Big Hole Valley scenic drive through Montana

Big Hole Valley

MT-43 · MT-278

Route Overview

Remote ranch country and world-class trout fishing in the "Valley of 10,000 Haystacks."

Distance
110 mi
Elevation Range
5,1006,800 ft
Difficulty
moderate
Season
Year-round (snow common)
Start

Interactive Map

Hot SpringsCampgroundsHiking TrailsRecreationRoute

Points of Interest

11 points of interest along the Big Hole Valley corridor.

♨️ Hot Springs (3)

Renova Hot Springs
★★★★ 4.2 (98 reviews)
13.7 mi from route
Directions →
Lost Trail Hot Springs
★★★½ 3.7 (181 reviews)
4.6 mi from route
Directions →
Blue Joint Hot Springs
10.9 mi from route
Directions →

Campgrounds (5)

Steel Creek Campground
★★★★★ 5.0 (1 reviews)
5.5 mi from route
Directions →
American Legion Memorial Park
★★★★½ 4.8 (32 reviews)
0.2 mi from route
Directions →
Divide Bridge Campground
★★★★½ 4.7 (60 reviews)
0.2 mi from route
Directions →
Spring Gulch Campground
★★★★½ 4.6 (39 reviews)
12.8 mi from route
Directions →
Wise River Campgrounds
0.1 mi from route
Directions →

🏔️ Recreation (3)

Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF
0.6 mi from route
Directions →
South Fork Reservoir
6.9 mi from route
Directions →
Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness
11.4 mi from route
Directions →

Connecting Routes

Routes that connect to the Big Hole Valley for extended road trip planning.

Nearby Towns

Towns along or near the Big Hole Valley route.

Events along the route

Upcoming and typical events in towns along the Big Hole Valley.

Browse all Montana events →

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Big Hole Valley scenic drive?

The Big Hole Valley covers about 110 miles along MT-43, MT-278, with an elevation range of 5,100–6,800 feet.

What towns are along the Big Hole Valley?

The route runs from Butte to Dillon.

When is the best season to drive the Big Hole Valley?

Recommended season: Year-round (snow common). High-elevation Montana corridors can close in winter; check current road conditions before you go.

How difficult is the Big Hole Valley drive?

This corridor is rated moderate. Use the interactive Backroads Travel Planner to preview the route and nearby points of interest before you leave.

Plan a Multi-Route Trip

Combine the Big Hole Valley with connecting corridors to build an epic Montana road trip. Our interactive planner covers 13 scenic corridors and 850+ points of interest.

Plan a multi-route trip with our interactive Backroads Travel Planner →

Where to Stay in Butte

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See the complete Where to Stay in Butte guide.

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Where to Stay in Dillon

See the complete Where to Stay in Dillon guide.

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