Eureka is a town in Lincoln County, Montana, which is worth a visit despite its small area of just 1.33 square miles.
Located only 9 miles south of the US border with Canada, Eureka draws visitors partly because of the rich history of its Tobacco Valley area in northwest Montana.
This area, so named because of explorers finding its Native Americans using wild tobacco, attracted European settlers starting the early 1800s.
Agriculture and timber drove the early growth of Eureka that once had the pet name of “Christmas Tree Capital of the World” because of the evergreens it widely supplied during the Yule Season.
Forest preserves and scenic wilderness areas are not only among the points of interest in Eureka.
There are also many more places to see and things to do in Eureka, as our list here will show you.
The Historical Village in Eureka, located at 4 Dewey Avenue, is composed of vintage buildings circa the 1890s and early 1900s.
These structures were transferred to the site from Tobacco Valley areas that were going underwater because of the 1970s construction of Libby Dam, creating Lake Koocanusa.
You can view historical artifacts at the Browse Fewkes General Store in the village.
In the village, you can buy quilts made locally and sold to help provide funds for the village’s maintenance.
The village buildings are open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the museum from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
While in tow, you can also check out two Eureka listings on the National Register of Historic Places: the Farmers and Merchants State Bank at 223 Dewey Avenue and the Eureka Community Hall and its rustic architecture near Lundeen Road.
Proceed to Eureka’s Riverside Park on Tobacco Road across the Historical Village to access The Kootenai Trail.
This is a 7.5-mile long pathway converted from an old railroad and open to bikers, hikers, and horse riders.
It links Eureka to the Mariners Haven Campground and Marina, and this route is ideal for birdwatching.
In summer, you can encounter some 80 species of neotropical songbirds along the Kootenai Trail, especially on its stretches close to the Tobacco River.
The trail’s denizens you’re likely to see include magpies, ravens, crows, cowbirds, swallows, kingfishers, and sandpipers, as well as turkey vultures and hawks nesting on the rock cliffs along the trail.
Through this trail, you can also gain entry to the Pigeon Bridge Fishing Access, the Town of Rexford, and the Rexford Bench Campground.
Entering Eureka via Highway 93 shortly brings you to Eureka’s Dewey Street that locals also call their Main Street.
You will find along this 2-mile stretch the trappings of the classic, rural lifestyle in Eureka.
Friendly stores and homegrown restaurants can be found along this corridor, with the Farmacy as one of its must-visit shops.
It is housed in a vintage bank building and sells not only world-famous herbal medicine but also great coffee and tapioca-based bubble tea known as bobas.
North of Eureka’s commercial district along Dewey Street is the Lincoln County Fair Grounds on Osloski Road, where events like rodeos might be in progress.
Schedule a stop at Front Porch Dewey Burger & Fish at 307 Dewey Avenue, home of the famed Eureka Burger and the ice-cream topped Huckleberry burger.
The distinctive taste of these burgers gained the limelight when they were served in the December 2017 Christmas Tree Lighting Reception in Washington DC.
Front Porch Dewey also delights vegetarians with their Black Bean Veggie Burger, gluten-free options, and beyond-meat patties.
New England-style seafood rolls and fish tacos are specialties too at Front Porch Dewey Burger & Fish that exudes an ambiance inviting customers to stay a bit longer.
In this restaurant, you can also choose from an extensive wine list and picks from 40 different beers served in frozen pint glasses.
Golfers visiting Eureka can enjoy their sport at the master development of the Indian Springs Ranch on the northern side of town.
Located on 77 Indian Springs Road, this development features an 18-hole golf course open to the public.
Play here is at par 71 over 6,600 yards from the longest tees on a round promising challenging play amid wondrous views of the Rockies.
You can also organize socials in the Indian Springs Ranch’s Golf Simulator Room for a virtual game while enjoying food and drinks with friends or family.
This development also provides a driving range, pro shop, walking trails, a horse facility, and an RV campsite.
Book a stay at the Wilderness Club Resort, a 500-acre property nestled amid lush acres of vast National Forest Reserve land.
Proceed to1885 Sophie Lake Road on the northwestern side of Eureka to access this amazing development.
An 18-hole, par 72 championship golf course is the centerpiece of the recreational offerings at this resort.
Named as the top golf links in Montana by Golf Week, this 7,207-yard course was from the drawing boards of the legendary British pro golfer Sir Nick Faldo.
Besides a clubhouse with grill and pro-shop, the Wilderness Club also features a family sports park and a water park with pools and hot tubs overlooking the Rocky Mountains and Wilderness Lake.
A visit to Eureka can include some forays into games of chances and probabilities at three neighboring casinos on the north side of town.
One of them is the North Point Bar, Grill & Casino, located at 1821 US Highway 93 (Dewey Avenue).
North Point features 20 licensed gaming machines and also hosts poker nights while at the same time delighting patrons with its American cuisine, salads, and taco bar.
A similar combo of delightful meals and gaming can be enjoyed at Four Corners Casino & Crossroads Grill at 66161 Mt. Highway 37, where you can pick from its poker, keno, and line games.
Also, at Eureka’s north side, Big Sky Lanes & Casino at 1359 US Highway 93 also offers 20 gaming machines, plus eight bowling lanes, a full bar, fried food, and pizza.
A fourth Eureka gaming landmark is at 40 1st Street near the Historical Village—Lucky Lil’s Casino distinctive not only for its slot machines, keno terminals, and video poker but also for its elegant décor.
If you’re exploring the northwest Montana region with an RV or a camper, the Blue Mountains RV Park is an ideal base.
It is located at 5865 US Highway 93 North in Eureka and just some 5.5 miles north of the town center and its amenities.
This RV hub has 55 sites, all with power and water hookups, plus access to the heated bathroom, shower, and laundry facilities.
Blue Mountains RV Park delights campers with its manicured landscaping and quality services that also include Wi-Fi access for a fee.
Campers prefer this site because of its proximity to northwest Montana’s popular destinations and the US-Canada border.
Pamper yourself with glamorous camping (glamping) at the Tobacco River Ranch based at 359 Osloski Road.
The Ranch boasts over 400 acres of natural beauty in the ranchland, forest, trails, and river areas in its confine.
The Rails to Trails, part of the Pacific Northwest Scenic Trail, traverses through this property.
Thus, its glampers can hike or bike to go swimming and canoeing or kayaking at Lake Koocanusa.
The Ranch does not only provide bikes for tackling the Rails to Trails route to the lake.
It also provides tubes for glampers who choose the adventure of floating on Tobacco River onward to Lake Koocanusa.
Explore aviation history with a visit to the Stonehenge Air Museum at Palmer Drive off U.S. Highway 93.
This museum, which is deep in the southeastern part of Eureka near the unincorporated community of Fortine, features 27 aircraft of varying vintages.
Montana retired engineer James E. Smith owns this collection that includes a triplane, biplanes, and jets.
One standout in the Stonehenge Air Museum, which was opened in January 2015, is the 1947 Supermarine Mk 47 Seafire, the only remaining aircraft of its type that remains airworthy.
In addition to its plane exhibit, the museum also features a full-sized replica of the prehistoric English monument Stonehenge.
At Trapper’s Saloon, they take pleasure in giving their patrons tender, hand-cut beef that has been smoked conventionally.
Additionally, they provide chilly beers from their vintage bar and daily cuisine specialties based on regional and seasonal ingredients.
Their outside patios come alive in the summertime with dangling flower baskets, cold beverages, ice-cold beer, and the noise of horseshoes clanging as guests play a friendly game.
Top performers from throughout North America perform in their outdoor venue during summer weekends, illuminating the night, whereas a crowd sways on the grassy dance floor.
Locals and visitors alike may be seen watching spots game on any of their six flat-screen Televisions throughout the winter or relaxing by the warm fireplace with hand-crafted drinks and comfort cuisine.
Why go further when you can shop right in the center of Eureka?
A Sunflower Moose store sells quirky, entertaining apparel in Eureka, Montana.
The Sunflower Moose has options for clothing, footwear, and accessories in the ladies, juniors, children, and toddlers sectors.
Browse lightweight summer blouses, skirts, fall boots, and leggings; the supply is always changing.
Look through their large collection of scarves, accessories, hats, and headbands.
Visit to look at children’s apparel and shoes for that cute young person.
Every time you visit Sunflower Moose, you’ll discover something especially nice.
The Koocanusa Brewery, Tap Room, and Vineyard are gracefully overlooked by Mount Marston, located in the stunning Kootenai National Forest.
The artwork at Tap Room represents the building’s local culture and heritage.
They provide you with a selection of hand-crafted beers to savor.
Their hand-crafted brews are Enda’s Irish Red Ale, Summer Blonde, Fire Line Vanilla Porter, and Mac Skelly Smoked Scottish Ale.
The Koocanusa Brewery is a great place to visit, given its welcoming employees, breathtaking mountain vistas, and fantastic beers.
Produced and curated by Montana Farmacy, various products include ice cream, gifts, organic herbal remedies, old-fashioned things, herbs, and spices.
They only use the highest-quality ingredients to produce and curate herbal goods that will nourish your tummy, comfort your heart, and renew your wellness.
They produce most of their items by hand; however, they also sell wonderful stuff from other companies—as long as it meets their strict standards for old-fashioned quality.
They specialize in difficult-to-find herbs and regimens that assist with conditions including Lyme disease, auto-immune diseases, and infectious and bacterial illnesses resistant to antibiotics.
Drop by and explore their Country Store, Home Goods Store, Mercantile, Art Gallery, Bookstore, and Food Truck.
Cafe’ Jax has been providing authentic American-style meals for 18 years!
You will love your time at Jax since owners Tom Meester and Savahna Schuhmacher are second-generation restaurateurs.
From the minute you’re welcomed with a grin at the entrance until you depart happy and content, Cafe’ Jax’s staff ensures that you feel comfortable, and the service will have you returning for more.
They consistently utilize premium ingredients, many of which are grown or manufactured nearby.
Experience Jax’s delicious appetizers, salads, soups, and wood-fired pizzas in a relaxed setting and with friendly service.
They have everything you need if you need party materials and decor for your upcoming get-together.
They offer essentials to decorations that will match your preferences and style for your engagement, reunion, or other events.
If you have the heart for vertical rock climbing, Stone Hill along Lake Koocanusa is your best destination while visiting Eureka.
Located in the town of Rexford, about 15 miles southwest of Eureka, this is the only solid choice for rock-climbers in northwest Montana.
Stone Hill offers more than 500 climbing routes with challenging ratings at 5.1 and higher.
Nonetheless, novices can also find several easy and moderate pitches at Stone Hill.
But regardless of the ratings, all climbers will be rewarded with gorgeous views of the lake and its surrounding mountains.
Plenty of water-based pleasures can be enjoyed in a side trip from Eureka to the Abayance Bay Marina.
This marina is in the town of Rexford at 290 Abayance Bay Drive, only eight miles west of Eureka.
Except in winter, you can rent boats in the marina so you can explore Lake Koocanusa, a reservoir formed by the construction of the Libby Dam in the Kootenai River.
Lake sights to behold include the Lake Koocanusa Bridge, Montana’s tallest and longest span.
While at the marina, you can enjoy lunch or dinner at its in-house restaurant, The Bowl, which also offers live musical entertainment.
Try camping without too many frills at the Tobacco River Campground in Rexford, about 5 miles west of Eureka off Pidgeon Bridge Road 7277.
This campground provides six sites, tables, and fire rings, and its access road can accommodate up to a 20-foot RV.
As its name suggests, this campsite is next to the Tobacco River in natural forested grounds at an elevation of 2,460 feet.
Its amenities include an undeveloped boat ramp good for small packable boats.
Fishing in the area’s lakes can yield cutthroat and rainbow trout, kokanee salmon, and whitefish.
Located amid the 90-mile long Koocanusa Lake reservoir, access to Yarnell Island is only by boat.
There are many boat ramps and marinas around the lake where water transport to the island can be arranged.
From Eureka, your best bet is to start at the neighboring town of Rexford at its Abayance Bay Marina.
There are eight camping areas on Yarnell Island, and all are primitive sites.
For an unforgettable experience, camp overnight and have the island by your lonesome.
Eureka offers many options for tourists of every persuasion.
This small town in Lincoln County is on the flanks of national forest parks and reserves that provide a setting for either easy-going or challenging outdoor experiences.
The Eureka town center offers options on lifestyle activities that appeal to varying tastes and preferences.
There’s also much to appreciate in the historical past of northwest Montana well-preserved in Eureka.
These many variations of the things to do in Eureka certainly make it a hotspot on Montana’s tourist map.
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