Butte Attractions - Student Life

Butte Silver Bow Public Archives

Learn more about Butte’s mining, labor, lifestyle and family histories. The Archives occupies a historic fire hall built in 1900 and features an inviting reading room, friendly staff, exhibits, collections, photographs, public programming, small firefighter’s museum, and rotating displays. A knowledgeable staff is available to assist with research on Butte’s rich history.

Learn more about the Butte Silver Bow public archives.

Ridge Waters Community Pool

Butte’s newest water park includes a pool, lazy river, water slide, water volleyball, water basketball, a climbing wall, diving board, concessions and so much more. It is located in the newly renovated Stodden Park.

Learn more about the Ridge Waters Community Pool.

Old Butte Historical Adventures

A series of guided walking tours highlight details of Butte’s colorful history from the 1890’s through the 1950’s. Three different tours are offered year-round by reservation. Come see Butte from the inside-out.

Learn more about the Butte tour info.

Granite Mountain Memorial

This memorial shares the events of June 8, 1917 when 168 miners lost their lives in the largest hard rock mining disaster of all time. The site also offers the visitor an unforgettable panoramic view of the 10,000-foot Highland Mountains, the Continental Divide and the remnants of a once booming mining industry. Open year-round.

Learn more about the Granite Mountain Memorial.

Butte Trolley Tour

Take an hour and a half tour of Butte’s best history with Butte’s best historians. Tours are scheduled Memorial Day weekend through September and year-round by appointment. Reservations are strongly suggested.

Learn more about the Butte Trolley Tour.

The Berkeley Pit

From 1955 until 1982, the Berkeley Pit produced enough copper to pave a four-lane highway, four inches thick, from Butte to Salt Lake City, Utah and 30 miles beyond. When mining operations ceased in 1982, the underground pumps were shut off, and the Berkeley Pit began filling with acidic water, heavy metals and unique microscopic life forms. The Pit with its water and colorful landscape can be seen via a visitor viewing stand. Today, open pit mining continues behind the Berkeley Pit in the Continental Pit operated by Montana Resources which employs 350 people year-round. The Viewing Stand and Gift Shop are open May – October and by special appointment (weather permitting).

Learn more about the Berkley Pit.

Our Lady of the Rockies

The ninety-foot statue, Our Lady of the Rockies, sits serenely atop the East Ridge keeping vigil on the community of Butte. A half-day tour on a winding mountain road presents the visitor with a spectacular view and an inspiring story. The Lady was built and is maintained by volunteers and donations. The story of Our Lady is one of love, dedication, and faith. Tours run daily from May thru October, weather permitting. The gift shop in the Butte Plaza Mall is open year-round with the opportunity to watch the movie on the story of Our Lady.

Learn more about Our Lady of the Rockies.

National Historic District

One of the largest historic landmark districts in the country, Butte offers a legacy of architectural treasures that are contemporaries of the best Victorian architecture in America’s great cities. The Uptown is filled with well-preserved examples of early 20th century architecture. Take a walk and read the history of Butte’s buildings on the National Historic Landmark plaques. A map of the district is available at the Butte Archives and the Butte Chamber of Commerce.

Learn moure about Butte's national historic district.

Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park features one of the largest known limestone caverns in the Northwest. Access to the cave is by guided tours only, May 1 to September 30. The park also features camping and trails to hike or bike, a state-of-the-art visitor center, interpretive displays, a gift shop, food and beverage concessions, amphitheater, and interpretive events presented during the summer months.

Learn more about the Lewis and Clark Caverns.

The Clark Chateau

The Clark Chateau was constructed in 1898-1899 for Charles and Katherine Clark, oldest son of Copper King W.A. Clark. Today it is home to the Butte Symphony, Montana’s oldest symphony orchestra, and The Root & The Bloom Collective, a nonprofit humanities organization. The Clark Chateau features diverse public programming for all ages, exhibits, classes, and is available for events and engaging tours. The Chateau staff is dedicated to interpreting Butte’s fascinating history though the exploration of the humanities and invites visitors to share the experience.

Learn more about the Clark Chateau.

Butte Silver Bow Courthouse

Built in 1911, the rotunda walls are adorned with golden mosaic murals of personified muses; Justice, Geography, History, Philosophy and murals of Presidents Lincoln, McKinley, Washington, and Wilson. Large pillars of Montana-quarried Travertine draw the eye upward toward the mosaics and stained-glass dome. The impressive 1,500-pound, 28’ in diameter, stained glass dome atop the rotunda was renovated in 2015. The Courthouse is open year-round.

Learn more about Butte's courthouse.

Lexington Stamp Mill Gardens

Located at the corner of Arizona and Granite Streets in Uptown Butte, this landmark abounds with an array of colorful flowers during the summer, while celebrating one of the city’s oldest industrial sites. In 1867, Charles Hendrie started construction of a stamp mill for crushing ore and capturing gold and silver. The mill worked the production of the famous Lexington Silver Mine further up the hill in Walkerville before being sold and moved to Pony, Montana, where the last stamp dropped on ore took place in the mid-1950’s. Local history enthusiasts brought the mill back to Butte making it the focus of a community garden in the late 1990’s. Open year-round.

Learn more about the Lexington Stamp Mill Gardens.

Montana ATV Adventures

Guided ATV rides through the mountains of Montana. Take a fantastic guided ride through the trails and old mining roads of southwest Montana's mountains. See old mining ghost towns and camps, as far back as 1867. Along with all the gold and silver taken out of these mountains, came famous outlaws looking for easy money. You'll hear stories of murder and robberies.