Featuring a vast network of wilderness areas, intermittent creeks and streams, and as many as six remarkable mountain ranges, Gallatin National Forest is sprawled over several counties across the state of Montana. Deriving its name from Albert Gallatin, the forest is spread over 1,819,515 acres (736,332 hectares) and is replete with numerous striking natural elements that are a delight to explore. A host of outdoor activities can be enjoyed here, and those inclined to explorations can traverse the trails meandering across the forest's varied terrain. Additionally, biking, fishing, and camping are popular recreational options.
Engage in a time warp of sorts at the Gallatin History Museum, a small county museum that highlights different eras from the town's history, from its humble beginnings, the pioneers who first settled here, to carefully preserved artifacts, and models of age-old fortifications. In this museum complex, take a long, somber look at the town's jail and hanging gallows, before you proceed to admire the beauty of the Big Horn Gun that has possibly existed since the eighteenth century. Don't forget to pay a visit to the beautifully rendered model of old Fort Ellis and get caught up in the legacy of the Accola-Spain family as you peruse through five generations of the family's wedding ensembles. Besides featuring a diverse range of exhibits, the Gallatin History Museum also houses a photo archive with nearly 25,000 images of the past as well as a library with a special collection on Lewis and Clark.
