Laurel, the largest city in Montana that is not a county seat, is truly the "Hub of Montana." From here, all roads lead to the exciting, historical, and recreational attractions of Montana. Spend a little time in our friendly community while you make your travel decisions.

From here, you can select one of four outstanding entrances into Yellowstone National Park. The Cody entrance, Red Lodge/Beartooth Highway entrance, Gardiner entrance, or West Yellowstone Entrance all lead from Laurel. Two major highways south will take you to Wyoming. Head 15 miles east to Montana's largest city, Billings, and further to the most prominent Lewis and Clark landmark, Pompey's Pillar. Little Bighorn Battlefield, once called Custer's Battlefield, site of the most famous Indian battle of all time, is not far east of here.

Just seven miles north of Laurel (Canyon Creek), is the location of the battle fought between Nez Perce Indians led by Chief Joseph and the U.S. Cavalry led by Col. Samuel Sturgis. This site is listed on the historic Nez Perce trail - the trail taken on their trek to Canada. The Friends of Canyon Creek are working to get this site developed with a walk-through display, parking, and a shelter. The Nez Perce Tribal Veterans travel to Canyon Creek around the time of September 13th of each year from Lapwai, Idaho in order to conduct a memorial at this site.

A little to the south, you will find the majestic Big Horn Canyon that holds Yellowtail Reservoir, unique for its sheer beauty and and adventure for boaters. Below that, is the river some call the finest trout stream in the world - the Bighorn!

Or how about the northwest, where you will find the nation's largest earth-filled dam at Fort Peck, back up an enormous reservoir on the Missouri River with some of the best fishing in the west.

Headed west? It's right out our back door. From Laurel west, the renowned Yellowstone River offers some of the finest trout fishing in the world. Drive north to the fabulous beauty of Glacier National Park near the Canadian border.

There is so much to see and to do in this grand state of ours, and you are right in the middle of it in Laurel. With Billings located only 15 miles to the east, Laurel residents enjoy the best of both worlds - large shopping centers, colleges, and medical trauma centers in Billings while living in a small community where the crime rate is low and life is less fast paced.

There is a rich history that lends itself to Laurel. The Chamber log cabin, located in Firemen's Park, was built in 1938 from plans provided by the Montana State Transportation Department. The Transportation Dept. intended to have log cabin tourist centers built all along the interstate highways in Montana. This log cabin is the only known one still in existence and houses not only the Chamber office, but also the Visitor Information Center and Laurel Museum, Inc.

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