Railroads block access to scenic Montana canyon

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The scenic Durant Canyon near Butte, Montana, which is part of the Silver Bow Creek Greenway, is currently inaccessible to the public due to concerns raised by BNSF and Patriot Rail, the two railroad companies that run trains through the canyon. The railroads have locked gates to deny sanctioned access to the canyon, citing liability issues as the reason.

Why it matters

Durant Canyon is considered the crown jewel of the Silver Bow Creek Greenway, a popular outdoor recreation area. The closure of the canyon trail denies the public access to this scenic natural wonder and raises questions about the balance between railroad operations and public use of land.

The details

BNSF and Patriot Rail, the two railroad companies that operate trains through Durant Canyon, have raised concerns about liability issues related to public access to the canyon via the Silver Bow Creek Greenway. As a result, the railroads have locked gates to deny sanctioned access to the canyon, effectively closing off this scenic natural feature to the public.

• The railroads have denied public access to Durant Canyon since at least early 2026.

What’s next

A public meeting is scheduled to discuss the concerns raised by the railroads and explore potential solutions to restore public access to Durant Canyon.