Posted in Montana Small Towns March 15, 2023 by

This Sleepy Little Montana Town By The Canadian Border Is Actually Quite Lively

It’s been called lonely, sleepy, and in the middle of nowhere. And we’ll admit, at first glance, the little town of Shelby, Montana may seem pretty dull… but spend a little time here and you’ll see that there’s much more to Shelby than you might think! In fact, if you enjoy golf, learning about local history, exploring a historic downtown area, and eating tasty food with friendly locals, we highly recommend spending a relaxing weekend here (or two).

The little city of Shelby is located in Toole County, about 35 miles south of the Canadian border.
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
Shelby was named after Peter P. Shelby, a general manager of the Montana Central Railroad. The city lies on the trans-continental east-west main line of the Great Northern Santa Fe Railroad, which runs between Minneapolis and Seattle.
One fantastic way to explore the area is on foot, which you can do by utilizing the Roadrunner Trail.
Bauman147 / TripAdvisor
Choose either the two-mile or the five-mile option and enjoy the views of the Rocky Mountains and Sweetgrass Hills.
While there are plenty of things to do in Shelby, MT, the town's largest attraction could be considered the Marias Valley Golf & Country Club, an 18-hole championship golf course right on the Marias River.
Marias Valley Golf Course / Facebook
Not only does this rank among the top public courses in Montana, it's also one of the most challenging.
The pace of play is rarely an issue here. There are four sets of tees that will challenge golfers of all skill levels.
Marias Valley Golf Course / Facebook
When you've finished your round, feel free to kick back with a snack and a cold one at the on-site restaurant.
For such a small city, Shelby has quite a few parks.
CATTSAR / TripAdvisor
As a bonus, Champions Park also happens to be a historic site.
Shelby was the site of the 1923 World Championship Dempsey-Gibbons boxing match, one of its claims to fame.
Bauman147 / TripAdvisor
The park's displays detail not only the match itself, but also all of the pivotal events that led up to it. It's a very interesting series of events that most Montanans aren't even aware of.
The younger residents of Shelby appreciate the Carousel Rest Area, a place to slow down for a while and have some fun.
Robby CG / TripAdvisor
The beautiful carousel and other activities here are all thanks to Harry Benjamin, who knew the state of Montana had limited funds for public rest areas within the communities, so he decided to create a public gathering spot himself. Whether you're just passing by or the Carousel is your only destination, you'll have a great time.
Admittedly, Shelby doesn't have many restaurants, which is to be expected in a town of only 3,000 people, but they do have a few great spots.
Sharon M / TripAdvisor
When hunger strikes, just head to the Alibi Lounge.
The Alibi Lounge has been a local favorite for decades -- everyone loves the family-friendly sports bar.
Alibi Lounge / Facebook
They serve classic comfort food like burgers, pizza, sandwiches, and melts, and of course, there's a full bar.
The next time you're passing through Shelby on your way to Glacier National Park, stop and stay awhile.
Don Barrett / Flickr
You just might be charmed by this sweet little city.

This overlooked town is so much more than it seems… there’s a reason it often makes our lists of the most charming small towns in Montana!

What’s your favorite place to visit in or around Shelby? Share with us in the comments!

For more fun things to do in MT, this incredible scenic drive passes right through Shelby.

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Address: Shelby, MT 59474, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

Shelby, Montana & Related Info

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