Central Montana

1greatfallsarea.gifTRAVEL_MT2004-12-22T11:43:04235YVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://www.centralmontana.comCentral Montana10002420<DIV class="cityaspfont"><ul class= "fotocolumn"><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Neihart_welcome.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=117 HEIGHT=187 ALIGN=BASELINE>Welcome!Photo courtesy: Donnie Sexton</li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Neihart_Kingshill.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=117 HEIGHT=187 ALIGN=BASELINE>Kings Hill Scenic BywayPhoto courtesy: MTOT</li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Neihart_BigShowdown.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE>Showdown Ski AreaPhoto courtesy: Showdown Montana</li></ul> Neihart is located on Highway 89, a scenic highway connecting <a href="/national_parks/glacier/">Glacier National Park</a> and <a href="/national_parks/yellowstone/">Yellowstone National Park</a>, known as the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=11884">Kings Hill Scenic Byway</a>. Neihart was named for James L. Neihart, one of a group of prospectors who first discovered minerals in this part of the mountains. The discovery of silver-lead ore came in 1881 and proved to be one of the richest in the Little Belts. The igneous rock in which the ore is found is called pinto diorite because of its red and green spotted appearance. Sapphire mining proved profitable here, and it is estimated that more than $3 million worth of sapphires ranging in color from pale to royal blue were taken from these mines.A town meeting was held in 1882 and the chairman, sitting on a rock, suggested the name of Farragut for the town. No one seconded the motion, but the next suggestion of Neihart was made and accepted. Main Street was laid out to be eighty feet wide and all cross streets sixty feet.(from Cheney's Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company)This historic mining town is right in the heart of the Little Belt Mountains. Try out the local creeks for some excellent trout fishing, and take the 10-mile drive north of nearby <a href="/categories/City.asp?CityID=230">Monarch</a> to <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=7015">Sluice Boxes State Park</a> where hiking, biking, hunting and wildlife viewing are popular. Neihart also boasts excellent creek fishing and recreation opportunities. Be sure to visit <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=5360">Memorial Falls</a> and take the nature trail which is handicapped accessible.For winter recreation, snowmobiling, cross-country and downhill skiing visit the <a href="/categories/MoreInfo_Ski.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=440">Showdown Ski Area</a>, nestled high in the Little Belt Mountains located 25 miles north of <a href="/categories/City.asp?CityID=352">White Sulphur Springs</a> near Neihart. There is 1,400 vertical feet of forest-lined trails, open slopes and glades for skiers of every ability.<map name="nearbycities"><area shape="rect" alt="Brady, Montana" coords="45,5,81,22" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=39"><area shape="rect" alt="Dutton, Montana" coords="35,44,72,62" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=98"><area shape="rect" alt="Power, Montana" coords="34,63,73,81" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=264"><area shape="rect" alt="Pendroy, Montana" coords="6,5,37,18" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=253"><area shape="rect" alt="Bynum, Montana" coords="5,27,38,40" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=50"><area shape="rect" alt="Fairfield, Montana" coords="28,84,64,100" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=110"><area shape="rect" alt="Vaughn, Montana" coords="53,100,86,110" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=341"><area shape="rect" alt="Fort Shaw, Montana" coords="43,112,85,123" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=123"><area shape="rect" alt="Neihart, Montana" coords="170,210,227,232" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=235"><area shape="rect" alt="Loma, Montana" coords="212,31,249,49" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=206"><area shape="rect" alt="Fort Benton, Montana" coords="184,52,248,70" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=120"><area shape="rect" alt="Carter, Montana" coords="158,70,193,76" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=55"><area shape="rect" alt="Floweree, Montana" coords="143,76,188,84" href="/categori639412NEIHARTRUSSELL440Showdown Montana12375Many Pines Campground12440Logging Creek Campground12442Moose Creek Campground15268Haymaker Canyon Trail15270Haymaker Park Trail15272East Fork Spring Creek Trail15278Daisy Canyon Trail15300Big Snowy Trail15302Neil Connection Trail15303Neil Creek Trail15309Old Baldy Trail15310Deep Creek Trail15314Ming Coulee Trail15316Parker Ridge Trail15318Strawberry Ridge Trail15319Ming-Sand Coulee Trail15322South Fork Deep Creek Trail15323Robertson Spring Trail15324Blankenbaker Trail15325Tillinghast Creek Trail #32215326Crawford Creek Trail15327Cow Coulee Trail15329Deep Creek Ridge Trail15330Monument Ridge Trail15331Tenderfoot Trail15333Taylor Hills Trail15335Lost Stove Trail15336Williams Mountain Trail15339Smart Fork Trail15340Double Gulch Trail15357Pioneer Ridge Trail15360Memorial Falls Trail16026Kings Hill/Little Belt Snowmobile Trail16227Mizpah Ridge Ski Trail16228O'Brien Creek Ski Trail16230Deadman Ski Trail16462Bob's Bar, Dining & Motel16982Belt Creek Ranger District111884Kings Hill Scenic Byway115687Mountain Bike Trails at and around Showdown Ski Area120884New Year's Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks!121109I Heart Neihart Festival121626Kings Hill Grille & Hole-in-the-Wall Saloon1MT59465