Opheim MontanaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Opheim, Montana.
1. Granrud's Lefse
TRADITIONAL NORWEGIAN DELICACY
Granrud's Lefse is a regional institution in Opheim known for its traditional Norwegian lefse, a rolled potato snack that has gained popularity throughout the region. What started as a family business in the 1980s has now grown into a beloved establishment that ships its products to customers who order online. Visitors can experience this authentic taste of Norwegian heritage that helps define the cultural identity of this small agricultural community.
2. The Mint Bar
LOCAL WATERING HOLE
The Mint Bar serves as one of the few remaining active businesses in the small town of Opheim. This local establishment continues to provide a gathering place for residents and visitors alike despite the town's declining population over the decades. The bar represents the resilient spirit of this rural community as it maintains its role as a social hub in northern Valley County.
3. The Outpost
RURAL COMMUNITY HUB
The Outpost is one of the enduring businesses that continues to serve the Opheim community. As a fixture in this small agricultural town, it provides essential services to residents in this remote part of northern Montana. The establishment helps maintain Opheim's identity as an 'outpost of America's agricultural economy' as described by local historians.
4. Opheim School
HISTORIC EDUCATIONAL CENTER
The Opheim School, established in 1927, remains a vibrant center of the community with recent additions to its historic structure. As one of the most important institutions in town, the school continues to serve the educational needs of the area despite population decline. The maintained school building stands as a testament to the town's commitment to education and community preservation.
5. Opheim Historic Town Cemetery
LOCAL HERITAGE SITE
The Opheim Historic Town Cemetery documents the history and population changes of this small Montana community established in 1911. Visitors can explore the final resting places of generations of residents who shaped this agricultural outpost over more than a century. The cemetery provides a poignant reminder of Opheim's peak population during the Cold War era when it served as a federal radar base.
6. Pioneer Museum of Valley County
REGIONAL HISTORICAL COLLECTION
The Pioneer Museum of Valley County preserves the rich history of the region including artifacts from Opheim and surrounding communities. Exhibits showcase the agricultural heritage, pioneer settlement, and Cold War military presence that shaped northeastern Montana. Visitors can explore collections that illuminate the area's past from Native American history through the development of modern farming communities.
7. Wood Mountain Post Provincial Historic Park
HISTORIC BORDER SITE
Wood Mountain Post Provincial Historic Park is located near the Montana-Saskatchewan border, making it accessible from Opheim. The historic site preserves the former North-West Mounted Police post established in 1874, playing a crucial role in Canadian-American relations along the border. Visitors can explore the reconstructed buildings and learn about the region's shared cross-border history.
8. Big Muddy Badlands
DRAMATIC GEOLOGICAL FORMATION
The Big Muddy Badlands feature dramatic eroded clay formations and valleys just north of the Montana border, accessible as a day trip from Opheim. This unique landscape was historically used as a hideout for outlaws including members of Butch Cassidy's Wild Bunch who crossed back and forth across the international border. Visitors can take guided tours to see attractions including Castle Butte, a 200-foot natural formation that stands as the region's most recognizable landmark.
9. Rockglen Tourism Visitor Centre
REGIONAL INFORMATION HUB
The Rockglen Tourism Visitor Centre provides essential information for travelers exploring the Montana-Saskatchewan border region near Opheim. Staff can direct visitors to local attractions including the nearby Big Muddy Badlands and Wood Mountain Post Provincial Historic Park. The center offers maps, brochures, and local knowledge to enhance visitors' exploration of this remote prairie region.
10. Former Opheim Air Force Station
COLD WAR MILITARY HISTORY
The former Opheim Air Force Station was an important Cold War radar installation that contributed significantly to the town's population during the mid-20th century. Situated at 3,280 feet elevation, the station experienced more severe weather than surrounding areas while serving as part of America's early warning system. While most facilities have been repurposed or removed, history enthusiasts can still identify remnants of this military outpost that once shaped the community's identity.
11. Montana Highway 24 Prairie Lands
PRISTINE NORTHERN PLAINS
The 51-mile stretch along Montana Highway 24 between Glasgow and Opheim features some of the wildest prairie lands in the northern Missouri River region. This scenic drive allows visitors to experience the vast, open landscape that characterizes northeastern Montana's agricultural heartland. Wildlife viewers may spot pronghorn antelope, prairie birds, and other native species that inhabit these expansive grasslands.
12. Opheim Post Office
HISTORIC COMMUNITY LANDMARK
The Opheim Post Office stands as an important community institution that has survived while similar facilities in neighboring small towns have closed. The continued operation of this federal outpost symbolizes Opheim's persistence as a viable community despite population decline. Visitors can observe the American flag that flies proudly over this civic building, representing the town's enduring connection to the broader national identity.
13. Fort Peck Lake
MASSIVE RESERVOIR RECREATION
Fort Peck Lake is Montana's largest reservoir, created by the damming of the Missouri River, and offers numerous recreational opportunities within driving distance of Opheim. The lake features over 1,500 miles of shoreline where visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, swimming, and camping in a stunning prairie setting. Wildlife enthusiasts can observe diverse species including elk, deer, and numerous bird species in the surrounding Fort Peck Wildlife Management Area.
14. Richland Post Office
SURVIVING RURAL SERVICE
The Richland Post Office remains operational despite the closure of most businesses in this small community near Opheim. This postal facility represents a critical service that helps maintain community connections in an increasingly isolated rural area. Visitors interested in the challenges facing America's small towns can observe how such essential government services become anchors for communities experiencing population decline.
15. Missouri River Country
REGIONAL TOURISM EXPERIENCE
Missouri River Country is the regional tourism designation encompassing Opheim and surrounding northeastern Montana communities. This tourism region celebrates the natural beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities, and cultural heritage spanning from the Missouri River to the Canadian border. Visitors can experience authentic rural Montana life through various attractions, events, and recreational activities scattered throughout this remote and historically significant region.