Sanders: Nature, History and Special Excursions
Accommodation in Sanders
Sanders combines river landscapes, wildlife viewing and regional history with excursions that can be enjoyed in many different ways. You can explore trails within the city limits, learn about the history of railroads and early settlement, or follow a historic route through Sanders County. When choosing your vacation rental or holiday home, it is therefore worth organizing your desired experiences early: Will nature, water, museums, events or a varied round trip be the focus?
River Landscapes, Water and Wildlife
Thompson Falls State Park is located on the Lower Clark Fork River, one mile from Thompson Falls. Those who enjoy spending time on the water will find another defining landscape feature at Cabinet Gorge Reservoir. The reservoir covers 3,000 acres on the Lower Clark Fork River and extends upstream from the Idaho border to Noxon. Fishing there is available for northern pike, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass. Four developed public boat ramps provide anglers with access to the reservoir.
The Mount Silcox Wildlife Management Area also adds its own distinctive natural feature. The area covers 1,552 acres; one of its management goals is to provide winter and spring habitat for bighorn sheep. Bighorn sheep can be seen there from late October through mid-April. This seasonal feature may play a role in trip planning if you want to choose your accommodation according to your preferred travel period and the focus of your excursions.
For shorter routes within the city, the Thompson Falls Trail System offers trails within the city limits. Printed maps of the Thompson Falls Community Trails are available at the Extension Office. This allows you to structure your daily plans around the available trails and your own interests, without mixing the hiking experiences with the longer excursions by the water.
Museums and History to Discover
The LaRue Hot Springs Museum preserves the hardships and achievements of the people who settled in this area. It is open from May through September on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m. The Paradise Center adds a historical perspective with exhibits on railroads and a miniature roundhouse. These exhibits address the importance of Paradise to the development of the railroad industry. A public walking trail at the Paradise Center also includes 15 interpretive panels about nearby attractions.
The Old Jail Museum focuses on the history of Sanders County. The building is one of the oldest continuously used buildings in Sanders County and serves as a museum preserving historic artifacts, pictures and maps. The exhibits present historical periods from the early development of Thompson Falls. For a family day with varied interests, such museum visits can be combined with a walk or an excursion into the river landscape.
Historic Routes and Regional Events
The historic Road to the Buffalo largely follows Montana Highway 200 through Sanders County. Detours run along Blue Slide Road and via a loop northeast of Plains. Signs bearing a buffalo symbol mark the route. Along the Road to the Buffalo, attractions are highlighted that often resemble what David Thompson may have seen. This makes the route suitable for trip planning in which landscape and historical context go hand in hand.
The regional events calendar includes the Trout Creek Huckleberry Festival, held annually on the second full weekend in August and featuring handmade crafts and works of art. The Sanders County Fair in Plains offers three full nights of PRCA rodeo performances.
For broader trip planning, you can also explore Thompson Falls and Noxon. This makes it easier to decide whether to focus on museums and trails, water and wildlife viewing, or a historic round trip.
For the broader travel overview: Montana.
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