In 2002, in celebration of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial, Whitehall commissioned 10 outdoor murals painted across the town’s buildings — each depicting a specific moment from the Corps of Discovery’s passage through the Jefferson Valley.
Meriwether Lewis dragging a canoe through shallow water. Sacajawea pointing toward familiar mountains. The Corps struggling upriver against the current in July 1805. They’re painted on brick walls and garage doors, and most travelers on I-90 have no idea they’re 8 miles north.
TL;DR
- Whitehall (~1,000) is a small Jefferson County farming town on I-90, 8 miles north of the junction with US-41 heading to Twin Bridges and Virginia City.
- Ten Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Murals painted in 2002 tell the story of the expedition’s difficult passage through the Jefferson Valley.
- The Jefferson River provides fly fishing access; Beaverhead Rock State Park is south.
- Best for: I-90 travelers, Lewis & Clark history, and the gateway to the Twin Bridges/Virginia City/Dillon corridor.
Whitehall at a Glance
| Population | ~1,000 | | County | Jefferson County | | Distance to Butte | ~35 miles west (~35 min via I-90) | | Distance to Bozeman | ~55 miles east (~55 min via I-90) | | Distance to Twin Bridges | ~22 miles south (~25 min via US-41) | | I-90 exit | Exit 241 |
What Makes Whitehall Different
Whitehall’s Lewis & Clark murals are the SERP gap nobody is covering. The expedition’s passage through the Jefferson Valley — hauling canoes upstream against a shallow, braided river in the summer heat, while Sacajawea recognized the landmarks that meant they were getting close — is one of the most dramatic episodes of the entire journey.
Ten murals painted across Whitehall’s buildings tell that story in visual detail. They’re free, accessible year-round, and almost completely unknown to out-of-state travelers.
The town also sits at the junction where I-90 meets US-41 south — the corridor leading to Twin Bridges (fly fishing), Virginia City (gold rush history), and Dillon (Bannack, Big Hole Battlefield). For travelers doing the southwest Montana loop, Whitehall is the logical turn-off point.
The Top Things to Do
1. Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Murals
Walk Whitehall’s streets to find all 10 murals — painted in 2002, each depicting specific moments from the Corps’ struggle up the Jefferson Valley in summer 1805. A self-guided mural map is available from the town. Free.
2. Jefferson River Fly Fishing
The Jefferson River passes near Whitehall — good brown and rainbow trout in the slower, braided sections downstream from Twin Bridges. Accessible from fishing access sites.
3. Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park (20 miles west)
Montana’s most-visited cave system with spectacular limestone formations. 20 miles west on MT-2. See the Three Forks guide for full context.
4. Tobacco Root Mountains Day Trip
The Tobacco Root range east of Twin Bridges is accessible from the Whitehall area — hiking in the Helena National Forest.
5. Drive to Twin Bridges, Virginia City (25–40 min south)
US-41 from Whitehall runs through the Jefferson Valley to Twin Bridges (Blue Ribbon fishing, R.L. Winston factory) and Virginia City (gold rush history).
6. Jefferson Valley Museum
Local history museum in Whitehall covering Jefferson County’s ranching, farming, and railroad heritage.
7. Cardwell & Parrot Castle Road
Southwest of Whitehall, a scenic drive through the Jefferson River canyon with historical ranch properties and geological formations.
Where to Stay & Eat
- Whitehall Motel — basic, affordable ($80–120)
- Butte and Bozeman (35–55 min) for full hotel selection
- Whitehall Lanes & Bar — local dining; Jefferson Valley Museum Café (seasonal)
Getting There
I-90 Exit 241. From Butte: 35 miles east. From Bozeman: 55 miles west.
Quick Facts
Founded 1890 (Northern Pacific Railroad). Named for the white clay bluffs along the Jefferson River. Lewis & Clark murals: 10, painted 2002. Average summer high: 83°F.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Whitehall Montana worth visiting?
Worth a 45-minute stop for the Lewis & Clark murals — genuinely distinctive, free, and almost completely unknown to out-of-state visitors. As the I-90 junction for Twin Bridges, Virginia City, and Dillon, it’s also the natural turn-off point for the southwest Montana loop.
What are the Lewis & Clark murals in Whitehall Montana?
The Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Murals are 10 outdoor paintings installed in 2002 across Whitehall’s buildings, depicting specific episodes from the Corps of Discovery’s difficult upstream passage through the Jefferson Valley in July 1805.
