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City guide

Helena, Montana

S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County.

Type CityPopulation 32,091

Why go

  • Capital city of Montana, United States.
  • Served by Helena Regional Airport (HLN).

History

Helena is the capital of the U.S. state of Montana and the county seat of Lewis and Clark County. Its population was 32,091 at the 2020 census, making it the sixth-most populous city in Montana, but the fifth-least populous state capital in the U.S. It is the principal city of the Helena, Montana metropolitan area, which includes all of Lewis and Clark, and Jefferson counties; the MSA's population was 83,058 at the 2020 census.

Airports

Helena Regional Airport (HLN) 1.9 mi to the centre
850 Mercer Loop, Helena, MT 59602 — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 3 airlines (Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines) · direct flights to 5 destinations incl. Denver, Great Falls, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Seattle (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 3 airlines, 5 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Flying E Ranch Airport 4 mi to the centre
Helena, MT, US
Outdoor
M4 Strip 6.9 mi to the centre
East Helena, MT, US
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Helena Regional Airport (HLN); 20 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: HLN has direct flights to 5 destinations on 3 airlines (incl. Denver, Great Falls, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, Seattle).

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Helena, Montana. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Local transit

Bus · Helena, Montana · Schedules & GTFS data (official feed)

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach
Intercity coach