This Giant, Toxic Hole in the Ground Might Be the Weirdest Attraction in Montana

If you're in looking for a weekend trip that's a little off the wall both literally and figuratively, then hear me out: the Berkeley Pit in Butte is calling your name.

Yes, it’s a giant, water filled mining pit. Yes, it’s toxic. And yes... it’s totally worth the three-hour drive if you're into strange Montana history, eerie landscapes, and a mix of curiosity and “what in the world am I looking at?”

Not Your Average Roadside Attraction

The Berkeley Pit was Montana’s first open-pit copper mine, and it’s huge. Think: over 7,000 feet long, 5,600 feet wide, and 1,600 feet deep. It’s not just a hole, it’s a carved-out monument to Butte’s mining days, big enough to swallow up entire neighborhoods (literally, and it did).

Back in the '50s, the Anaconda Mining Company bought out entire communities:  homes, schools, and businesses included, to expand this operation. By the time mining wrapped up in 1982, they’d pulled over 290 million tons of copper ore from the ground, along with enough material to make Butte proud of its nickname: The Richest Hill on Earth.

Toxic, Colorful, and... Surprisingly Beautiful?

Here’s the twist: the pit has since filled with water, but it’s no swimming hole. The water is a toxic brew of heavy metals like arsenic, cadmium, and zinc, with enough acid to kill a duck (again, literally, there’s a sad story about 342 snow geese that didn’t make it out alive).

Still, there’s something hauntingly beautiful about it. The water glows a surreal reddish hue, and the sheer scale of the pit is jaw-dropping. It's weird, it’s wild, and it’s peak Montana.

The Viewing Platform: Only $3 to Gawk at History

From mid-May through mid-September, you can stand at the Berkeley Pit Viewing Stand and take in the whole thing for just $3. If the weather’s good, they’ll often open earlier or close later in the season. The platform gives you a great vantage point to soak it all in. No pun intended.

Why It’s Worth the Trip from Billings

Sure, there are scenic hikes, charming ghost towns, and peaceful fishing spots closer to home. But the Berkeley Pit offers something different. It's a raw, real piece of Montana history. It tells a story of growth, sacrifice, industry, and environmental consequence.

READ MORE: 7 Bizarre Stories That Prove Billings Is No Stranger to the Strange

It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come and how much we’re still responsible for. Plus, it’s just the kind of offbeat place that makes for great road trip memories and even better conversation starters.

Good to Know Before You Go

You’ll find the Berkeley Pit in Butte, Montana. The viewing platform is open to visitors from mid-May through mid-September, though it sometimes stays open a bit longer if the weather cooperates.

READ MORE: Can You Guess Who the Wealthiest Resident of Montana Is?

Admission is just $3 per person, making it an affordable and unusual adventure. If you decide to make the trip, bring your camera, a good sense of curiosity, and a solid podcast or playlist to keep you company on the drive. One thing you definitely won’t need? A swimsuit. Trust us on that.

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If you’re the kind of person who likes to see the unusual side of our state, this one’s for you. Pack some snacks, fill up the gas tank, and head out west to explore a pit full of Montana stories, no gold pan required.