Explore Montana: Pipestone Recreation Area

SCHOOL IS OUT FOR THE SUMMER, AND we are ready for adventure. We’ll be featuring Our local tIps and guides to Some of the gReat activities and nearby adveNtures for kids and families.

Ask anyone who knows my family and they’ll tell you that there’s pretty much only one place we go camping. Although we do venture around our great state to enjoy the beautiful lakes, convenient campgrounds, and national parks, our go-to place for summer fun will always be Pipestone Recreation Area.

If you google “Pipestone” you’ll likely stumble upon info from dirt bike forums or a map of the tiny town located between Butte and Whitehall. But for us, the name encompasses the whole area of Homestake Pass which includes rustic camping, a campground, two lakes (Homestake Lake and Delmoe Lake) and of course miles and miles of OHV (off highway vehicle) trails. The road to access all of the fun loops between the Homestake and Pipestone exits, with Delmoe Lake sitting about half way between the two. Both exits have parking areas and areas to unload your recreational vehicles if you just want to head over for a day trip.

For my family it is the perfect mix of outdoor recreation options with something for everyone in our group, and is close enough for a quick weekend getaway. We also appreciate that it is a short drive into Butte for any essential we forget… which we always do.

Whether this is your first visit to the area, or you are just looking to explore Montana more, read on for more information about this fun hidden gem and local favorite.

Attractions and activities

• Riding: The most obvious choice, and admittedly why most people are up there is for the vast amount of OHV trails. On any given day you’ll see groups of dirt bikers headed out on a single track trail (you can even ride to the “Our Lady of the Rockies” statue visible from Butte), a family taking their Jeep down an old logging road, and a host of other ATV’s, four-wheelers, and side by sides all out exploring, Although there are trails open for mountain biking and even horses, just be prepared to keep your eyes peeled for motorized riders. There are some great sights to see including old forest service cabins, a defunct granite quarry, and even a trail to the backside of Delmoe Lake. Located at both the Homestake and Pipestone Exit there are parking lots with ramps to unload your machines if you are just riding for the day.

• Camping: One of the reasons we love Pipestone is because of the abundance of “rustic” camping available. There are really no limits on where you can park your camper or pitch a tent. From the main road you can see dozens of areas with campers circled around fire pits, but depending on how brave you are (or what you can tow a camper too), down many of the paths are great hidden spots with shade and no neighbors for miles. Our dogs can run off leash, there’s no quiet hours, and it is free! Just bring your own power and water and you are good to go.
  For the best of both worlds, there is a developed state campground at Delmoe Lake.

• Fishing and Swimming: Right off the Homestake exit is a small, quiet late and day use area perfect for a picnic, fishing and even some smooth paddle boarding. For a more tradition lake experience, head approximately 12 miles down the dirt to find Delmoe Lake, a man-made reservoir which features a campground, picnic area, boat launch and a sandy beach.

• Must See Attraction: One of the most notable points of interest in the region is a unique geological formation known as “Ringing Rocks.” When tapped lightly with a a hammer, the rock make a ringing or chiming sound! But if the rock is removed from the pile, it doesn’t ring. They think the ringing is due to a combination of the composition of the rock and the way the joining patterns have developed as the rocks have eroded away.

• Visit Butte: A visit to Butte deserves its own article, but we’ll at least share some of our favorites. You can’t miss a visit to the Berkeley Pit, but other fun historical tours include the Underground City Tour which includes a visit to a speakeasy and Evel Knievel’s jail cell, and The World Museum of Mining.
  Our favorite local spot for the best fries and milkshakes you’ll ever have is the award-winning, kitschy, diner Matt’s Place. Currently open for take-outTuesday-Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

  Last but not least, Butte has recently added Stodden Park which has an incredible playground and Ridge Waters Waterpark, that we hope families can enjoy this summer.

Getting there

From Missoula: Head east on I-90 towards Butte. Just past Butte you’ll head up the pass and take exit 233 for Homestake. At the end of the exit take a left and follow the signs. Approximate drive time 2 hrs and 15 minutes.

From Bozeman: Head west on I-90 towards Whitehall. Take either exit 241 to Pipestone to the lower portion of trails or head up the pass to the Homestake exit. Approximate drive time 1 hour.