Montana State Legislature

Welcome to the Montana State Capitol

1301 East 6th Ave Helena MT

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.

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.

Tours

Tours start 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 touror this virtual tour of the Capitol allows you to visit from the comfort of home.

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.

When to Visit

Summer Tour Hours

Starting July 9 and continuing through Sept. 13, the MTHS will provide Capitol tours every day of the week.

• Monday-Friday tours start at 9:30 and 11 a.m., and 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
• Saturday tours will be at 9:30 and 11 a.m., and 1:30 p.m.
• Sunday tours are at 11 a.m., and 1:30 and 2:30 p.m.
• Currently there are no guided tours on holidays.

Tours last approximately an hour. No reservation is needed for individuals.

Tours are available for groups but must be scheduled in advance.

Tour capacity is 30 people.

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.

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.

Schedule Your Visit - during the school year, call <avayaelement class="contentWrapper"><avayaelement id="dceLink-1" class="dcelink" callelement="+14064442694" originaltext="406-444-2694">406-444-2694</avayaelement></avayaelement>

We recommend that teachers prepare student groups for their visit by discussing state history and/or government in class. You also may wish to provide questions from your students in advance.

Safety & Decorum

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

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.