BIG SKIES, BIG LEGENDS, BIG ADVENTURES
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G LA C I E R C O U N T RY
to Cranbrook, BC
to Cranbrook, BC Yaak Yaak
Rexford
GLACIER CRexford O UN T RY
Eureka
Eureka
Fortine GLACIER Trego
Polebridge Fortine TregoTroy
NATIONAL PARK
to Cardston, AB GLACIER
NATIONAL
Polebridge Babb St. Mary
PARK
CAN ADA
to Lethbridge, AB CAN ADA Babb St. Mary
B L A C K FLake EET N Apgar I N D I AMcDonald RESERVATION
Sunburst
CENTRAL M O N TA N A
Sweetgrass
BLACKFEET SweetgrassI N D I A N RESERVATION
Browning
to Lethbridge, AB
Sunburst
Cut Bank
to Coeur d’Alene, ID
to Sandpoint, ID
Lake Columbia West Glacier Cut Bank Shelby Apgar McDonald Falls Coram Troy Rudyard Browning Chino Martin City Chester Glacier Libby Whitefish East Glacier Shelby Columbia West Galata Hungry Box Park Valier Horse Falls Coram Rudyard Elder MartinKalispell City Chester Havre Whitefish East Glacier Essex Galata Hungry Heart Butte Box Kila Park Dupuyer Belk Valier Horse Fla Elder Bigfork Marion Ag the Heron Kalispell Big EssexSomers ad Heart Butte Conrad Riv Kila Dupuyer Noxon er ROCKY BOY’S Fla Bigfork Lakeside Marion thRollins Brady Heron Big Sandy INDIAN Bynum ead Somers Proctor Swan Lake Conrad RESERVATION Dayton River Noxon Lakeside Virgelle Trout Rollins Brady Elmo Creek Loma Bynum Fort Benton Proctor Swan Lake Choteau Big Arm Thompson Dayton Virgelle Trout Falls Polson Hot Springs Elmo Creek Loma Fort Benton Choteau Big Arm Thompson Fairfield Condon Falls Polson Hot Springs Ronan Vaughn Haugan Plains Charlo De Borgia Augusta Fairfield Condon Paradise F L A T H E A D I N D I A N St. Regis Ronan Vaughn Fort Shaw Moiese Haugan RESERVATION PlainsI D A Charlo De Borgia Augusta Belt Winifred St. Ignatius ParadiseH O F L A T H E A D I N DDixon IAN Ulm St. Regis Fort Shaw Stockett Raynesford Moiese RESERVATION Superior ID Cascade Geyser AH Belt Arlee St. Ignatius Seeley R Ulm Dixon O Denton Stockett Raynesford Lake Superior Cascade Stanfor Geyser Arlee Seeley Craig Monarch Alberton Lake Lincoln Ovando Wolf Creek Stanford Lewistow Neihart Greenough Craig Monarch Bonner Utica Alberton Helmville Lincoln Hobson Lolo Ovando Canyon Creek Wolf Creek Clinton G Neihart Greenough R Bonner Utica Marysville Helmville Lolo Canyon Creek Clinton East Drummond Florence Judith Helena to Kooskia, ID Marysville PINTLER White Sulphur Stevensville SCENIC East Elliston Victor Montana Drummond Florence Springs Garrison Two Judith Gap ROUTE Helena to Kooskia, ID City Winston Clancy Dot PINTLER White Sulphur Stevensville Deer SCENIC Elliston Victor Montana Jefferson Springs Garrison Philipsburg Martinsdale Two Corvallis ROUTE CityLodge Clancy Basin Winston City Dot Harlowton Hamilton Deer Townsend Ringling Jefferson Martinsdale Corvallis Philipsburg Boulder Lodge Georgetown Lake Basin City Hamilton Anaconda Townsend Darby Ringling to Coeur d’Alene, ID
to Sandpoint, ID
Libby
to Cardston, AB
C E N T RA M ON TAN
Great Falls
Great Falls
Missoula
Missoula
Helena
Helena
Boulder 569
Georgetown Lake
Conner
Anaconda
Darby
569 Sula
Conner Sula
to Salmon, ID
MILEAGE
Butte
Wise River Dewey
Butte
Logan
Manhattan
Wilsall
Clyde Park Three Wilsall Belgrade Logan Whitehall Cany Big Forks Silver Manhattan Battle Livingston Timber Harrison Clyde Park P Star Three Belgrade Wisdom Whitehall Greycliff Melrose Pony to Forks McLe Silver Twin Gallatin Reed Point Livingston Divide PIONEER Salmon, ID Harrison Star Bridges Gateway MTNS Columb Sheridan Norris 278 Wisdom Melrose Pony SCENIC McLeod Twin Gallatin BYWAY PIONEER Jackson Bridges Gateway Nevada P MTNS Sheridan Absarokee Norris Polaris 278 C Ennis City Pray SCENIC Fishtail BYWAY Alder Emigrant 278 Jackson Jo Nevada Virginia Big Sky Polaris Roberts Nye Ennis City Pray Dillon City Bannack Alder Roscoe Bridg Cameron Emigrant 278 Virginia Big Sky Grant Silver C Dillon City Bannack Gardiner 324Cameron Red Lodge Gate Wise River Dewey
Divide
Bozeman
Bozeman
Grant 324
324
Silver Cooke Tower Junction Mammoth City Gate Hot Springs Quake YELLOWSTONE Tower Junction Dell Canyon Mammoth Lake NorrisB e a r t o o t h to Cody, Hot Springs Lima A l l - A m e r i c a nNATIONAL Madison YELLOWSTONE Lakeview Monida Dell Road Canyon Junction Norris West PARK Lake Lima NATIONAL Yellowstone Madison YE L L OW Lakeview West Monida Junction to Idaho Falls, ID West IDAH O PARK Old Thumb ID C OU N Yellowstone to Rexburg,Lake Faithful Grant West to Idaho Falls, ID S O U T H W E S T Village Thumb IDAH O to Rexburg, ID Old M O N TA N A Faithful Grant CITY/ POP SOUTHWEST Village TOWN 324
Quake Gardiner Lake
M O N TA N A
to Grand Teton Natl Park and Jackson, WY to Grand Teton Natl Park and Jackson, WY
Unde
50-1
1,00
2,50 State Capital: Helena Land Area: 145,392 sq. miles Montana Population: 1,023,579* Water Area: 1,746 sq. miles State Capital: Helena *2014 U.S. CensusLand Area: 145,392 sq.Total miles Estimate Area: 147,138 sq. miles Montana Population: 1,023,579* Water Area: 1,746 sq. miles *2014 U.S. Census Estimate Total Area: 147,138 milesand detailed information. Map provided for general information only. Consult the Official Montana Highway Map forsq. accurate
N
N
Map provided for general information only. Consult the Official Montana Highway Map for accurate and detailed information.
10,0
Over
State
AL NA
CANADA Turner
CANADA
Chinook
to Swift Current, SK
Turner
Fort Belknap Chinook Agency
Havre
Belknap Agency
ROCKY BOY’S g Sandy INDIAN RESERVATION
Dodson
Saint Marie
Vandalia
Glasgow
Vandalia
Malta
Plentywood
Wolf Point
Poplar
Wolf Point
Poplar
Froid Bainville Culbertson
Sidney
Roy
Jordan
Winifred
rd Denton Hobson
Lewistown Roy
rd
Lewistown
Grass Range
Hobson
h Gap
Sand Springs
Sand Springs
Winnett
LEWIS AND CLARK HIGHWAY
Mosby Melstone
Harlowton
Roundup
Harlowton
Melstone
Columbus Canyon Creek
Big Timber
eod
Battlefield Nez Perce NHP
Absarokee Greycliff
Reed Point Fishtail
Joliet Columbus
Roberts
eod Nye Roscoe
Laurel
Billings Hardin Pryor
n
WYOMING
B e aRed r t o o t Lodge h to Cody, WY MountainWY to Lovell, All-American Belfry Wild Horse Cooke Range City R o a d
n
Pryor
Bighorn Canyon National Rec. Area
YE LLOWST ON E WYOMING to Cody, WY COU N T RYto Lovell, WY
CITY/ TOWN
HIGHWAYS Other Highway
Over 25,000 State Capital
Ekalaka
Ekalaka Ashland
BusbyN O R T H E R N C H E Y E N N E
THERN CHEYENNE BusbyN O RWolf Mountains I N DBattlefield I A N R E SNHL E R V A T IOtter ON
Rosebud Little Bighorn Battlefield BattlefieldNHL NM Reno-Benteen Decker Battlefield Memorial
Rosebud 26.4 Miles Battlefield NHL to Sheridan, WY Wyola Decker
HIGHWAYS
1,000-2,500 Under 50 2,500-10,000 50-1,000 10,000-25,000 1,000-2,500 Over 25,000 2,500-10,000 State Capital 10,000-25,000
Colstrip
Interstate Route Principal Highway Interstate Route
ROUTE MARKERS Principal Highway
Interstate Other Highway U.S. Route ROUTE MARKERS State or Provincial Route Interstate Other Route U.S. Route State or Provincial Route Other Route
34 Miles to Bowman, ND
Medicine Rocks State Park
INDIAN RESERVATION Little Bighorn Lame Battlefield NM Deer Lodge Crow Ashland Reno-Benteen Birney Grass Agency Battlefield Memorial
YELLO W ST ON E CITY/ POPULATION TOWN CO U N T RY Under 50 POPULATION 50-1,000
Lame Deer
Plevna Medicine Rocks State Park Baker
Rosebud
Crow Agency
34 Miles to Bowman, ND
Baker
Colstrip
Custer
61 Miles to Dickinson, ND
Plevna
Ismay
Forsyth
26.4 Miles to Sheridan, WY
Beartooth All-American Road
Ismay
Miles City
Fort C RSmith OW INDIAN Pictograph Cave Bridger Park RESERVATION State Park City Chief Plenty Coups Saint Garryowen Fishtail Rockvale Pryor Homestead NHL Xavier Red Lodge Joliet Mountain Bighorn Canyon Lodge Roberts Nye Pryor Belfry Wild Horse Cooke National Rec. Area Wyola Fort Smith Grass Range City Roscoe Bridger
Absarokee
Fallon
61 Miles to Dickinson, ND
Wibaux
Rosebud
Pillar Pictograph Cave Park RESERVATION State Park City Chief Plenty Coups Saint Garryowen Rockvale Homestead NHL Xavier CROW INDIAN
Makoshika State Park
Glendive
Forsyth
Bighorn
Pillar NM
Official Fallon Home of the Evelyn Cameron Gallery
Wibaux
Miles City
Ingomar Hysham
Worden Billings Lake Elmo Hardin State Park Pompeys
Makoshika State Park
Terry
Custer Hysham
Pompeys PompeysPillar
253
Official Home of the Evelyn Cameron Gallery
Tongue River Reservoir State Park
Olive Warrior Trail Highway
Broadus Olive Broadus Biddle
Warrior Trail Highway
Birney
Alzada
59 Miles Biddle to Gillette, WY
113 Miles to Mount Rushmore National Memorial Alzada
WYOM SOUTHEAS T ING 59 Miles M O N TA N A to Gillette, WY
113 Miles to Mount Rushmore National Memorial
Wolf Mountains Battlefield NHL Tongue River Reservoir State Park
Otter
WYOM ING
SOUTHEAST MAP SYMBOLS M O N TA NAND A OTHER FEATURES State Boundary Major Airport
MAP SYMBOLS AND OTHER FEATURES Secondary Airport State Boundary Amtrak Line Major Airport Amtrak Station Secondary Airport Montana State Park Amtrak Line Point of Interest Amtrak Station Visitor Information Center Montana State Park Point of Interest Visitor Information Center
TA KO H DA KO TA UT SO UT H DA SO
Laurel
BIG SKY BACK COUNTRY BYWAY
Bighorn
Worden
Lake Elmo State Park
Canyon Creek Battlefield Nez Perce NHP
253
Terry
Ingomar
Pillar NM
Greycliff Reed Point
BIG SKY 253BACK COUNTRY BYWAY
Cohagen
Crane
Savage
Glendive
Brockway
LEWIS AND CLARK HIGHWAY
RoundupPompeys
Big Timber
Jordan Cohagen
Savage Sidney
Lambert
Bloomfield
253
Circle
Mosby
Grass Range
h Gap
Brockway
Brusett Winnett
Bloomfield
Circle
Fairview Crane
TA KO H DA KO TA RT NO RT H DA NO
Brusett
Denton
Fairview Bainville
Lambert
Zortman
Landusky
Froid
Medicine Lake Culbertson
Fort Peck Winifred
Westby
Westby
Lustre
Zortman
Landusky
Scobey
Lustre
Fort Nashua Peck
Glasgow
Plentywood
Whitetail Flaxville Medicine Lake
FORT PECK INDIAN RESERVATION
Nashua Saint Marie
Hinsdale
Saco
FORT BELKNAP INDIAN RESERVATION
INDIAN RESERVATION
Peerless
Hinsdale
Malta
FORT BELKNAP INDIAN Fort R E S E R V A T I O N
ROCKY BOY’S g Sandy INDIAN RESERVATION
Scobey
Peerless
Four Buttes FORT PECK
Whitewater Saco
Dodson
Whitetail Four Flaxville to Regina, SK Buttes to Assiniboia, SK
Opheim to Kildeer, SK
Opheim Loring
Havre
M I S S O U RI RI V E R CO UN T RY
to Swift Current, SK Loring Whitewater
to Regina, SK
to Assiniboia, SK
to Kildeer, SK
to Fortuna, ND to Fortuna, ND
M I S S O U RI RI V E R C O UN T RY
to Williston, ND to Williston, ND
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WELCOME TO THE WIDE-OPEN SKIES OF SOUTHEAST MONTANA. As a lifelong resident of the plains portion of Montana, I represent an area rich in history and natural beauty. This land hosted wealth in the presence of plentiful wildlife and native grasses long before Lewis and Clark camped upon the banks of the Yellowstone River. We have hosted historic guests and residents from presidents to artists and authors of international fame. This land is home to the deeply-rooted Crow and Northern Cheyenne people. It has witnessed the photographers who chronicled the lives of feast-or-famine homesteaders, railroad workers who connected an expanding nation, and four generations of sheep and cattle ranchers who still use horses for their daily work. OUT HERE, you’ll enjoy unlimited panoramic photo opportunities, unique local shops, sumptuous fine dining and good home cooking as well as gracious people who take the time to stop and say hello. We invite you to partake of every imaginable and assorted outdoor activity for every season. For those who seek big game, upland waterfowl or several species of fish, along with those who hunt for rocks like the Montana agate or want to learn more about our ancient fossils, you’ll find it here. Our lifestyle is hard to explain yet it’s very easy to experience. Come explore Southeast Montana and see just how big we are OUT HERE!
Dale Galland CHAIRPERSON, VISIT SOUTHEAST MONTANA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Medicine Rocks State Park, Nathan Satran Photography
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INSIDE
TABLE OF CONTENTS 4
WELCOME
10 RECREATION 16 HISTORY 22 INDIAN NATIONS 26 WESTERN ADVENTURE 32 DINOSAUR ADVENTURE 38 HUNTING & FISHING 44 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 48 DIRECTORY OF TOWNS 58 LISTINGS 60 ONLINE PLANNING RESOURCES
815 S. 27th St. Billings, MT 59101
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ON THE COVER Mystery is part of the allure at Montana’s easternmost state park of “big medicine,” which features sandstone spires of wind-worn, haunting pillars. Tribal hunting parties once gathered here. Today camp, hike or simply gaze at millions of stars out here when visiting Medicine Rocks State Park. BIG SKIES, BIG LEGENDS, BIG ADVENTURES
WE’RE BIG OUT HERE.
Cover photo by Cole Waltner
OUTHEREMT.COM | 1.800.346.1876
Any reproduction or reprint of this guide, or portion thereof, without written permission from Visit Southeast Montana is prohibited. Information subject to change without notification. To advertise in the next guide, please call 406.829.8200. Printed for free distribution. Left: Four Dances Natural Area, Andy Austin 2
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SHARE THE LOCAL EXPERIENCE VISIT GLENDIVE, MONTANA Get off the highway and...explore the Dinosaur Trail, Makoshika State Park, the Badlands, history, art and the unique flavor of local shopping and dining.
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PLAY
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EXPLORE
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WELCOME
WELCOME TO SOUTHEAST MONTANA “ I ’M IN LOVE WITH MONTANA. FOR OTHER STATES I HAVE ADMIRATION, RESPECT, RECOGNITION, EVEN SOME AFFECTION. BUT WITH MONTANA IT IS LOVE. AND IT’S DIFFICULT TO ANALYZE LOVE WHEN YOU’RE IN IT.” –JOHN STEINBECK
Out here in Southeast Montana, we aren’t surprised by the words of John Steinbeck. Anybody who has lived here, visited here or driven through here knows that with Montana, it is love. We know that when you visit Southeast Montana and drive our highways, dirt roads, scenic routes and historic trails, you too will find it difficult to analyze the feelings you experience. There’s just something about it—those smiles you get from passersby on the streets of our small towns; the chatter you overhear from the ranchers sitting at the next table in the local diner; the riot of color as the sun sets over the badlands in a sky that, though you know it sounds crazy, just looks bigger here than it does anywhere else. Then you begin to understand: You are in love with Montana. These experiences can be easy to miss. Our two major thoroughfares, Interstate Highway 90 and Interstate Highway 94, speed travelers through our part of the state quite efficiently, and many pass through without ever taking the time to experience the beauty and adventure this region offers. We encourage you not to make this mistake. Whether you would like to visit some of Montana’s most intimate small towns, or Billings—its largest—Southeast Montana offers experiences that can take your trip from memorable to unforgettable.
Right: Makoshika State Park, Jeff Bartlett 4
SOUTHEASTMONTANA.COM | 1.800.346.1876
SOUTHEAST MONTANA VISITOR CENTERS BIG HORN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM & VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER
1163 3rd St. E. | Hardin, MT 59034 406.665.1671 bighorncountymuseum.org info@bighorncountymuseum.org Open year-round GLENDIVE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & AGRICULTURE/CVB
808 N. Merrill Ave. | Glendive MT 59330 406.377.5601 glendivechamber.com director@glendivechamber.com Open year-round MILES CITY AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
511 Pleasant St. | Miles City, MT 59301 406.234.2890 milescitychamber.com office.milescitychamber@gmail.com Open year-round POWDER RIVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE & AGRICULTURE & BROADUS VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER
2 Scale Road | Broadus, MT 59317 406.436.2778 prchamberofcomm.com powderriverchamber@gmail.com Open seasonally VISIT BILLINGS
815 S. 27th St. | Billings, MT 59107-1177 Call or Text: 406.245.4111 visitbillings.com info@visitbillings.com Open year-round WIBAUX COUNTY VISITOR’S CENTER
505 2nd Ave. N.E. | Wibaux, MT 59353 406.796.2253 Email: wibauxmt@midrivers.com Open seasonally In addition to visitor information and resources, you’ll also find regional maps—such as history maps—at these locations.
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BD– BAR & GRILL BD –
FALLON
I B B O N F RY , HOME OF THE R & BURGERS! M O N TA N A F I N G E R ST E A KS
Mural by Michael Jondavid Martin
EconoLodge • Miles City Hotel • Miles City Hotel & Suites Motel 6 • Sleep Inn & Suites • Super 8 • War Bonnet
milescitychamber.com
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OPEN TUESDAY-SUNDAY 11:00AM-CLOSE 510 N RAILWAY AVENUE FALLON, MT 59326 406-486-5400
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202 Prospect Dr. • Glendive, MT 59330 • 406-345-3306 • www.gmc.org
Glendive Find distinctive treasures that are from the plains of Southeast Montana while visiting this unique store in a charming town. Prairie Unique offers a variety of gourmet food, candy, art, toys and special gifts, all made in Montana.
Billings
N
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114 SOUTH LOGAN AVENUE • TERRY, MT 406.635.5598 • PRAIRIEUNIQUE.COM
Enjoy the ride. capeair.com 800-CAPE-AIR *Including all taxes and fees. Fares are subject to availability and other conditions. Fares may change without notice, and are not guaranteed until ticketed. 8
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Boardwalk Leading To Clark’s Signature & Top Of Pillar | Nature Trails | Riverwalk | Gift Store | Interpretive Guides | Special Events
BREATHING DEEP COMES NATURALLY
You won’t find a more exquisitely inspiring mountain town than Missoula, Montana, where three rivers and seven wilderness areas converge in utter transcendence. The allure is immeasurable, and the culinary and live music scenes are downright remarkable, too. This hip little community is ecstasy for the outdoorsy, pulsating with arts, culture, big-city sounds, and friendly folks who happen to love really good local food and drink. Missoula doesn’t just satisfy the senses, it feeds the soul and offers a much needed escape to the fresh mountain air.
Call 1.800.526.3465 or visit destinationmissoula.org/se for more information.
YOGA ON THE CLARK FORK RIVER, DOWNTOWN MISSOULA
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RECREATION
FROM CANYONS TO BADLANDS AT BIGHORN CANYON, DISCOVER A 71-MILE LAKE STRETCHED THROUGH A CANYON WITH WALLS A THOUSAND FEET HIGH. AND, IN THE BADLANDS, FOSSILS ARE SO ABUNDANT YOU MIGHT WALK RIGHT OVER SOME WITHOUT EVEN NOTICING.
Montana. The name is synonymous with spectacular, unspoiled nature. Southeast Montana is an essential part of this story. Here you can experience pristine nature in the valley of the untamed Yellowstone River as it flows unchecked toward its rendezvous with the Missouri River, or from a rented pontoon boat on Bighorn Lake, as you gaze up at the towering 1,000-foot walls of Bighorn Canyon. How about watching the sunset paint the badlands red and gold from your vantage point in Makoshika State Park? We want to help you experience these places locals have known about for generations. If you are traveling I-94 between Yellowstone National Park and the North Dakota border, you will be following the Yellowstone River Valley. Here you can watch as the endless prairie gives way to the steep ravines and colorful rocks of the badlands. Recreational opportunities include hiking and sightseeing at Makoshika State Park near Glendive and the Terry Badlands with its awe-inspiring natural stone bridges. If you are driving west from Mount Rushmore toward the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, you will find yourself on U.S. Highway 212. Also known as the Warrior Trail, this route will lead you through the heart of the Wolf Mountains, home to many battlefields and sites sacred to the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. Thousands of acres of Custer Gallatin National Forest land lie between Broadus and Ashland and are open to hiking, camping and other recreation.
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OUT HERE
MAKOSHIKA STATE PARK At more than 11,000 acres, Makoshika is the largest state park in Montana. Meaning “land of bad spirits” in Lakota, the park has miles of trails and vistas that rival national parks. For a unique place to stay, rent a teepee at the campground.
Photos – Top: Makoshika State Park, Aaron Theisen; Bottom Left: Terry Badlands, Nathan Satran Photography; Bottom Right: Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development
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RECREATION
If you really want to get away from it all, take state Highway 7 between South Dakota and North Dakota. Here you’ll pass through Montana’s own small piece of the Black Hills. Hike out to see the Chalk Buttes south of Ekalaka, as rich in American Indian history as in breathtaking vistas. North of Ekalaka is Medicine Rocks State Park, said by some to be Montana’s most unique campground in an area that American Indians called “Big Medicine.”
BOATING Despite what you may have heard about eastern Montana, we are not all flatland and prairie. In fact, boating is very popular in this part of the state. Both the Tongue River Reservoir and Bighorn Canyon provide boating enthusiasts with plenty of beautiful scenery; clean, cool water; and, most importantly, space. If you are traveling cross-country and don’t have a boat with you, rent one at Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area at Ok-A-Beh Marina near Fort Smith.
HIKING There’s nothing like experiencing Montana on foot, up close and personal. This part of the state is chock-full of hiking opportunities, from badlands to wildlife-laden prairies to towering canyon walls. You don’t need special equipment or reservations—just a good pair of shoes, a bottle of water and a spirit for adventure.
In addition to hiking in Makoshika and Medicine Rocks state parks, Four Dances Natural Area and the Terry Badlands, you can also hit the trail at these popular spots: STRAWBERRY HILL RECREATION AREA, MILES CITY
Explore 4,248 acres including trails, unique rock formations and views of the Yellowstone River Valley. POMPEYS PILLAR NATIONAL MONUMENT, POMPEYS PILLAR
Hike the .8-mile loop trail along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail near Pompeys Pillar National Monument or climb 202 steps to see the same view as Captain William Clark. SUNDANCE LODGE RECREATION AREA, LAUREL
A birder’s favorite offering 3 miles of hiking on the Lewis and Clark and Nez Perce National Historic Trails. ROUNDUP RIVERWALK HERITAGE TRAIL, ROUNDUP
The 3-mile Heritage Trail and River Walk offers beautiful scenery along the sandstone breaks and Musselshell River corridor. LAKE ELMO STATE PARK, BILLINGS
This 64-acre reservoir boasts a 1.4-mile nature trail around Lake Elmo. ROSEBUD BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK, BUSBY
Enjoy peaceful hiking on 3,052 acres featuring Kobold Buffalo Jump, Crook’s Hill, Conical Hill and Van Vliet’s Ridge.
Photos – Above: Terry Badlands, Aaron Theisen; Right Inset Photos 1. Makoshika State Park, Nathan Satran Photography; 2. Medicine Rocks State Park, Nathan Satran Photography; 3. Calypso Trail, Nathan Satran Photography; 4. Four Dances Natural Area, Visit Billings; 5. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Andy Austin 12
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Rexford
Yaak
Eureka Fortine Trego
Troy
TOP Libby
Heron Trout Creek
5
Cut Bank
Apgar West Glacier
RECREATIONAL EXPERIENCES Shelby
Columbia Coram Falls Martin City GLACIER Hungry Horse
Kila
Conrad
Lakeside
Haugan
Ronan
Paradise
Fort Benton
Charlo
Ulm
Seeley Lake
Arlee
Cascade
O AH ID
Alberton
Bonner
Lolo
Clinton
Corvallis
Glendive
Lewistown
Hobson
Utica
East Helena
Garrison
Elliston
Clancy
Judith Gap
Winston
Jefferson City Basin
Philipsburg
White Sulphur Springs
Two Dot
Martinsdale
Townsend
Divide
Silver Star
Whitehall
Manhattan
Three Forks
Wisdom
Jackson
Melrose
Twin Bridges
Harrison Pony Norris
Polaris
Alder
Salmon
Gallatin Gateway
Sheridan
Nevada Ennis City
Virginia City
Bannack
28
Mammoth Hot Springs
Monida
West Yellowstone
Lakeview
20
IDAHO
55 75
28
Roscoe
Island Park
Spencer
Fort Smith
5
Lame Deer Busby
Volborg
Ashland
85
2
Olive Broadus 323
Birney Otter
Wyola
Biddle
Alzada
Decker
WYOMING
WYOMING Sheridan
14 14
Greybull
Deadwood
Sundance
385 16
16
Upton
Worland
Ashton
33
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OUR FAVORITE TRAIL: You can camp, picnic, watch wildlife or go hiking on a short .75-mile trail. If you’re looking for a little longer hike, get off the beaten path and explore one of the high points of Southeast Montana with a trip to the Chalk Buttes. The white sandstone buttes rise seemingly out of the prairie just 15 miles southwest of the town of Ekalaka. Climb 700 feet and walk the ridgeline with no set trails, but the opportunity for endless adventure. 3. CALYPSO TRAIL Terry, Montana, is a small-town rich with history. Famed 19th-century photographer Evelyn Cameron called Terry home, and her work can be seen at the Evelyn Cameron Heritage and the Evelyn Cameron Gallery. OUR FAVORITE TRAIL: After visiting the museum, head out of town to the Calypso Trail, a 5.5-mile primitive road leading to impressive arches, bridges, flat tabletops, pinnacles, spires and scoria escarpments. At the end of the road, stretch your legs to get a firsthand look at these amazing structures as you hike and scramble your way to 360-degree vantage points. You will need dry roads and a high-clearance, all-wheel-drive vehicle.
Rapid City
MT RUSHMORE
120
Moran
Sturgis Lead
Gillette
SOUTH DAKOTA
Buffalo 4. FOUR DANCES NATURAL AREA Minutes from downtown Billings is the 25 Four Dances Natural Area, also known locally as Sacrifice Cliffs. Standing atop the sandstone cliffs yields spectacular views looking up the Yellowstone River Valley and the south hills. 16
Spearfish
DEVIL’S TOWER
Cody 20
85
Belle Fourche
112 14
14
20
26
Bridger
Lovell
22
Arco
Crow Agency Garryowen Saint Xavier Lodge Grass
Belfry
Tower Junction
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Roberts
Colstrip
Hardin
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Canyon Norris Madison Junction Lake West Thumb Old Faithful Grant Village
2. MEDICINE ROCKS STATE PARK AND CHALK BUTTES As its name implies, Medicine Rocks Rexburg was a place of “Big Medicine,” where Idaho Falls Jackson American Indian hunting parties danced and prayed for a successful hunt. Teddy Roosevelt described Medicine Rocks “as fantastically beautiful a place as I have ever seen” when he visited in the 1800s as a young rancher. Weathering has given the soft sandstone rock formations a Swiss cheese look. 75
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OUR FAVORITE TRAIL: Stretch your legs along the Cap Bozeman Rock Trail, an easy 1-mile loop with unlimited possibilities for all-day exploration of unique sandstone rills, pinnacles, Dillon caprocks and even a natural bridge. To learn more about Makoshika, explore the visitor center, located at the entrance to the park. 406.377.6256, stateparks.mt.gov/makoshika
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1. MAKOSHIKA STATE PARK Badlands scenery, dinosaur digs, an Polson Great Falls 18-hole disc golf course and more than 11,000 acres of undeveloped hiking opportunities come together to make up Montana’s largest, and Missoula one of its most unique, state parks. Helena Makoshika (Ma-kó-shik-ka) received Montana its name from a Lakota Sioux phrase meaning “land of bad City Deer Lodge spirits.” Today the park is known for breathtaking scenery Hamilton Anaconda and a wealth of dinosaur bones. It is not unusual to see Butte ongoing dinosaur digs near the park. Big Timber Rollins Proctor Dayton Elmo Big Arm
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Casperis a 2.6-mile loop OUR FAVORITE TRAIL: Four Dances Trail located near Billings, Montana. The trail is rated as moderate and is primarily used for hiking.
5. BIGHORN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA Straddling the Montana-Wyoming border, the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area encompasses 120,000 acres including a 71-mile-long lake. The towering canyon walls stretch 1,000 feet above Bighorn Lake, creating an amazing contrast in scale between humans and land. The best way to experience the Bighorn Canyon’s North Unit in Southeast Montana is by boat. Bring your own or rent a pontoon at Ok-A-Beh Marina (open seasonally). Travel into canyon fingers and crevices to find the perfect picnic spot—all accessible by water only. Hiking options from the North Unit include Beaver Pond Nature Trail, Head Gate Trail and Three Mile Access Trail along the Bighorn River, below After Bay. OUR FAVORITE TIP: National Park Service Rangers offer programs throughout the summer, which the NPS posts on the Facebook page and bulletin board. Learn about the Crow Nation, historic river trips, the bears of Bighorn Canyon, floating the Bighorn, night skies and more.
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RECREATION ROCK HUNTING
ASTROTOURISM
One of the lesser-known activities available in Southeast Montana is rock hunting along the Yellowstone River. Experienced rockhounds can find agates ranging from blue to red to even black or brown. Yellowstone River agates, which were formed millions of years ago by volcanic eruptions, are treasured by rock hunters nationwide due to their coloration and hardness. If agates don’t catch your interest, be sure to watch for pieces of petrified wood. Though agates and petrified wood can be found anywhere along the river, the best spots for rock hunting are fishing access sites between Forsyth and Glendive.
Montana’s famous big skies are just as epic when night falls. With the right conditions, you might even be able to see the Milky Way or catch the northern lights. The best spots for night sky viewing are Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Medicine Rocks State Park and Makoshika State Park—featuring astronomy events inHarlowton the park’s amphitheater; check the park’s Facebook page for programming. 12
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WILDLIFE WATCHING/BIRD WATCHING The high prairies, rolling hills and dynamic badlands of Southeast Montana are teeming with wildlife. It’s Big Timber not uncommon to spot white-tailed deer, mule deer, pronghorn antelope and elk while you’re out recreating in Bozeman and around our state parks and waterways, so don’t forget Livingston your binoculars! This birder’s paradise is also home to 400+ species of birds. 191
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SCENIC DRIVES Experience Southeast Montana’s spectacular, unspoiled nature from the car via scenic routes, ranging from wellmaintained two-lanes to backcountry roads. Some of the best scenic drives in Southeast Montana wind through our badlands areas, including Makoshika State Park.
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For more information about wildlife watching, visit southeastmontana.com/wildlife, and for more information about birding, contact the Montana Audubon Center Gardiner Cooke City in Billings. 89
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TOP 10 PICTURE PERFECT PLACES IN SOUTHEAST MONTANA West Yellowstone
1. MAKOSHIKA STATE PARK 1301 Snyder St. • Glendive Known in Lakota to mean “bad soil or bad spirits,” Makoshika State Park is a place of transcendent light and extraordinary geological features, like natural bridges and hoodoos. With minimal light pollution, astrological observers know the skies above Makoshika are forever dynamic. Don’t forget your tripod.
2. BIGHORN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA 5 Ave. B • Fort Smith Stand at the “top of the world” for 360-degree views. The thirdlargest canyon in the country crosses the Montana-Wyoming border with a 71-mile-long lake and colorful, 1,000-foot-high canyon cliff walls. Home to mountain lions, bears, wild horses and, of course, bighorn sheep, this man-made lake is best seen from a boat (seasonal rentals) or from above.
3. FOUR DANCES NATURAL AREA 1100 Coburn Road • Billings Soaring 500 feet above the Yellowstone River, Four Dances Natural Area gives “standing on top of the world” a concrete location. Look to the east for a stunning sunrise or moon viewing, or look to the west for eternal sunsets enhanced by three mountain ranges. 14
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4. “THE RIMS” IN CUSTER GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST State Highway 323 to Rimrock Carter Road Turn south into Custer Gallatin National Forest. Stand atop these sheer cliffs, locally known as “The Rims,” and look down several hundred feet to where the prairie rolls out. On a clear day, you can see Devil’s Tower to the south. Take a trail, bring a picnic or simply marvel in the majestic space laid before you in all directions.
5. TERRY BADLANDS OVERLOOK* North of Terry on State Highway 253 for 2.1 miles; left on Scenic View Road for 5.9 miles Many locations in the Terry Badlands remain as pristine today as they were more than 100 years ago. Stop at the overlook for 360-degree views and stellar skies. Drive, bike hike and camp this stunning public land for an amazing experience that includes natural bridges, wildlife, ecology, geology and the ever-mysterious hoodoos. The more adventurous may tackle the Calypso Trail.
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9. SNOWY MOUNTAIN ROAD*
1141 State Highway 7 • Ekalaka Mystery is part of the allure at Montana’s easternmost state park of “big medicine,” which features sandstone spires of wind-worn, haunting hoodoos. The ranges of yellow, orange and red will thrill photographers while centuries of nearly 15,000 inscriptions echo stories that challenge time.
46°37’12.6”N 108°36’14.1”W Sometimes it’s the road less traveled. And, that’s exactly the path you need to see the sunset while overlooking Devil’s Basin and the Snowy Mountains. We won’t lie—this IS off the beaten path, but it’s worth every wild and rugged mile.
7. STRAWBERRY HILL RECREATION AREA
10. LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT
US-12, 9 miles east of Miles City This strawberry-colored hill is aptly named. When hit with the golden light of a rising or setting sun, the warm hues and emerging shadows will make your shutter finger itch. Warning: As you approach the hill’s crest, the vast vistas may cause involuntary decrease in speed and acceleration of visual intake.
Interstate 90/Frontage Road • Crow Agency Situated on a high ridge above the Little Bighorn River, the very soil seeps with intense passion from the soldiers who stoically followed orders and the warriors who gave their all to save their people’s nomadic way of life. Listen to the story from a park ranger, a tour guide or in a private telling while standing within the circular Indian Memorial.
8. POMPEYS PILLAR NATIONAL MONUMENT
*We suggest high-clearance, all-wheel-drive vehicles on dry roads.
3001 Old Highway 212 • Worden Known by American Indians as “the place where the mountain lion lies,” the 150-foot-high sandstone butte has always been a natural crossroads. Venture 202 steps to the top for a 360-degree view of the Yellowstone Valley. Be sure to catch Capt. William Clark’s carved signature—the only remaining physical, in-the-field evidence of the Corps of Discovery. 1.800.346.1876 | SOUTHEASTMONTANA.COM
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HISTORY
A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY FROM THE COULEES AT LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD TO THE VARIED AND UNIQUE COUNTY MUSEUMS, OUR HISTORIC ADVENTURES ARE WORTH THE MILES TRAVELED.
During your visit to Montana, you will undoubtedly see beautiful mountains, rivers full of sparkling trout and maybe even a bison or two. You’ll visit charming small towns and meet people who can make any stranger feel at home. These things alone would make for an incredible vacation, but in order to truly know Montana, to understand what it means to be a Montanan, you have to experience the bond that ties all of the nature, culture and people together. This bond is Montana’s history. Experiencing history is different from seeing history. Out here in Southeast Montana, history is an adventure. It’s in the thundering hooves of the ponies carrying native warriors and cavalrymen as they reenact Custer’s Last Stand. It’s in the sound of rustling cottonwood leaves as you climb the 202 steps to the top of Pompeys Pillar to catch a glimpse of what William Clark saw when he stood in that very spot. It’s in the dust and the grass of the battlefields as you follow the trails and look out over the same prairie that Lt. Col. Custer did, where he first caught a glimpse of the massive Indian village he had been pursuing. In Southeast Montana, history is an adventure that shouldn’t be missed. The full story of Montana’s history can be discovered at the many museums and historic sites in nearly every community in Southeast Montana. There are some general themes that can help you understand how this area was shaped and molded into what it is today.
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OUT HERE
LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument actually encompasses two battlefields— the Custer Battlefield and the Reno-Benteen Battlefield. The American Indians who fought during the two-day battle are remembered and recognized through the Indian Memorial, which was unveiled in 2003. The tribute is entitled “Peace Through Unity.”
Photos – Top: Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Nathan Satran Photography; Bottom Left: Battle of the Little Bighorn Reenactment, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development; Bottom Right: Big Horn County Historical Museum, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development
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HISTORY
AMERICAN INDIANS As you travel through the region and look out over the prairie, imagine how it would have been 300 years ago, when this entire area was controlled, and fought over, by many different Plains Indian tribes, each vying for control of the vast herds of buffalo, valuable trade routes and limited pony herds. The first official visit by representatives of the U.S. government was from the famous explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. On his way back east to share the news of the incredible discoveries he made, Clark stopped in Southeast Montana along the Yellowstone River to climb a peculiar sandstone pillar jutting up from the riverbank. He named it after his American Indian guide’s son, “Little Pomp,” and carved his name into the soft sandstone. This signature, as well as the pillar he climbed, can still be seen at Pompeys Pillar National Monument.
HISTORIC CONFLICT In the years that followed, people of European descent moved to Montana in larger numbers, which changed the dynamic of Southeast Montana forever. Conflicts between the American Indian tribes and the U.S. Cavalry eventually led to the Great Sioux War of the 1870s. To fully understand the legacy and impact of this war, visit the many battlefields that dot the prairie in Southeast Montana, including Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. For more information on Southeast Montana’s battlefields,
see the Battlefield Itinerary on page 20 or visit southeastmontana.com/historical-sites.
HISTORY TOURS Take a walk back in time on a guided history tour of some of Southeast Montana’s most fascinating attractions, battlefields and historic downtown districts. Rose Williamson, Crow tribal member and owner of Indian Battle Tours, tells stories from the native standpoint. Her spirited storytelling of Custer’s defeat at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument brings the battle to life. For more information, visit Indian Battle Tours on Facebook. The Western Heritage Center in Billings offers Hoof-it With a Historian tours of historic Billings locations. Tours include Bars, Brothels, and Bok Choy: Exploring Minnesota Avenue; Born a Railroad Town; Swords Rimrock Park; Historic Moss Mansion Neighborhood; and Grave Side Stories, to name just a handful. Tours are usually seasonal and require reservations. ywhc.org Take a self-guided walking tour in Broadus, known as the “Wavingest town in the West.” Eclectic meets Old West in this Warrior Trail town. Stroll the quaint downtown and stop by the Powder River Historical Museum to witness plenty of vintage treasures. Visit southeastmontana.com/tours for more information on historic tours in Southeast Montana.
Photos – Above: Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development; Right Inset Photos – 1. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Nathan Satran Photography; 2. Pompeys Pillar National Monument, Nathan Satran Photography; 3. Yellowstone County Museum, Donnie Sexton; 4. Evelyn Cameron Gallery, Visit Southeast Montana 5. Big Horn County Historical Museum, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development 18
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5. BIG HORN COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM Located in Hardin, near the former Fort Custer, this museum features 35 acres of historic buildings and artifacts relating to Big Horn County’s early history. Exhibits include original works of artist Will James, a diorama of the original fort, and extensive artifacts from military and frontier life in the late 1800s. A boardwalk links the main exhibit building with 24 historic structures, including a church, train station and barns full of historic vehicles and equipment. There are also artifacts relating to the American Indians who lived in this area, including Yellowtail’s vision teepee, in the main gallery. 406.665.1671, bighorncountymuseum.org
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4. PRAIRIE COUNTY MUSEUM Buffalo AND EVELYN CAMERON GALLERY 25 What happens when you take a sophisticated English gentlewoman (as a child she had a servant whose only job was to comb her hair), give her a glass-plate camera, and drop her in the middle of the Southeast Montana prairie? In this Casper case, you get an amazing story, complete with photos to document it. The Evelyn Cameron Gallery in Terry showcases this amazing woman’s photography, which gives us a rare glimpse of ranch life on the Montana prairie in the late 1800s. You can learn about her life and her attempts to breed polo ponies to send back to England. In the end, her only real source of income was to sell her photos. To learn more about the Evelyn Cameron Gallery, and for information on operating hours and seasons or to schedule an off-season tour, contact the museum in Terry 406.635.4040, visitterrymontana.com. Worland
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3. YELLOWSTONE COUNTY MUSEUM This museum is located atop the Billings Rimrocks, overlooking the city of Billings and the Yellowstone River Valley. The museum, which houses more than 25,000 artifacts relating to the early history of Yellowstone County, consists of an upper and lower section, with the upper being housed in a wealthy cattleman’s log cabin dating back to 1892. Stop by to have a look at the fully assembled chuck wagon, early Western gun collection and the museum’s amazing collection of American Indian artifacts, including a moccasin collection unmatched out here in Southeast Montana. 406.256.6811, ycmhistory.org
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2. POMPEYS PILLAR NATIONAL MONUMENT Rexburg Before even the first European Idaho Falls trappers ventured into the untamed Jackson American wilderness, Pompeys Pillar was a meeting place for American Indian tribes who camped and hunted in the area. They left their mark on the stone in the form of symbols and images. Pompeys Pillar’s most famous visitor, William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, left his signature on the stone when he stopped in 1806. The signature can still be seen clearly carved into the rock—it is the only visible, accessible, evidence left in the field. Climb 202 stairs to the very top of the pillar to witness Clark’s view from more than 200 years ago. The Interpretive Center helps tell the story, and children will enjoy the extensive grounds including a teepee and replica dugout canoe. 406.875.2400, blm.gov/office/pompeys-pillar-national-monument
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1. LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT Polson Great This site, previously known as Falls Custer Battlefield, memorializes one of the greatest battles fought between the U.S. Cavalry Missoula and the Plains Indians seeking to maintain control over their ancestral lands. Helena Montana Lt. Col. Custer led 263 men into battle against a much City Deer Lodge larger force of Sioux and Northern Cheyenne warriors. All Hamilton Anaconda including Custer himself, of the men in Custer’s column, were killed. The National MonumentButte includes a museum featuring interpretation of the clues left behind atBelgrade theLivingston site, Bozeman which fill in some of the details of this grisly battle, though many remain unknown. More recently, an Indian Memorial was erected to honor the warriorsDillon and tribes involved with the battle. Several walking trails with interpretive signage, as well as an audio tour, tell the story of the battle. For other tour options, see southeastmontana.com/tours. IDAHO 406.638.2621, nps.gov/libi Trout Creek
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BATTLEFIELD ITINERARY Southeast Montana was no stranger to conflicts between warrior tribes and U.S. Cavalry. Drive this loop, which includes U.S. Highway 212, also known as the Warrior Trail, to follow in the footsteps of these warring nations and learn how broken treaties, competing goals and human nature led to all-out war on the Montana prairie. If you are a true history buff, follow the Trail to the Little Bighorn, a series of 19 roadside markers telling the story of events leading up to and immediately following the Battle of Little Bighorn. You will follow dirt roads and traverse the same rolling prairies that the 7th Cavalry did more than 100 years ago. Download the map at southeastmontana.com/maps.
1. BILLINGS A great place to begin your journey, the Western Heritage Center and the Yellowstone County Museum will help get you oriented and paint the picture of how conflicts with the Plains Indians began.
2. POMPEYS PILLAR This sandstone pillar, known by tribes as “the place where the mountain lion lies,” served as a meeting place for centuries. William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition carved his name in the stone, right next to Indian petroglyphs carved there much earlier. See the site where Lt. Col. George A. Custer camped while leading a gold-hunting expedition years later.
3. MILES CITY The saga continues with the establishment of Fort Keogh. Learn about the fort and its role in the Indian Wars at the Range Riders Museum in Miles City.
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4. ASHLAND Get the American Indian perspective at the St. Labre Cheyenne Museum in Ashland. Learn about the culture of the Crow and Cheyenne tribes and how they continue to honor the traditions of their ancestors today. 89
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5. CROW AGENCY Grab a bite with locals at the Custer Battlefield Trading Post and Café—try a bison burger or Indian taco, made on YELLOWSTONE PARK traditional fry bread. Be sure to browse the wideNATIONAL selection of West gifts and artisan work here or at Medicine Turtle and River Yellowstone Crow Trading Posts where you’ll find handcrafted souvenirs.
6. LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT In the heart of Crow Country at Crow Agency is the site that marked the climax of the Indian Wars. See where Lt. Col. Custer attacked a superior force of Sioux and Cheyenne and saw more than 200 of his men killed. Battlefield tours from the National Park Service or a personal guide tell the full story of this world-famous battle.
7. GARRYOWEN Don’t miss the Custer Battlefield Museum, which boasts more than 100 historical photographs, firearms, Indian artifacts, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a large Custer collection.
8. HARDIN Learn about the rise and fall of Fort Custer at the Big Horn County Museum. With extensive exhibits, including many original buildings, learn about the tireless efforts of Europeans and American Indians alike who worked to homestead the wild prairie and build a life for themselves in the wake of the Indian Wars.
Photos – Above: Pompeys Pillar, Visit Southeast Montana; Right: Chief Plenty Coups State Park, Montana State Parks 20
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9. CHIEF PLENTY COUPS STATE PARK Finish your journey with a stop at this farmstead that Chief Plenty Coups, the last traditional Crow chief and visionary, left as a place for all cultures to come together in peace. First a warrior then a farmer, Chief Plenty Coups lead the transition of the Apsáalooke people from the “buffalo days” into the 20th century.
Follow history across Southeast Montana via maps found at southeastmontana.com/maps.
OUT HERE
THE LAND HAS A STORY TO TELL
In Southeast Montana, natural beauty blends with the rich history of the Old West, along with the traditions of the Crow and Northern Cheyenne tribes, to transport you to storied days gone by. Walk over the battlefields where brave warriors and soldiers laid down their lives. Follow the courageous footsteps of Lewis and Clark. Or, experience the dynamics that ranching and railroad brought to these rolling prairies. 1.800.346.1876 | SOUTHEASTMONTANA.COM
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INDIAN NATIONS
THE CROW AND NORTHERN CHEYENNE SOUTHEAST MONTANA IS A HUB OF AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURES, WITH TWO OF THE EIGHT TRIBAL NATIONS IN MONTANA LOCATED ONLY A SHORT DRIVE FROM BILLINGS.
The Crow and Northern Cheyenne Indian reservations are full of scenic landscapes with outdoor recreation opportunities, battlefields with storied histories and modern expressions of cultural heritage through local artisans and powwow celebrations. Visit the reservations to learn more about the people—and experience firsthand the traditions—of the tribes that call Montana home. The two reservations are located adjacent to one another and lie along the routes of U.S. Highway 212 and I-90. If you are traveling east from Billings, the first reservation you will encounter is the Crow, followed by the Northern Cheyenne. The Crow Reservation was established by treaties in 1851 and 1868, while presidential order created the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in 1884. Photos – Top: Crow Fair, Allen Russell; Bottom Left: Crow Fair, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development; Bottom Right: Crow Fair, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development
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CROW FAIR The 102nd annual Crow Fair Celebration Powwow & Rodeo will be held August 14–17, 2020. The Apsáalooke (or Crow) Tribe hosts parades, a four-day powwow, a rodeo and horse races at the “Tipi Capital of the World” in Crow Agency, near Hardin. Crow Fair is the largest tribal event in Montana and one of the largest in the nation, with thousands attending this epic celebration.
1.800.346.1876 | SOUTHEASTMONTANA.COM
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INDIAN NATIONS THE CROW The Crow people call themselves Apsáalooke, which means “People of the Large Beaked Bird.” Early translators misinterpreted this name as “Crow.” The reservation encompasses many renowned historic and recreational sites, including Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, the Bighorn River and Chief Plenty Coups State Park. It is also home to the worldfamous Crow Fair Powwow—the Teepee Capital of the World—and Crow Native Days, which takes place on the anniversary of the Battle of Little Bighorn. The Crow Reservation is one of the largest in Montana, and the Crow are one of the few tribes who were allowed to remain on their ancestral land.
NORTHERN CHEYENNE One of the most striking feature of the Northern Cheyenne Reservation is the terrain created by the Wolf Mountains. The range runs across the reservation and helps make this one of the most beautiful reservations in eastern Montana. A visit to the St. Labre Indian School and Museum in Ashland will help you learn the amazing story of how these people escaped captivity in Oklahoma to return to Montana. Places of interest on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation include Chief Two Moons Monument near Busby and the Jesse Mullin Picture Museum in Lame Deer.
POWWOWS Nothing exemplifies the beauty of American Indian culture like a powwow. In modern times, the powwow has come to represent the honor and respect American Indians have for each other and for their traditions. When visiting a powwow for the first time, you will notice that the powwow singers are held in high regard. These singing groups consist of several men sitting in a circle around a large drum. Each man has a baton that he uses to beat out the rhythm of the song they sing in unison along with the drum. The groups often include both older and younger tribal members, as the younger singers are being taught the songs and the traditions of the powwow. You will also notice that the drum groups wear plain clothes. Only the dancers will be wearing the bright colors and traditional garb normally associated with powwows.
CEREMONY ETIQUETTE There are a few things to remember about visiting a powwow or other American Indian events that will help you get the most out of your experience. First, don’t expect events to begin exactly when they are supposed to. As with many cultures around the world, time in Crow and Northern Cheyenne cultures is more fluid than many people are accustomed to. Also, be cautious when taking photos. Rules for photography can be different from tribe to tribe and from powwow to powwow. If there is any question about whether photography is allowed, be sure to ask somebody involved with the management of the powwow. Finally, shop local. Immerse yourself in the experience by eating at local concession stands, shopping at local arts and crafts displays, and buying raffle tickets. You may have to pay a small fee to watch the powwow, but the effort put into the event by the dancers and the management team far outweighs the financial compensation they receive when sharing their culture.
Photos – Above: Cheyenne Victory Days, Visit Montana; Right Inset Photos – 1. St. Labre Indian School and Museum, Nathan Satran Photography; 2. Chief Plenty Coups State Park, Montana State Parks; 3. Rosebud Battlefield State Park, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks; 4. Cheyenne Victory Days, Visit Montana; 5. Crow Fair, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development 24
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Rexford
Yaak
Eureka Fortine Trego
Babb
Polebridge
NATIVE SIGHTS AND EVENTS Cut Bank
Apgar
Troy
Shelby
Columbia Coram Falls Martin City GLACIER
Libby
Whitefish Kalispell
Hungry Horse
Marion
Noxon
Trout Creek
Thompson Hot Springs Falls
Haugan
Kila
Charlo
Seeley Lake
Cascade
O AH ID
Alberton
Lincoln
Ovando
Helmville
Clinton
Corvallis
Neihart
East Helena
Garrison
Elliston
Clancy
Winston
Jefferson City Basin
Philipsburg
Denton
Jordan
Glendive Stanford
Sand Springs
Winnett
Grass Range
Utica
White Sulphur Springs
Mosby
Judith Gap Two Dot
Townsend
Ingomar
Jackson
Divide
Silver Star
Melrose
Twin Bridges
Whitehall
Harrison Pony Norris Sheridan
Polaris Alder
Salmon
Clyde Park
Gallatin Gateway
Nevada Ennis City Virginia City
Manhattan
Three Forks
Pray Emigrant
Big Sky
Bannack
Gardiner
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Mammoth Hot Springs
Dell Lima
Monida
West Yellowstone
Lakeview
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3. ROSEBUD BATTLEFIELD STATE PARK Rosebud Battlefield, a National Historic Landmark, is associated with the Great Sioux War of 1876–77. It is considered to be the greatest Indian conflict ever to occur in America and is associated with the lead-up to the Battle of Little Bighorn. On June 17, 1876, the vast number of warriors and soldiers present at Rosebud Battlefield made the day one of the largest battles of the Indian Wars. There is a self-guided walking tour developed by Montana State Parks at the site. Take state Highway 314 toward Decker. Twenty miles from the junction of Highway 314 and Highway 212 is a sign for the battlefield site. Take the access road at the turnoff and drive 1.5 miles to the park. 406.757.2298, stateparks.mt.gov/rosebud-battlefield
Bridger
Colstrip
Hardin Crow Busby Agency
Saint Xavier Fort Smith
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Wyola
Belfry
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Ashland
Olive Broadus 323
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Lodge Grass
Red Lodge
Lame Deer
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Biddle
Alzada
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Lovell
Belle Fourche
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4. CHEYENNE VICTORY Gillette Buffalo DAY CELEBRATION The Battle of Little Bighorn, which 25 is also known as “Custer’s Last Stand” and as “Where Long Hair Was Wiped Away” by the Northern Cheyenne, is consider to be the most decisive Native American victory in Northern Cheyenne Casper and Sioux history. Today the Northern Cheyenne celebrate the defeat of “Long Hair” (Lt. Gen. George A. Custer) by telling stories, performing the victory dance plus traditional Indian Relays, hand games and more. The celebration takes place every year, on June 24-25, in the small town of Busby, located on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. Guests are welcome to attend and participate. 20
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5. CROW FAIR The annual Crow Fair Celebration is one of the largest gatherings of the year for the Apsáalooke Nation and is considered one of the largest modern-day American Indian encampments in the nation. The historical event, which has been held each year since 1918, is a time when Crow tribal members from across the world return to Crow Country to celebrate the Crow culture and traditional way of life. Crow Agency is known as the “Teepee Capital of the World” because of the hundreds of teepees in the encampment during the celebration. The event includes a powwow each night at the center of the encampment as well as horse racing, a daily parade, rodeo and Indian-relay races. crazycrow.com/site/event/crowfair-celebration-pow-wow-and-rodeo
1.800.346.1876 | SOUTHEASTMONTANA.COM
Rapid City
MT RUSHMORE
Worland
120
Sturgis Lead
Greybull
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Roberts
Silver Cooke Gate City
Tower Junction
Canyon Norris Madison Junction Lake West Thumb Old Faithful Grant Village
Park City Rockvale Joliet Pryor
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Fishtail
Cameron
Grant
Billings
Laurel
Absarokee Nye
Roscoe
Dillon 2. CHIEF PLENTY COUPS STATE PARK Plenty Coups (Aleek-chea-ahoosh, meaning “many achievements”) was a man whose vision helped bridge IDAHO a gap between two cultures. Having been recognized for his bravery and leadership, he was made a chief of the Apsáalooke (Crow) Tribe by age 28. In 1884, Rexburg Plenty Coups chose to give up his nomadic of life, and Falls Idaho way through the Indian Allotment Act, was deeded a 320- Jackson acre tract of land to develop and farm. Per the wishes of Plenty Coups and his wife, the site of his homestead has been transformed into a state park. The park includes the farmstead, home, museum, interpretive center and a sacred spring surrounded by bushes, where prayer bundles are often placed. 406.252.1289, stateparks. mt.gov/chief-plenty-coups
Ekalaka
Pompeys Huntley Pillar
Columbus
McLeod
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SOUTHEAST MONTANA
Custer
3
Greycliff Reed Point
Marmarth
Baker
Rosebud
Bighorn Broadview
Big Timber
Plevna
Forsyth
SOUTH DAKOTA
Wisdom
Wilsall
Logan
Dewey
85
Fallon
Ismay
Hysham
Ringling
Wise River
Beach
Miles City
Roundup
Boulder
Sula
Terry
Melstone
Harlowton
Martinsdale
Dickinson
Wibaux
Lewistown Hobson
Darby
Conner
Circle
Brusett Roy
Canyon Creek
Drummond
Stevensville
Monarch
Wolf Creek
Florence
Victor
Stockett
Savage
Bloomfield
Winifred
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Crane
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Belt Raynesford Geyser
Craig
Bonner Greenough
Lolo
Fairview
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Ulm
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Williston
Bainville
Sidney
Fort Shaw
Arlee
Poplar
Landusky Zortman
Augusta
St. Ignatius
Culbertson
Fort Peck
Fairfield Vaughn
Dixon Moiese
Superior
Virgelle
Fort Benton
Condon
Ronan
Paradise
Wolf Point
Glasgow
Big Sandy
Froid
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Malta
Loma
Choteau
Plains
De Borgia St. Regis
Brady
Bynum
Swan Lake
Hinsdale
Saco
Dupuyer
Somers
Rollins Proctor Dayton Elmo Big Arm
Dodson
Fort Belknap Agency
NORTH DAKO
Bigfork 1. ST. LABRE INDIAN SCHOOL Conrad Lakeside AND MUSEUM The school made aPolson humble Great Falls beginning in 1884 with the construction of a log cabin school building operated by four Ursuline Sisters. The original three-room Missoula cabin served as a residence, school, Helena dormitory and church. Today, St. Labre is responsible for Montana City the welfare and education of nearlyDeer700 American Indian Lodge children. A visit here Hamilton includes the stunning St. Labre Indian Anaconda Chapel (inspired by the teepee of the Butte Plains Indians) and the Cheyenne Indian Museum, featuring Plains Indian Belgrade Livingston artifacts. Visitors are welcome. For more information on Bozeman hours and tours, see stlabre.org. Heron
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Havre
Box Elder
Valier
Heart Butte
Medicine Lake
Rudyard
Chester
Galata
East Glacier Park
NATIONAL PARK Essex
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Chinook
Browning
West Glacier
Westby
Plentywood
Scobey
Turner
Sunburst
St. Mary
Lake McDonald
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WESTERN ADVENTURE
WE ARE WESTERN ADVENTURE FOR THESE BRONCS, LAUNCHING A CAREER MEANS LAUNCHING A COWBOY, AND THERE’S NO BETTER PLACE TO DO THAT THAN THE MILES CITY BUCKING HORSE SALE.
The name Montana is synonymous with cowboys, and that rings true especially on the green grass and rolling prairies of Southeast Montana. Rodeo is a way of life here, whether it is the indoor arena events in Billings, such as the Northern International Livestock Exposition (NILE) and the Professional Bull Riders (PBR), or the rural ranch rodeos in places like Custer or Broadus. But more than all of these, Miles City is the birthplace of genuine Montana cowboying and is world famous to this day for its deep roots in the Old West cattle trade. Out here in Southeast Montana, we like to think that the “Old West” is a way of life rather than something out of a history book. To get the true Western experience, look no further than the many authentic small towns in Southeast Montana, where the cowboy spirit continues to thrive. Their historic main streets may look like a set from a Western movie, but in reality they are bustling centers of commerce, local news and the occasional gossip, just as they have been since horse-drawn wagons rolled down the streets where pickup trucks do these days. Western culture—from the million-dollar sponsorships at the Las Vegas National Finals Rodeo to the platinum records of Nashville’s country music legends—is formed in towns like this. While you’re with us, make sure to get a custom cowboy hat, boots and chaps made just for you right in Billings.
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OUT HERE
WORLD CHAMPION Champions are made, and live, out here. Jess Lockwood, who hails from Volberg, is a two-time PBR World Champion. Haven Meged won the World Tie-Down Roping championship in 2019. When he was done, he headed back to work on the family ranch in Miles City.
Photos – Top: Bucking Horse Sale in Miles City, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development; Bottom Left: Range Rider Museum in Miles City, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development; Bottom Right: Cowgirl, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development
1.800.346.1876 | SOUTHEASTMONTANA.COM
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WESTERN ADVENTURE
DISCOVER MORE OF OUR SMALL TOWNS
RODEOS
To get to know the heart of Southeast Montana, you need to get to know our communities. First, eat when and where the locals do. There’s no better way to get a feel for what a small town is all about than by people-watching at local eateries. Second, get out and walk. A small town’s main street may seem underwhelming when you cruise through, but the truth is, you are missing many of the things that make our small towns exceptional. Third, if possible, visit local events and festivals. For instance, many small towns in Southeast Montana have weekly farmers markets in the summer. Or, plan your visit around a county fair. For more information, visit our events calendar at southeastmontana.com/events.
Nothing says “cowboy” like a good rodeo, and nowhere in Montana can you find a better variety of rodeo action than right here in Southeast Montana. For an authentic rodeo experience, venture out into the smaller communities where future rodeo stars— like world champion bullrider Jess Lockwood and tie-down roping star Haven Meged—are groomed on the small-town rodeo scene and become the faces of professional rodeo.
AN AUTHENTIC WESTERN EXPERIENCE For a unique family getaway and an intimate look at life on the ranch, take a cattle or horse drive vacation at Dryhead Ranch and experience not only an authentic working cattle ranch, but the heritage of Montana’s rich ranching roots and the legacy of one small-town Montana ranching family. Ride with real cowboys, explore American Indian heritage and culture, and learn the ropes of life on the ranch. cattledrivevacations.com
Billings is your town for big rodeo fun. Watch the PBR, the NILE and the Chase Hawks Rough Stock Invitational. If you’re looking for a rodeo experience that is a good mix of the two, then what you really want is the World-Famous Bucking Horse Sale in Miles City, held annually in May. Other unique rodeo experiences to be found in Southeast Montana include Indian rodeos and ranch rodeos. The latter may be what folks call the “real” cowboys—they work the ranch during the week and occasionally compete on the weekends. Indian rodeo, in which tribal members demonstrate their kinship with horse, is a quietly growing culture, culminating with the Indian National Finals Rodeo every October. See southeastmontana.com/things-to-do for details.
Photos – Above: Cowboys in Southeast Montana, Sharon Borla; Inset Photos – 1. Powder River County Historical Museum, Powder River County Historical Museum; 2. Huntley Project Museum of Integrated Agriculture, Huntley Project Ag Museum; 3. Range Riders Museum, Donnie Sexton; 4. Western Heritage Center, Donnie Sexton; 5. O’Fallon Historical Museum, O’Fallon Historical Museum 28
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Rexford
Yaak
5
Troy
Eureka Fortine Trego
Babb
Polebridge
Cut Bank
Apgar
MUST-SEE LOCATIONS Columbia Coram Falls Martin City GLACIER
Libby
Whitefish Kalispell
Heron
Marion
Noxon
Hungry Horse
Kila
East Glacier Park
NATIONAL PARK Essex
Rudyard
Chester
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Box Elder
Conrad
Haugan
Charlo
Superior
Ulm
Seeley Lake
Cascade
ID
Alberton
O AH
Helmville
Clinton
East Helena
Florence
Stevensville
Corvallis
Jordan
Denton
Glendive Sand Springs
Winnett
Grass Range
Utica
Garrison
Elliston
Clancy
Mosby
Judith Gap
Winston
Jefferson City Basin
Philipsburg
White Sulphur Springs
Two Dot
Townsend
Ingomar
Broadview
Sula
Jackson
Divide
Silver Star
Melrose
Twin Bridges
Whitehall
Harrison Pony Norris Sheridan
Polaris
Alder
Salmon
Dillon
Bannack
Clyde Park
Gallatin Gateway
Nevada Ennis City
Virginia City
Manhattan
Three Forks
Pray Emigrant
Big Sky
Grant
Mammoth Hot Springs
Monida
West Yellowstone
Lakeview
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Island Park
Spencer
Columbus
McLeod
Absarokee Fishtail
Nye
Roscoe
Ashland
Olive Broadus
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Birney Otter
Biddle
Alzada
Decker
WYOMING
WYOMING Sheridan
Spearfish
DEVIL’S TOWER
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Greybull
Deadwood
Sundance
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Newcastle
Wright
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Worland
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5. O’FALLON HISTORICAL MUSEUM Housed in what was once the O’Fallon County Jail, built in 1916, the O’Fallon Historical Museum is home to thousands of items showcasing life on the Montana prairie in Baker from the early 1900s to the 1920s. The main attraction at the museum is Steer Montana, the largest recorded steer. Local rancher Jack Guth raised the steer, and they traveled together to more than 60 different state fairs, stock shows and carnivals in places as far away as Fort Worth, Texas, and Los Angeles, California. Steer Montana grew to be 5 feet 11 inches tall and 10 feet 4 inches long and weighed in at 3,980 pounds. The local theory as to why he grew to be so massive was that Guth fed him grain mash, a by-product produced in great quantities by the local bootleggers—or so the story goes. 406.778.3265, falloncounty.net/museum.html
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Rapid City
MT RUSHMORE
Jewel Cave NP
Custer 16
Hot Springs
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Gillette
4. WESTERN HERITAGE CENTER Buffalo The Western Heritage Center is a 25 regional museum with collections, exhibits and programs telling stories of life in the Yellowstone River Valley. Located in historic downtown Billings, the building that houses the Western Heritage Center is Casper the former Parmly Billings Library, built in 1901. The Western Heritage Center provides both long-term and changing exhibits with interactive components, as well as educational programs for visitors of all ages. The museum cares for more than 16,000 artifacts and an extensive collection that illustrates and documents the history of the Yellowstone River Valley. Guided tours are available for groups with reservations along with seasonal Hoof-it With a Historian walking tours. 406.256.6809, ywhc.org 16
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3. RANGE RIDERS MUSEUM Fort Keogh, named after a soldier who fell at the Battle of Little Bighorn, was established near present-day Miles City soon after the battle as a permanent frontier fort. Its personnel were charged with subduing the remaining native tribes in the area. Only a few of the 100-plus buildings that made up Fort Keogh have survived, but those that still stand have been incorporated into the Range Riders Museum, one of the largest Western museums in the area. The museum tells the story of the Southeast Montana pioneer and contains a wealth of artifacts, including saddles, antique cameras, patchwork quilts and more than 400 firearms. The museum also hosts a frontier town with 11 shops representing the old Main Street in Miles City. 406.232.6146, rangeridersmuseum.org
Fort Smith
Wyola
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Moran
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Busby
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Volborg
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Ashton
Arco
Crow Agency
Lame Deer
Saint Garryowen Xavier Lodge Grass
Lovell
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Bridger
Colstrip
Hardin
Belfry
Tower Junction
Canyon Norris Madison Junction Lake West Thumb Old Faithful Grant Village
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Roberts
Park City Rockvale Joliet Pryor
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Ekalaka
Pompeys Pillar
Billings
Red Lodge
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Laurel
Silver Cooke Gate City
Gardiner
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Greycliff Reed Point
Cameron
2. HUNTLEY PROJECT MUSEUM OF IRRIGATED AGRICULTURE With 10.4 acres, 18 homestead buildings, hundreds of farm IDAHO implements and thousands of other artifacts on display, the Huntley Project Museum of Irrigated Rexburg Agriculture interprets what life was like for those living Idaho Falls on the Huntley Irrigation Project from the early 1880s Jackson to the late 20th century. The museum has one of the largest collections of horse-drawn agricultural machinery in the nation, as well as other displays, including a tar paper shack, two schoolhouses, an early doctor’s office, a bank and a horse barn made from locally harvested cottonwood. 406.348.2533, huntleyprojectmuseum.org Dell Lima
Big Timber
Marmarth
SOUTH DAKOTA
Wisdom
Wilsall
Logan
Dewey
5 Baker
SOUTHEAST MONTANA
Custer
3
Plevna
3
Rosebud
Bighorn
Boulder
Wise River
85
Fallon
Forsyth
Hysham
Ringling
Beach
Ismay
Miles City
Roundup
Darby
Conner
Terry
Melstone
Harlowton
Martinsdale
Dickinson
Wibaux
Lewistown Hobson
Canyon Creek
Drummond
Victor
Neihart
Savage
Circle
Brusett Roy
Stanford
Monarch
Wolf Creek
Bonner Greenough
Lolo
Stockett
Craig
Lincoln
Ovando
Belt Raynesford Geyser
85
Crane Bloomfield
Winifred
Fort Shaw
Arlee
Fairview
13
Augusta
St. Ignatius
2
Williston
Bainville
Sidney
Landusky Zortman
Fairfield Vaughn
Dixon Moiese
Culbertson
Poplar
Fort Peck
Fort Benton
Condon
Ronan
Paradise
Glasgow
Big Sandy
Froid
13
Wolf Point
Loma
Choteau
Plains
De Borgia St. Regis
Hinsdale
Saco
Malta
Virgelle
Brady
Bynum
Swan Lake
Dodson
Fort Belknap Agency
TA NORTH DAKO
Thompson Hot Springs Falls
Rollins Proctor Dayton Elmo Big Arm
Havre
Galata
Lakeside 1. POWDER RIVER COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM & Polson Great MAC’S MUSEUM Falls Located smack-dab in the middle of prime ranching country, this little museum packs a Western punch. Missoula Discover Plains Indians artifacts, historical guns and ammunition, Helena Montana pre-1900 buggies, vintage vehicles and farm implements, City Deer Lodge practices. You will demonstrating modern-day ranching Hamilton be amazed with the extensive bit and spur collection and Anaconda Butte prized battlefield artifacts from the Reynolds Campaign in 1876. The generational bridal gown and vintageBelgrade dress Livingston collections are sure conversation-starters. Open seasonally Bozeman and by appointment. 406.436.2977 Trout Creek
Medicine Lake
Dupuyer
Bigfork
Somers
Shelby
Valier
Heart Butte
85
Chinook
Browning
West Glacier
Westby
Plentywood
Scobey
Turner
Sunburst
St. Mary
Lake McDonald
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WESTERN ADVENTURE
GET A LITTLE WESTERN
GET A LITTLE MORE WESTERN
If you’re itching to experience small-town cowboy culture, this is the loop for you. From cattle drives to horse auctions, Southeast Montana has it all.
We have so many authentic Western experiences that we created two itineraries. If you are really cowboy-crazy, try them both.
1. ROUNDUP
1. MILES CITY
Logically named for the area’s primary activity, Roundup started as a cattle-wrangling town. Visit the Musselshell Valley Historical Museum or stroll downtown to learn about the early days of “cowboying.” Today, the town boasts a RiverWalk, several quaint cafés and an emerging art scene.
Home of the world-famous Bucking Horse Sale, held annually the third weekend in May, Miles City still revolves around cowboy (and cowgirl) life. Be sure to visit the Ranger Riders Museum—a combination heritage center and historical campus—along with the Miles City Big Timber Saddlery and WaterWorks Art Museum, which illustrates Bozeman the Western story.
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2. FORSYTH Here’s a perfect example of a small town made wealthy by the railroad. Be sure to check out Forsyth’s beautiful and historic county courthouse. Visit the Rosebud County Pioneer Museum to get a glimpse of life on the prairie at the turn of the century or picnic alongside the meandering Yellowstone River. You’ll love the vintage cinema marquee, too.
3. HUNTLEY Several small communities east of Billings combine to make up the Huntley Project, a groundbreaking irrigation experiment that forever changed farming in America. Learn more at the Huntley Project Museum of Irrigated Agriculture then enjoy dining al fresco at a local favorite along the Yellowstone River.
4. BILLINGS The largest city in Montana, Billings is home to Public Auction Yards (PAYS) where you can experience live animal sales, sitting alongside buyers and sellers as sheep, cattle and horse are bartered—but don’t lift your paddle! Next, steep yourself in cowboy history at the Western Heritage Center and the Yellowstone County Museum. Or, visit the Yellowstone Art Museum to marvel at Western and modern works. Then kick back along historic Montana Avenue in Billings’ bustling downtown or stroll the state’s only walkable brewery district, the Billings Brew Trail.
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To a traveler, Volborg may not look like much, but this community is the heart of a substantial ranching population, including 2017 & 2019 Professional Bull Riders (PBR) World Champion, Jess Lockwood. Stop at the General Store to hear his story—and many others— Gardiner or snap a quick pic at the Western-style post office Cooke andCity vintage dance hall.
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Western heritage is part of everyday life in this small West town. Browse antiques, Western gifts and clothing from Yellowstone local merchants or grab a meal beside cattlemen and ranchers. Be sure to check out the meticulous Ben Patten bit and spur collection or the historic frontier cabin at the Powder River Historical Museum—the craftmanship is unequaled.
4. ALZADA If you lean toward unusual atmosphere, then you don’t want to miss the Stoneville Saloon “conveniently located in the middle of nowhere,” A.K.A. Alzada, Montana. With sawdust-covered floors, an antique bar, kitschy décor and a bartender with a million stories, you can’t go wrong. The establishment sassily advertises “Cheap Drinks, Lousy Food.” Located spitting distance to the MontanaWyoming border, Alzada is as unique as its name.
5. EKALAKA Named for the Sioux bride of local scout and frontiersman David Harrison Russell, this town is more than a phonetic challenge. Stop at the Carter County Museum for a glimpse of the past, including an exhibit legacy of Tooke rodeo bucking horses and a tribute to Southeast Montana’s military veterans along with their ranching roots. By the way, this town is pronounced: Eek-ah-lack-ah. How’s that for a conversation-starter?
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6. MEDICINE ROCKS STATE PARK Mystery is part of the allure at this eastern-most state park of “big medicine.” The sandstone spires of windworn, haunting hoodoos tell stories of native tribes with pictographs and petroglyphs where hunting parties used to gather. Western aficionado Teddy Roosevelt called it, “as fantastically beautiful a place as I have ever seen,” and we all agree that Teddy was spot-on.
7. BAKER With roots etched in ranching, this prairie town now thrives on a combination of agriculture and energy industries. Feast your eyes on the world’s largest steer at the O’Fallon Historical Museum or pick up some sandwiches and picnic at the town’s man-made lake. Be sure to ask a local about the lake’s story—there’s no Loch Ness monster, but you will be entertained.
The world’s largest steer, O’Fallon Historical Museum in Baker, Donnie Sexton 1.800.346.1876 | SOUTHEASTMONTANA.COM
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DINOSAUR ADVENTURE
DINOSAURS ONCE ROAMED THESE HILLS WE MAY CALL THEM “THE BADLANDS,” BUT FOR DINOSAURS, IT WAS HEAVEN ON EARTH. ON THE REGION’S EASTERN EDGE, YOU’LL FIND MAKOSHIKA STATE PARK, WITH A FEW MILLION YEARS OF HISTORY TO EXPLORE.
Remember when you were a kid and you dreamed about those giant creatures that once roamed the earth? You would visit natural history museums in New York City, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles and gaze in disbelief at the massive skeletons towering over you. If this sounds familiar, then there is a good chance that you have already witnessed a piece of Southeast Montana. Many of the dinosaur skeletons in these famous museums were found right here. In fact, the badlands of eastern Montana have the highest concentration of exposed dinosaur fossils in the world. Perhaps even more amazing is the fact that today, more than 100 years since the railroads began shipping carloads of Montana fossils to eastern museums, paleontologists in eastern Montana are still making new discoveries, and the number of fossils being found has continued to hold steady. The dinosaur epicenter of Southeast Montana is undoubtedly Makoshika State Park near Glendive, where the badlands are steepest and most rugged. The soil here is continually washed away year after year by rain and snow, revealing the ancient layers of earth beneath. Many of the fossils found in the park can be seen at the Makoshika State Park Visitor Center, but this is not the only place to find bones. Take a paleo tour or sign up for a private fossil hunt. What could be a better souvenir than a 65-million-year-old dinosaur bone? We encourage you to be transported back to when you were that wide-eyed kid. Rediscover the magic of a world full of these “terrible lizards,” and wander the hills where they once lived.
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OUT HERE
TYRANNOSAURUS REX The youngest T. rex ever excavated was found in Carter County, right here in Southeast Montana. A cast of the fossil can be found at the Carter County Museum in Ekalaka. Be sure to ask why she is missing her tail.
Photos – Top: Carter County Museum in Ekalaka, Nathan Satran Photography; Bottom Left: Baisch’s Dinosaur Digs, Glendive, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development; Bottom Right: Digging for fossils, Visit Southeast Montana
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DINOSAUR ADVENTURE
HELL CREEK FORMATION The Hell Creek Formation is part of what makes Southeast Montana so special to paleontologists and dinosaur enthusiasts. The formation refers to a layer of earth that was on the surface at the time when dinosaurs roamed the planet. In modern times, this layer is far beneath ground level in most places, making it difficult or impossible to reach in order to find dinosaur fossils. In eastern Montana, this layer is exposed due to the unique environment of erosion and ground upheaval that exists in Montana’s badlands. Though made famous in Montana, this formation also runs into North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. To the trained eye, the formation can actually be seen and recognized by the texture and color of the soil, which is different from the layers above and below it. These colors are best seen at Makoshika State Park, where the steep cliffs, tall spires and scenic vistas allow visitors to view the formation from different vantage points.
GUIDED DINOSAUR DIGS If you’re ready to go out and find some bones yourself, then join in on a dinosaur dig. There are several organizations in Southeast Montana that take groups and individuals out into the Montana badlands in search of dinosaur bones.
Makoshika State Park staff will take you on a “Paleo Experience” with an in-depth visitor center tour, a visit to the center’s Paleo Lab, and a hike on the Diane Gabriel Trail to see the Hadrosaur fossil exhibit. The Glendive Dinosaur & Fossil Museum hosts exciting full-day and half-day digs on a private dig site just outside Glendive. The Carter County Museum Annual Dino Shindig takes place at the end of July and has been called the “Montana Event of the Year,” drawing folks from all over the world. Excavate real fossils from one of the museum’s active dig sites and listen to lectures from leading paleontologists. Check each organization’s website for more info and registration requirements. Some groups will even let you keep the bones you find. Remember that on public land, it is illegal to remove any dinosaur bones. Also, it can sometimes be difficult to know whether the land you are on is publicly or privately owned. Always be sure you know whose land you are on before hiking or driving off road.
Photos – Above: Baisch’s Dinosaur Digs, Glendive, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development; Inset Photos – 1. Frontier Gateway Museum, Frontier Gateway Museum; 2. Carter County Museum, Nathan Satran Photography; 3. Glendive Dinosaur & Fossil Museum, Lynn Donaldson; 4. Makoshika State Park, Visit Southeast Montana; 5. Fossil hunting along Montana’s Dinosaur Trail, Carter County Museum 34
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Elliston
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Philipsburg
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Ingomar
Silver Star Melrose
Twin Bridges
Whitehall Harrison Pony Norris
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Three Forks
Gallatin Gateway
Jackson
Sheridan
Polaris
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4. MAKOSHIKA STATE PARK Gillette Buffalo VISITOR CENTER The Visitor Center at Makoshika25State Park, which is operated by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, showcases some of the fossils found in the park, as well as evidence of early humans discovered there. Stopping here before continuing on into the park will allow you to gain anCasper understanding of the interesting features you will see on the scenic drive around the park and better enjoy your experience. The annual Buzzard Day celebration welcomes summer and the return of the buzzard, or turkey vulture. During the summer season, register for a “Paleo Experience” to learn how fossils are collected, documented and curated, or join a related ranger talk. 406.377.6256, stateparks.mt.gov/makoshika 14
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5. THE MONTANA DINOSAUR TRAIL Montana offers spectacular “handson” archaeological, paleontological and geological experiences. There are 14 stops along the Montana Dinosaur Trail that allow you to discover Montana’s paleontological treasures for yourself. You will have opportunities to see one-of-a-kind specimens like “Leonardo,” the mummy Brachylophosaurus or see a dig site in Makoshika State Park. The trail begins in Southeast Montana at the Carter Country Museum in Ekalaka and continues on to Makoshika State Park, the Frontier Gateway Museum and 11 other facilities across Montana. mtdinotrail.org
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3. GLENDIVE DINOSAUR & FOSSIL MUSEUM The Glendive Dinosaur & Fossil Museum features 20,000 square feet of dinosaur fossil exhibits, including Stegosaurus, Pachycephalosaurus and many other singular fossils found in the area. This museum is unique in that it seeks to explain the existence of dinosaurs within the context of biblical creationism and is the largest of its kind in the United States. An exhibit called “The Man and Dinosaurs” provides evidence collected throughout paleontology’s history that suggests it is possible that dinosaurs and man coexisted. No matter what you believe, the museum’s incredible collection and unique perspective make it worth a stop for any dinosaur enthusiast. The museum also hosts digs via advance reservations. 406.377.3228, creationtruth.org
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Bozeman 2. CARTER COUNTY MUSEUM The Carter County Museum, Dillon Montana’s first county museum, was founded in 1936 and houses an impressive collection of firearms, American Indian artifacts and, of IDAHO course, dinosaur bones. Located in the town of Ekalaka, the museum’s paleontological collection includes a mounted skeleton of a Hadrosaur that displays the actual dinosaur’s bones, not a Rexburg model—as is seen in most larger museums. It also displays the complete Idaho Falls Jackson skull of Triceratops, Pachycephalosaurus and plesiosaurus, a marine fossil. All of these bones were found locally in nearby exposures of the Hell Creek Formation. The last weekend in July, the Carter County Museum celebrates “all things dino” annually with the Dino Shindig. 406.775.6886, cartercountymuseum.org
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Bigfork Conrad 1. FRONTIER GATEWAY MUSEUM Lakeside A member of the Montana Dinosaur Trail, the Frontier Gateway Museum Polson Great Falls offers a walk way back in time with “Margie” the full-sized skeleton cast of Struthiomimus, named for the MissoulaGlendive woman who found it near in the 1990s. Exhibits include a Helena full-size Stegoceras replica, plus an impressive collection Montana City of historic structures, vintage photographs and books, Deer Lodge Hamilton fossils, medieval armor and turn-of-the-century gowns. Anaconda 406.377.8168, frontiergatewaymuseum.org Butte Heron
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DINOSAUR ADVENTURE
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DINOSAURS AND DIGS The eastern Montana badlands are one of the best places in the world to find dinosaur fossils and study related geology. If you are following the Montana Dinosaur Trail, be sure to pick up your passport stamps at the indicated facilities. This route will take you through the heart of dino country in Southeast Montana and bring out your inner rock-hound. Start your journey in either Miles City or Glendive.
1. GLENDIVE The Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum, which gives an alternative, creationist approach, and Frontier Gateway Museum are both must-see spots for dinosaur enthusiasts. Once you’ve learned about our local dinosaurs, check out Makoshika State Park and see if you can spot a few yourself, or sign up for a fossil dig on private property. Both Frontier Gateway and Makoshika are stops along the Montana Dinosaur Trail, so be sure to have your passport stamped.
2. BAKER Pop into the O’Fallon Historical Museum for an up-closeand-personal look at locally found fossils, including triceratops and hadrosaurs. After your excursion, stop at a local brewery and advance your geological education while wetting your whistle. For something different, try beer-yoga on Sundays.
3. MEDICINE ROCKS STATE PARK Halfway between Baker and Ekalaka is a state park like no other. Stroll among the strange Gardiner and fascinating Cooke City sandstone pillars sprouting a hundred feet above the rolling prairies. Listen closely, and you will hear their stories created more than 60 million years ago as an YELLOWSTONE ancient river laid down the rocks that became NATIONALthe PARK Fort West Union formation. Some primate precursors have been Yellowstone found at the Medicine Rocks area. 89
4. EKALAKA Home of Carter County Museum, Montana’s first county museum and another stop on the Montana Dinosaur Trail. The dinosaur exhibits, including collections dating back to the 1930s, cover 90 million years of history. Scientists from across the globe trek to Ekalaka to study the Cretaceous extinction event and subsequent “recovery period” that are well-preserved from a thin layer of ash—it is that popular. Visit during the annual Dino ShinDig the last weekend in July to learn the dirt on dinos from international experts.
5. BROADUS The Powder River Historical Museum includes Mac’s Museum, one man’s lifetime collection of more than 22,000 fossils, rocks and arrowheads from the local area and across the world. You will find military artifacts unearthed from the Reynold’s Battlefield, a forerunner of the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Photos – Above: Makoshika State Park, Nathan Satran Photography; Right: Glendive Dinosaur & Fossil Museum, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development 36
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6. MILES CITY Take some time to visit Montana’s best-preserved saloon on Miles City’s Main Street and imagine you’re drinking your whiskey alongside rich cattle barons (or ruthless cattle rustlers). Spend time hunting agates along the Yellowstone River, exploring the seasonally-available Pirogue Island State Park or hike the aptly-name Strawberry Hill Recreation Area just east of town.
7. TERRY Situated on the edge of the Terry Badlands, this small community is another agate paradise. Or, step up your adventure by driving, biking or hiking the Calypso Trail.* Don’t miss Chimney Rock, the natural bridges or the plethora of hoodoos. For a more sedate look at this distinguished area, learn about world-renowned prairie photographer Evelyn Cameron at the Prairie County Museum and Evelyn Cameron Gallery or the Evelyn Cameron Heritage center. *We suggest high-clearance, all-wheel-drive vehicles on dry roads. 1.800.346.1876 | SOUTHEASTMONTANA.COM
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HUNTING & FISHING
LEGENDARY FISHING AND HUNTING OUT HERE, WE’RE BIG ON TRADITION. WE’VE GOT ALL THE MAKINGS FOR THE CATCH OR HUNT OF A LIFETIME, MOST NOTABLY WIDE-OPEN SPACES WHERE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS.
Fishing and hunting are some of our favorite pastimes and most time-honored traditions in Southeast Montana. With tens of thousands of acres of wide-open public land, those who come here are sure to have a genuine Montana adventure. We’ve even heard the term epic tossed about.
OUT HERE
RECORD FISH
We like to brag up our rivers, no matter if you sport a fly rod or a casting rod. And the massive Bighorn Lake is home to a reservoir that’s perfect for finding a secluded spot to shut off your boat’s motor, grab your gear and relax without another person in sight.
In Montana, we know about big fish. The largest black crappie and Northern pike were both caught on the Tongue River Reservoir, while the state record white crappie was reeled in on the Tongue River itself.
And that’s not all. The small towns that surround our hunting and fishing hot spots provide a well-rounded Montana experience that’s as authentic as they come. If you play your cards right, we may even divulge some of our secret fishing holes and favorite hunting grounds over friendly conversation at a local bar. When you get to know our people, you get to know our region.
Photos – Top: Fishing the Bighorn River, Nathan Satran Photography; Bottom Left: Antelope, Alexis Bonogofsky; Bottom Right: Bird hunting, Nathan Satran Photography
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HUNTING & FISHING
FISHING SOUTHEAST MONTANA Anglers in the know make their way to Southeast Montana, where an unforgettable big-sky fishing experience awaits among scenic landscapes and world-class waterways. The species of fish here are many and diverse, ranging from rainbow and brown trout to bass, carp, catfish and the prehistoric paddlefish. Visit fwp.mt.gov to see what types of fish are available and where you can find them. Increase your odds of reeling in a monster trout and book a guided fishing adventure.
GUIDES AND OUTFITTERS Whether you’re an expert just looking for someone to show you where the best fishing holes are, or a complete novice who’s never picked up a rod, the fishing guides in Southeast Montana can provide you with the trip of a lifetime. These folks make it
their business to know the best bends in the river, what’s biting and when, so you can make the most of your getaway. Visit southeastmontana.com/guided-trips and find someone to show you what to tie on your line and where to cast it.
NONRESIDENT FISHING LICENSES In order to fish in Montana, you will need to purchase both a conservation license and a fishing license. These can be secured at a Fish, Wildlife & Parks office in Montana, at any licensing vendor or online (print out your license at home or keep a PDF handy on your mobile device). Visit the FWP website for more information. fwp.mt.gov/fish/
Photos – Above: Bird hunting, Nathan Satran Photography; Inset Photos – 1. Yellowstone River, Aaron Waller; 2. Bighorn Canyon, Andy Austin; 3. Tongue River, Alexis Bonogofsky; 4. Paddlefishing, Visit Glendive; 5. Channel catfish, Shutterstock 40
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BIG FISHING AND HUNTING EXPERIENCES
1. THE LOWER YELLOWSTONE RIVER Not just big and spectacularly scenic, the longest undammed river in the lower 48 flattens out in Southeast Montana and becomes an epic, warm-water fishery for smallmouth bass, pike, sauger, catfish and walleye, depending on season. Bring your own boat and take the float-fishing adventure of a lifetime on one of the world’s most famous—and beautiful—rivers. The best part is, you’ll have a sizeable portion of the river all to yourself. Access is easy with multiple designated fishing access sites. The Yellowstone is your destination for a lengthy, and memorable, float trip. 2. BIGHORN CANYON Whether you’re fishing Bighorn Lake or the Bighorn River, the name says it all. Fishing “The ‘Horn” truly is big. There are a dozen species of catchable fish in Bighorn Lake alone, and most serious anglers know that the renowned Bighorn River rises to the top of Montana’s list of world-class trout streams. You’ve got miles and miles of river to choose from, and a variety of species of fish to catch. The river can frequently be fished by both waders and floaters, with a payoff of brown and rainbow trout averaging 15 to 16 inches. Bring your own boat or go with a guide. 3. TONGUE RIVER RESERVOIR, CASTLE ROCK LAKE AND THE MUSSELSHELL RIVER One of the region’s hidden fishing paradises—and ice-fishing favorites—the 12-mile-long Tongue River Reservoir is situated among scenic red shale, juniper canyons and the open prairies of Southeast Montana. The park is loved by Montana and Wyoming anglers, campers and boaters. The reservoir boasts excellent bass, crappie, walleye and northern pike fishing, with two state-record fish pulled from its waters. Castle Rock Lake in Colstrip, Lake Elmo in Billings and Arapooish Pond are also excellent ice fishing spots. The Musselshell River is one of Southeast Montana’s best-kept wade-fishing secrets— locals head there to reel in three-pound smallmouth bass in solitude.
4. PADDLEFISH During late May and June, a special breed of anglers travels to a rocky stretch of the Yellowstone River near Glendive, at the Intake Diversion Dam. Here, they rig up their saltwater fishing gear and churn the coffeecolored water to catch their yearly quota of the senior citizen of the Yellowstone—the paddlefish. Paddlefish are also caught in lesser numbers at the mouths of the Tongue and Powder rivers and the Forsyth Diversion Dam. Ask a local for the best fishing places and techniques for catching these prehistoric fish. If you snag one, the paddlefish roe can be donated to the Glendive Chamber of Commerce, where it is processed into worldrenowned Yellowstone Caviar. Take some home for a unique taste of Southeast Montana. 406.234.0900, fwp. mt.gov/fish 5. CATFISH AND CARP Bighorn Lake—and the other ponds—are excellent spots for bow and fly fishing. Carpobsessed anglers head here for the challenge of reeling one in, and to take part in the wildly fun Bighorn Lake Carp Tournament, held annually. Catfish are one of the lesser-known sought-after catches in Southeast Montana. Make your way to the Yellowstone River for some of the best catfishing in the state.
OUT HERE
WORLD-RECORD BULL ELK The world-record archery bull elk was bagged in Southeast Montana in 2016 in Powder River County; the world-record non-typical rifle elk was also harvested in in Powder River County.
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HUNTING & FISHING
HUNTING SOUTHEAST MONTANA The rolling prairies of Southeast Montana provide the ideal landscape for those who seek an authentic hunting experience. This tradition has been a way of life since the beginning of human existence, and Montana is the epitome of preserving and celebrating this pastime. It’s also par for the course to catch up on the day’s hunt at a nearby watering holes in one of the region’s friendly small towns—sharing stories over local food and some of the best craft beer around. This is all part of the charm that will keep you coming back to this part of Montana year after year. Elk tags are hard to come by, but there are plenty of opportunities for pronghorn antelope, deer (mule and white-tailed) along with birds (upland and waterfowl) plus two seasons of turkeys—fall and spring.
GUIDES AND OUTFITTERS Without a doubt, the best way to ensure that your hunting trip to Southeast Montana is a complete success is by planning it with a local outfitter. These hunting experts are located throughout the region and can provide you with all the hunting equipment you need and can show you the best methods to finding those big bucks. Visit our website at southeastmontana.com/ hunting-fishing to find hunting outfitters in our region.
NONRESIDENT HUNTING PERMITS/LICENSES Information regarding the process for purchasing nonresident hunting licenses and permits can be found in the hunting section of the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website. Some permits can be purchased over the counter, while others require a draw. Requirements change each year, so be sure to check online before planning your trip. Hunting outfitters and guides can also help by providing you with information on how to increase your chances of getting your permit.
MOR E RO OM TO ROA M Imagine uncluttered views that stretch across a sea of prairie and wide open expanses teeming with opportunities to explore. Picture impossibly bright night skies, big water recreation, real-life dinosaur digs and countless wildlife sightings. All this and more awaits in Montana’s Northeast corner, Missouri River Country.
FREE PLANNER: CALL 800.653.1319 MISSOURIRIVERMT.COM
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HUNTING AND FISHING BONUS For those who want to take advantage of both hunting and fishing all in one trip, planning a “Cast & Blast” on the Bighorn River is a way to maximize your outdoors time. Start by hunting waterfowl in the morning and then grab your boat to fish for trout by the afternoon – it’s one of the best ways to spend a full day immersed in what Montana does best. When you’re not on the river, fall is also a perfect time to recreate among the gorgeous, golden hues of the season.
FISH, WILDLIFE & PARKS Southeast Montana spans two Fish, Wildlife & Parks regions. These offices are here to help answer any and all questions you may have about hunting or fishing in Southeast Montana. The headquarters for Region 5 is in Billings at 2300 Lake Elmo Drive and can be reached at 406.247.2940. More information on Region 5 can be found at fwp.mt.gov/regions/r5/. The headquarters for Region 7 is in Miles City at 352 I-94 Business Loop and can be reached at 406.234.0900. More information on Region 7 can be found at fwp.mt.gov/regions/r7/.
BIG GAME HUNTING That’s just what you’ll find here—a big hunting experience for big game in our big, beautiful landscape. The plains of eastern Montana have been called the Serengeti of North America because of the abundance of wildlife here and the room to spread out and enjoy the hunt. The most plentiful big game animals are pronghorn antelope, mule deer, white-tailed deer and elk.
Photos – Below: Bird hunting, Eric Petersen; Inset Photos – Top: Elk, Sharon Borla; Bottom Right: Bird hunting, Connor Maas
UPLAND BIRD AND WATERFOWL HUNTING A variety of birds can be harvested in Southeast Montana, including grouse, pheasant, partridge, ducks, geese and turkeys. Some birds may require special permits, so consult a guide or Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to be sure you have everything you need for your bird-hunting adventure. The Musselshell area has a strong population of Merriam’s turkey, and many hunters come here to finish their Grand Slam. The waterfowl season typically extends well into January with colder temperatures offering phenomenal hunting.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
CALENDAR OF EVENTS WE’RE BIG ON CELEBRATING OUR HERITAGE, AND OUR EVENTS CALENDAR IS ALWAYS FULL. PLAN YOUR TRIP TO EXPERIENCE SOUTHEAST MONTANA FESTIVITIES AND TRADITIONS.
Some of the biggest draws to Southeast Montana are our annual events. The Little Bighorn Battle Reenactment, the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale and the Crow Fair are known all over the world, and below are more of this year’s highlights.
MAY
BUCKING HORSE SALE, MILES CITY There are rodeos and then there are rodeos. In fact, many rodeos have their roots right here in Miles City, as the Bucking Horse Sale annually debuts some of the finest bucking stock seen across the continent. 406.234.2890, buckinghorsesale.com
JUNE
BUZZARD DAY AT MAKOSHIKA STATE PARK, GLENDIVE Celebrates the return of the turkey vulture. All-ages events include the famous toughest 10k in Montana, 5k and kids 1-mile fun run, plus performances by American Indian drummers and dancers, archery and atlatl stations, bird walk, paleo-hike, bouncy houses, and food vendors. 406.377.6256, stateparks.mt.gov/makoshika
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OUT HERE
LOCAL EVENTS Local events give travelers a truly authentic taste of Montana communities. For unique experiences you won’t find anywhere else, be sure to look at event calendars while you’re in the area. Visit
southeastmontana. com/events to see what’s happening.
Photos – Top: Little Bighorn Days in Hardin, Donnie Sexton; Bottom Left: Crow Fair, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development; Bottom Right: Mutton bustin’, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS
LITTLE BIGHORN DAYS, HARDIN
ANNUAL DINO SHINDIG, EKALAKA
On June 25 thru 27, Hardin will commemorate the epic battle between the Plains Indians and the 7th Cavalry with Little Bighorn Days. These three days of festivities echo the sights and sounds of the past. Downtown Hardin events include a parade, demolition derby, car show, food vendors, craft vendors and a street dance with a local favorite, Exit 53, performing. Living History at the Big Horn County Historical Museum includes an 1870s infantry encampment, blacksmithing and interpretive talks. 406.665.1672, southeastmontana.com/community/hardin
Celebrates dinosaurs with lectures by world-famous paleontologists, children’s activities, educational booths, demonstrations, a BBQ lunch, street dance and bat walk, plus a paleontologist-led fossil expedition and performances at Medicine Rocks State Park. 406.775.6886, cartercountymuseum.org
BATTLE OF LITTLE BIGHORN REENACTMENT, CROW AGENCY Reenacted on the Crow Reservation by professional Cavalry reenactors and members of the American Indian tribes that played a part in the battle. Learn about the events that led up to the infamous conflict and watch how the battle played out. littlebighornreenactment.com
JULY
ROUNDUP INDEPENDENCE DAYS EXTRAVAGANZA (RIDE), ROUNDUP Three days of 4th of July festivities featuring community parades, special events for kids, two evenings of live music and a youth rodeo, plus a carnival and community rodeo in town. 406.323.4163, roundupindependencedays.com 46
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AUGUST
CROW FAIR AND RODEO, CROW AGENCY One of the largest gatherings of the year for the Apsáalooke Nation and the largest modern-day American Indian encampment in the nation. The event includes a powwow each night at the center of the encampment as well as horse racing and Indian-relay horse races. 406.638.3808, crazycrow.com/site/event/crow-faircelebration-pow-wow-and-rodeo/
OCTOBER
NILE STOCK SHOW AND RODEO, BILLINGS The NRA-sanctioned rodeo is one of the first opportunities for professional cowboys to qualify for the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. The Western Expo is also held in conjunction with the NILE, and showcases cowboy collectibles, clothing, Western art and farm/ ranch equipment. 406.256.2495, thenile.org
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
FARMERS MARKETS
COUNTY FAIRS
Many communities in Southeast Montana hold weekly farmers markets throughout the summer. Shop for locally grown food and goods made by talented local artists. southeastmontana.com/things-to-do
There is no better showcase for everything that is great about rural communities than a county fair. Enjoy prize livestock, dancing, arts and crafts, and rodeos. The Montana Fair in Billings is the state’s largest and brings in big-name musicians, carnival rides, PRCA rodeo and more.
For a comprehensive list of Southeast Montana events, check out our events calendar at southeastmontana.com/events or Visit Southeast Montana’s events page on Facebook.
Photos – Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Andy Austin; Above Right: Rosebud County Fair, Nathan Satran Photography
TASTE OUR PLACE: MADE IN MONTANA Get the full Southeast Montana experience. Buy authentic and local while you’re with us. From cafes, bakeries and coffee shops to breweries, distilleries and wineries, our small towns are full of local establishments featuring menus with locally-sourced ingredients. Look for the Taste our Place logo on storefronts when you’re out and about. In addition, the artists and craftspeople who call Montana home are a great source for Made in Montana gifts and souvenirs. You’ll find their goods—jewelry, art, pottery and apparel—at local shops and farmers markets throughout the region. Look for the Made in Montana and the Native Made in Montana logos, and take home something authentic. Check out madeinmontanausa.com/Taste-our-Place for more information. 1.800.346.1876 | SOUTHEASTMONTANA.COM
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DIRECTORY OF TOWNS
DIRECTORY OF TOWNS OUR SMALL TOWNS ARE THE HEART OF THE REGION. NOW THAT YOU’VE READ ABOUT ALL THERE IS TO SEE AND DO OUT HERE IN SOUTHEAST MONTANA, IT’S TIME TO DRILL DOWN AND REALLY FIGURE OUT WHERE TO BEGIN.
This section gives a brief description of each community in Southeast Montana. Big or small, every town has something to offer—just take the time to stop and look. Consider this your guidebook for the practicalities in Southeast Montana. Communities are listed here alphabetically. As always, there’s more information at southeastmontana.com.
ACTON Acton is 16 miles northwest of Billings. Its population numbers less than 100 people, but this is cattle country, and the little town and post office serve many people in outlying ranches. Acton began as a station on the Great Northern Railroad. Hang out with the locals at 3 North Bar & Grill. southeastmontana.com/community/acton
OUT HERE
SMALL-TOWN WELCOMES Come here as a stranger and return home as a friend. The folks in our towns excel at warm welcomes—all you have to do is say hello. Belly up to century-old bars and eat the local specialties for a taste of the real Montana.
ALZADA Alzada began as little more than a saloon in 1877. It was located strategically along cattle trails and serviced the thirsty cowboys looking for a break from their long, hard days on the prairie. Mr. M. Stone, who also owned a store and was the town’s first postmaster, built the local saloon. Today Alzada is much as it was then, a great place to stop for gas, a snack or a drink. southeastmontana.com/community/alzada
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Photos – Top: Cruising down Highway 7 near Baker, Donnie Sexton; Bottom Left: Über Brew in Billings, Visit Montana; Bottom Right: Downtown Billings, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development
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DIRECTORY OF TOWNS
Bucking Horse Sale in Miles City, Montana Office of Tourism and Business Development
ASHLAND
BALLANTINE
Ashland is on the Tongue River at the mouth of Otter Creek. The post office was established under this name in 1886. Ashland is division headquarters for the Custer Gallatin National Forest, and it is possible that the name comes from the abundance of ash trees. The town is a trade center for a group of cattle ranchers and for American Indians from the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. The St. Labre Mission and Cheyenne Indian Museum, the St. Labre Indian School and the Ashland Labor Day Powwow are of special interest in the Ashland area. southeastmontana.com/community/ashland
Ballantine was founded in 1907 in conjunction with the Huntley Irrigation Project just east of Billings. As the Irrigation Project thrived and the sagebrush prairie began to give way to various crops, the area’s population slowly grew. A post office was opened in Ballantine to serve the growing number of homesteaders in the area. huntleyproject.net
BAKER Baker first boomed when the Milwaukee Railroad came across Montana in the 1900s. It received its name from A.G. Baker, the construction engineer for the main railroad line. Today, the town is experiencing an energy boom, and the many shops and restaurants buzz with activity. Medicine Rocks State Park lies 25 miles south of Baker and offers unique camping and hiking opportunities. Baker offers a variety of year-round activities, including fishing, boating and water-skiing at Baker Lake; hunting for deer, antelope, pheasant and wild turkeys; and snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. Events in Fallon County include a Classic Car Show, Fallon County Fair, Fall Festival, Bump and Run Races and Motocross Races, just to name a few. Baker also boasts the O’Fallon County Museum and Prairie Rose Antique Car Museum. 406.778.2266, bakermt.com
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BILLINGS Billings is “Montana’s Trailhead” and largest city. Many visitors to Southeast Montana enter the state via Billings Logan International Airport, and Billings makes a perfect basecamp for your excursions into Southeast Montana. If you want to experience big-city dining, lodging and shopping, all with the small-town friendliness you’d expect in a visit to Montana, Billings is your place. It’s also home to the state’s only Walkable Brewery District. Call/text 406.245.4111, visitbillings.com
BROADUS Broadus lies along the scenic and historic Warrior Trail near the junction of the Powder and Little Powder rivers. It was named for the Broaddus family, settlers on the Powder River. Broadus is known today for its cattle, oil and outstanding school system. It’s also a great place for history buffs. The Reynolds Battlefield is just a short drive from town. Visitors can also stop by the Powder River Historical Museum and Mac’s Museum to admire the general store, the original county jail and more. The Powder River Taxidermy and Tannery Museum features wildlife mounts, antique guns and local art. 406.436.2778, prchamberofcomm.com
DIRECTORY OF TOWNS
BROADVIEW
CUSTER
Broadview was established around 1908 when the Great Northern Railway’s Billings and Northern branch line was built. Broadview was incorporated in 1917. In 1934, almost half the town burned in a devastating fire. southeastmontana.com/community/broadview
Custer was named for Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, who was killed in 1876 at the famous Battle of Little Bighorn. Custer was a freight station for traders bringing supplies to the Crow Indian Reservation. Custer is a friendly town along the Yellowstone River where visitors can enjoy agate hunting. Floating the river allows agate hunters to search the many sand and gravel bars along the shore as well as the gravel islands. Fishing is another popular pastime. Nearby, at the junction of the Bighorn and Yellowstone rivers, is the site of Fort Manuel Lisa, the first building in Montana built by white men. The Manuel Lisa fishing access is about 4.5 miles east of Custer. southeastmontana.com/community/custer
BUSBY Busby, on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, is named for Sheridan Busby, a homesteader who came to the area in 1895 and established the first post office here in 1904. Trader W.P. Moncure erected the Two Moon Monument at Busby in 1936. In 1993, the remains of 10 men, five women and two children who died about 116 years earlier during the Indian Wars were buried in a circle near the Two Moon Monument on U.S. Highway 212 after they were retrieved from various museums across the country. southeastmontana.com/ community/busby
COLSTRIP Colstrip was founded in 1924 when the Northern Pacific Railroad started mining coal nearby to fuel its steam locomotives. Once the railroads switched from coal to diesel fuel, however, the mine closed, and Colstrip was left nearly abandoned. When the Montana Power Company purchased the mine as well as the town site of Colstrip, they reopened it and just a few years later construction on the Colstrip Power Plant began. Today, Colstrip is a quiet, closely knit community with more than 2,000 citizens and 22 parks. On the edge of town is the picturesque Castle Rock Lake, which is surrounded by bike paths and picnic areas. cityofcolstrip.com
CROW AGENCY Crow Agency is the headquarters of the Crow Indian Tribe and is close to the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area and Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. Crow Agency becomes the “Teepee Capital of the World” in mid-August during the Crow Fair celebration, when American Indians from across the country come to participate in the festivities. Little Big Horn College, located in the center of Crow Agency, is a great example of modern American Indian architecture. The newly finished Health and Wellness Center incorporated state-of-the-art green technology in its construction. The town also features Veterans Memorial Park. crow-nsn.gov
EKALAKA Ekalaka is named for Ijkalaka, the Oglala Sioux niece of Chief Red Cloud and the bride of David Russell, who opened a store and saloon here in 1885. Though small, the community has two motels, a campground with hookups, several restaurants, service station and two city parks. Camp Needmore, a refurbished CCC Camp, lies just outside Ekalaka in the wooded hills. The two large barracks with kitchen and camper hookups can be rented for just a few dollars a day. Medicine Rocks State Park is just 10 miles north of Ekalaka. Ekalaka is also home to the Carter County Museum, Montana’s first county museum. southeastmontana.com/community/ekalaka
FALLON Fallon is between Miles City and Glendive. It was a station on the Northern Pacific Railway and is one of the oldest towns along the Yellowstone River. The town was named for Benjamin O’Fallon, an Army officer and nephew of William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Fallon is now in the middle of rich grain fields near the junction of the Yellowstone River and O’Fallon Creek. southeastmontana.com/community/fallon
FORSYTH With the abundant growth of cottonwood in the area, steamers often stopped here to refuel their engines. Forsyth was established in 1880 and earned its post office in 1882 when the Northern Pacific Railway arrived. The opulent buildings located along Main Street reflect the wealth of Forsyth’s early years. It’s a great place to stop for a bite to eat. Be sure to see the Rosebud County Courthouse and the Rosebud County Museum, both located along Forsyth’s Main Street. forsythmt.com
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SPONSORED
TOP 5 REASONS TO VISIT MONTANA’S YELLOWSTONE COUNTRY THIS WINTER North of Yellowstone, winter is wide open. Choose your own snow venture at three of Montana’s four largest ski areas, in the rugged backcountry or on never-ending Nordic trails, and lodge in the best small towns the West has to offer. BIG SKY RESORT. JEFF ENGERBRETSON
THREE SKI RESORTS WITH EPIC MONTANA POWDER: Big Sky Resort, Bridger Bowl and Red Lodge Mountain offer up some of the biggest skiing in America without big-mountain crowds and prices, and local vibes prevail in the ski towns they call home. BRIDGER BOWL. PAT CLAYTON
GATEWAY TO YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK’S WINTER WONDERLAND: Drive through the wildlife-laden Lamar Valley from Gardiner, Montana (the only park entrance open to vehicles year-round) to the friendly outpost of Cooke City, or snowmobile/snowshoe in from West Yellowstone. YELLOWSTONE’S HYDROTHERMAL FEATURES IN WINTER.
400+ INCHES OF ANNUAL SNOWFALL AND WORLD-CLASS WINTER RECREATION:
Massive snow means massive fun snowmobiling, Nordic skiing, ice climbing frozen waterfalls, dog sledding, and taking enchanting sleigh rides, all followed by soothing hot springs and crackling fires. SNOWMOBILING IN WEST YELLOWSTONE. DAN ARMSTRONG
SMALL-TOWN ADVENTURE + WESTERN HOSPITALITY: Discover the heart and soul of Montana in Yellowstone’s captivating mountain communities where lodging, eateries, breweries and distilleries lay out the warmest welcome mats around. LONE MOUNTAIN RANCH. AUDREY HALL
PREMIER WILDLIFE WATCHING: The quiet of winter brings out for Montana’s majestic
wildlife. Watch Yellowstone Country’s iconic bison, elk, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, pronghorn antelope and gray wolves in their pristine winter habitat.
BISON IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK. DONNIE SEXTON
Start discovering now. Get your FREE Travel Packet by calling 1.800.736.5276 or going to VisitYellowstoneCountry.com. 52
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DIRECTORY OF TOWNS
FORT SMITH
HARDIN
Fort C. F. Smith was established on August 12, 1866, to protect immigrants traveling on the Bozeman Trail from attacks. The Bozeman Trail crossed the Bighorn River 400 yards from the fort. The nearby Bighorn Lake extends approximately 71 miles through Wyoming and Montana, 55 miles of which are held within spectacular Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. There is a visitor center in Fort Smith. The Bighorn River below the Afterbay Dam and Campground is a world-class trout fishing area and numerous fishing outfitters are located in the area. southeastmontana.com/community/fort-smith
Hardin was named for Samuel H. Hardin, a cattleman who leased tracts of land on the Crow Reservation to range his cattle. The local industry includes farming and ranching, surface coal mining and recreational endeavors. Today, Hardin sits just outside the borders of the Crow Reservation and has several accommodations for visitors including motels, campgrounds, restaurants and shops. Area attractions include the Big Horn County Museum, Little Bighorn Battlefield and Custer National Cemetery as well as the Yellowtail Dam, Bighorn River and Tongue River Reservoir for fishing and water recreation. Each June, Hardin celebrates Little Bighorn Days with a rodeo, parade, street dance, arts and crafts fair, plus other events. Hardin is also home to two farmers markets in the downtown area, featuring locally-grown food and talented local artists. hardinmtchamber.com
GARRYOWEN Garryowen was named by Buffalo Bill Cody in 1896 for the Burlington-Quincy Railroad. Garryowen was the name of the marching song of the old 7th Cavalry. Myles Keogh, one of Custer’s officers, brought the tune and the words from Ireland. The Custer Battlefield Museum is located here on the former site of Sitting Bull’s camp, where some of the first shots of the Battle of Little Bighorn were fired. The museum includes the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and is where the burying the hatchet ceremony took place. custermuseum.org
GLENDIVE Glendive is tucked between the badlands and the Yellowstone River on I-94 and is a major hub for energy and agricultural activities in eastern Montana. Museums in Glendive include the Makoshika Dinosaur Museum, Glendive Dinosaur Museum and Frontier Gateway Museum, which together house an incredible collection of paleontological artifacts and pieces of regional history. Makoshika State Park is also near Glendive. A selfguided walking tour of Glendive’s downtown historic district leads past many buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places and the historic Bell Street Bridge. Guide brochures are available at the Glendive Chamber of Commerce. 406.377.5601, glendivechamber.com
OUT HERE
HUNTLEY Huntley was named for S.S. Huntley, a pioneer stockman. The area was part of the Crow Indian Reservation from 1874 to 1904, when the government purchased the 35,000 acres, stretching across 27 miles from Huntley east to the Little Bull Mountains. The name Huntley is short for Huntley Irrigation Project, which was the second U.S. Bureau of Reclamation irrigation project. Huntley Project is a valley of lush crops and is actually made up of four small communities: Huntley, Worden, Ballantine and Pompeys Pillar. The Huntley Project Museum of Irrigated Agriculture is located on the site of the early-day town called Osborn. The museum features a collection of more than 5,000 artifacts related to irrigated agriculture on the Montana prairie. huntleyproject.net
ZOOMONTANA
In Billings you’ll find Montana’s only zoo. With over 50 species of animals—all found along the 45th parallel across the globe—you’ll see the likes of Amur tigers, grizzly bears, river otters, bison, wolverines, bald eagles and much more.
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DIRECTORY OF TOWNS
ISMAY Ismay began as a Milwaukee station on O’Fallon Creek. It was on the old stage line that ran from Fort Lincoln at Bismarck to Fort Keogh, which is now Miles City. In May 1993, a radio station in Kansas City, Missouri, contacted the town of Ismay with a special request, asking whether the town would consider changing its name to Joe, Montana, for the duration of the football season. The radio station promoter felt that this was a great way to honor NFL quarterback Joe Montana, who had recently signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. Ismay, population 22, agreed. In celebration, the town organized a ranch rodeo, a parade and a night show for July 3. The events drew more than 2,000 spectators. southeastmontana.com/community/ismay
LAME DEER
HYSHAM Hysham, the county seat of Treasure County, is an agricultural community consisting of farms and cattle ranches. In 1906, the Crow Nation Reservation boundaries were redrawn, and the area was opened to settlement. Hysham was created as a result of ranching supplies being delivered by the railroad and was incorporated in 1916. The Treasure County ’89ers Museum preserves local history with displays and exhibits. Located across the street from the museum is the 1931 Yucca Theatre, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Local sculptor Bob Schulze created statues of William Clark, Sacagawea with Pomp, and various animals that can be found at the Yucca and other town locations. hysham.org
INGOMAR In the early days, Ingomar and Sumatra were the chief trading towns for the homesteaders in western Garfield County. Ingomar has several of its original historic buildings still intact. The original frame school building, the Jersey Lilly Bar and Café—internationally known for its beans and steaks—and the Bookman Store were all placed on the National Registry of Historic Buildings. The Historic Jersey Lilly Campground provides a meeting place for locals and visitors with good food and a place to hang your hat, hitch your RV or pitch your tent, and catch a night’s rest. southeastmontana.com/community/ingomar
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Lame Deer is between Broadus and Hardin on Deer Creek and is the tribal and government agency headquarters of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. It was named for Lame Deer, an Indian chief. Dull Knife and the Northern Cheyenne returned to Lame Deer following their long march home after being held in Oklahoma. Attractions here include the Chief Dull Knife Cultural Center, the Jesse Mullin Picture Museum, the Arts and Crafts Center and the Charging Horse Casino. Lame Deer also hosts the 4th of July Powwow. cheyennenation.com
LAUREL North of Laurel is where the battle between the Nez Perce Indians, led by Chief Joseph, and the U.S. Cavalry, led by Col. Samuel Sturgis, took place. The Chief Joseph Monument on the outskirts of Laurel rests where the famous Nez Perce passed while leading his people toward Canada in 1877. Of local historical significance is Riverside Park, located south of the Yellowstone River bridge, which was the site of a prisoner of war camp during World War II. The prisoners built the structures located in the park. 406.628.8105, laurelmontana.org
Photo – Kempton Hotel in Terry, Montana, Andy Austin
DIRECTORY OF TOWNS
LAVINA
MELSTONE
Working for T.C. Power & Bro., Walter Burke selected Lavina as a stagecoach stop in 1882. It lies at the crossing of the Musselshell River, between Fort Benton and Billings. Audaciously, Burke named the station after a former girlfriend rather than his wife. In 1903, it took 12 hours to travel by stagecoach from Billings, so Lavina was an important stop on the stage line. The town did not experience significant growth until the arrival of the Milwaukee Railroad in 1907. The Musselshell River is noted for its catfish and trout. Hunting and fishing licenses can be purchased at the Lavina Bar. Stop and fish in some of the lakes and streams or hunt the wildlife in the area. co.golden-valley.mt.us/html/lavina.html
Melstone began as a Milwaukee Railroad station and was named for Melvin Stone, an Associated Press reporter who was aboard the train with the railroad’s president, his daughter and a friend, all of whom were naming towns along the line. Dryland farmers followed the railroad, but the surrounding acres proved too dry, and now they are dotted with producing oil wells. southeastmontana.com/community/melstone
LODGE GRASS Lodge Grass, which is on the Little Bighorn River and the Crow Indian Reservation, is the trading center for ranchers whose herds graze the rich, grass-covered uplands where buffalo used to range. In the early days, the Crow made their summer hunting camps here. The town was named for Lodge Grass Creek, which empties nearby into the Little Bighorn River. The Indians called the stream “Greasy Grass” because the grass was so nourishing that it made their animals fat. The words for “grease” and “lodge” are so similar in the Crow language that an interpreter mistakenly translated the phrase as “Lodge Grass.” southeastmontana.com/community/ lodge-grass
OUT HERE
MILES CITY Miles City was, and sometimes still is, the real frontier. It was at the epicenter of Wild West history and has been immortalized by authors and historic characters alike. The city grew up around Fort Keogh, whose commanding officer was Col. Nelson A. Miles. Miles City was named for him. As the cattle industry became more important, it was fitting that the Montana Stockgrowers Association was formed here in 1884. After the coming of the railroad, Miles City became, and still is, a leading cattle market. The town’s main attractions are the Range Riders Museum, the WaterWorks Art Museum and the annual Bucking Horse Sale event. 406.234.2890, milescitychamber.com
THE KEMPTON HOTEL
Not much can compete with service and hospitality that’s been around for more than 100 years. The Kempton Hotel in Terry is the longest continually operating hotel in Montana—it opened on June 15, 1902.
Frontier Gateway Museum
Indoor Pool and Hot Tub • Fitness Center Complimentary Hot Breakfast Guest Laundry Refrigerator/Microwave in all Guest Rooms
Holiday Inn Express-Glendive 1919 Merrill Avenue • Glendive, MT 59330 (406) 377-3300
Pierre Wibaux Museum 112 E Orgain Ave. Wibaux, Montana 406-796-9969
FREE ADMISSION
Open June 1 - September 1
Open Memorial Day to Labor Day
Follow us on Facebook
201 State St. Glendive, MT • 406.377.8168 1.800.346.1876 | SOUTHEASTMONTANA.COM
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DIRECTORY OF TOWNS
POMPEYS PILLAR
ROUNDUP
Pompeys Pillar is on the banks of the Yellowstone River. The town is named for the nearby sandstone pillar, which is today Pompeys Pillar National Monument. After visiting the national monument and climbing to the top of the pillar, be sure to stop by the town for lunch or to find some shade and air conditioning. huntleyproject.net
Roundup is located along the banks of the Musselshell River in an area surrounded by hills. It was so named because ranchers found the valley near the Musselshell River a natural place to “round up� their cattle every fall. One of the many attractions in the area is the Musselshell Valley Historical Museum, which houses a coal tunnel, complete with a wooden car, carbide lamps, lunch pails, maps and photos. The Bull Mountains, south of Roundup, offer beautiful roadside geology and pine trees. Elk have been known to travel through these mountains en route to or from the Little Snowy Mountains to the west. The Musselshell River, noted for fine trout and catfish, also offers plentiful spots for relaxing picnics along its lazy banks. 406.323.2822, roundupchamber.org
PRYOR Pryor, south of Billings, takes its name from the creek and the mountains, which were named by Lewis and Clark for Sgt. Nathaniel Pryor, a member of the expedition. Pryor is on the Crow Indian Reservation and is the site of the Chief Plenty Coups State Park. Plenty Coups, the last of the great Crow war chiefs, died in 1933 at the age of 84 and represented the Indian Nations at the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. His short speech on war and peace is regarded as a masterpiece of oratory. southeastmontana.com/community/pryor
RICHEY Richey is between Sidney and Circle, and was named for the first postmaster, Clyde Richey. The station served as a terminus for the Great Northern Railroad when it arrived in 1916. The Shell Oil Company discovered oil nearby on July 13, 1951, in Williston Basin. By the end of that year, oil companies had leased more than 60 million Montana acres. As a lively, small and friendly town, Richey has a variety of businesses to serve visitors. It hosts the annual Richey Rodeo, which takes place on the third Sunday in July, as well as a vintage Car Run every year on the first Saturday in June. The Richey Historical Museum features more than 7,000 items, including a Model A mail car, blacksmith shop, pioneer kitchen, school and church memorabilia, newspaper files and period clothing. richeymt.com
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ROSEBUD Rosebud, a name inspired by the wild roses that grow profusely in Montana, is the name of the town, county and river. The region was originally explored and used by the fur traders. Rosebud Creek was popular with the beaver trappers. On July 28, 1806, William Clark and company passed this area. rosebudmontana.com
RYEGATE Ryegate is located between sandstone cliffs and the Musselshell River on Highway 12 and is the county seat for Golden Valley County. Ryegate is the location where the Nez Perce people, under the leadership of Chief Joseph, crossed the Musselshell River on September 17, 1877. They had left their Idaho homeland in a valiant but futile effort to reach Canada. Today, Ryegate is a farming and ranching community. This area is one of the most productive areas in central Montana for waterfowl. The Hailstone National Wildlife Refuge includes a large alkaline lake and surrounding habitat for waterfowl, shorebirds, pronghorns and prairie dogs. co.golden-valley.mt.us/html/ryegate.html
DIRECTORY OF TOWNS
ST. XAVIER
VOLBORG
St. Xavier is on the Crow Indian Reservation along the Bighorn River. In 1887, Fr. Prando, a Jesuit missionary, and two companions founded a mission here and named it St. Xavier. The church is still in use. The mission’s school, affiliated with the St. Labre Mission School, also continues to operate, but is now called the Pretty Eagle School, after a famous Crow chief. The St. Xavier area is a patchwork of fields of malting barley, alfalfa and sugar beets that are irrigated by the Bighorn River. southeastmontana.com/community/st-xavier
Located between Broadus and Miles City, Volborg is more ranching community than town. Pumpkin Creek originally attracted stockmen to the area of vast, unfenced and unclaimed ranges on both sides. Today the post office and small store are where locals gather, including 2017 & 2019 Professional Bull Rider Champion Jess Lockwood, who grew up in the area. southeastmontana.com/community/volborg
TERRY The town of Terry is named for Gen. Alfred H. Terry, who commanded an 1876 expedition in connection with Custer’s campaign against the Plains Indians. The town’s main attraction is the Prairie County Museum and Evelyn Cameron Gallery. The museum displays early settler artifacts, and the gallery showcases the incredible photographs taken by Evelyn Cameron in the late 1800s. Terry also sits on the edge of the Terry Badlands. The Calypso Trail, an old bootlegging road, allows high-clearance, all-wheel drive vehicles to explore this beautiful area. The town features the Kempton Hotel, known to be the haunt of friendly spirits and the oldest continuously operating hotel in Montana. There are also many restaurants and gift shops, including Prairie Unique, where Made in Montana gifts can be purchased. 406.635.5895, visitterrymontana.com
WIBAUX Wibaux owes its existence to the railroad’s 1880s arrival. During the days of open-range cattle ranching, it was one of the largest shipping points on the Northern Pacific Railway. During homesteading days, its population grew rapidly. The town is named for Pierre Wibaux, a flamboyant French cattleman who built an empire for himself in eastern Montana. Before it became Wibaux in 1895, it was called Mingusville, a raucous town where cowboys were known to make greenhorns dance to their bullets. Legend has it that even Teddy Roosevelt, who would eventually become president, was forced to defend himself when a drunk cowboy tried to bully him for wearing glasses. southeastmontana.com/community/wibaux
WORDEN Worden was named for Sen. Joseph Dixon’s wife, whose maiden name was Worden, and possibly for her father as well, who was a prominent Montanan. The land surrounding Worden has been richly productive ever since the Huntley Irrigation Project brought water to it. Just east of Worden is Pompeys Pillar, a rock outcropping that rises 200 feet above the Yellowstone River. huntleyproject.net
Photos – Above Left: An RV driving down I-94, Donnie Sexton; Below: Horses in Southeast Montana, Donnie Sexton
1.800.346.1876 | SOUTHEASTMONTANA.COM
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LISTINGS BUSINESS
CITY
Billings Logan International Airport Billings
ADDRESS
PHONE
WEBSITE
1901 Terminal Circle
406.247.8609
flybillings.com
The Billings Airport serves a large geographical area covering all of eastern Montana and northern Wyoming, providing direct year-round commercial air service to multiple hubs and communities in eastern Montana.
Cape Air
Billings
1901 Terminal Circle
800.CAPE.AIR
capeair.com
Cape Air offers daily, year-round flights between Billings and Sidney, Glendive, Glasgow, Havre and Wolf Point. Fares start as low as $29 each way.
Friends of Pompeys Pillar
Billings
1523 14th St. W., Suite 2 406.969.5380
pompeyspillar.org
Our mission is to protect and preserve the rich history of Pompeys Pillar National Monument, which contains the only remaining physical, inscriptional evidence of the Lewis & Clark Expedition.
Visit Billings
Billings
815 S. 27th St.
406.245.4111
visitbillings.com
Forge your own path to Montana’s trailhead. Born in the shadows of the Rimrocks, fed on the waters of the Yellowstone River, Billings is where your Montana adventures begin.
ZooMontana
Billings
2100 Shiloh Road
406.652.8100
zoomontana.org
Located in Billings, ZooMontana is Montana’s only true nonprofit zoological/botanical garden. The AZA accredited zoo features over 100 rescued animals of 56 species including grizzly bear, Amur tiger, red panda, takin and more. Open 10 a.m. daily.
Sagebrush Inn & Suites
Broadus
206 East Wilson Ave. 406.436.2294
broauslodging.com
Our mission is to provide a place to stay that is as enjoyable and relaxing as possible. We offer modern rooms and suites designed to fit anyone’s budget and taste. Located about halfway between Billings, MT and Rapid City, SD on Highway 212/59 (Warrior Trail).
Yellowstone Country Montana
Bozeman
PO Box 3048
800.736.5276
visityellowstonecountry.com
The raw splendor of Yellowstone National Park doesn’t stop at the park boundary—it spills on for miles, encompassing an extraordinary part of Montana we call Yellowstone Country. Discover the Yellowstone you haven’t seen yet.
Custer Battlefield Trading Post & Cafe
Crow Agency 347 US-212
406.638.2270
laststand.com
The Custer Battlefield Trading Post & Café is across from the Little Bighorn Battlefield. Enjoy our world-famous Indian taco or try a delicious buffalo burger or steak. Features American Indian jewelry, souvenirs, collectibles and art. Buses welcome!
Southwest Montana Tourism
Deer Lodge
1105 Main St.
406.846.1943
southwestmt.com
Between Yellowstone and Glacier national parks lies the best of Montana. Take time to enjoy this vast region of mountains, waterways, wildlife, hot springs and ghost towns. Our cities and towns offer locally-owned restaurants, breweries, shopping and lodging experiences.
BD Bar
Fallon
510 N. Railway Ave.
406.486.5400
facebook.com/BDbarFallon
Featuring Montana made items such as burgers, finger steaks, carrot cake, chocolate cake and draft beers. Ribbon fries are our specialty.
Missouri River Country
Fort Peck
PO Box 118
800.653.1319
missouririvermt.com
406.377.8168
frontiergatewaymuseum.org
Promoting tourism to beautiful northeast Montana. More room to roam. Come visit.
Frontier Gateway Museum
Glendive
201 State St.
Displays range from prehistoric times to the 20th century. Major displays include fossils, bison, American Indian, homesteaders, cattlemen, settlers, railroad, Civil War, and much more. A member of the MT Dinosaur Trail. Free Admission.
Glendive Medical Center Glendive 202 Prospect Drive 406.345.3306 gmc.org Glendive Medical Center (GMC) is a full-service, 25-bed acute care hospital with 24-hour emergency care, full medical and surgical services and an attached 36-bed skilled Extended Care facility. GMC is a designated Critical Access Hospital.
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Glendive
1919 Merrill Ave.
406.377.3300
hiexpress.com/glendivemt
Relax in your own elegant room featuring stylish décor and amenities, free Wi-Fi access. Start your day off on the right with our HOT Express Start Breakfast. Enjoy our indoor pool/whirlpool, fitness center, meeting room and guest laundry.
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SOUTHEASTMONTANA.COM | 1.800.346.1876
LISTINGS BUSINESS
CITY
ADDRESS
PHONE
WEBSITE
Visit Glendive
Glendive
808 N. Merrill Ave.
406.377.5601
visitglendive.com
Glendive is the proud home of Makoshika State Park and the Gateway to the Montana Dinosaur Trail.
BuyMT.com
Miles City
819 Main St.
406.234.1915
buymt.com
BuyMT.com is your headquarters for Montana-made food and gifts. We offer 32 flavors of Wilcoxson’s Ice Cream, a delicious lunch counter, a custom T-shirt shop and UPS, Fed Ex, and U.S. Postal shipping services.
Cowtown Ag Supply
Miles City
501 Pleasant St.
406.234.4564
facebook.com/cowtownag
Cowtown Ag Supply is not just your average feed store. We also have great brands of clothing for the whole family, baby too! Stop, shop and save at your local Cowtown Ag!
Econo Lodge Miles City Miles City 1209 S. Haynes Ave. 406.232.8880 choicehotels.com/montana/miles-city/ econo-lodge-hotels/mt044 2020 Platinum Award Choice Hotel winner. All rooms were newly remodeled in 2018. Within walking distance of restaurants and area shopping. Modern amenities including TV, refrigerators, microwaves, and more. Free continental breakfast and free high-speed internet alongside an indoor pool. Pets allowed.
Girl Ran Away With the Spoon
Miles City
112 N. 7th St.
406.234.1525
girlranaway.com
Girl Ran Away With the Spoon is an artisan boutique and gallery in the heart of downtown Miles City.
La Casa Diamonds Miles City 23 N. 8th St. 406.234.1224 milescityjewelry.com Visit the oldest house in Miles City while you browse and shop at La Casa Diamonds. Diamonds, Yogo Montana sapphires, southwest jewelry, and much more! In-house goldsmith available.
Miles City Chamber
Miles City
511 Pleasant St.
406.234.2890
milescitychamber.com
Founded in 1876, at the confluence of the Yellowstone and Tongue rivers, Miles City is rich in history. Discover why we are truly a legendary Western town!
Scoop Ice Cream Miles City 819 Main St. 406.234.1915 facebook.com/ScoopMT32/ We offer 42 flavors of Montana made Wilcoxson’s ice cream, a delicious lunch counter, and offer UPS, Fed Ex, and US Postal shipping services. Spoon Full Miles City
Miles City
115 N. 7th St.
406.234.3855
spoonfullcoffee.com
Spoon Full Inspired Espresso and Bakery Eats serves locally roasted coffee and freshly baked goods made in house. There is a drive-thru and ample seating.
Vintage and Rustics in Montana
Miles City
813 Main St.
406.234.7878
facebook.com/vintageandRusticsinMontana
Over 120 vendors of antiques, Western, cottage, farmhouse, collectibles, ladies clothing boutique, custom leather.
Destination Missoula
Missoula
101 E. Main St.
800.526.3465 destinationmissoula.org
701 N. Broadway
406.446.1718
There’s this place where adventure finds you.
Red Lodge Visitors Center
Red Lodge
redlodge.com
Nestled in Montana’s magnificent Beartooth Mountains, Red Lodge delivers world-class outdoor recreation and access to Yellowstone Park via the Beartooth Highway. A historic downtown features locally owned shops, restaurants and entertainment. Make Red Lodge your Basecamp to the Beartooths.
Prairie Unique
Terry
114 Logan Ave.
406.635.5598
prairieunique.com
Prairie Unique is scenically located along the Yellowstone River, below the Terry Badlands and Calypso Trail—we stock hundreds of Montana products created from wood, berry, stone. Montana goods since 1995.
Pierre Wibaux Museum Complex
Wibaux
112 E. Orgain Ave.
406.796.9969 facebook.com/Pierre-WibauxMuseum-1499953703622670/
The Pierre Wibaux Museum Complex consists of the Pierre Wibaux House, Montana Centennial Railroad car, barbershop and livery stable. All have many, many artifacts on display. Guided tours. Located in downtown Wibaux.
Terry Badlands, Kelly Wicks
1.800.346.1876 | SOUTHEASTMONTANA.COM
59
PLANNING
ONLINE PLANNING RESOURCES Southeast Montana is a big area and there's a lot to explore. Here's a list of essentials to help get you started.
LODGING
THINGS TO DO
After a long day in the saddle, or the boat, or on your bike, you need a rest. Find a place to lay your head here: southeastmontana.com/places-to-stay
Out here our biggest dilemma is deciding which adventure we want. We highlight our faves at southeastmontana.com, and for a larger array, see: southeastmontana.com/things-to-do
CAMPING AND RV The best way to see Southeast Montana's beauty is to be in it. Find campgrounds and RV parks here: southeastmontana.com/rv-parks or southeastmontana.com/camping
BLOG Get the nitty-gritty by following our blog. Use it to create your own adventure. See: southeastmontana.com/blog
WINE AND DINE From buffalo burgers to Rocky Mountain oysters, Southeast Montana has you covered: southeastmontana.com/places-to-eat-drink
SOUTHEASTMONTANA.COM This is your one-stop shop for everything Southeast Montana. Go here to find detailed information about the attractions and destinations listed in this guide, as well as information on events, new museum exhibits, contact information and much more.
SOCIAL Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for news and events, and, of course, inspiring photos of Southeast Montana. facebook.com/southeastmontana instagram.com/southeastmontana twitter.com/visitsemontana
VISITMT.COM is an encyclopedic, user-friendly resource for trip ideas and general wanderlust. Here, you’ll find a wealth of varied information—motorcycle route ideas, a compilation of statewide powwows, information on the brewery trail and just about anything else “Montana” you can think of. Prefer to talk to someone in person? We are happy to help. Just call 1.800.346.1876 to chat.
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SOUTHEASTMONTANA.COM | 1.800.346.1876
BOLDLY GO. Yellowstone above and beyond.
They say wherever you go, there you are. So why not make it epic? Discover the great wild open north of the park. Leave the beaten path behind for the trail less traveled. Feed your innate curiosity with nature’s finest, frolic in a fabled small town, a winding river, or a valley that goes on forever. Take a chance, and live your life in full color.
Start discovering now. Get your FREE Vacation Packet by calling 1.800.736.5276 or going to VisitYellowstoneCountry.com. The Beartooth Highway, a National Scenic Byways All-American Road
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