Browning
Browning is a town in Northwestern Montana. It is the headquarters for the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. About 1,000 people lived there in 2020.
Understand
The townspeople are proud of their heritage and active in the recognition and rights of Native Americans. The reservation is huge, encompassing an area of over 3,000 square miles. While the town has 1,000 people, the Blackfeet Nation has 16,500 enrolled members.
Get in
By car
Browning is near the intersection of Hwy 89 and Hwy 2.
By train
- See also: Rail travel in the United States
- 🌍 Browning station, Heart Butte Rd, south of Hwys 2/89. It is an unstaffed station. This is a seasonal stop open from October to April
- Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States of America. Route stopping in Browning:
- Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago.
- Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States of America. Route stopping in Browning:
Get around
As with most of Montana, you will need a car to get around. Some locations are within walking or biking distance of each other.
See
Northern American Indian Days is one of the largest gatherings of United States and Canadian tribes. It is held the second week in July for 4 days.
- 🌍 Blackfeet Nation Bison Reserve, Along US Rte 2 (between Browning and East Glacier), ☏ +1 406 338-2945, blackfeetbuffalo@gmail.com. Tribe's bison herd, visible from the road.
- 🌍 Museum of the Plains Indian, 19 Museum Loop (US Hwys 2 and 89 West), ☏ +1 406 338-2230. Jun-Sep: 9AM-4:45PM daily; Oct-May: Tu-F 11AM-3:00PM; check website as hours can change. Variety of exhibits such as historic clothing, horse gear, weapons, and household implements. Many of the northern plains tribes are represented. Jun-Sep: $6 adults, $5 seniors, $2 children 6-16, free for children under 6. Oct-May: free for everyone.
Do
- 🌍 Glacier Peaks Hotel and Casino, 416 W Central Ave, ☏ +1 406 338-2274, toll-free: +1 877 238-9946. daily, 10AM-midnight. Slot machines, poker, and bingo. Must be 18 to play any casino game in Montana.
Buy
- 🌍 Blackfeet Trading Post, 133 Central Ave W, ☏ +1 406 338-2275, faughtsblackfeet@yahoo.com. Tu-F 9:30AM-5:30PM, Sa 10AM-3PM. Specialty native made crafts.
- 🌍 Western Curios, 129 Central Ave E, ☏ +1 406 338-2815. Variety of tourist items.
Eat
- 🌍 Billie Jo's Home of the Bigfoot, 201 3rd Ave SW, ☏ +1 406 338-3370. Pizzas and burgers. Breakfast, but menu is limited.
- 🌍 Nation's Burger Station, 205 Central Ave, ☏ +1 406 338-2422, manager@nationsburgerstation.com. Burgers, sandwiches, and dogs. Ice cream treats too!
Sleep
Several lodges and ranches nearby offer overnight stays for a more rustic experience. You will need to use a general search on the web to find these as the offerings can change yearly or seasonally.
- 🌍 Going to the Sun Inn and Suites, 121 Central Ave E, ☏ +1 406 338-7572, reservations@goingtothesuninn.com. Variety of room styles. WiFi, breakfast, fridge/microwave
- 🌍 Lodgepole Gallery & Tipi Village, 245 US 89, Durham Rd (2 ¼ miles west of Browning on US 89), ☏ +1 406 338-2787. Cabins outside of town. Tipi lodges no longer available. Gallery features contemporary and traditional fine art including Indian art.
Go next
- Blackfeet Trail, 70-mile self-guided tour through reservation. 15 historical markers with information about important sites along the route.
- Glacier National Park, 13 miles west
- St. Mary, the eastern entrance to Going-to-the-Sun road is 41 miles away
| Routes through Browning |
| Spokane ← East Glacier ← | W E | → Cut Bank → Minot |
| Kalispell ← East Glacier ← | W E | → Cut Bank → Shelby |
| Fort Macleod ← St. Mary ← | N S | → Choteau → Great Falls |