Welcome to the Montana State Capitol
The State of Montana welcomes visitors to the Capitol in Helena and recognizes the educational value of such visits. Visitors may tour the “People’s House” on their own or may take advantage of official tours and presentations.
Address
1301 East 6th Ave, Helena MT
Montana Legislature
Convenes in regular session in early January of odd-numbered years. Sessions usually adjourn near the end of April in odd-numbered years. Between sessions, interim legislative committees meet periodically at the Capitol during regular business hours.
Tours begin at the information desk on the first floor. Self-guiding tour booklets and a scavenger hunt for kids led by Lewis and Clark’s intrepid Newfoundland, Seaman, are also available at the first-floor information desk. You can also download the interactive student guide to the Montana State Capitol, Explore Your Statehouse. Can’t make it to Helena? This forty-three minute video tour or this virtual tour of the Capitol allows you to visit from the comfort of home.
Fall/Winter Capitol Tour Hours:
September 15th – October 15th – Daily Tours – No Reservation Required
Monday – Friday: 11 am & 3 pm
Saturday: Tours available upon request
October 15th – May 31st – Daily Tour – No Reservation Required
Monday – Friday: 3 pm
Saturday: Tours available upon request
No tours on Holidays
Tours last approximately an hour. No reservation is needed for individuals.
If you would like to schedule a tour outside of the hours above, call Darby Bramble at (406) 444-2412 to arrange your tour at least five days ahead of time.
Commercial Tours
- Tours are available for groups but must be scheduled in advance with Darby.Bramble2@mt.gov
- Tour capacity is 30 people.
- Tour cost is $50/ per tour for commercial tours
Other Tours
The Governor’s Office welcomes visitors to tour the Hall of Governors and, when not in use, the elegant Governor’s Reception Room. These are located in the east wing of the second floor.
The Montana Secretary of State’s Office offers age-appropriate, 15- to 45-minute presentations on voting, elections, and the role of the Secretary of State as keeper of the State Seal and official state records and as registrar of businesses operating in Montana.
The Original Governor’s Mansion located at 304 North Ewing, Helena. Visit this ornate, Queen Anne-Style mansion that served as home to Montana’s First Families from 1913 – 1959.
Tours for School Groups and/or Youth
The Montana Historical Society offers free field trips for students of all ages to the Original Governor’s Mansion, the Montana Capitol and the Museum at the Montana Heritage Center. Read below to learn more about our offerings!
Original Governor’s Mansion- How did people live in the early 1900’s? Join our engaging tour guides on a one-hour tour to explore the Queen Anne-Style Mansion that served as home to Montana’s First Families.
The Montana Capitol- Students learn about architecture, art, civics, and Montana history during this one-hour tour of “The People’s House.”
Many teachers add a visit to the Secretary of State (30 minutes), or the Montana Supreme Court (45 minutes) to the Capitol experience.
You may schedule these extra opportunities directly with these offices.
Secretary of State: (406) 444-2034
Supreme Court: (406) 444-5570
The Museum at the Montana Heritage Center
(Starting January 2026) Explore hands-on materials and exhibits from the Homeland Gallery and Charlie Russell Gallery to connect students to Montana history and culture. A student-centered guided tour of each gallery lasts 45 minutes.
The Montana Historical Society will accept field trip requests on a first come, first-served basis. Please schedule your field trip at least TWO WEEKS prior to the date of your arrival.
https://mhs.mt.gov/education/Tours
The Capitol building is open Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., and weekends, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Capitol building is closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day and may be closed to the general public occasionally on weekends for scheduled routine maintenance.
The Capitol is open through the week and weekend for self-guided tours during business hours (above).
Self-guiding tour booklets and a scavenger hunt for kids led by Lewis and Clark’s intrepid Newfoundland, Seaman, are available at the first-floor information desk.
Remember, the Capitol is a work place in which important business is conducted. During legislative sessions, it can be very crowded. To ensure that visits are safe, productive, and enjoyable for all involved, we strongly recommend the following:
- Provide at least 1 adult chaperone for every 10 students.
- Arrange to leave coats, backpacks, lunches, and other belongings on the bus. There is no space to store belongings in the Capitol, nor is there any capacity to deal with lost belongings.
- Silence or turn off cell phones while in the building.
- Speak and move quietly while in the building.
- Dress comfortably but appropriately for a place of business.
No weapons, alcohol, or smoking are permitted in the Capitol or any other state buildings.
Parking is extremely limited in the Capitol Complex, especially during legislative sessions. Buses may drop off students at the south entrance to the Capitol, but drivers should park in designated bus parking space on Sanders Street between Eighth and Ninth Streets.
Visitors may park personal vehicles in any nonrestricted lot and nonreserved space on the Capitol Complex. All Helena Parking Commission rules are in effect.