Stillwater County: Art, Rivers, and the Beartooths

Stillwater County stretches from the Beartooth Mountains through the valleys of the Stillwater River and the Yellowstone River to northern lake basins and coulees. Elevation also varies greatly, ranging from about 3,400 feet near Park City to over 12,000 feet near Granite Peak. This range offers different possible focuses for your trip—from river landscapes and trails to art and local history.

Sculptures and Trails at Tippet Rise

Tippet Rise Art Center spreads large-scale sculptures across a 12,500-acre working ranch. You can explore the grounds on 15 miles of trails and 13 miles of gravel roads that connect the artworks. If you prefer a guided tour, you can consider the sculpture van tours as another way to explore: They last about 2.5 hours and stop at numerous works around the ranch. This gives you a choice between exploring independently and taking a tour with several art stops. Check tour dates and operating information before planning your visit; route conditions may also change.

River Scenery and Mountain Trails

Woodbine Campground borders the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and sits at an elevation of 5,300 feet on the banks of the Stillwater River. From there, you can see surrounding snow-capped peaks reaching 10,000 feet. The Woodbine Falls Trail is a 1.5-mile loop from the campground to a waterfall; trail conditions may vary. The Stillwater Trail offers a different option: It provides access to the wilderness and reaches Sioux Charley Lake after 3 miles. The 1.5-mile loop leads to the waterfall, while the Stillwater Trail reaches Sioux Charley Lake after 3 miles.

The Stillwater River also shapes the landscape: It flows 70 miles from the high country of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness and joins the Yellowstone River near Columbus. Known as a “blue-ribbon fishery,” it offers fishing for rainbow trout, brown trout, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, and brook trout. If you plan to fish there, check the applicable regulations and access points beforehand, as these may change. Hunting, wildlife viewing, and photography are possible at Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge; check the current refuge regulations before your visit. The refuge covers 160 acres and is bordered on three sides by the 1,828-acre Hailstone Waterfowl Production Area.

County History and Regional Orientation

The Museum of the Beartooths traces local history back to the 1870s. Stories, art, oral histories, artifacts, and photographs offer different ways to explore the history of Stillwater County. The T.T. Brown Schoolhouse is part of the museum grounds; visitors can also see a Northern Pacific freight caboose from the 1960s. The “Hard Rock Mine” exhibit focuses on the county’s mining history; individual displays may change. In Stillwater County, 12 properties are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

For route planning, Columbus offers a route to Yellowstone National Park via Beartooth Pass. The Beartooth All-American Road follows U.S. 212 from south of Red Lodge to Cooke City and the park’s northeast entrance; the pass is open seasonally. Columbus is also home to the Stillwater County Chamber of Commerce, a visitor information center.

When choosing a vacation rental, start with the experiences you want to shape your stay: art trails, a loop hike to a waterfall, a trip to a lake, fishing, or a visit focused on local history. This lets you tailor your search to the focus of your trip rather than choosing a place to stay based only on the county name.

Discover more destinations: Sanders, Richland County, Garfield County, Jefferson County, Sheridan County, Wheatland County, Pondera County.

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