Get to Know Your Neighbors, Absarokee, Fishtail, and Nye

It may be off the beaten path, but exploring the Absarokee, Fishtail and Nye areas is worth the drive. This part of our region is known for its farming and ranching, and the drives are gorgeous — rolling hills flanked by the Absarokee-Beartooth mountains, and more cows than cowboys.

It’s an area ripe for hiking, camping and fishing, and not as crowded as some areas closer to population centers. East Rosebud Lake sits nearby along with the trailhead for The Beaten Path, a through-hike to Cooke City through the Beartooth Mountains.

You’ll also find some cultural gems. Tippet Rise Art Center, a large-scale art gallery set on a working sheep and cattle ranch, invites people to hike or bike its trails and explore the outdoor installations. Open-air concerts take place at the end of the summer. Tickets are awarded via lottery in the spring, so plan ahead if you’re interested!

The Fishtail General Store is another favorite stop. It’s the state’s oldest continuously operating general store and still serves as a gathering place for the local community. Plus, they have great food and a large selection of Made in Montana products.

MontAsia, a combination of Montana and Asian menus and a James Beard Nominee, is considered one of the best restaurants in Montana. (Word on the street is that the curry is HOT!) Chef Lee also appeared on “Chopped” during Season 61 earlier this year, in Episode 9, “Mizuna Matata,” if you are interested!