Get to Know Your Neighbors

The Beauty of Big Timber

Named after the beautiful (and delightfully fragrant) cottonwood trees that line the banks of the Boulder and Yellowstone Rivers, Big Timber is gorgeous, and a part of YC that has maintained a sense of solitude. Large farms and ranches comprise the area, with vast rolling hills and fields dotting the landscape. 

Pioneers began arriving in the area in the 1890s, bringing sheep. By 1892, Big Timber was among the world's largest wool importers. By 1907, one million pounds of wool were being shipped from this area via railroad. 

Today, guided services, ranch vacations, fishing, hunting, hiking and river floating draw visitors to the area. Natural Bridge Falls is a lovely place for a picnic. The natural bridge, a gravity-defying limestone arch that once spanned the Boulder River, collapsed in 1988, but the site is still beautiful as the river flows underground for a bit. It's a spectacular site when the falls are rushing in the spring. There are accessible paved trails and picnic tables throughout the area, so it's a great place to relax. For those looking for a longer hike, the trailhead to Green Mountain Trail leads you to spectacular views. 

Other areas to explore are the Crazy Mountains, Prairie Dog State Park, and the Crazy Mountain Museum, including their Lewis and Clark Gardens, which are full of native plants identified in their journals. This is another excellent place for a picnic. 

Greycliff Mill, at the foot of the Grey Cliffs, just outside Big Timber, is an excellent stop for those looking to experience sustainable practices and great food. They have a water-powered gristmill, coffee, snacks, farm dinners, a greenhouse, a cheese cave, cabins and campsites. The Grand Hotel, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a lovely experience for a more traditional stay. The turn-of-the-century designed rooms are cozy, and they offer both casual dining in the lounge and fine dining in the dining room.