Southwest Montana

1lincoln_ovando_and_drummond.gifTRAVEL_MT2004-12-22T11:43:04248YVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://www.southwestmt.comSouthwest MontanaYVISITOR INFORMATIONhttp://www.ovandomontana.netOvando10002540<DIV class="cityaspfont"><ul class= "fotocolumn"><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Ovando_sign.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=117 HEIGHT=187 ALIGN=BASELINE>Welcome!Photo courtesy: MTOT</li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Ovando_museum.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE>Ovando MuseumPhoto courtesy: MTOT</li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Ovando_parade.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE>Local ParadePhoto courtesy: MTOT</li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Ovando_blackfoot_inn.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=117 HEIGHT=187 ALIGN=BASELINE>Blackfoot InnPhoto courtesy: MTOT</li></ul> Ovando is northeast of <a href="/categories/City.asp?CityID=227">Missoula</a> and was named for Ovando Hoyt, the first postmaster. Ovando is a supply point for hay and sheep ranches and for small logging camps. (from Cheney's Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company)Ovando is nestled in a beautiful ranch valley with the Swan and Garnet mountains rising from its edges. Just by strolling the streets you will walk through a piece of Montana history and culture. With only a population of 50 residents, Ovando provides the quiet solitude so expected on a Montana retreat. Situated on Highway 200, 60 miles from Missoula and over 80 from <a href="/categories/City.asp?CityID=162">Helena</a> and <a href="/categories/City.asp?CityID=147">Great Falls</a>, Ovando allows for more scenery per capita than any other small town.Ovando is the southern entry to the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=730">Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex</a> and <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=731">Scapegoat Wilderness Area</a> and home to the fabled <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=11636">Blackfoot River</a> and its tributaries. Ovando is the perfect remote spot to spend an hour, a day, a weekend or a week.Mountain meadows ablaze with wildflowers with the mountain peaks of the Bob Marshall Wilderness and Scapegoat Wilderness as a backdrop greet the visitor to Ovando. A number of guides and outfitters in the area will take you into the wildlands, or several guest ranches offer accommodations. Fishing and windsurfing are excellent reasons to visit <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=13165">Browns Lake</a>, near Ovando. It is also great for the birdwatcher. See eagles, loons, herons and pelicans, just to name a few.Don't miss Ovando, the little jewel in the heart of the Treasure State!Elevation: 4,100 feet<map name="nearbycities"><area shape="rect" alt="Seeley Lake, Montana" coords="5,5,97,29" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=302"><area shape="rect" alt="Ovando, Montana" coords="46,34,101,50" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=248"><area shape="rect" alt="Wolf Creek, Montana" coords="198,50,249,69" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=367"><area shape="rect" alt="Greenough, Montana" coords="20,44,43,64" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=148"><area shape="rect" alt="Greenough, Montana" coords="43,55,60,64" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=148"><area shape="rect" alt="Lincoln, Montana" coords="99,63,160,91" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=200"><area shape="rect" alt="Helmville, Montana" coords="47,65,93,83" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=163"><area shape="rect" alt="Canyon Creek, Montana" coords="143,95,195,109" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=52"><area shape="rect" alt="Drummond, Montana" coords="43,99,111,118" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=96"><area shape="rect" alt="Gold Creek, Montana" coords="73,119,124,138" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=144"><area shape="rect" alt="Hall, Montana" coords="34,126,66,139" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=150"><area shape="rect" alt="Garrison, Montana" coords="90,144,129,160" href="/categories/city.asp?CityID=135"><area shape="rect" alt="Anaconda, Montana" coords="5346380OVANDOGOLD WEST3763Upsata Lake112666Blackfoot Angler & Supplies114899The Stray Bullet122646Brand Bar Museum1MT59854