Big Dipper Ice Cream

Helena, United States

4.7

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 406-513-1051
Website:
www.bigdippericecream.com
Address:
58 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena, MT, 59601
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Parking
Street
Bike Parking
Yes
Wi-Fi
No

Today

Today 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Helena) 13:38 Monday, 9 June 2025

Business hours

Monday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 10:00 pm

Description

Specialties

Homemade ice cream

History

Established in 2010.

In June of 1995, Charlie Beaton began producing Big Dipper Ice Cream in the back of the newly opened Kettle House Brewery in Missoula, Montana. A used ice cream machine, –40 degree blast freezer and quality ingredients were about all it took to make the great gourmet ice cream that people are still enjoying today.

Big Dipper Helena began serving ice cream in April of 2010. Anna Doran, the proprietor of the Helena store, spent a year and a half of planning and hard work to make this store a reality. Big Dipper Helena is in the Power Block on the end of the walking mall at 6th and Last Chance Gulch. You will find the same great menu as the Missoula store as well as plenty of indoor seating.

Meet the Business Owner

Anna D.

Business Owner

A Missoula, Montana, native and former elementary school teacher, Anna Doran began Big Dipper Ice Cream Helena in April 2010.

Nearby

Near this location:
80
ft
TouchStone Cafe
32 W 6th Ave
120
ft
Rialto
52 N Last Chance Gulch St
140
ft
The Hawthorn
46 Last Chance Gulch
220
ft
Lucca’s
56 N Last Chance Gulch St
230
ft
Hub Coffee
314 N Last Chance Gulch
300
ft
Chilangos Restaurant
105 E 6th Ave

20 reviews of Big Dipper Ice Cream

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Helena, MT
Simply the best ice cream available. Tried the special the other night, Salted black licorice… so good.
Place rating: 5
Cincinnati, OH
Great flavor, great service, and interesting décor. Four of us ate at numerous locations throughout our long weekend in Montana. Every experience was fantastic. We appreciated the dedication to core flavors, while also experimenting with new flavors. I’d recommend Big Dipper Ice Cream to friends.
Place rating: 5
Helena, MT
During the summer my family went here quite often. Although you might have to wait in line during their busy times, it is absolutely worth it. I always get the white mint Oreo ice cream, but everything else is delicious as well!
Love going to the Big Dipper on summer evenings.
Place rating: 5
Pittsburgh, PA
Awesome place for ice cream in Helena! Lines can get long, but its with the wait! Love how they have rotating flavors along with the core menu!
Place rating: 4
Makawao, HI
Huckleberry & Sea Salt Caramel = Delicious!
Place rating: 5
Summerlin, Las Vegas, NV
If you come up to Helena, Montana in the summer you must try their huckleberry ice cream. It is better ice cream I had tried from Belgium or any other place in Europe. Unforgettable treats!
Place rating: 5
Watertown, MA
Who would have thought, a little gem of an ice cream shop lay hidden in the valleys of Montana!!! Wow! We dint have much hope from this place at first, but then oh my we fell in love with big dipper. For many reason, the location, atmosphere, the walking mall area will remain in my memory forever. The ice creams are very much affordable and a huge scoop hurts no one right! Huckleberry flavor one is to die for. Wish I could return to the place again and try the ice cream. Dont loose on the opportunity if you in the area.
Place rating: 4
Helena, MT
This is, hands down, the best ice cream in Montana. If you’re ever in town, you need to stop in and try their awesome flavors. They always have cool daily special flavors that keep me coming back.
Place rating: 5
Helena, MT
This is clearly the best ice cream in Montana and some of the best I’ve had anywhere. The specials are always interesting and they have a ton of amazing looking sundaes. It’s totally worth the money. I usually get a kid sized cone because the scoops are massive. I almost always get cardamom, it’s the best. The staff behind the counter are friendly and you can get pints to go. Do not miss it!
Place rating: 4
McCammon, ID
Yummy! Ice cream was super good and the service was friendly. They do use Sysco syrups and toppings. Would be nice to see more gourmet toppings like the salted caramel they offer. The girls are sweet and the way they take the order then make the item, letting the next team member take and attend the next order is unique and efficient. Good sherbets and dairy cream.
Place rating: 4
Mission Viejo, CA
Unique Flavors.
On a hot summer day ice cream is everyone’s treat. And I do mean everyone because depending on the time of day there will be a line out the door. It’s good ice cream with unique favors; no chocolate chip but I am sure you can find something you’ll love. We went mid-​late afternoon and missed the crowd.
Place rating: 5
West Los Angeles, CA
Got the Huckleyberry in a Waffle cone dipped in chocolate as recommended by a local lady behind me in line and it was amazing!
Great and unique flavors. Tried the Thai Peanut Curry and it was exactly what the flavor should be, but in delicious ice cream flavor.
Also, they are using Square now and seem to take credit card for any amount now, even under $ 5.
Place rating: 5
Helena, MT
This place is a bright star in the walking mall. Incredible ice cream. May favorite is the Huckleberry Ice cream.
Considering how much the Parrot has declined and their outlandish prices, The Big Dipper is a great alternative.
I love this place.
Place rating: 4
Washington, DC
I had bad service the first time I went and had Ice Cream, the second time it was a lot better. Must of been an off night. Ice cream is good, not something I’d go out of my way for but if I’m strolling downtown Helena I’d consider stopping.
Place rating: 4
Madison, WI
On the Last Chance Gulch walking mall, there aren’t many places open after 7 pm. However, on a summer evening, you can always count on a line at the Big Dipper.
The ice cream flavor menu is diverse and thoughtful. Some of my favorite flavors include huckleberry, cardamom, espresso Heath, white mint Oreo, and tangerine sorbet. There are usually a few specials ranging from white chocolate raspberry to coffee sorbet, so be sure to give them a peek before you order.
I would most heartily recommend a chocolate-​dipped huckleberry waffle cone. It’s the first flavor I had, and it’s a perfect flavor balance. You can get any flavor with chocolate dipped for 50 cents more, so try it out. I also really love their Dusty Dale sundae, which is a scoop of ice cream with fudge, whipped cream, and a generous dusting of malt powder. Now I want to put malt powder on everything.
Bring cash. They don’t take cards unless your order is over $ 5.00, and most of the menu items are under that.
Place rating: 5
Helena, MT
Great service and very clean. Huckleberry ice cream was AWESOME. Very good value.
Place rating: 5
Hamilton, MT
An adorable little ice cream parlor on the Walking Mall. We walked in and it was fairly busy, but we were greeted right away and with a smile. Everyone in the place was so friendly, but who wouldn’t be when enjoying ice cream on a hot day?!
My husband pointed out the Huckleberry Ice Cream right away, so I can’t even tell you what other flavors were on the menu! Guess I should have looked! I got to try a small bit of the sorbet and the ice cream so that I could make an informed choice (love that). The ice cream won out for me today for sure. I got a very generous scoop of the most delectable Huckleberry Ice Cream in a waffle cone. It was excellent! I thought the prices were pretty darn reasonable considering the quality and service. I would definitely go back again! It was fun to sit outside and people watch on the Walking Mall while eating our ice cream!
Place rating: 5
Camarma de Esteruelas, Spain
Best Ice Cream in the state whether you visit the one in Helena or Missoula. Even if, like me, you’re dairy-​free– you can get a great treat!
Place rating: 5
East Helena, MT
Our Favorite Ice Cream! Yummy!
Place rating: 4
Washington Metro
Good ice cream, variety of flavors, but bring your credit card, it’s pricey!