20 Worst Tourist Traps in Montana

The state’s stunning landscapes can’t mask the disappointing reality of certain attractions.

Some destinations charge premium prices for experiences you could replicate in your backyard.

But here’s the deal 👉 savvy travelers know which places to avoid entirely.

These particular spots have mastered the art of turning natural wonder into manufactured disappointment.

1. 50,000 Silver Dollar Bar, Haugan

This roadside attraction started collecting silver dollars in 1952. Now coins cover every surface – walls, bar, and ceiling.

The complex includes a restaurant, motel, convenience store, and Montana’s largest gift shop. You can buy everything from swords to nunchucks here.

But here’s the catch – it’s been named one of America’s worst tourist traps by multiple travel sites.

2. West Yellowstone Gateway Town

This small town serves as the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Millions of visitors pass through here each year.

The main strip is packed with gift shops selling cheaply made souvenirs. Most businesses exist solely to capitalize on park traffic.

You’re better off entering Yellowstone through the north entrance in Gardiner instead.

3. Anaconda Smelter Stack

At 585 feet tall, this is the world’s tallest freestanding masonry structure. It’s the centerpiece of Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park.

The smokestack was built in 1918 for copper smelting operations. It stopped operating decades ago.

But here’s the deal – there’s literally nothing else to do here except stare at an old chimney.

4. Berkeley Pit, Butte

This former copper mine is now a toxic lake that’s 1,800 feet deep and a mile across. It was once America’s biggest truck-operated pit mine.

The water is so poisonous it kills birds that land on it. That’s why locals call it “The Pit of Death.”

You can pay to look at contaminated water from an observation deck.

5. Virginia City Historic Town

This preserved 1860s gold rush town features wooden sidewalks and period buildings. Actors in costume roam the streets.

The town offers stagecoach rides, old-timey photos, and gift shops. Everything feels manufactured for tourists.

That’s why many visitors leave feeling like they visited a theme park instead of authentic history.

6. Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park

These limestone caves require a three-quarter mile uphill hike before you even enter. The tour involves crawling and sliding through tight spaces.

Tall visitors regularly bang their heads on low ceilings. One reviewer hit his head 50 times during a single tour.

The lighting is poor and the experience feels restrictive with endless rules about what you can’t do.

7. Madison Buffalo Jump State Park

This site between Bozeman and Three Forks marks where Native Americans once drove buffalo over cliffs. It requires a seven-mile drive off the main highway.

The facilities are often locked and there’s minimal information available on-site. The quarter-mile trail has reported rattlesnake problems.

You’re better off reading about buffalo jumps online than making the trek.

8. Garnet Ghost Town

This abandoned mining town sits at the end of an 11-mile dirt road. The buildings are slowly collapsing from decades of neglect.

Winter access requires snowmobiles or cross-country skiing. Summer visits mean dusty roads and minimal facilities.

But here’s the catch – there’s not much left to see after the long journey to get there.

9. Pompeys Pillar National Monument

This 150-foot sandstone formation features William Clark’s signature from 1806. It’s the only remaining physical evidence of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

The monument charges admission to see one carved name on a rock. A short boardwalk leads to the viewing area.

Most visitors feel disappointed by how little there is to experience for the entry fee.

10. Little Bighorn Battlefield Gift Shop Area

While the battlefield itself holds important historical significance, the surrounding commercial area exploits the tragedy. Multiple gift shops sell mass-produced Native American items made overseas.

The shops crowd the entrance to the national monument. Visitors must navigate through commercial areas to reach the actual historical site.

That’s why many feel the commercialization disrespects the solemnity of what happened here.

11. House of Mystery, Columbia Falls

This roadside attraction claims to defy the laws of physics with optical illusions. Visitors pay to walk through a tilted house where water appears to flow uphill.

The “mystery” is simply a building constructed at an angle to create visual tricks. Similar attractions exist across America using the same basic concept.

But here’s the deal – you can experience the same illusions for free by watching YouTube videos.

12. Miracle of America Museum, Polson

This private museum claims to house “America’s largest collection of Americana.” The 40,000-square-foot building is packed floor to ceiling with random items.

Owner Gil Mangels has collected everything from vintage cars to kitchen appliances. Nothing is organized or properly labeled.

You’re better off visiting a real museum with curated exhibits and educational value.

13. Going-to-the-Sun Road Gift Shops

These overpriced souvenir stands line the famous Glacier National Park road. They sell mass-produced items claiming to be “authentic Montana crafts.”

Most merchandise is manufactured overseas and marked up 300-400% above retail value. A simple t-shirt can cost $40 or more.

That’s why smart visitors buy their souvenirs in nearby towns before entering the park.

14. Beartooth Highway Scenic Overlooks

While the highway itself is stunning, many designated overlooks are poorly maintained tourist traps. Vendors set up temporary stands selling overpriced snacks and trinkets.

The best views often require hiking away from the crowded official stops. Parking fills up quickly with tour buses.

I made a classic mistake of stopping at every marked overlook instead of finding my own viewpoints.

15. Makoshika State Park Visitor Center

Montana’s largest state park features badlands and dinosaur fossils. But the visitor center feels like an expensive gift shop with minimal educational content.

The fossil displays are poorly labeled and outdated. Most space is devoted to selling overpriced books and souvenirs.

The real attraction is the hiking trails, not the commercialized visitor center.

16. Chief Joseph Scenic Byway Trading Posts

Multiple trading posts along this scenic route claim to sell “authentic Native American crafts.” Most items are mass-produced imports with inflated prices.

Real Native American artwork costs thousands, not the $20-50 charged for these machine-made items. The marketing deliberately misleads tourists.

You’re better off buying directly from tribal artists at powwows or certified galleries.

17. Bannack State Park Ghost Town

This preserved 1860s mining town charges admission to walk through empty buildings. Most structures are locked and can only be viewed from outside.

The self-guided tour provides minimal information about the town’s history. Interpretive signs are faded and hard to read.

But here’s the catch – you’re essentially paying to walk around abandoned buildings with little context.

18. Yellowstone Gateway Museum, Livingston

This small museum charges premium prices for a collection that feels more like someone’s personal hobby. The railroad exhibits are poorly organized and lack professional curation.

Most displays consist of items sitting on tables with handwritten labels. The building itself needs significant maintenance and updates.

That’s why visitors often feel disappointed after paying full museum prices for what feels like a garage sale.

19. Fort Benton River Front

This historic town markets itself as the “Birthplace of Montana” but the riverfront area is mostly empty lots and closed businesses. The promised historic attractions are minimal.

Most buildings along the river are modern reconstructions, not original structures. The interpretive materials are outdated and poorly maintained.

Want me to save you time? The town’s history is more interesting than what you’ll actually find there.

20. Glacier National Park Lodge Gift Shops

These hotel gift shops inside the park charge resort prices for basic items. A bottle of water costs $5 and simple snacks are marked up 500%.

The “handcrafted” items are mass-produced overseas despite claims of local artisanship. Even basic toiletries cost more than luxury hotels.

You’re better off bringing supplies from outside the park or shopping in nearby gateway towns.