In the heart of Townsend, a charming Montana town just south of the wedding venue, check out the historic Canyon Ferry Brewing Company. While you're at it, check out some of the local Townsend shops and enjoy the water on Canyon Ferry Lake.

Visit Canyon Ferry Lake, where you can camp at one of the 8 campsites right on the water, go boating, fishing, swimming and so much more.

Canyon Ferry Lake is a reservoir on the Missouri River near Helena, Montana and Townsend, Montana. It is Montana's third largest body of water, covering 35,181 acres (142 km²) and 76 miles (122 km) of shore (1). It was formed by the building of Canyon Ferry Dam, which was completed in 1954 and has been used for electricity, irrigation, and flood controls since.

Canyon Ferry Reservoir continues to be one of the most popular angling destinations in the state of Montana for rainbow trout, walleye and yellow perch. Please be sure to check the current fishing regulations before you head out. Out of state licenses and fishing supplies can be purchased at:

Rocky Mountain Supply Inc

307 South Front Street

(406) 266-3456

Canyon Ferry Lake Koa

81 Silos Road

Beautiful historical boat tour of Louis and Clark's route through the America's with the opportunity to see lots of local animals and fauna. Two hour tour with raving reviews and lots of visitors, so please book early if you are intersted!

"The evening of July 19,1805, was a hot one in the wilderness that would later become Montana. On the Missouri River, not far from present day Helena, the hardy members of the Lewis and Clark expedition toiled to move upstream. Rock embankments made towing from shore impossible, and the deep channel forced the men to row rather than pole their boats forward.

Suddenly, there loomed before them towering rock formations unlike any they had ever seen. From both sides of the river, limestone cliffs rose to a spectacular height of 1200 feet. “In many places,” wrote Meriwether Lewis, “the rocks seem ready to tumble on us.” At each bend in the waterway, great stone walls seemed to block passage, only to open like gentle giant gates as the expedition drew near. In his journal, Meriwether wrote: “I shall call this place: GATES OF THE MOUNTAINS.”

The name stuck, and for nearly two centuries travelers have ventured down this stretch of the Missouri to marvel at its natural wonders. Today, most visitors enjoy the beauty of the Gates of the Mountains from aboard a tour boat – the “Canyon Voyager” or the “Sacajawea” (named after the only women and indigenous person on the Expedition).

The 120-minute cruise starts at our Marina, just 3 miles off Interstate 15 in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains between Helena and Great Falls, Montana. Aboard a comfortable open-air boat (covered in case of rain), you’ll glide through magnificent country Meriwether Lewis would still recognize if he could return.

Great towering walls of limestone still stand guard over the river. Bighorn sheep and Mountain Goats scamper in the rocks high above the water. Ospreys, eagles (bald and golden), vultures and falcons (peregrine and prairie) still soar on the updrafts. The canyon is also home to otters, deer, squirrels, ermine, beaver, mountain lions, black bears and other wild creatures. The life list for bird species is over 120 right now.

From the vessel you can see Mann Gulch, the site of the raging forest fire that killed 13 smokejumpers, August 5, 1949. This tragedy was the main subject matter of Norman Maclean’s book “Young Men and Fire”. The story of Mann Gulch is one of the more interesting stories told by the guide and pilot.

Near Mann Gulch the pilot will hug the shoreline to give you a look at Indian pictographs painted on the rock wall. Proof that indigenous people lived here long before Meriwether named it the Gates of the Mountains.

The tour’s main attraction, though, is the inexhaustible scenery – wooded slopes, rugged rock formations, and the placid beauty of the timeless Missouri."

--Gates of the Mountains Website

Construction

The Capitol was built between 1896 and 1902, with wings added between 1909 and 1912. It's made of sandstone and granite, and features a copper dome and a statue of Liberty on top.

Art

The Capitol contains many paintings, including Lewis and Clark Meeting Indians at Ross' Hole by Charles M. Russell. Other notable art includes:

A bronze statue of Thomas Francis Meagher, a Union general in the Civil War

Four portraits representing early Montana

Busts and statues of important Montanans

Murals by R. E. DeCamp, E. S. Paxson, and Charles M. Russell

A mural by Amédée Joullin called Driving of the Golden Spike

Tours

The Montana Historical Society offers guided tours, self-guided tour booklets, and a scavenger hunt for kids. You can also take a virtual tour or watch a 43-minute video tour.

Hours

The Capitol is open Monday–Friday, 7 AM–6 PM, and weekends, 9 AM–3 PM. It's closed on Christmas Day and New Year's Day, and may be closed on weekends for maintenance

Located just east of Whitehall, MT, lies the Lewis and Clark Caverns. Discovered in 1892 by local hunters, these caverns went on to become Montana's first state park.

As one of the largest known limestone cavern systems in the northwest, Montanans have been exploring the caves for over 100 years!

The Broadwater Hot Springs & Fitness is nestled in the serene mountains, a mere 10-minute drive from downtown Helena, you'll find Helena's picturesque geothermal mineral hot springs. They have a rejuvenating mineral hot springs, sauna, cold tubs, and a fitness center. There are servers poolside to bring you food and drinks, too!