how to plan a weekend getaway in White Sulphur Springs, Montana
White Sulphur Springs is a charming Montana town that’s perfect for a weekend getaway. Plan your escape with this comprehensive guide to planning a 2-day stay in White Sulphur.
White Sulphur Springs has all the appeal of a small, Montana town. The town is named after its hot springs, but has more to offer than mineral hot pools. This community of less than 1,000 people makes for an idyllic R&R destination surrounded by the natural beauty of “The Last Best Place”.
Like many rural locales, White Sulphur is better suited for travelers looking to take advantage of the natural surroundings it has to offer and the slower pace. If you are looking for a long list of things to do or events to attend, you are barking up the wrong tree. If you are, instead, looking to find some peace and quiet enveloped in the goodness of Mother Nature, you have hit the mark.
where to stay in Sulphur Springs ↴
We stayed at a friends’ family cabin about 15-20 minutes away from Newlan Reservoir. It was beautiful and ideal to minimize our contact with random people outside of our bubble and to save our dollars. However, there are a few options for a White Sulphur Springs stay!
As always, I don’t find it ethical to write about or recommend anywhere I haven’t stayed personally. I stayed at a friend’s family cabin, so I don’t have any real suggestions for you. However, I can give you a quick rundown of the area’s options.
camping | There are campsites available for hire new Newlan Creek Reservoir. You will have to pay to pitch your tent, but this is a great budget option.
hotels | We love using Booking.com to book the best places to stay around the world.
AirBnBs | White Sulphur Springs has a number of cabins, private rooms, and homes for rent. AirBnB is pretty popular in Montana, so that’s where I’d start my search {it’s also where I’ve found some awesome treehouses, yurts, and log houses for rent in Montana destinations like Whitefish, Kalispell, and Glacier National Park}.
what to see + do in Sulphur Springs ↴
head to the reservoir
If you’re a water babe, you should definitely consider spending your afternoons in the area by soaking up the glory that is a Montana summer day at the Newlan Creek Reservoir. This reservoir, which is sometimes referred to by locals as “Newlan Lake”, has plenty of exposed shoreline for you to park up next to and enjoy a swim, a paddle, or fishing {in designated areas}.
Don’t forget to bring sun cream, sunglasses, a towel, and an umbrella/canopy/tarp with you to the water so that you stay sun-safe on the shore.
visit the Castle Museum
The Castle museum and Carriage House is a century old stone mansion. Admission costs and there is free parking on site. This is another great way to break up the heat of the day if you are visiting in summer, and its nice to learn a bit about local history.
hit the nearby hiking trails
The local area has quite a few hidden hiking gems waiting for outdoor enthusiasts to hit up. I recommend hiking the nearby Sluice Boxes {which are closer to Belt, Montana, but are only a little drive away}, and the trails around the reservoir {many of which are unnamed, sorry}.
catch a movie + a slice at stageline pizza
Stageline Pizza in downtown White Sulphur Springs doesn’t just serve up decent pizza; it also plays {older} movies. The movie times are a little random and so are their show times, but it’s a nice way to cool off after a day at the reservoir. Pizza and a film in air conditioning— what a night cap, amirite?
attend the Red Ants Pants Music Festival
Obviously, thanks to the global COVID-19 pandemic wrecking plans and messing the world up, I wasn’t able to attend the Red Ants Pants Music Festival this year. This annual music festival is usually held the last weekend in July in a pasture just outside the “city” limits. Vendors and musicians from all over come to perform or sell their handcrafted goods.
ski, ski, ski
If you happen to visit in the winter time, White Sulphur Springs is right near Showdown Ski Area. Enjoying snow sports is part of building a greater appreciation for Montana and its natural wonders.
where to eat + get groceries in Sulphur Springs ↴
Bar 47
Our group had dinner at Bar 47 in celebration of our friends’ upcoming wedding nuptials. The atmosphere inside was so fun and the interior decorations had us all talking. The food itself was really good, if not slightly spendy. Portions were good for the spend though and we all left full. The adult milkshakes here are apparently where it’s at, though I had a Pilsner to wash down my adult grilled cheese. Overall, I’d rate it and mark Bar 47 the place to eat in White Sulphur, for sure.
2 Basset Brewery
The 2 Basset Brewery is in the heart of the downtown area that serves up Montana-made beer. It’s a great little joint to hit up if you’re looking for cold brews and classic bar food. The Pilsner I had at Bar 47 was actually from 2 Basset and I can tell you 1 pint down and I was a very sassy and satisfied version of myself.
the jawbone
The Jawbone is an intimate dining experience with a nice wine list and sophisticated interior design. I’d rate this for a date night or special occasion, as it feels a bit more swanky than other spots in the town. However, that’s not to say it can’t make for an easy evening out with friends.
map ↴
Find everything you need for the perfect weekend getaway in White Sulphur Springs, Montana on the map below.
