Photo: By SchmuckyTheCat at the English-language Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7282394

Anaconda is located at the foot of the Pintler Mountain Range and just 8 miles south of the Continental Divide. Anaconda was founded by Marcus Daly, one of the Copper Kings, who financed the construction of the Anaconda smelter on nearby Warm Springs Creek to process copper ore from the Butte mines. In June 1883, Daly filed for a town plat for "Copperopolis", but that name was already used by another mining town in Meagher County. Instead, Daly accepted the name "Anaconda", suggested by the United States postmaster of the time, Clinton Moore.^[3] Moore chose the name because of the important mining smelter already existing in the area. When Montana was admitted as a state in 1889, Daly lobbied to have the capital moved here, but it stayed in Helena, a location supported by rival William Andrews Clark Hunting – There are hundreds of square miles of hunting available to the public in the area. With permit, hunting is permitted for fowl, bear, mountain lion, elk, deer and moose. Only deer and elk hunting is allowed without prior application to the state hunting license draw.

Anaconda is well known for its recreation activities such as:

Fishing – Many nearby mountain lakes and streams offer such primary fishing spots as Silver Lake, Georgetown Lake, Echo Lake, Storm Lake, Racetrack Lake, Warm Springs Creek, Warm Springs Ponds, and the Big Hole River.

Golf – The Old Works Golf Course is a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, offering stunning views,, brilliantly designed holes, luscious greens, and a scenic tour of the area. A local country club and an 18-hole championship golf course are located at Fairmont Hot Springs.

Skiing – The area has many trails for cross-country skiers, and the nearby Discovery Ski Area has downhill skiing with 15 downhill double-black diamond trails and miles of groomed cross-country ski trails.

Darts -The annual Winter Getaway dart tournament, held in several local establishments, is the largest regional dart tournament in Montana.

Hiking – Hiking opportunities in and around Anaconda include trails up to mountain lakes and a 10,067-foot mountain that can be climbed without technical equipment. A walking trail is on the north side of Anaconda next to Warm Springs Creek.

Drag Racing – Lost Creek Raceway was founded in 1986 and hosts over 20 events a year bringing racers from Washington, Idaho and Montana.

Mountain Biking – Disco Bike Park is a downhill rider’s dream designed for all levels. It is located on the back side of Discovery Ski Area and drops riders approximately 1,050 vertical feet