BUTTE KOA ROCKS by C. Schulze

I liked this location enough to spend an inordinate amount of my downtime here. It's a relaxing spot, and the staff are knowledgeable and friendly. The amenities offered are satisfying enough to keep visitors comfortably within reach of everyday necessities, such as laundry facilities, a swimming pool, propane, a dog park - and - the Kampstore, featuring a tidy selection of conveniences and charming handmade items made by the local merchants. Feel like a cozy fire at night? They've got you covered, with fireplaces delivered to your site on request, along with whatever amount of firewood and firestarter materials you'll need to get a warm fire blazing under the stars.

As Montana residents will tell you, there is a sort of unspoken dress protocol that goes something like this:

Nighttime: Winter
Morning: Spring
Afternoon: Summer
Evening: Fall
- Dress accordingly

Butte is a rarity, with gorgeous big skies that just seem to go on forever, as well as having the distinction of being divided into two towns back to back. In the hills, you'll find Butte's rustic, vintage buildings dating back several decades and built literally brick-by-brick, packed with a delightful assortment of mom-and-pop style shops, historical landmarks, restaurants, as well as an information center offering tips on how to fully experience all that Butte has to offer. It even has a Trolley that gives a two-hour tour of the town and its rich history, astonishing facts and folklore.

Speaking of restaurants here's a few that come to mind for excellent food and pleasant atmosphere:

For Breakfast: Annies Cafe. This eggs and bacon and so much more style eatery is a breakfast nook you just have to experience to believe; a classic diner adorned with days of old memorabilia, its menu choices a veritable smorgasbord especially for those who prefer massive portions of eggs, bacon, and hash browns. Annie and crew are wonderful, Butte strong, perky gals who serve friendly banter and food with a smile - some of whom were there from the very beginning and racked up a "customers served" count which would probably blow up a calculator. These women are all about making their patrons fat and happy with their massive and delicious breakfasts, trust me, If you don't walk out the door feeling like you suddenly felt 4 months pregnant and it was worth every bite, you probably didn't walk out of Annie's.

For Lunch: The Hummingbird Cafe is a trendy place serving healthy choices of wholesome breakfasts and lunches, and, delicious coffee recipes. It’s really much more than just a cafe'. It’s a social gathering place where people feel welcome and rave about the cuisine. The ambiance is delightful, with original art pieces decorating every wall, tasteful lighting and decor, an outside patio, and many breakfast and lunch items on its menu. The staff are conscientious, hard working and polite, they exemplify Butte hospitality. Heck, tell them Chris sent you. Will it mean anything? Not really. But they'll serve you some of the best food this side of Butte!

For Dinner: Casagrandas Steak House. Featuring a sumptuous dinner menu that would make the most discriminating foodie salivate. I practically have a gold card there, I've eaten there so much you'd think I was trying to make them run out of food. But don’t worry, they never succeeded. They just keep making more yummy food. And that's good for you guys, right?

There are many more places from which to choose that will satisfy your personal cravings. My recommendations and known town favorites are listed above. You just can't go wrong with them.

That covers the classic side of Butte. Down yonder beyond the hills are the flats; modernized with the franchises and retailers you'd be accustomed to seeing. Yes, including Walmart. You get the idea. But its surrounding mountains and accessible urban areas make it easy on the eyes. Many big retailers won't come here because of its a remote area. Turns out, that's a good thing for the campers. Just enough town to keep the bears away and your fridge stocked, and just enough refuge on the campground to get away from it all. What a combo!

Having said that, You'll find Butte a welcoming place for visitors and entrepreneurs alike. KOA Butte Journey's general manager, Kathryn Manz knows this and has brought this location from being the lone wolf of the community to a place that embraces its locals, its community, and its ideas and primary concerns. Kathryn reads feedback left by campers (the good, the bad, and the ugly). She frequently participates with local businesses and organizations, meeting to brainstorm, inform, and determine what improvements can be made for everyone, campers and local enterprises alike.

Butte KOA, without a doubt, is a worthwhile location to put on your vacation route! See you there!

C. Schulze was a two time Butte KOA Work Kamper and then onsite roving photographer whose love of local imagery is captured in this blog. Check out his photo page at https://csfoto.art/ .