Boogie Up to Fort Benton for Beautiful Fall Fun

I might be pushing the calendar here, but if Fall holds out for a few more weeks in Montana, consider visiting the town of Fort Benton, perhaps as a day trip or even an overnight "staycation."

We passed through Fort Benton about a month ago, on our way back to Billings from Havre. After poking around town for a few minutes, taking pictures for this article, I told my wife, "We should totally come back here sometime for a relaxing weekend without the kids." Maybe book a room in the elegantly restored Grand Union Hotel.

Read More: A Family Road Trip Through Central Montana's Hidden Gems

A month ago, a few of the trees were just barely starting to turn yellow in Fort Benton. I can imagine those towering cottonwoods along the river (and throughout town) are brilliant orange by now.

It's been called "the birthplace of Montana."

Fans of Montana history should definitely put Fort Benton on their list. The charming little community (pop. ~1,500) might seem sleepy nowadays, but around the 1860s it was booming. Like Billings is today, Fort Benton was once the primary hub of commerce in the state.

The town was basically the gateway to Montana, with many of our state's early traders, trappers, gold miners, troops, and homesteaders coming to Montana on steamboats up the mighty Missouri to Fort Benton. Pre-railroad, this was the most efficient way to make the journey from St Louis.

Fort Benton was known as the world's most inland port during the steamboat era, and the town is commonly referred to as the "birthplace of Montana." From Fort Benton, new arrivals dispersed across the Treasure State (and beyond), seeking fortune, new lives, and adventure out West.

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Visitors to Fort Benton can expect a laid-back experience. You can almost feel time slowing down as you watch the steady flow of the Missouri River course through town. If you're looking for action-packed adventure and thrills, it might not be your cup of tea.

However, if you want a history-filled place to unwind and watch the world go by, Fort Benton is awesome. Despite its somewhat sleepy facade, there are at least 11 things to do in Fort Benton, per the folks at Roaming Near and Far.