Step Into History
Walk the levee, explore landmarks, and follow the stories that shaped Fort Benton.
The best way to experience Fort Benton’s history is on foot. The Levee Walk follows the Missouri River through the heart of town, offering wide-open views, an easy stroll, and a chance to move through one of Montana’s most important historic landscapes at your own pace.
Stretching along the Missouri River, the Levee Walk passes through Fort Benton’s National Historic Landmark district, where river trade, travel, and daily life once converged. Front Street and the levee remain lined with historic buildings, monuments, and river views that reflect Fort Benton’s role as a gateway to the northern plains.
This is not a museum behind glass—it’s a place where history unfolds as you walk.
Historic Highlights Along the Walk
Along the Levee Walk, you’ll encounter some of Fort Benton’s most recognizable landmarks, from iconic river crossings to buildings that have welcomed travelers for generations.
Old Fort Benton
Bridge
The first bridge to span the Missouri River in Montana – and one of Fort Benton’s most iconic views.
Grand Union
Hotel
The oldest operating hotel in Montana, welcoming travelers since the steamboat era.
Old Engine
House
Fort Benton’s first firehouse, now the best place to start exploring town.
The Shep
Memorial
Fort Benton’s most enduring story isn’t about steamboats or trails – it’s about loyalty.
Explore as You Go
One of the most rewarding parts of the Levee Walk is discovering the stories along the way. More than 40 interpretive signs line the trail, sharing tales of river trade, frontier life, historic buildings, and the people—famous and ordinary—who shaped Fort Benton.
You can stop and read a few or follow them all. The walk is designed to be experienced however you choose.
To help you explore at your own pace, pick up a Levee Walk & Historic District Map at the Visitor’s Center, which shows the trail route, historic sites, museums, river access points, and nearby amenities.
You can’t do Fort Benton justice in an hour or two. Let us help you make the most of your time.
