Things To Do

This is no ordinary small western town. Our Main Street is host to excellent restaurants, colorful western bars, breweries & distillery, shops, and galleries. Fishermen can find the latest "hot" fly and get information on current area river conditions at one of the tackle shops.



Ennis also boasts an amazing display of outdoor sculptures from our Cowboy soldier at the Veterans Memorial to "A Wreck Waiting to Happen" at Rose Park from noted western artists Dave Lemon, Jim Dolan, and others. Galleries feature jewelry, baskets, gourds, prints, and original oil and watercolors. The Riverstone Gallery is home to Bern and Lexi Sundell—both award-winning artists.

Montana offers a level of trout fishing and adventure few other places possess. The Madison River flows through Yellowstone National Park, making it a beautiful location to sit down, relax, and wait for the fish to hop in your boat.

Fly Fishing is massively popular on the river as well. Make sure your Montana fishing license is up-to-date, and get to fishing! Learn More

Living Ghost Towns of Alder Gulch

Preserved Victorian gold-mining hubs just 50 miles from Yellowstone, offering an authentic glimpse into Montana's Old West.

• Historic Legacy: Site of the richest placer gold strike in the Rockies—yielding over $100 million in gold along Alder Gulch.
• Activities & Attractions:
• Ride the historic passenger train connecting Virginia and Nevada City
• Pan for authentic gold in Alder Gulch
• Attend live 19th-century theater performances
• Explore local boardwalk shops, historic saloons, and dining

Discover The Old West History in Virginia City & Nevada City, Montana!

The Nation's first protected National Park, Yellowstone offers incredible natural beauty. Skip the crowds and hustle around the West Yellowstone entrance and enjoy Montana's stunning beauty at El Western Cabins & Lodges.

On top of seeing Old Faithful, the renowned geyser, you should also seek out the Yellowstone Grand Canyon and see the many rivers around the Madison Valley.

For the latest updates on Yellowstone National Park please visit their website directly.

Montana's Premier Geologic Wonder

Tour Options & Details

Tickets sold daily on-site (9:00 AM – 4:30 PM). No advance reservations. Guided tours only.

Classic Tour: 2-hour, 2-mile rugged trek. Requires navigating 600+ stairs, bending, ducking, and squeezing through tight spaces. Passes through active bat habitats.

Paradise Tour: Accessible 0.5-mile walk (golf cart/wheelchair options available). Features a flat entry tunnel into the massive Grand Finale and Paradise Rooms with minimal steps and no tight squeezes.

Important: Cavern access requires a guided tour ticket, purchased in person at the park on the day of your visit.

Learn more about Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park

There are lots of fun small-town happenings in Ennis, like weekly music in the park, and our 4th of July parade and rodeo. Festivities on the 4th start with a tour of the Firehouse, and then continue to the parade, the rodeo, and finally the fireworks in Virginia City. Other festivals include the Ennis Art Festival the Fly Fishing Festival during the summer season, and "Hunters' Feed" in October where local merchants cook up their favorite game recipes and compete for prizes.

You'll find El Western and Ennis in the Madison Valley make a great destination for a vacation in Montana. View 2026 Ennis Events

Headwaters Trail System

Paved trail along a former railroad corridor connecting Three Forks to Missouri Headwaters State Park. Offers mountain views, cottonwood groves, and access to the historic confluence of the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers where Lewis & Clark camped.

Missouri Headwaters State Park Trails

5 miles of unpaved, multi-use trails across 500+ acres for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and fishing. Highlights the National Historic Landmark where Montana’s three famous rivers form the Missouri.

Manhattan to Gallatin River Trail

Smooth, paved path running east from Manhattan along Dry Creek Road. Ideal for walking and cycling, ending directly at a riverfront fishing access site.



For more information and details about trails near Ennis click here.

Bear Trap Canyon

6,000 acres of protected wilderness along the Madison River, featuring 2,000-foot canyon walls within the Lee Metcalf Wilderness.

• Hiking: 7.5-mile riverside trail (15 miles round-trip) extending from the main trailhead to the Ennis Dam powerhouse.
• Whitewater Rafting: 9-mile stretch packed with premier Class III–IV rapids and culminating in the famous Class V "Kitchen Sink." Commercial outfitters are available.
• Amenities & Access: South-end recreation area includes a boat launch, parking, and restrooms. Private groups do not need permits, but registration at the launch is required.

The Brewery Follies

Irreverent Comedy in Montana’s Oldest Brewery

Adult comedy sketch show housed inside Virginia City's historic 1863 Gilbert Brewery, combining 19th-century architecture with bawdy, high-energy satire.

• The Show: Adult-focused musical numbers, political satire, and risqué sketch comedy. (Note: Content is mature and not intended for children.)
• The Venue: Performed inside Montana's first operational brewery, preserved in its near-original 1863 design with a built-in stage, piano, and bar.
  

Pure Mineral Soaks in the Madison Valley

Located just 19 minutes north of El Western on MT-84, Norris Hot Springs features a 38,000-gallon pool crafted with locally milled fir planks and filled with fresh, artesian mineral water.

• The Experience: Naturally circulating mineral water cooled via a sprayer system to keep temperatures near 100°F in summer and up to 106°F in winter.
• Vibe: Relaxed, outdoor soaking paired with an eco-friendly atmosphere and clean spring water.

Virginia City Players

The Northwest’s Oldest Summer Theatre Tradition

Founded in 1948, this professional summer theatre company delivers classic, family-friendly shows packed with music, melodrama, and historic Western charm.

• Season: Runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (7 shows per week).
• Schedule:
• Tuesday – Thursday: 4:00 PM
• Friday & Saturday: 7:00 PM
• Saturday & Sunday: 2:00 PM
• Reservations: Call 406-843-5314 for advance tickets.
  

Madison Meadows Golf Course is an exciting 9-hole regulation course right in town. This Frank Hummel designed course offers an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all skill levels and features fantastic mountain views.

Prior reservations are preferred before arrival. To book a tee time, call (406) 682-7468.

The Madison Valley offers spectacular views of mountain vistas, river channels, wildlife and more. A great way to experience the natural beauty of what Montana has to offer is by horseback.

Wolf Pack Outfitters, our partner, will create a unique experience for you and your family, by customizing your outing based on your family's skill level and interests. Due to the logistics needed to create your experience, we recommend you book early.

Seamless 3.5-Hour Floats on the Water

Partnering with El Western to deliver stress-free river trips with full equipment and shuttle service included.

• Included: Vinyl-free tubes, life jackets, group connection straps, and shuttle transport back to your vehicle.
• Add-Ons: Stand-up paddleboards, cooler tubes with ice, and waterproof speakers.
• Good to Know: Ages 3+ welcome. Advance booking recommended. Learn More

The Nation’s Premier Rainbow Trout Broodstock Facility

Established in 1930, the Ennis National Fish Hatchery (NFH) is the largest facility in the federal National Broodstock Program, specializing in rearing adult rainbow trout to supply eggs to hatcheries across the country.

• Visitor Experience: Self-guided tours through the visitor center and hatchery rearing rooms. Guided group tours are available when scheduled in advance.
• Key Highlight: An accessible display raceway featuring 10-pound rainbow, blue, and albino trout.
• Amenities: Accessible visitor center, picnic tables, restrooms, and drinking water.
• Contact: (406) 682-4847
  

World-Class Dinosaurs & Regional Heritage

The Museum of the Rockies is a premier research facility and Smithsonian Affiliate in Bozeman, home to one of the largest collections of dinosaur fossils in the world.

• Siebel Dinosaur Complex: Walk among prehistoric giants in the Landforms/Lifeforms and Dinosaurs Under The Big Sky halls.
• Regional & Cultural History: Experience Welcome to Yellowstone Country, honor Indigenous history in Enduring Peoples, and trace regional roots in the Paugh History Hall.
• For Kids: The second-floor Martin Children's Discovery Center offers interactive, hands-on learning tailored for children ages 8 and under.

Montana Grizzly Encounter is a Grizzly Bear Rescue & Education Sanctuary located in Bozeman, Montana. Founded in 2004, MGE provides a spacious and natural home for rescued grizzlies. At the same time it offers the public a place to come and learn about grizzly bears as they watch the majestic animals “up close” in a beautiful mountain setting.

Geyser Whitewater Expeditions

46651 Gallatin Road, Bozeman, MT

 (406) 995-4989

Montana Whitewater Rafting & ZipLine Co.

Join their fun-loving and knowledgeable guides for a unique and memorable adventure! Enjoy a half-day, full-day or overnight raft trip on the Gallatin, Madison and Yellowstone Rivers. Fly across the Gallatin River on a zipline tour, learn to fly fish or kayak, go river tubing! Try a package for a full day of fun - like the Zip ‘n Dip (raft & zip line).

Hyalite Canyon Recreation Area is the most heavily visited recreation area in Montana with two day-use areas. Langohr, along Hyalite Creek, provides wildlife viewing and fishing midst towering rocky peaks. Hood Creek and Chisholm Campground are starting points for numerous short and long hiking routes into the dense timber up to alpine meadows and lakes on the peaks above. History Rock is a short hike, while mountain bikers thrill the fast descents along abandoned logging roads into Sourdough Canyon or back down the paved access road. The reservoir's "no-wake" rule makes it a canoeing and fishing pleasure. Located 15 miles south of Bozeman off of South 19th Avenue, this area should not be missed. In winter Hyalite has numerous ice climbing and XC skiing opportunities.

A Haven for Avian Life at El Western & Beyond

The lush willow and grass complex of Bear Creek Meadow on the El Western property—paired with nearby sagebrush, short-grass prairie, and mixed Douglas fir forests—creates an exceptional habitat for birding.

• Prime Birding Seasons:
• May – July: Breeding birds
• March – June & August – November: Shorebirds and migratory species
• Habitats to Explore:
• Bear Creek Meadow (On-Site): Willow, rabbitbrush, and sage complex ideal for songbirds and raptors.
• Ennis Lake (North): Foothills and juniper/Douglas fir forests.
• Ennis Lake (South): Agricultural lands and short-grass prairies.
• Species Highlights: Trumpeter Swan, American White Pelican, Bald Eagle, Ferruginous Hawk, Western Tanager, Long-billed Curlew, Western Grebe, and Bullock's Oriole.
  

The Ennis Arts Association holds its Annual Madison Valley Arts Festival typically the last weekend in July. This fun, FREE event will take place typically from 10 am to 5 pm in beautiful Peter T.'s Park on Main Street in Ennis. In addition to the 60 juried artists, there is live music, delicious food and the famous baked goods from the Presbyterian Women. .