BILLINGS AND THE BIG OPEN - Montana and Wyoming - page 78

access and picnic benches have been added. Other fishing access sites can be found through
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (406/234-0900, www.fwp.mt.gov ) .
Avid golfers can hit the links in Miles City at the nine-hole Town & Country Club (4th
St. and Eagle St., 406/234-1600, $16-32), which runs along the Tongue River. There is a
driving range and a number of open tournaments during the season.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Although there are a number of larger chain hotels on the way into Miles City (Best Western
War Bonnet Inn, Comfort Inn, EconoLodge, Holiday Inn Express, Motel 6, and Sleep Inn
& Suites) the Historic Olive Hotel (501 Main St., 406/234-2450, $50-75) is a wonderful
place to stay. The rooms are hardly fancy or grand, but they are clean and accommodating,
and the location is unbeatable. There's also a ghost to be reckoned with—but don't worry,
she's friendly.
Another historical gem in the heart of Miles City is M Horton House Bed & Breakfast
(1918 Main St., 406/234-4422, www.hortonhousebandb.com , $119-139) a stunning prop-
erty with rooms dedicated to local historical figures including artist Charlie Russell and
photographer Evelyn Cameron.
Fifteen miles south of Miles City on the banks of the Tongue River is the Helm
River Bend Bed & Breakfast (101 Helm Scenic Circle, 406/421-5594,
www.huntmontanafree.com , $120 and up), which is very much geared to hunters of
everything from gophers (which is encouraged in summer) and birds to deer and other game
that frequent the ranch. In addition to guest rooms in the home, there are some modern trail-
ers on the property as well. Rates here vary depending on hunting options and number of
guests per room. Call for more information.
Among the chain hotel offerings, one of the newer additions is the pet-friendly
GuestHouse Inn & Suites (3111 Steel St., 406/232-3661 or 800/214-8378,
www.guesthouseintl.com , $115), which has 61 rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a complimentary hot
breakfast.
The Cross M Ranch (406/557-2667 or 877/557-2667, www.crossmranch.com , May-
Sept., $1,500 and up/week) in nearby Cohagen is a working ranch, not a dude ranch, and
as such caters more to adult travelers. Guests are expected to participate in the day-to-day
operations of running cow-calf pairs on 10,000 acres, which includes checking for strays,
doctoring cattle, moving and sorting livestock, checking water, and mending fences. The
accommodations are comfortable and traditional in a bunkhouse with four private rooms,
and the price includes meals and activities. The maximum capacity is eight guests. The