Under the Gaydar | Summer Series: Philipsburg

Jun 21, 2022

Part 5: Philipsburg, Montana

Saddle up and live like a cowboy in Philipsburg, a scenic mountain town where you can spend your days indulging in an abundance of All-American activities like riding trails, herding cattle, and falling in love with the western wilds of Montana. Located on the Pintler Veteran's Memorial Scenic Highway in the southwest region of the state, this small town is halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, making it a popular spot for a road trip between the two and a great addition to your wilderness vacay.

Photo Credit: Steven Cordes

There is a reason why Montana is known as The Treasure State, and Philipsburg stands out as a diamond in the rough with a surplus of Sapphire gemstones that helped build the town’s foundation in the 1800s. Today, visitors can hunt for sapphires at gem shops or even visit one of the nearby deserted villages, like Granite Ghost Town, to indulge in the past prosperity of Sapphire Country.

Sapphires aren't the only gem in the Philipsburg countryside though; the beautiful backcountry is one of the city's biggest attractions. In fact, the town is surrounded by natural wonders such as postcard-worthy hiking trails and hot springs. The beloved Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest engulfs Philipsburg on all sides and the crystalline waters of Georgetown lake are only 15 minutes away. From moss-veiled trails to a massive reservoir beloved by boating enthusiasts, Philipsburg is the pathway to the great outdoors and has the ultimate roundup of good old-fashioned fun.

Photo Credit: Gem Mountain Sapphire Mine

Summer Events:

Flint Creek Valley Days Parade & Car Show | July 29th - July 31st, 2022

There's no better time to visit than when Philipsburg celebrates its heritage during this three-day event! The weekend is full of parades, pancake feeds, races, dances, picnics, and concerts. The grand finale, the 26th annual car show will be an automobile extravaganza with classic cars from all over the world gathering in downtown Philipsburg. A can't-miss experience for car lovers, the event will take place alongside live auctions and electrifying entertainment sure to satisfy the whole family.

Photo Credit: Montana Standard

Philipsburg Rotary Annual Charity Summer Concert & Auction | August 20th, 2022

The 12th Annual Rotary Concert and Charity Auction will be held at the beautiful Winninghoff Park. Three bands will perform during the Saturday afternoon event and a live and silent auction will raise funds for Flint Creek Child Care amongst other charities. The family-friendly event is considered one of the best in small-town Montana.

Hotel Recommendations in Philipsburg:

Tucked amongst the tree-lined hilltops between the mountain ranges of Southwestern Montana, The Ranch at Rock Creek unites luxury with wide-open spaces. Set on 6,600 acres, no more than 75 guests are accommodated at once, so there is an exclusive vibe spread throughout the grounds. The first guest ranch in the world to be awarded Forbes Travel Guide's Five Star Award, this working cattle ranch doubles as a luxury dude ranch that attracts a fair share of celebrity guests. Notably, Kate Bosworth was married here, Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton have spent the day, and LeAnn Rimes is a regular guest for the Fall Harvest Festival, where she often performs.

Stay wild with some horseback riding right on the property with rides tailored to your ability or try out something new with on-site activities ranging from archery and shotgun target shooting to blue ribbon fly fishing and flat tire biking. For a more serene experience, take up a frontier skills workshop or do something as relaxing as a creekside breakfast served straight to you while relaxing in a hammock. So what are you waiting for? Put on your cowboy boots and giddy on up to this wonderfully western ranch!