Entry No. 44 — the Helena file — filed under: after-dark

Gates of the Mountains Bat Tour at dusk

The Gates of the Mountains is a dramatic limestone canyon on the Missouri River where the cliffs seem to swing open as your boat approaches, the formation Meriwether Lewis named in 1805. Beyond the standard daytime cruises, the marina runs occasional evening Bat Tours: you cruise into the upper canyon, the motor cuts off, and thousands of bats stream out of the rock to forage as the light fades, with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists aboard to narrate. The canyon also shelters bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and soaring eagles. It's a genuinely odd after-dark wildlife spectacle, but seats are scarce and recent seasons have allocated them by raffle, so check the marina's schedule before you go.

The move: Book the dusk Bat Tour, cruise into the canyon as the sun drops, and watch thousands of bats pour out of the cliffs over the dark river.

📍 Before you go Bat Tours are special-event dates (typically late summer) booked separately from the standard schedule, so call the marina at (406) 458-5241 to confirm dates.

• 📍 Helena (20 miles north)
• 💸 $
• ⚡ Low-key
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: 3131 Gates of the Mountains Rd, Helena, MT 59602

Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.

⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-24