite your friends to join you for this very fun event.

Our organization has one annual fundraiser: The Madison Valley Arts Festival including our popular art raffle. The proceeds from the Madison Valley Arts Festival allows us to give back to our community.

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STROLL IN DOWNTOWN

This is no ordinary small western town. Our Main Street is host to excellent restaurants, colorful western bars, 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.

Stroll on Downtown

This is no ordinary small western town. Our Main Street is host to excellent restaurants, colorful western bars, 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.

Drive Down to Yellowstone!

The biggest tourist attraction around is obviously Yellowstone National Park! The El Western Cabins are only an hour away from the park, making it the perfect place to prepare for your adventure!

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. Make sure you grab everything you need in Ennis before you leave.

FISH & CANNOE THE MADISON RIVER

Few places offer as amazing of a fishing trip as Montana does. 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 in the river as well. Make sure your Montana fishing license is up-to-date, and get to fishing!

FESTIVALS

There are lots of fun small-town happenings in Ennis. Our 4th of July parade and rodeo are practically world-famous. Start your day with a tour of the Firehouse, then head to the parade, the rodeo, and finally the fireworks in Virginia City. In August, join us for the Ennis Art Festival and the Ennis-on-the-Madison Fly Fishing Festival over Labor Day. Or come in October for the unique and popular "Hunters' Feed" 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. We're off the beaten path, but we can make you feel right at home.

VIRGINIA CITY & NEVADA CITY

All of Montana has the deepest pride and affection for Virginia City. No more colorful pioneer mining camp ever existed. Dramatic tales of the early days in this vicinity are legion. Rich placer diggings were discovered in Alder Gulch in the spring of 1863 and the stampede of gold seekers and their parasites was on! Sluices soon lined the gulch and various "cities" blossomed forth as trading and amusement centers for free-handed miners. Virginia City, the best known of these and the sole survivor, became the Capitol of the Territory (1865 - 1875).

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 left so 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. Stay the night in homey historic lodging, ride the train, pan for gold, attend a live theater show, shop in unique gift and specialty shops and enjoy fine dining.

Come Rediscover Virginia City & Nevada City, Montana!

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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.

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.

We do recommend you book your desired reservation prior arrival if possible call (406) 682-7468.

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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 continues through Labor Day. Shows Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays at 4:00pm. Fridays & Saturdays at 7:00pm. Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm. Call ahead for tickets- 406-843-5314.

THE BREWERY FOLLIES- ADULT COMEDY SHOW

Brewery Follies was created in 1984. There are lots of musical numbers, comedy sketches, and just plain silliness. **We try to have fun. Our show is risque, bawdy, and can involve social and political commentary. At The Brewery Follies we do not make it our mission to perform a family show.

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, done to make room for the small stage, piano, and bar, the architecture and atmosphere of the building is much the same as it was nearly 150 years ago.

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DRIVE DOWN TO YELLOWSTONE!

The biggest tourist attraction around is obviously Yellowstone National Park! The El Western Cabins are only an hour away from the park, making it the perfect place to prepare for your adventure!

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. Make sure you grab everything you need in Ennis before you leave.

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

DISCOVER THE WEST BY HORSEBACK

The Madison Valley offers spectacular views of mountain vistas, river channels, wildlife and more. A great way to experience what Montana has to offer is by seeing all its beauty on 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 interest. Because of the logistics needed to create your experience, we recommend you book early.

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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 a shuttle assisted tube trips with all the necessary equipment, and 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 are available: waterproof speakers, cooler tubes with ice, and standup paddle board upgrades. Come enjoy a relaxing and worry free day on the water, with reliable shuttle back to the put-in so you do not need 2 vehicles. Minimum age is 3 years old on all of our tubing trips.

We recommend booking your trip with Madison River Tubing early.

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. Visitors can camp 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 camp.

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.

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Fish and Canoe on the Madison River

Few places offer as amazing of a fishing trip as Montana does. 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 in the river as well. Make sure your Montana fishing license is up-to-date, and get to fishing!

Festivals

There are lots of fun small-town happenings in Ennis. Our 4th of July parade and rodeo are practically world-famous. Be sure to start your day with pancakes at the Firehouse, then head to the parade, the rodeo, and finally the fireworks in Virginia City. In August, join us for the Ennis Art Festival and the Ennis-on-the-Madison Fly Fishing Festival over Labor Day. Or come in October for the unique and popular "Hunters' Feed" 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. We're off the beaten path, but we can make you feel right at home.

Image may be subject to copyright