BUTTE, HELENA, AND SOUTHWEST MONTANA - Montana and Wyoming - page 315

A relatively flat 9-mile round-trip trail can be accessed by taking I-15 exit 99 for Moose
Creek, and then heading east on Moose Creek Road for 3.4 miles to the parking lot and
trailhead.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Although Butte has quite an assortment of nice chain-type hotels, there are a couple of
places that will have significantly more appeal to those caught up in the saga of Butte's past
and present. William Andrew Clark's M Copper King Mansion (219 W. Granite St., 406/
782-7580, www.thecopperkingmansion.com , $75-125) is also a bed-and-breakfast. Guests
can even sleep in Clark's master bedroom. Because it is a functioning museum, check-in is
at 4pm and guests must check out by 9am to accommodate the tour schedule. Guided tours
are free for guests, and a full breakfast is served in the formal dining room.
In the heart of uptown Butte is another fantastic old building striving to achieve its
former glory. Hotel Finlen (100 E. Broadway, 800/729-5461, www.finlen.com , $68-100)
was built in 1924 on the site of the old McDermott Hotel, one of the grandest in the North-
west. Modeled after the Astor Hotel in New York City, the Finlen is a nine-story Second
Empire building with a copper-shingled roof. Over the years, Hotel Finlen was visited by
Charles Lindberg, Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, and Richard Nixon. As is true of all
of Butte, Hotel Finlen fell into disrepair and neglect as the mining economy dried up. The
Taras family purchased the hotel in 1979 and has worked hard to restore the lobby and
mezzanine, both of which are more beautiful than ever. The 30 guest rooms are basic at
best, and the 25 guest rooms in the motor inn are dated; still, there is history here, and with
some luck, a future.
For classic charm located on the lush grounds of the Butte Country Club, Toad Hall
Manor Bed & Breakfast (1 Green Ln., 406/494-2625 or 866/443-8623,
www.toadhallmanor.com , $120-220) is an excellent choice. From a goblet of sherry or port
upon arrival, to feather beds, Jacuzzi tubs, and decadent breakfasts, Toad Hall Manor offers
classic B&B style.
Butte also has its fair share of reliable chain hotels, but none of them capture the
town's amazing history as well as the independent hotels and inns that can be found
uptown. Options spread along Harrison Avenue and close to the interstate include the
Best Western Plus Butte Plaza Inn (2900 Harrison Ave., 406/494-7611 or 800/543-5814,
www.bestwestern.com , $103-142); Days Inn Butte (2700 Harrison Ave., 406/494-7000 or
800/225-3297, www.daysinn.com , $129-185); Hampton Inn (3499 Harrison Ave., 406/
494-2250, www.hamptoninn.com , $101-159); La Quinta Inn & Suites (1 Holiday Park