Riverside Park, located south of the Yellowstone River bridge, was the site of the German Prisoner of War Camp during World War II. Camping is available in the park. There are showers, water and electricity hook-ups, tent spaces, horseshoe pits, and picnic areas for a minimal fee. The city of Laurel owns Riverside Park.

Laurel is the home of the 1,000-mile checkpoint form Montana Rail Link between here and Sandpoint, Idaho. There is a lot of railroad history since the existence of Laurel is due in part to the railroad.

The northside of Laurel developed with many businesses and homes while the southside of Laurel was once called "German Town" because this area was settled by Volga River Germans who immigrated here. These people built their homes to resemble their homes in Russia. These homes are still standing and many have been restored. The name, "Laurel", came from a local shrub. One source of the name was attributed to a railroad official from North Carolina who was working here at the time, who named it for the Laurel shrub native to his state. Laurel was originally named Carlton, but was changed in 1882. As time went on, Laurel's location was moved west a little. The history of Laurel considered a city dates from approximately 1888, however, as a settlement, settlers began making their homes in the Laurel area in 1879. Laurel became incorporated in 1908 and on October 10, 1908 a city council and mayor were elected.

Calamity Jane settled in an area around Canyon Creek (7 miles north of Laurel). Also at Canyon Creek is the display that tells of the battle fought between the Nez Perce and U.S. Cavalry on September 13, 1877. In the summber of 1877, five bands of Nez Perce Indians fled their homeland in Oregon and Idaho to escape war. For six months and 1,170 miles, 800 Nez Perce were able to escape the U.S. Cavalry. Today, you can follow the Nez Perce trail through Montana with a significant stop at the Canyon Creek Battlefield. There is also a statue located in Firemen's Park, downtown, commemorating the great Nez Perce leader, Chief Joseph.

Retrace the route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition through Montana. Montana has the most distance of any other state that was traveled through during the expedition. Both Lewis and Clark split and took separate routes while in Montana. In 1806, Captain William Clark camped at the mouth of the Clark's Fork River where it joins the Yellowstone River. This site eventually became known as Laurel. Dug-out canoes were made for their trip on the Yellowstone River at a site near Park City ( 7 miles west of Laurel).

Laurel is a town of festivities and happenings. People of German heritage who brought with them a tradition of celebration and hard work originally founded the community. Few communities in Montana go to such efforts to put on great events.

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