Photo by Kurt Wilson / Missoulian
Fort Benton has so much to offer our guests, and we promise you won't want to leave until you have crossed it all of your list—from learning why we were once called the "deadliest town in the west" to cooling your toes in the Mighty Mo.
Begin at the Chamber's Visitor Center
Visitors to Fort Benton are welcomed at the Visitors center operated by the Fort Benton Chamber of Commerce. It is located on Front Street next to the Walking Bridge. Here our volunteers offer a wealth of knowledge about the town as well as the surrounding area. Hours of operation run from Memorial Day weekend through the end of September.
Follow the Charm Trail
Make an adventure out of supporting the local businesses and introduce yourself to as many of Fort Benton's business owners as you can. Each one has a smile to share and a story to tell. Mark the occasion by collecting a charm as a souvenir and a reminder of the wonderful people you will meet along the way.
Follow the Story of Faithful Shep
Meet the dog who belongs to the hearts of the whole community. Walk along the Missouri River Levee to read about his story and visit the monument dedicated to him. Hike to his burial site above the railroad tracks for a beautiful view of the city below.
Take a history tour
As the birthplace of Montana, Fort Benton is steeped in history so you would definitely not want to miss a tour of our museums. You could begin with the Bureau of Land Management’s Wild and Scenic Missouri River National Monument Interpretive Center. Here visitors can check-in for their trips down the river as well as learn about the history and features of the river. Next, the Museum of the Upper Missouri and Old Fort Park will take you on a journey of steamboat passages and old trading posts. The Museum of the Northern Great Plains documents the life and hardships of 100 years of life on the vast plains and the agriculture that supported it. To dig even deeper, you can visit the oldest and most beautiful library in Montana. For more information on our area museums and research centers, visit >
Relax on the River
The wide Missouri River is the centerpiece of our beautiful town, and after a day of museum walking you will be ready to relax and recreate. From fishing and canoeing to simply walking along the levee or over the old walking bridge, you will be able to wind down in your own way to the sounds of the rippling river.
Save the date
To really get acquainted with the local crowd, you will not want to miss mingling with the masses at one of our landmark events, including the legendary Summer Celebration every June featuring live entertainment, arts and crafts vendors, fireworks, parades, and street dances. To cap off the year the local businesses rally together for the Chouteau County Country Christmas, a weekend of festive shopping, food and fun. Throughout the year the culture is alive with performances sponsored by the Chouteau County Performing Arts Organization. Don't forget to save these upcoming dates to your calendar. Events >
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CONTRIBUTERS: Fred Arnst • Tamarjo Schliep Photography and Design • The River Press • Missouri River Outfitters • Dan Mahoney • Randy Morger (voice) • Brian Morger (The Greeting & Long Goodbye Painting) • Shep Most Loyal Dog Book Published by Sleeping Bear Press • Steve Croskey Photos • Missouri River Keelboat Co.
