The Anaconda Smelter Stack is 585 feet tall — taller than the Washington Monument — and you can see it from 40 miles away on a clear day.
For a century it was the exhaust pipe for the Anaconda Copper Mining Company’s Washoe Smelter, one of the largest copper smelters in the world.
When the smelter closed in 1980, locals organized to save the stack rather than demolish it. Now it stands as a National Historic Landmark, and Anaconda has quietly reinvented itself around its extraordinary heritage.
TL;DR
- Anaconda (~8,500) is the copper-smelting companion to Butte — built by Marcus Daly specifically to process ore from his Butte mines.
- The Anaconda Smelter Stack (585 ft) is the tallest masonry structure in North America and one of Montana’s most dramatic industrial landmarks.
- The Old Works Golf Course — a Jack Nicklaus Signature design — is built directly on the reclaimed smelter site, with black slag bunkers.
- The Washoe Theatre is one of America’s finest surviving Art Deco movie palaces.
- Fairmont Hot Springs is 10 miles away — one of Montana’s best hot spring resorts.
- For the full detailed guide, see our Anaconda Montana guide.
Anaconda at a Glance
| Population (2020) | ~8,500 |
|---|---|
| County | Deer Lodge County (city-county consolidated) |
| Region | Southwest Montana |
| Elevation | 5,288 ft |
| Founded | 1883 (by Marcus Daly) |
| Distance to Butte | ~25 miles (~30 min) |
| Distance to Missoula | ~95 miles (~1.5 hours) |
| Distance to Philipsburg | ~22 miles (~30 min) |
| Best for | Industrial heritage, Art Deco architecture, golf, Fairmont Hot Springs base |
What Makes Anaconda Different
Marcus Daly built Anaconda in 1883 specifically to smelt copper ore from his Butte mines — the copper couldn’t be processed in Butte itself due to the existing town infrastructure.
So Daly created a company town from scratch: streets laid out, worker housing built, the massive smelter complex erected, and the Washoe Theatre commissioned for his workers’ entertainment.
The result was a planned industrial city with unusual architectural cohesion. Four separate historic districts are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Washoe Theatre — built in 1936 in the Florentine Renaissance Revival style — is considered one of the finest surviving Art Deco theaters in America.
The Old Works site, once the smelter’s core, is now an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course where the black bunkers are filled with actual copper smelter slag — a completely unique golf experience.
For broader trip planning context, see my Montana cities and towns hub. For the detailed Anaconda experience, see our full Anaconda Montana guide.
The Top 10 Things to Do in Anaconda
1. Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park & Smelter Stack View
Visitors can’t approach the actual stack due to arsenic contamination in the surrounding soil, but the state park viewing platform about a mile away gives an extraordinary perspective. Interpretive signs explain the smelter’s operation and environmental legacy.
2. Old Works Golf Course (Jack Nicklaus Signature)
Built on the reclaimed smelter site, this is the only Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course in Montana. The black slag bunkers — filled with actual copper smelting byproduct — make it visually unlike any other course in the world. Excellent condition; open May through October.
3. Washoe Theatre
One of America’s best-preserved Art Deco movie palaces, still operating as a first-run cinema. The interior has never been substantially renovated — gold paint, ornate plasterwork, terrazzo floors. Even if nothing you want to watch is playing, tour the lobby.
4. Copper Village Museum & Art Center
Located in the original Old City Hall building. Strong collection of historical artifacts from the copper era plus rotating fine art exhibitions.
5. Washoe Park
Beautiful city park with a swimming pool, tennis courts, duck pond, the Montana State Fish Hatchery, and the Begonia House — a restored Victorian greenhouse. Free to walk.
6. Smelter Stack Tours (Seasonal, Must Book)
On select dates, organized tours take small groups up the hill closer to the stack than is normally permitted. The Friends of the Stack organization runs these — book in advance at their website. Seasonal availability.
7. Fairmont Hot Springs (10 miles east)
One of Montana’s best hot spring resorts — four outdoor pools, two indoor mineral pools, a waterslide, full hotel, and a well-regarded restaurant. Day use and lodging both available.
8. Black Dog Antiques
Inside a historic brewery building — one of the best antique shops in southwest Montana. Multiple rooms of vendors, excellent art and furniture selection.
9. Pintler Scenic Route Drive
MT-1 runs from Anaconda to Drummond (I-90) through the Flint Creek Valley past Georgetown Lake and Philipsburg. One of Montana’s best scenic byways.
10. Discovery Ski Area (16 miles south)
Small but excellent ski area in Flint Creek Valley. Known for good powder and minimal crowds. See Georgetown Lake (adjacent) in summer for boating and fishing.
Where to Stay
| Hotel | Vibe | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairmont Hot Springs Resort | Full-service hot spring resort | $200–350 | Splurge, hot spring focus |
| Hickory House Inn | Historic B&B, character | $150–230 | Couples, history lovers |
| Celtic House Inn | Small B&B | $130–200 | Budget B&B |
| Best Western Plus Butte-Anaconda | Chain option nearby | $130–190 | Standard travelers |
| Discovery Inn Anaconda | Budget, central | $100–160 | Budget |
Where to Eat
- Barclay II Supper Club — steaks and prime rib; Anaconda’s best dinner
- Classic Café — breakfast institution
- Donivan’s Alley — pub fare
- Fairmont Hot Springs Resort Restaurant — convenient after a soak
- Celtic House Inn — excellent breakfasts for guests
Getting There
From Butte: 25 miles west on I-90, about 30 minutes.
From Missoula: 95 miles east on I-90, about 1.5 hours.
From Philipsburg: 22 miles east on MT-1, about 30 minutes (the scenic Pintler route).
What Anaconda Unlocks
Butte (30 min)
The “Richest Hill on Earth” companion city — Berkeley Pit, World Museum of Mining, Irish heritage. See Butte guide.
Philipsburg (30 min west)
Sweet Palace, sapphires, Victorian downtown. See Philipsburg guide.
Georgetown Lake (15 min)
Mountain reservoir for boating, fishing, and Discovery Ski Area.
Missoula (1.5 hours)
University city, Clark Fork River, Rattlesnake Wilderness.
When to Visit
Summer (June–September) is peak — Old Works Golf is open, Fairmont pools are warm, all museums operational.
Fall (September–October) is excellent — cooler weather, fall colors in the Flint Creek Valley, less crowded.
Winter (December–March) is ski season at Discovery — Anaconda makes a good base.
Personal Tips
The Washoe Theatre is the sleeper attraction. Even if the current film isn’t worth seeing, visit the lobby. It’s one of the best-preserved Art Deco interiors in the Northwest.
Book Smelter Stack Tours early. They run seasonally on limited dates and sell out.
Fairmont Hot Springs is better than its visibility suggests. It’s one of Montana’s best hot spring resorts and is consistently underrated in travel media compared to Chico or Lolo.
Combine Anaconda with Philipsburg. Both are 30 minutes apart on the Pintler Scenic Route. They make a perfect full-day pairing.
Anaconda Quick Facts
| Founded | 1883 (by Marcus Daly) |
|---|---|
| Named for | Originally “Copperopolis” — Daly changed it, possibly inspired by a Civil War telegram about Gen. Grant “uncoiling the Anaconda plan” |
| Smelter Stack height | 585 feet (tallest masonry structure in North America) |
| Average summer high | 79°F |
| Average winter low | 11°F |
Conclusion
Anaconda is Butte’s thoughtful, more livable sibling — the company town built to process all that copper, now finding its second identity around remarkable industrial heritage, Art Deco architecture, and outdoor recreation.
The combination of the Smelter Stack, Old Works Golf, the Washoe Theatre, and Fairmont Hot Springs makes it one of southwest Montana’s most rewarding half-day or full-day stops.
For the complete activity breakdown, see our detailed Anaconda guide.
Have an Anaconda question? Drop it in the comments — I read every one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anaconda Montana worth visiting?
Yes — Anaconda is one of Montana’s most underrated destinations, with the 585-foot Anaconda Smelter Stack (tallest masonry structure in North America), the Old Works Golf Course (the only Jack Nicklaus Signature course in Montana), the Washoe Theatre (one of America’s finest surviving Art Deco cinemas), Washoe Park, and nearby Fairmont Hot Springs.
What is the Anaconda Smelter Stack?
The Anaconda Smelter Stack is a 585-foot brick smokestack built in 1918 as part of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company’s Washoe Smelter — once one of the world’s largest copper smelters. It’s now a National Historic Landmark and the centerpiece of Anaconda Smoke Stack State Park. It’s the tallest masonry structure in North America.
How far is Anaconda from Butte?
Anaconda is approximately 25 miles west of Butte on I-90 — about a 30-minute drive. The two cities are essentially companion towns, both built on the Anaconda Copper Mining Company’s operations.
What is Old Works Golf Course?
Old Works Golf Course is an 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature design built on the reclaimed site of the original Anaconda copper smelter. Its distinctive feature is black copper slag bunkers — the bunkers are filled with actual smelting byproduct. It’s the only Jack Nicklaus Signature course in Montana and one of the most unusual course designs in the country.
What is the Washoe Theatre in Anaconda?
The Washoe Theatre is a 1936 Florentine Renaissance Revival movie palace that operates as a first-run cinema and is considered one of the finest surviving Art Deco theaters in the United States. The interior has been substantially preserved with original gold paint, ornate plasterwork, and terrazzo floors. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Is Fairmont Hot Springs near Anaconda?
Yes — Fairmont Hot Springs Resort is located approximately 10 miles east of Anaconda, off I-90. The resort has four outdoor pools, two indoor mineral pools, a waterslide, and full hotel accommodations. Day use passes are available.
