Welcome to Wise River, Montana

Wise River, in the extreme northern part of the county, is located where the Wise River flows into the Big Hole. Since the Big Hole was originally named the Wisdom River, it is possible that the tributary's name was derived from it. (from Cheney's Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company)

Wise River is surrounded by a half-million acres of peaks, lakes and headwaters in the Pioneer Mountains and offers some of Montana's most breathtaking scenery. The Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway offers 40 miles of backcountry driving that bisect the Pioneer Mountains between Montana Highway 43 and Highway 278. Enjoy camping, hiking, fishing, the ghost town of Coolidge, remnants of the Elkhorn Mill and a narrow-gauge railroad that served the mill.

Nearby Crystal Park is a unique recreation area at an elevation of 7,800 feet in the Pioneer Mountains in southwest Montana. Crystal This area features public diggings for smoky, amethyst and clear quartz crystals. Snowmobiling is also popular in this area.