Explore the quaint mining town of Anaconda in winter
City Walking Video for Treadmill Virtual Vacation
Walking Tour – Anaconda Montana – 4K
Hello Walkers,
Today we’re heading out on the first of two walking tours in Anaconda, Montana, filmed on a crisp, frosty morning when the air felt fresh enough to wake up every sense. This small city, cradled by the snow-covered Pintlar Mountains on three sides, carries a big story in Montana’s history.
Anaconda was founded in 1883 by Marcus Daly, one of Montana’s famous “Copper Kings.” Daly originally wanted to name the city Copperopolis, but when that name was already taken, he borrowed the name from his smelter company instead. That smelter, built along the creek running through town, became the heart of Anaconda’s booming mining industry. We pass the Marcus Daly Hotel as a nod to its founder, and the streets still show traces of its working-class roots—rows of modest miners’ cottages punctuated by the occasional grand home from the copper boom days.
Of course, the mining legacy is complicated. Years of smelting left behind heavy pollution, and today Anaconda is part of one of the largest Superfund cleanup sites in the country. But this community has resilience in its DNA, and it remains proud of its history while looking toward the future.
On this walk, I couldn’t help but admire the beautiful Smelter City Brewing Company building. The owner has restored it beautifully, turning it into not just a brewery but a gathering place for the whole community. And with its location only 25 miles from Butte and just eight miles north of the Continental Divide, Anaconda offers quick access to incredible outdoor recreation while keeping a close-knit, small-town feel.
If you enjoy Montana history, I recommend The War of the Copper Kings: Greed, Power, and Politics for a deep dive into the dramatic rivalries that shaped this region. And if you enjoy scenic frosty mornings, well—this one was so perfect, we ended up filming two walks. Keep an eye out for the next one in a few days.
Keep on steppin’ – Henry
Where to Stay in Anaconda, Montana
More Walks from Butte and Anaconda:
Anaconda Montana Virtual Treadmill Walk
Butte, Montana – Richest Hill on Earth
Butte Montana – Montana Tech to Uptown
Downtown Butte, Montana Walking Tour
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