A Weekend or more
With two or more days in Fort Benton, you can experience both the stories that shaped Montana and the landscapes that continue to define it. Spend one day exploring town and a second day enjoying the river, museums, and the wide-open country that surrounds it.
Day One: History & Downtown
Start your visit with breakfast downtown and a stop at the Visitor Center in the historic Old Engine House.
Spend the morning walking the Levee Trail, crossing the Old Walking Bridge, visiting the Shep Memorial, and exploring the National Historic Landmark District. Along the way, you’ll discover stories of traders, steamboats, explorers, outlaws, and settlers who helped shape the American West.
After lunch, visit the Historic Old Fort Benton and the Museum of the Upper Missouri. Together, they provide a deeper understanding of why Fort Benton earned the title “Birthplace of Montana.”
Finish the day with dinner downtown and a sunset walk along the Missouri River.
Grand Union Hotel
Historic Old Fort Benton
Levee Trail & River Walk
Museum of the Upper Missouri
Old Engine House
Old Fort Benton Bridge
The Shep Memorial
Day Two: River & Wide-Open Spaces
Begin your morning with a drive to the Missouri River Breaks Interpretive Center to learn about the remarkable landscape that surrounds Fort Benton.
From there, choose your own adventure. Take a scenic float on the Missouri River, book a guided fishing trip, explore the surrounding countryside, or simply enjoy the views and wildlife that make this region special.
In the afternoon, visit Shep’s Gravesite for one of the best overlooks in the area, then spend some time browsing local shops or relaxing along the riverfront.
Missouri River Outfitters
Shep’s Gravesite
Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument Interpretive Center
Upper Missouri River Guides
Day Three
Your third day can be spent enjoying the Montana Agricultural Museum and Museum of the Northern Great Plains.
Before leaving town, make one final stop at Montana’s Lewis & Clark Memorial, which commemorates the Corps of Discovery’s journey through this region and the difficult decision they faced at nearby Decision Point.
The Museum of the Northern Great Plains, Montana’s Museum of Agriculture
Food & Lodging
B Social Bar and Lanes
Casa Del Gringo
Grand Union Hotel
Pioneer Lodge
Union Grille Restaurant
Don’t Rush It
Many visitors arrive expecting to spend a few hours in Fort Benton and discover they could easily spend several days. Two days gives you time to experience both the town and the landscape—but there is always more waiting beyond the next bend in the river.