Choteau
Choteau is a town in Central Montana. It is the county seat of Teton County. About 1,700 people live there.
Understand
[edit]Get in
[edit]Choteau is at the intersection of U.S. highway 89 and U.S. 287.
The nearest commercial airport is in Great Falls.
Get around
[edit]
Map of Choteau
You will need a personal vehicle, or bike, to get around Choteau.
When adventuring outside of town, be sure you plan for fuel and download maps. Wide open country is great to explore, just don't expect to always have service and amenities.
See
[edit]- 1 Freezout Lake, Several parking areas and turnouts on US 89 (10 miles south on US 89), ☏ +1 406 443-0303. From mid-March to mid-October hundreds of thousands of snow geese and tens of thousands of trumpeter and tundra swans visit the lake. There is a tracker for fall and spring migration
- 2 Montana Dinosaur Center (Two Medicine Dinosaur Center), 120 2nd Ave S (Next to Trex Agate Shop in Bynum), ☏ +1 406 469-2211, toll-free: +1 800 238-6873, info@tmdinosaur.org. Open daily May 1-Sep 30, 9AM-6PM, may shorten days or hours; appt based tours allowed Oct-Apr. Part of the Montana Dinosaur Trail. Has model of the longest dinosaur, a diplodocus, and the first baby dinosaur bones collected in North America. $5 museum admission, $110 dig site tour, $225 fossil dig expedition.
- 3 Old Trail Museum, 823 Main Ave N, ☏ +1 406 466-5332. Jun-Sep Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM. Museum with a bit of everything. Fossils, Blackfeet and Métis histories, history of the region.
- Pine Butte Swamp Preserve (at Ear Mountain State Game Refuge) (24 miles west on Teton Canyon Rd), ☏ +1 406 443-0303. Abundant variety of wildlife - grizzlies, beaver, elk, bobcat, and bighorn sheep to name some. Only part of the preserve is open to the public.
Do
[edit]Choteau has a number of guides, outfitters, and other local experts for hiking, hunting, or fishing.
- 1 Teton Disc Golf (by Choteau City Park). Open during daylight. 18 Holes. Course info on south side of Pavilion. Free.
- 2 Teton Pass Ski Area, 2906 Teton Canyon Road (travel north on Highway 89 for 4.5 miles, left onto Teton Canyon Rd, last 10 miles is gravel), ☏ +1 406 466-2209, info@skitetonmt.com. mid Dec- mid Apr, 9:30AM-4PM F Sa Su. 400 skiable acres with 3 lifts.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]- 1 John Henry's Restaurant, 215 Main Ave N, ☏ +1 406 466-5642. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, close Su. Pizza.Beer.Chicken according to their sign but really has a wide variety on the menu.
- 2 Log Cabin Cafe, 102 Main Ave N, ☏ +1 406 466-2888. W-Sa 11AM-9PM, Su 8AM-9PM. Diner food with outdoor seating available.
- 3 Outpost Deli, 824 Main Ave N, ☏ +1 406 466-5330. M-Sa 6AM-2PM, Su 7AM-2PM. Not really a deli, more a traditional café.
Drink
[edit]- 1 Antler Bar, 105 Main Ave N, ☏ +1 406 466-2719. Su-W 10AM-Midnight, Th F Sa 10AM-2AM. Relaxed atmosphere of a small town bar.
- 2 Copper Creek Coffee, 501 Main Ave N, ☏ +1 406 466-3868, ChoteauCopperCreekCoffee@gmail.com. M-F 7:30AM-3PM, Sa 8AM-2PM, closed Su. Coffee shop with hot breakfast and lunch sandwiches.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Stage Stop Inn, 1005 Main Ave N, ☏ +1 406 466-5900. Variety of room choices, complimentary breakfast, lounge, indoor pool.
- 2 Big Sky Motel, 209 Main Ave S, ☏ +1 406 466-5318. Caters to hunters. Full kitchenettes if needed.
- 3 Gunther Motel, 20 7th Ave SW, ☏ +1 406 466-5444. Microwave and fridge in room.
Connect
[edit]Go next
[edit]- Gibson Reservoir (51 miles southwest) includes 15 miles of shoreline for trout fishing. There is a 200 ft concrete dam.
| Routes through Choteau |
| Fort Macleod ← Browning ← | N  S |
→ Sun River → Great Falls |
| END ← | N  S |
→ Wolf Creek → Helena |