Stevensville

Stevensville is a charming town rich in history. Founded in 1841 as the first permanent white settlement in Montana, it began as St. Mary’s Mission, established by Jesuit missionaries led by Father Pierre DeSmet at the request of the Salish people. For a deeper dive into the area’s past, visit Fort Owen State Park, a historic site founded in 1850 by Major John Owen and home to Montana’s first Catholic Church, sawmill, grist mill, and school for settlers. To further explore the town’s fascinating history, stop by the Stevensville Museum, where exhibits chronicle the development of Stevensville and the greater Bitterroot Valley.

Explore Lee Metcalf National Wildlife Refuge, a 2,800-acre sanctuary, just north of town, offering scenic trails, picnic areas, and prime wildlife-watching opportunities, from osprey and bald eagles to deer and painted turtles.

Downtown Stevensville maintains its historic charm with plenty of local grub. Stop by Blacksmith Brewing Company, a community gathering spot housed in a former blacksmith shop or needing a pick-me-up along the trail, grab a coffee at Trapper Peak Coffee.

Next stop, Victor...