Why Stop In Montague County???

Montague County is steeped in Western heritage and the days when the Chisholm Trail, other cattle trails, and stagecoach routes converged here to cross the Red River.
Today’s visitor can still enjoy this Western flavor at the Jim Bowie Days Festival and Rodeo each June in Bowie; Nocona’s Chisholm Trail Rodeo each July; or the Saint Jo Rodeo in August. Saint Jo is also home to renowned cowgirl artist Donna Howell-Sickles’ studio. The town of Sunset hosts the Trading Post and Western Museum. You can see how boots are made at Montague Boot Company in Nocona.
Montague County travelers have a variety of shopping and dining opportunities. Bowie, a Texas Main Street City, features antiques, specialty stores, and tea rooms in its historic downtown. Saint Jo offers unique retailers in renovated storefronts around its downtown square with its central gazebo bandstand. Nocona visitors can take home original artwork from the Texas Trails Gallery.
Montague County is home to Bowie’s 2nd Monday Trade Days, a 125- year-old tradition featuring more than 250 vendors. Another point of interest is Nocona Athletic Goods, home of the only U.S. manufactured ball gloves.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Bowie’s Lake Amon G. Carter features outstanding fishing, and Lake Nocona is a favorite of sail boaters. Cox Wildlife Ranch and Bed and Breakfast is 320 acres of nature located 13 miles southwest of Bowie. The rolling hills in the southeastern part of Montague County around the Forestburg community provide beautiful spring wildflowers and fall foliage.
County Judge James Kittrell