"I am in love with Montana," wrote John Steinbeck in Travels with Charlie. "Montana seems to me to be what a small boy would think Texas is like from hearing Texas."

Thousands of visitors fall in love every year with the Big Sky state. Snow-peaked mountains, famous rivers, vast pristine wildernesses, and small towns where folks are still treated like friends and neighbors - small towns like Lincoln. Visit the Lincoln, Montana website.

Just west of the Continental Divide, Lincoln is 80 miles east of Missoula, 86 miles southwest of Great Falls, and 60 miles northwest of Helena. Halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, Lincoln is bordered by the magnificent Bob Marshall and Scapegoat wilderness areas to the north and the reknowned Blackfoot River to the south.

You will find spectacular fishing in the Blackfoot River, alpine lakes, and the many mountain drainages surrounding Lincoln. Your fishing skills can be tested on streams that are home to rainbow, cutthroat, and brown trout. Or you may prefer to hike, backpack, or mountain bike through acres of beautiful country.

Snowmobiling dominates the scene when the snow begins to fall. More than 250 miles of groomed trails and limitless play areas make Lincoln a snowmobiler's dreamland. If you prefer the solitude of winter entertainment, the Blackfoot Valley provides cross-country ski trails and miles of skiing in the back country.

Whether you like spending your time browsing through art museums and art shows, spending leisure time seeking out quaint shops, or experiencing the great outdoors, Lincoln is the right place for you to fulfill your dream of living in Montana.

Ovando is on State Route 200, west of Lincoln in the Blackfoot Valley and was used as a common route for the Native Americans to reach the buffalo hunting grounds. Lewis and Clark called it the "Prairie of the Knobs."

The Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness areas begin at the northern boundary of the Blackfoot Valley and shares its rich bounty of wildlife with the valley, making it an excellent place to view birds and other wildlife.

Broker Steve Fehrs shares the following about the Lincoln area:

Lincoln is located on Highway 200, 80 miles east of Missoula and 86 miles west of Great Falls. Helena is 60 miles to the southwest. Just west of the Continental Divide, Lincoln is the perfect stop-over when traveling between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.

Nestled in the Rocky Mountains, Lincoln is bordered by the spectacular Bob Marshall and Scapegoat Wilderness areas to the north and the sparkling Blackfoot River to the south. Abundant wildlife and majestic, scenic beauty make it an ideal base camp for hikers,fishermen, hunters, snowmobilers, and cross country skiers.

Horseback and pack trips offer the choice of an afternoon or evening ride over short trails or an extended excursion into the backcountry. Likewise, hikers can explore wildflower-strewn meadows, alpine lakes, and rocky peaks. Photographic opportunities appear around every bend. Elk, deer,eagles, bear, and moose, as well as many smaller birds and animals, are often the subject of the lens.

Trophy elk, deer, and moose are the focus of rifle and archery hunters from September through December in several areas literally teeming with game. Lincoln hosts a savory "Hunter's Stew" dinner each fall for locals and out-of-towners alike.

When the snow flies, snowmobiling dominates the scene. Average snowfall in the Lincoln area is 93 inches. With more than 250 miles of groomed trails and limitless play areas, Lincoln is truly a snowmobiler's dream and welcomes sledders from beginners to expert.

Stemple Pass at 6,376 feet on the southern rim of the Blackfoot Valley provides four marked ungroomed cross-country ski trails, as well as miles of back country. Snow depths are often four to five feet and last from December through March.

A full-service town, Lincoln offers fast food to fine dining, lodging from rustic cabins to full-service motels, and primitive camping to RV parking.

Lincoln is home to many artists and craftspeople, from potters to blacksmiths who display their work locally and some who market their pieces internationally. Although no formal study has been done, it is said that Lincoln is home to more twins per capita than any other town in the state.

In the summer months, Lincoln is host to several colorful arts and crafts events. For more information on dates and locations, call the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce at (406) 362-4949.

Helmville Area