Ravalli County Museum

The Ravalli County Courthouse in Hamilton, Montana, is an example of democracy at its best. It was a vote of the people that saved the building from the wrecking ball in 1979. The courthouse, built in 1900 and known today as the Ravalli County Museum, houses Indian artifacts, Victorian rooms, an antique kitchen, and exhibits devoted to veterans, miners, trappers, and the Lewis and Clark expedition. After visiting the museum, have a snack at the farmer’s market set up in front of the building on Saturdays from May through October. There are several campgrounds in the area, and Gird Point Lookout offers up great views of the Sapphire Mountains to the east and the Bitterroot Mountains to the west. The wilderness areas of the Bitterroot Valley are rich with natural beauty and abundant wildlife. Recreation includes fishing, downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking and horseback riding. Anglers, take note – the Bitterroot River has some of the best trout fishing around.