Butte also known as The Richest Hill on Earth attracted immigrants taking the Oregon Trail during the gold rush. Butte became the richest hill from the copper mine. The workers came from many walks of life but mostly Irish. Butte is the most Irish per capita city in America! The Killoy family is rooted in this history. Learn more about the mining history up close at the World of Mining Museum. In addition to general admission, various tours are also available for visitors to learn more about the history of mining, including one that allows visitors to go 100 feet into the Orphan Girl Mine.
Popular float along the Madison River that takes about 3 hours. Do the shuttle yourself or you can go through Montana Whitewater in Bozeman. Show up to the shop in Bozeman with all your drinks, snacks and supplies and they will take care of the rest! If you go through the service you will not need to purchase of a FWP Conservation License. They will drive you to the put-in area and get you on the water with all the gear you reserved. Then they will then meet you at the takeout, collect the gear, and drive everyone back to Bozeman.
The entrance to West Yellowstone is about a 3 hour drive from Butte or 2.5 hour drive from Bozeman. There are multiple entrances and many attractions. Old faithful being top of them. West Yellowstone is the closest to see Old Faithful and the geysers. Plan ahead if you want lodging/camping nearby! Remember animal safety. Popular park so be aware there can be traffic. https://www.yellowstonepark.com/road-trips/gateway-towns/yellowstone-park-entrances/
The Old Works Golf Course is Montana's only Jack Nicklaus signature golf course open to the public. Rich in history the site was the original location for Anaconda's first copper smelter. After laying idle for nearly a century, it became a Super Fund clean-up site in 1983. In the late 80's the idea of reviving the Old Works site with a world class golf course became a dream of the Anaconda community and Arco. The Old Works features multiple tees, which allow players of all skill levels to play and enjoy this 18-hole course. The course is situated along Warm Springs Creek and the mining remnants against the hill sides. Among the mining relics that are predominant around the course none is more dramatic than the huge piles of black slag, a by-product of the copper smelting process. The slag is also utilized in the bunkers at Old Works, making for a dramatic contrast to the lush green of the course.