A Brief History of Big Timber

Elevation: 4300 feet
Population: 1,635

As the gateway to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, Big Timber, Montana is a small mountain town with its stunning mountain views, outdoor recreation opportunities, and Old West character. Located just 60 miles east of Bozeman and 80 miles west of Billings, Big Timber is easily accessible off I-90 and highway 191.

For centuries, this land was sacred & neutral to Native American Crow, Blackfoot, Flathead, Shoshone tribes. Founded as a town in 1886, Big Timber got its name in 1806 from a railroad official who read the Lewis and Clark Expedition journals of William Clark. In his writings, Clark mentioned the giant cottonwood trees that grew near the area called "Rivers Across” shone to them by Sacagawea, their Shoshone interpreter. The expedition used these massive cottonwood trees (big timber) to build a number of sturdy canoes.

The name stuck and Big Timber grew to be a thriving sheep ranching community. At one point, Big Timber exported more wool than any other city in the United States.

Today, Big Timber is a successful agricultural community.

Prairie land borders Big Timber to the north and east sides, while the west and south are dominated by majestic mountains. Granite Peak, the highest peak in Montana at 12,799 feet, is a part of the Absaroka Mountain Range. The Boulder Mountains to the south, and the Crazy Mountains just north of Big Timber, offer spectacular hiking, biking, camping, and fishing. Blue ribbon trout fishing attracts anglers from all over the country. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, popular motion pictures such as A River Runs Through it, and the Horse Whisperer were filmed in this area.

Downtown Big Timber offers shops showcasing gifts made in Montana, groceries, clothing, and hardware. Many shops have kept their original look, giving visitors the authentic feel of the Old West. Some old-time local merchants have been there for over 50 years.

To learn more about the history of Big Timber and the surrounding Sweet Grass County, visit the Crazy Mountain Museum. Here you'll find an authentic, one-room school house exhibit, complete with original blackboards. A miniature model of the original town of Big Timber in 1807 is also on display.