Fort Benton Specialty for Sale
Step into the heart of Montana history with this unique 80-acre riverfront property located just outside the charming and historic town of Fort Benton, known as the birthplace of Montana. Here, the rhythm of the river sets the pace. Floaters, canoers, and anglers frequent these waters, while bald eagles soar overhead and deer wander through the fields. Cotton drifts on warm June breezes painting the scene of the sun setting behind the bluffs. Set against the backdrop of the “Mighty Mo,” the land offers direct river access and borders public BLM land, making it a prime location for outdoor recreation, tourism, and hospitality ventures.
The property includes several well-positioned structures: a charming 3-bedroom, 1-bath homestead, a thoughtfully constructed two-story lodge built to accommodate guests or campers, a large shop, and a shed for storage or operational use. The lodge features separate outdoor bathroom access—ideal for use as a base for an outfitting or guiding business, or as a central hub for an RV park or glamping site. With multiple wells already in place and room to expand, the property is well-suited for development.
Bordering BLM lands, this location is ideal for launching or expanding a recreational business. Opportunities include guided fishing and hunting services, canoe or kayak rentals, eco-tourism, or establishing a full-scale RV park or campground. Fort Benton, just across the bridge, adds charm and convenience with restaurants, museums, and a golf course—all within easy reach for guests.
Whether you're seeking a private river retreat with passive income or envisioning a fully operational outdoor recreation business, this property offers unmatched potential in a high-demand corridor of Montana’s tourism and recreation economy.
The Historic Walking Bridge
When railroads replaced steamboats, Fort Benton’s importance as a trade center declined. In response, Fort Benton businessmen formed the Benton Bridge Company to construct a bridge across the Missouri River to capture the trade of the rapidly developing Judith Basin. The first steel bridge across the Missouri River in Montana made it possible for ranchers and farmers to ship their livestock and grain from the Fort Benton railhead. It thus preserved Fort Benton’s significance to regional trade. On completion, the newspaper declared the 825-foot, six-span, pin-connected, through-truss bridge “as strong and durable as it is handsome.” It cost pedestrians 5 cents and a horse and buggy 25 cents to cross. Each head of cattle cost 12.5 cents, with special rates for large droves. The county purchased the structure in 1892. Vehicles continued to cross the Missouri over “the Great Iron Bridge” until 1962. Today, the historic bridge is only a walking bridge connecting this property with downtown Fort Benton!
