#1Helena
Lewis and Clark County · 35,138 peopleOutdoors grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall B− · #12 of 41 in MT
Helena, #1 on this list · Photo: Tracey Elizabeth · CC BY 2.0Montana rankings · Outdoors
Best towns for the outdoors in Montana
Helena ranks first on outdoors among Montana’s 42 towns of 2,500+; 22 of the 42 grade A− or better on outdoors nationally.
The Outdoors grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the share of land conserved and the trail miles per square mile. How grades work
#1A+
#2Hamilton
Ravalli County · 5,451 peopleOutdoors grade, among the top in the U.S.·Overall C+ · #23 of 41 in MT
#3Orchard Homes
unincorporated, Missoula County · 5,588 peopleOutdoors grade, better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #2 of 41 in MT
All 42 towns
Outdoors grade, best first (the letter is national). Towns with the same score share a rank; the overall grade and state rank are beside each.
42 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownGradeOverall
3Orchard Homesunincorporated, Missoula County · 5,588 peopleA+better than 97% of U.S. towns·Overall A− · #2 of 41
8Anaconda-Deer Lodge CountyDeer Lodge County · 9,709 peopleAbetter than 91% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #30 of 41
9Lolounincorporated, Missoula County · 4,314 peopleAbetter than 91% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #24 of 41
24Helena Valley Southeastunincorporated, Lewis and Clark County · 9,108 peopleB+better than 73% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #19 of 41
25Helena Valley West Centralunincorporated, Lewis and Clark County · 8,056 peopleB+better than 72% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #10 of 41
26Columbia FallsFlathead County · 5,753 peopleB+better than 71% of U.S. towns·Overall C− · #31 of 41
29Bigforkunincorporated, Flathead County · 5,565 peopleBbetter than 62% of U.S. towns·Overall B · #9 of 41
31Evergreenunincorporated, Flathead County · 9,611 peopleBbetter than 56% of U.S. towns·Overall C · #26 of 41
34North Browningunincorporated, Glacier County · 3,144 peopleB−better than 53% of U.S. towns·Overall D · #40 of 41
36Four Cornersunincorporated, Gallatin County · 5,791 peopleB−better than 52% of U.S. towns·Overall A+ · #1 of 41
37Helena Valley Northeastunincorporated, Lewis and Clark County · 4,659 peopleB−better than 50% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #20 of 41
39Malmstrom AFBunincorporated, Cascade County · 4,302 peopleC+better than 43% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #22 of 41
40Lockwoodunincorporated, Yellowstone County · 7,181 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #25 of 41
41Montana Cityunincorporated, Jefferson County · 3,092 peopleCbetter than 34% of U.S. towns·Overall B+ · #8 of 41
42Helena Valley Northwestunincorporated, Lewis and Clark County · 5,183 peopleDbetter than 6% of U.S. towns·Overall C+ · #18 of 41
Quick answers
Questions people ask
Which Montana town is best for the outdoors?
Helena (Lewis and Clark County) ranks first on outdoors among 42 towns, with an A+; Hamilton and Orchard Homes follow.
How are these towns ranked?
The Outdoors grade, a character grade (not part of the overall): the share of land conserved and the trail miles per square mile. Towns are sorted on the grade’s score; the letter and rank are the same as on each town’s page. How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500+ residents with a outdoors grade (42 in Montana). Smaller towns have the grade on their page but no rank. Every town is on the Montana page.
Go deeper
All Montana rankings →More Montana lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live41 towns · #1 Four CornersBest small towns34 towns · #1 Four CornersMost affordable towns42 towns · #1 North BrowningSafest towns26 towns · #1 LibbyTowns with the best schools41 towns · #1 Four CornersHealthiest towns41 towns · #1 Four CornersBest towns for jobs & income42 towns · #1 Helena Valley NortheastMost walkable towns42 towns · #1 BozemanTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk42 towns · #1 HelenaMost historic towns42 towns · #1 Butte-Silver BowTowns with the most civic life28 towns · #1 LivingstonTowns with the least snow38 towns · #1 DillonDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns38 towns · #1 Red LodgeDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters43 towns · #1 LibbyDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers43 towns · #1 Miles CityDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers43 towns · #1 Anaconda-Deer Lodge CountyDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes42 towns · #1 Helena Valley NortheastDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes41 towns · #1 North BrowningDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns28 towns · #1 KalispellDescribed, no letters
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