Plains

Plains rests in a wide, quiet valley along the Clark Fork River, where open skies, agricultural land and railroad lines define the landscape. The town’s scale is intimate and unhurried, with a main street shaped by State Highway 200 and anchored by a historic wooden schoolhouse and a prominent grain elevator—both lending strong period character and a distinctly rural Western Montana feel.

Just south of town, the Clark Fork River bends past cottonwoods and open banks, including a public beach area that offers calm water, reflective light and unobstructed river views. Railroad tracks run parallel to the community, adding linear perspective.

Seasonal wildlife activity brings additional texture to the setting. The nearby Koo-Koo-Sint Bighorn Sheep Viewing Site draws animals to the slopes in late fall and early winter, while the surrounding valley remains quiet and expansive.

Visitor + Business Information

Sanders County Community Development

Government

Fire + Safety

Hospitals

Clark Fork Valley Hospital

Transportation

Missoula Montana Airport – 70 miles from Plains, offering nonstop flights to major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles

Population

1,200 (2022)

Elevation

2,471’

Climate

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average High	36	41	51	59	69	77	90	88	76	60	43	34
Average Low	22	23	28	33	40	47	52	50	43	34	27	22

Public Lands

Accommodations

The only lodging options in Plains are the Dew Duck Inn and Glacier Crossroads. Hot Springs (22 miles away), Thompson Falls (25 miles away) and St. Regis (30 miles away) offer more options.