Darby lies in the heart of the Bitterroot Valley. This prime recreation area claims Painted Rocks State Park, Alta Ranger Station, the first USDA Forest Service ranger station, and Darby Pioneer Memorial Museum. The first post office was established in 1889, named after James Darby, the postmaster. Collapsing log buildings still stand as a reminder of the gold dust days. Darby lies on the Bitterroot River and hasn’t changed much from its early logging days.

Darby's Pioneer Memorial Museum was originally one of the first hand-hewn homestead cabins built in the area. It was crafted by early settler Evelin Matteson in 1886 on his homestead near the mouth of Tin Cup Creek. In 1958 an interested citizen purchased the building and paid to have it moved to its present location, adjacent to the city park on U.S. Highway 93. It became a museum depository for the extensive collection of both home and business artifacts saved by the many pioneer families in the area. A photo of the cabin at its original site is on display at the museum along with a large number of early-day photographs and memorabilia of Darby and its people.

Elevation: 3,888 feet.

About Darby, Montana

The Town of Darby is located in the southern end of Ravalli County in the Bitterroot Valley of Western Montana. The community of Darby stretches down to the Idaho border and north to Charlos Heights. The Bitterroot National Forest surrounds it. More than 800 people live in town and an estimate 3,000 live in the school district. Only 63 miles from Missoula, Darby can connect with the whole world via the Missoula International Airport and through the expanding telecommunications network. While being away from it all, you can still be in the middle of it all.

Darby has transformed itself from a town that thrived on the logging industry to the tourism mecca for the Bitterroot Valley it is today without losing its western heritage. Located in the middle of some of the best recreation lands in Montana, Darby is the perfect staging area for the recreation traveler. With hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking and fishing in the spring and summer, the addition of hunting in the fall, and cross-country and downhill skiing and snowmobiling in the winter, you are bound to find the activity that you want to enjoy any time of the year.

Darby and the other communities in the Bitterroot Valley celebrate many festivals and community events during the year. On the last Saturday in June, you can attend Darby Fun Day which includes a parade, games, craft booths, fun run and town barbeque. On the third Saturday in July, the Darby Strawberry Festival gives the Darby residents and visitors a chance to meet and enjoy strawberries and shortcake. With this and other valley opportunities, residents and visitors alike will enjoy the events year-round.