Big Timber

Big Timber is in south central Montana. About 1,600 people live there.

Understand
Surrounded on three sides by the Absaroka-Beartooths and the Crazy Mountains, the area hosts the gateway to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Areas and contains amazing scenery. The Yellowstone River, Boulder River, and the many smaller streams in the area are famous for fly fishing. The fantastic scenery provided a backdrop for movies such as 'A River Runs Through It' and 'The Horse Whisperer'. Big Timber is the county seat of Sweet Grass County.
 * Yellowstone District forest service office, 225 Big Timber Loop Rd. Big Timber, +1 406 932-5155

Nearby are the towns of Greycliff and McLeod, both with little service.

Get in
Located on the I-90 corridor between Livingston and Billings.

Get around
Once you're in Big Timber, most things are reachable by foot but there is no shortage of parking either so it's fairly easy to get around.

Do
The nearby Boulder River is world famous area for fly fishing, outfitters can be found in town. Ask at local fly shops and check river conditions online. June is high water month due to snow melting at higher elevations which can make rivers treacherous, the water muddy and difficult to fish.

Connect
Local FM radio stations
 * KMXE 99.3 FM; Red Lodge
 * K240CO 95.9 FM; Livingston
 * KXLB 100.7 FM; Livingston
 * K213AU 90.5 FM; Big Timber

Stay safe
When you're out exploring remember this is bear country. Be bear aware while fishing or camping. Plenty of other wildlife may come close. Remember they are wild and can react badly to people. Keep your distance and enjoy watching.

Even though the streams look crystal clear, giardia parasites can be present. Do not drink from the stream (unless you boil the water) or you could be very sick.

Go next

 * Enjoy a soak in one of Montana's hot springs at either White Sulphur Springs to the northwest or Chico Hot Springs to the southwest.