Plains, Montana
Plains, MT is located in Sanders County Montana, roughly 80 miles from Kalispell and Missoula along the Clark Fork River. The beauty of Plains lies in its Riverfront Valley along the Courd A’lene Mountains and the Cabinet Mountain Range. Wild Horse Plains, as it’s often called, boasts beautiful views of multiple mountain peaks from nearly any location in or outside town. Located in one of Northwest Montana’s banana belts, Plains enjoys warmer temperatures and less snowfall than surrounding communities. The weather is so temperate (for Montana) that that local Native Americans would winter their horses in Plains to feed on the grasses that naturally grew in the Valley.
Plains is the largest town in Sanders County MT, however is still a quintessential blue-collar town, with a population of only 1,211 as of the 2022 Census. Local shops within the town provides for all the needs of residents. For those wants that extend beyond its supply, an hour and a half drive delivers you to the larger cities, Kalispell and Missoula, and their Big Box stores.
Plains is home to Clark Fork Valley Hospital, the only hospital in Sanders County. The hospital is located along the Highway 200 corridor and easily accessible for the community. It has a landing pad for Medivac to ensure that critically ill patients can be rapidly transported to major medical centers after critical care is provided.
Plains, MT is also home to the Sanders County Fairgrounds that hosts the annual Sanders County Fair and Plains PRCA Rodeo, drawing attendees from all over. The first Sanders County Fair was held in 1919 and has been held nearly every year since. Their local fairgrounds is also available for renting and camping or special events, such as weddings and family reunions. In addition, the fair grounds has shelters to house animals which adds to the ease of moving to Plains or Sanders County.
Plains is located just outside of Lolo National Forest. Access to Lolo National Forest can be found by traveling up several different roads from Plains. There is access to hundreds hiking trails throughout Lolo. In Plains, you are never far from nature and nature is never far from you. Every Spring, the deer come down from the hills and birth their fawns. Elk can be seen in the higher hills just outside of town. Bald Eagles play throughout the area, whether in the trees outside the post office or in the hills up Upper Lynch Creek or Blackjack Mountain Road.
