Discover Anaconda: Golf, Trails, and Copper History

Anaconda combines impressive scenery with the history of copper mining and a wide range of opportunities for active and cultural days away. The city lies in a valley at an elevation of about one mile in the Deer Lodge National Forest. This means planning your trip begins with a simple question: Would you like to play golf, explore a multi-use trail, discover historic sites, or combine these interests?

Active Days on the Copper Link Trail and Golf Course

The Copper Link Trail runs across the hills above Anaconda’s southern city limits and connects “A” Hill with “C” Hill. The trail is about 2.8 miles long and classified as a green, beginner-friendly route. At the same time, it includes several short, challenging climbs. This combination makes the trail appealing to travelers looking for a manageable distance without wanting to miss out on changing levels of difficulty.

The Copper Link Trail is a non-motorized multi-use trail. It is open to hikers, runners, mountain bikers, Class 1 e-bikes, and horseback riders. If you are traveling with people who have different interests, you can therefore plan the trail as a shared activity or divide the activities among your group. When choosing a vacation rental, you can tailor the focus accordingly toward active days, cultural discoveries, or a balanced mix, without limiting your trip planning to just one activity.

Another option in its own right is Old Works Golf Course. The public 18-hole course has a par of 72. Its most distinctive features are the bunkers, which contain black slag from the copper-smelting process. This gives the golfing experience a direct connection to Anaconda’s history and also makes the course noteworthy for visitors interested in the city’s industrial past.

Copper History from Different Perspectives

The Old Works area was the original site of the first copper-smelting facilities built in Anaconda, which operated from 1884 to 1902 to process ore from Butte. Anyone wishing to understand the area’s development can connect this historical reference with additional stops. Anaconda Historic Bus Tours offer a sightseeing tour through historic Anaconda. The route includes the Washoe Theater as well as other historic buildings.

A particularly striking reminder is the former chimney of the Anaconda Copper Company in Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park. It was completed in 1919 and is 585 feet tall. The Anaconda Smoke Stack can only be viewed and photographed from a distance. Information panels about the chimney’s history are located at the viewpoint near Goodman Park. This allows you to combine your visit with historical context without treating the chimney as an accessible structure.

Museum and Trip Planning

The Copper Village Museum and Arts Center is a free museum in the Anaconda City Hall Cultural Center. It complements the tour and the view of the Smoke Stack with a cultural stop. For a trip involving several age groups, this variety can be helpful: A trail or sightseeing tour can be followed by a quieter opportunity to explore Anaconda’s history and culture.

When searching for a vacation rental in Anaconda, you can therefore use your preferred daily rhythm as a starting point. Decide whether you want your days away to focus primarily on activity, golf, or historical and cultural impressions.

For the broader travel overview: Deer Lodge.