Photo courtesy: Debra McNeill
Sheridan Festival and Car Show
Photo courtesy: Gail Banks
Springtime
Sheridan sits on the banks of the Ruby River, in the heart of the Ruby River Valley. Seven mountain ranges surround the Ruby River Valley: the Tobacco Root, the Highlands, the McCartney, the Pioneer, the Ruby, the Gravely, and the Snowcrest Mountains. As the heart of the Valley, Sheridan offers easy access to them all. Enjoy all of the hiking, hunting, camping, fishing, and backpacking that these majestic mountains have to offer while you stay in Sheridan. Although access to the Ruby River (especially around Sheridan) is limited, persevering anglers will be rewarded with prime fishing. From Sheridan, follow MT Highway 287 south to Alder, then take Upper Ruby Road to follow the entire length of the Ruby River, stopping to search for garnets at Ruby Reservoir, and camping in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.
In addition to the cornucopia of outdoor activities, Sheridan is only a few miles from the historic locations of Nevada City and Virginia City. These two semi-ghost towns, some of the first in the territory, started as gold camps along Alder Creek. Today, many of the historic buildings have been restored, making them one of the most impressive historic ghost towns in the state. No visit to Southwest Montana is complete without a tour of Virginia and Nevada Cities, and Sheridan is the perfect place to stay while visiting them.