The Murray Hotel

The Murray Hotel is an iconic western hotel, whose guest list is comprised of the “who’s who” of early industry, authors, musicians, and other American Icons. This list includes the great Jimmy Buffet, Calamity Jane, Buffalo Bill Cody, Anthony Bourdain, and Tom McGuane. All of whom were tremendous fans of the hotel and the township of Livingston. Even the prodigal son of James J Hill once famously took his horse to the top floor via the old hand crank elevator. I have had the great fortune of spending considerable time on the old Hill Ranch, and they certainly didn’t spend their time in unattractive places. The Murray Hotel is comprised of 25 unique guest rooms and suites each of which are tastefully decorated to high light the rich history of the Yellowstone Valley. Located right down town ensures guests with plenty of after fishing entertainment, food and drink. The Murray Hotel is far from any ordinary hotel.

The Murray is an ideal urban basecamp for any Montana Fishing Trip. With excellent fishing to be found in all four cardinal directions it would take a multi week stay to cover all the productive water adjacent to this iconic hotel. Out of the Murray we find ourselves fishing the Yellowstone River from drift boats, the Boulder and Stillwater Rivers from inflatable rafts, and a slew of small off the beaten path rivers and creeks contained on sprawling cattle ranches. We try to cover different water each day through our legendary Trout Tour approach to fishing south central Montana.

Each room and suite has climate control for heating and air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and streaming TV’s. Many of the suites have separate sitting areas and kitchenettes. A coffee bar can be found on the hotel mezzanine. Open only to guests, a rooftop patio with a view of town and the surrounding mountain ranges is the perfect place for a nightcap. Guests are invited to browse the hotel’s hallways. Each floor showcases historic and contemporary photos of Livingston’s railroad history, Indigenous history and Yellowstone National Park history.  There are three room types – Montana Simple Comfort, Single Queen/King Bed Suites, and Double Queen Bed Suites. We strongly recommend that our guests stay in suites as they are quieter and the perfect place to catch up on emails, have a cup of coffee and enjoy some peace and quiet. The double queen suites are ideal for two couples or two fishing buddies.

The township of Livingston is rife with delicious eats ranging from fine dining to steaks that hang off the plate. Staying at the Murray Hotel places all the great eats of Livingston well within walking distance. Immediately adjacent to the hotel you will find the revered Second Street Bistro. They combine the techniques of classic French cooking with locally and regionally sourced produce and proteins, 2nd Street Bistro excels at making everything from scratch, from French onion soup and pasta to crème fraiche ice cream. Their chefs work closely with local purveyors to include fresh seasonal flavors as much as the Montana and surrounding area’s bounty allows. On the other side of the Murray you will find Gills Goods and the infamous Murray Bar that has been satiating anglers and their guides since Dan Bailey and Bud Lilley plied the trout rich waters.