Cascade Loop

J.C. Adam’s Stone Barn – Nestled behind private residences, you’ll spot the J.C. Adam’s Stone barn, if you are paying attention. The barn, 104 ‘ x 40’, built in 1885 with Romanesque revival stone construction and single piece stone arches brought in my steamboat to Fort Benton, was once part of a ranching operation that supplied cattle, horses, and sheep to the U.S. Army at Fort Shaw. The top of the barn houses a replica of the life-sized horse weathervane that once adorned it. The actual weathervane is on display in Fort Benton. The barn is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sun River – pay attention to the buttes dotting the landscape: Crown, Shaw, and Square. These are laccoliths fed by the dikes from the Adel Mountain volcanics to the south. Age of these structures is late cretaceous, last best determination is about 75 million years. The volcanic rock is shonkonite, a rare type of intrusive alkali basalt found in only a few places in the world. Leave it where it lies, please.

Fort Shaw – Check out the actual fort with their self-guided tour. The fort, established in 1867, is a National Historic Site. Once the Queen of Montana’s Forts, many buildings remain. After the military left, it housed an Indian Boarding School where the girls basketball team became the World Champions in 1904 at the St. Louis World’s Fair. The monument honoring the team is one of the first things you’ll notice on the fort’s grounds.

Augusta – This little town has plenty goin’ on so take time to walk around. Check out Lightning Bug Boutique, look at the antiques at Forge, get your road trip snack’s at Allen’s Manix Store, and for a bite to eat? We recommend either fried chicken at Buckhorn Bar, burgers at Western Bar, or pizza at Lazy B Bar.

Gibson Dam – Around here, we love dams! And this one is worth the experience! Completed in 1929, this long arch gravity structure is the model for Hoover Dam. Spend some time exploring—it’s quite unprecedented how close to the base of this dam you can get.

Bowman’s Corner – on a long road trip, this may just be your saving grace. Flat Willow Mercantile is a great NEW stop to stretch your legs, secure more rations, and even get some fuel

Craig – in town, you’ll be able to dip your toes into the Missouri River or if you’ve packed your pole, try and catch a fish. You can also find dining and a tap house here. Then it’s time to make a crucial decision: take the interstate or Old Highway 91 to Cascade? If you are running low on time, get back on the interstate. If you want a more leisurely drive back, Old Highway 91 is your pick! The roads run alongside themselves for a good bit, but Old highway 91 gets you to Hardy Bridge, which was featured in the 1987 film The Untouchables, as the US/ Canada border crossing. Old Highway 91 also takes you to the Missouri River Bar & Grill.

Tower Rock State Park – great spot to hike and see the expansive views atop of a 424’ high rock formation, once journaled about by those intrepid adventures (like yourself) Lewis & Clark.

Cascade – famed Cowboy artist Charlie Russell, and his wife, Nancy’s honeymoon cabin can be found here. You can also find food, fuel, groceries, and a little shopping at Kitson’s Clothing & Gift.