A trip through Southeast Montana is like traveling through history. Here, wide-open roads transport you from Billings, a thriving modern city, to as far back in time as you want to go鈥攆rom old western cattle-trading towns to Native American battlefields to otherworldly landscapes where dinosaurs once roamed. Along the way, opportunities for adventure and cultural immersion abound.

Billings

Situated on the banks of the Yellowstone River, Montana鈥檚 most populous city is also its cultural and economic hub. Translation: it鈥檚 the ultimate place to start, end, or spend an entire Southeast Montana getaway. Find your bearings with a hike or mountain bike ride along Billings鈥檚 iconic Rimrocks鈥攕andstone cliffs that rise hundreds of feet above the city鈥攕tarting from . Because the trailhead is located on top of the Rimrocks, visitors will find the views of five nearby mountain ranges, the Yellowstone River Valley, and downtown Billings as easy to come by as they are stunning鈥攅specially at sunrise or sunset.

Nearby, at (open Wednesday through Sunday), follow the three-quarter-mile-long interpretive trail past three caves adorned with more than 100 pieces of the park鈥檚 namesake artwork, the oldest of which dates back more than 2,000 years. Come prepared with binoculars for the best look at these ancient artworks, which are believed to have been created by nomadic hunters.

Back in downtown Billings, steep yourself in the town鈥檚 unique blend of Old West and modern cultures. When it opened in 1964, the (YAM) was the first museum in the region to focus its collections on contemporary art. That tradition continues today, with an extensive permanent collection and rotating exhibitions by contemporary artists from the American northwest and northern Rockies. For the most immersive experience, book a guided group tour led by one of YAM鈥檚 docents (60 minutes, from $5). And don鈥檛 miss the Visible Vault, an innovative detached facility where visitors can admire YAM鈥檚 permanent collection.

Pompeys Pillar and Little Bighorn Battlefield

Just 30 minutes east of Billings is one of Montana鈥檚 most historically significant points: . This 120-foot-tall sandstone tower, now a protected national monument, bears the markings of the Indigenous peoples who utilized it as an observation point and ritual site for the past 11,000 years and to whom it remains an important spiritual site today. On July 25, 1806, William Clark and his team stopped here during their Yellowstone River exploration. Clark inscribed the pillar with his name鈥攖he carving, still visible today, is believed to be the last remaining physical evidence from the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The natural monolith, which Clark is said to have named for Sacagawea鈥檚 son, whose nickname was 鈥淧omp,鈥� is known to the Aps谩alooke (Crow) people as Iishiia Anaache, or Place Where the Mountain Lion Dwells.

A short drive south of Pompeys Pillar is , another site that tells the complicated history of America鈥檚 western expansion and displacement of Indigenous peoples. The monument commemorates the infamous battle in which warriors from multiple northern plains tribes defeated the U.S. Army鈥檚 7th Regiment of the Cavalry鈥攌nown today as the Battle of Little Bighorn. During your visit, try to catch one of two ranger-led historical presentations (these talks are unscheduled but typically take place midmorning and midafternoon) before visiting the park鈥檚 two main memorials: the Indian Memorial and the 7th Cavalry Memorial. For the most immersive experience, book a guided tour in advance through Aps谩alooke Tours (available Memorial Day through Labor Day).

Medicine Rocks State Park

A visit to is like a trip to another planet. Out-of-this-world formations鈥攕andstone deposits left by a retreating inland sea that covered the northern Great Plains some 60 million years ago鈥攋ut up from a ponderosa-dotted ridgeline in what today is a vast ocean of grassland prairie. The park鈥檚 seclusion makes it one of the best places in the country to view dark skies (see the Dark Skies and Wildlife road trip, on page 12, for more info). But it鈥檚 also an incredible venue for serene nature hikes, birding, wildlife photography, family camping, and more. However you choose to explore the park, plan your outing around sunrise and sunset, when low-angle light brings out the pockmarked texture of Medicine Rocks and casts long shadows across the landscape.

Eat & Stay: On your way from Billings to Ekalaka, stop for a slice or a sandwich at Seabeck Pizza and Subs in Broadus. In Ekalaka, just 20 minutes south of Medicine Rocks State Park, grab a burger at Dawg House Pub, part of the Southeast Montana Burger Trail, and stay at the Midway Motel or Guest House Motel.

Miles City

Miles City is the ideal image of a Western town. It鈥檚 a community rooted in the livestock industry, where weekly cattle auctions continue today. (Nonbidding visitors are welcome to drop in.) It鈥檚 a place where you can have a pair of cowboy boots or a saddle custom made to your specifications. On Main Street, experience that legacy of leatherworking for yourself鈥攈ead upstairs at Miles City Saddlery to view the store鈥檚 centuries-old collection of saddles, or pop into Moran鈥檚 Custom Leather to see where custom saddles and boots are still made today.

Eat & Drink: Pay a visit to the Montana Bar, the historic saloon attached to Tubb鈥檚 Restaurant on Main Street and a stop along the Southeast Montana Burger Trail, and order a stuffed burger: the toppings and cheese are built right into the Grade A beef patty. Afterward, grab an award-winning beer at pinball-themed Tilt W眉rks Brew House or a glass of wine at Tongue River Winery.

Terry

Follow Interstate 94 and the Yellowstone River 40 miles northeast to Terry, where iconic badlands dominate the town鈥檚 northern horizon. Hop on your gravel or mountain bike and ride six miles of empty two-track to the Overlook, where you can watch the sunset from atop the sand castle鈥搇ike cliffs. Or, if you have a high-clearance four-by-four, venture into the badlands on the (impassable during periods of wet weather). Back in town, thumb your way through the extensive and eclectic book collection in the bookstore at the historic , Montana鈥檚 oldest continuously operating hotel.

Makoshika State Park and Glendive

(pronounced Ma-ko鈥�-shi-ka), Montana鈥檚 largest state park, often flies under the radar. But one visit is all it takes to see why the park is regarded as a crown jewel of Eastern Montana. Here, a landscape of otherworldly badlands and rugged coulees can be explored by foot, wheel, or hoof on an extensive trail system. Hike or run the rolling Hungry Joe Trail to a scenic overlook above Makoshika and Glendive (2.5 miles one way) before exploring the stunning (0.5 mile round-trip), which leads to a natural bridge and past many of the park鈥檚 iconic toadstool-shaped hoodoos. Kids, families, and dinophiles alike might find it difficult to venture past the park鈥檚 visitor center, which is loaded with educational interpretive exhibits and prehistoric fossils, including a complete triceratops skull. And that鈥檚 just the start鈥攖he park also offers camping, disc golf, and an archery range on site.

Looking for even more local history? Back in Glendive, head to the and stroll along a replica of 1800s Merrill Street, Glendive鈥檚 鈥淢ain Street.鈥� On modern-day Merrill, pop into Hell Creek Music and More, a quirky shop that鈥檚 part instrument emporium, part music museum (multiple guitars autographed by Kiss band members are on display), and part dinosaur exhibit鈥攁 complete, 38-foot-long T. rex skeleton looms above the registers.

聽markets Montana鈥檚 spectacular unspoiled nature, vibrant and charming small towns, breathtaking experiences, relaxing hospitality and competitive business climate to promote the state as a place to visit and do business.

A Whole New Side of 国产吃瓜黑料 in Eastern Montana

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Studies have linked the feeling of awe with myriad psychological and physiological benefits, and nothing is more awesome than the natural world. So it鈥檚 no wonder that a trip through Eastern Montana鈥攚here the night sky is impossibly dark, offering some of the best stargazing in the country, and where megafauna like bison and elk roam immense landscapes鈥攃an leave you feeling changed. That鈥檚 what this trip is all about. Slow down and revel in the sense of wonder as you traverse some of the state鈥檚 most breathtaking country, experiencing a secluded dark-sky sanctuary and vast wildlife refuges along the way.

Medicine Rocks State Park

In 2020, the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) designated this 330-acre state park in Southeast Montana a Dark Sky Sanctuary, defined as 鈥渢he most remote (and often darkest) places in the world whose conservation state is most fragile.鈥� Translation: is a stargazing haven. The best way to experience the park鈥檚 superb night skies is to snag one of its 12 first-come, first-serve primitive campsites on a clear, moonless night. Better yet, time your visit to coincide with a free dark-sky event at the park. Organized by the Carter County Museum, in nearby Ekalaka, these gatherings are great opportunities to learn about astronomy and the region鈥檚 natural and cultural history and to connect with the local community. The allure of Medicine Rocks State Park isn鈥檛 limited to the hours between sunset and sunrise鈥攖he park鈥檚 iconic rock formations are a marvel to behold during daylight hours, too, so allow enough time during your visit for a hike, ride, or run. (See Badlands and Battlefields trip, for more.)

Eat & Stay: Before heading out for a night of stargazing, grab a bite at one of three Southeast Montana Burger Trail stops in Baker: Heiser鈥檚 Bar & Casino, Corner Bar, and Big Game Casino Tavern & Steakhouse.

Hell Creek Recreation Area

The drive to Hell Creek Recreation Area, your next stop, takes you through some of Southeast Montana鈥檚 most scenic country and coolest small towns. Your first stop is Baker, just 30 minutes north of Medicine Rocks. Stretch your legs on the paved path at the south end of Baker Lake before popping into Compass Coffee for an espresso drink and a pastry. En route to Miles City, 80 miles west, keep your eyes peeled for pronghorn antelope as you traverse rolling agricultural land, wooded hill country, and sculpted badlands. In town, swing by the Range Rider鈥檚 Museum for a trip into Miles City鈥檚 western heritage. Resupply before heading north toward Hell Creek Recreation Area.

If you look at a dark-sky map of Montana, the shading around indicates excellent conditions for stargazing. That鈥檚 because it鈥檚 a long way from pretty much everywhere鈥擩ordan, the closest town, 25 miles to the south, has a population of less than 500. And just like at Medicine Rocks, jaw-dropping views of the Milky Way鈥檚 galactic center are just one part of the experience at Hell Creek. The recreation area campground and boat launch are located on the scenic south shore of Fort Peck Lake, an immense reservoir of the Missouri River, and are managed by the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians. Launch a canoe, kayak, or SUP to explore the many secluded coves nearby. Or link up with a local fishing guide for an excursion on the lake in search of walleye, lake trout, Chinook salmon, or northern pike, depending on the season. Pick up bait, tackle, a fishing license, and camp essentials at the marina鈥檚 general store. Reserve your campsite in advance; both RV and tent sites are available.

Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge

It鈥檚 hard to grasp the sheer size of the C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, which protects more than a million acres of critical animal habitat surrounding the Missouri River and Fort Peck Lake. Snag a campsite at , then head across the river to the an hour before sunset. (From Highway 191, follow the CMR Auto Tour Route for 3.5 miles.) Herds of elk come here each year in late August and early September during the rut (mating season), and the spectacle is unlike anything else on earth. Find a turnout, set up your camp chairs, and enjoy. Remember to keep at least 75 feet between you and the elk, and never approach wildlife. In the morning, consider completing the Auto Tour Route (19 miles total) en route to Malta.

Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge

If your timing was right at C.M. Russell, you will by now have spied some charismatic megafauna. At , birds are the name of the game鈥攈undreds of avian species flock to the refuge鈥檚 wetlands and lake, once an oxbow of the Missouri River during the pre-glacial period. In spring, catch the northbound migration of Canada geese and mallards. During summer months, grassland songbirds fill the air with musical calls as they establish mating territories. Come fall, sandhill cranes can be spotted as they fly south for winter.

Eat & Stay: On your way from James Kipp, grab breakfast at Crossroads Coffee & Bistro in Malta. If you have time, check out one or both of the town鈥檚 Dinosaur Trail facilities: the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station, and Phillips County Museum. After exploring Bowdoin, head to Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs to unwind. Spend the night in a cabin or suite onsite, or head back to Malta to stay at Great Northern Hotel.

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From vast prairies to icy lakes to otherworldly rock gardens frosted with snow, Eastern Montana鈥檚 diverse winter landscapes offer a little something for every off-the-beaten-track traveler. Winter recreation under the Big Sky is all about wide-open spaces, quiet snowscapes, and charming, friendly communities to warm you up after your adventure. With plentiful public lands, has opportunities for ice fishing to stargazing and everything in between. These top destinations for popular winter activities are just the tip of the iceberg.

Ice Fishing

Go to: Fort Peck Reservoir
Huge (245,000 acres, with more than 1,500 miles of shoreline), deep (220 feet), and remote (in Montana鈥檚 little-tracked northeastern corner), is a gold mine for ice fishing. With so much territory and so few anglers, your chances of landing some of the lake鈥檚 trophy-size lake trout, walleye, or northern pike are great. At the reservoir, which was created when the Fort Peck Dam was built on the Missouri River from 1933 to 1937, anglers can use live bait, set up to six tip-ups, or try jigging for trout under the ice. Local guides can help outfit you with gear and pinpoint the big ones.聽

Home base: Fort Peck
This little town on the northern shore of the reservoir was born to house the workers who built Fort Peck Dam, and it endures as a friendly adventure base. Make sure to check out the to see dinosaur fossils, native wildlife exhibits, and historic materials from the dam-building era. For dinner, enjoy specials like prime rib and steamed mussels with a lake view at The Gateway Club.

Snowshoeing and Hiking

Go to: Makoshika State Park
Montana鈥檚 largest state park gets even more beautiful when the snow falls. Named for a variant spelling of the Lakota word for 鈥渂ad land鈥� or 鈥渂ad earth,鈥� protects a unique landscape of dry, rocky badlands, arches, and stone hoodoos. Pull on traction devices (spikes are likely all you鈥檒l need unless there鈥檚 a ton of snow on the ground) and hike one of the park鈥檚 signature trails, like Cap Rock Trail: This half-mile-long loop leads past some of the park鈥檚 most fascinating geology. Makoshika鈥檚 badlands are part of the Hell Creek Formation, one of the richest dinosaur fossil areas in the world, and the visitor center features fossils and dino exhibits.

Home base: Glendive
Sandwiched between Makoshika State Park and the Yellowstone River, Glendive is an ideal recreation hub. Toast your wintry hike with a heady Trans-Siberian Stout at Cross Country Brewing. If cocktails and wine are more to your taste, head to Bloom and Vine for margaritas, martinis, and a variety of wines by the glass.

Wildlife Viewing

Go to: Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge
Not surprisingly, the vast prairies, forests, and Upper Missouri River Breaks of northeastern Montana are home to spectacular wildlife. One area in particular鈥攖he 鈥攁nchors a huge tract of public land where you can scope for animals like elk, pronghorn, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and if you鈥檙e lucky, mountain lions. More than 250 bird species migrate through or make their homes here, including bald eagles and sage grouse, plus bison restoration on adjacent lands. It鈥檒l likely be just you and the wildlife when you visit in winter鈥攋ust be sure to bundle up, as temps can dip to -20掳F or colder.聽

Home bases: Glasgow and Lewistown
These two reserves span a considerable distance. If you鈥檙e checking out the eastern side of it, the small town of Glasgow is your best bet. Tip: The thin-crust pies at Eugene鈥檚 Pizza are a local favorite. If you鈥檙e exploring the western end of the reserves, base yourself in Lewistown. The historic Calvert Hotel right downtown is an excellent place to retire after a pint at Big Spring Brewing.聽

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Go to:
Far from the lights of any town, this park鈥檚 stunning night skies have earned it a place on the state鈥檚 Trail to the Stars network and an international designation as a Dark Sky Sanctuary (Montana鈥檚 only one). By day, hike or snowshoe among the park鈥檚 distinctive rock pillars, eroded into Swiss cheese-like patterns. But the real show starts when the sun goes down. Ready to experience winter camping? The 12 campsites within Medicine Rocks State Park are available on a first-come, first-served basis and range from $4 to $34 per night.聽

Home base: Miles City
This small town is a proud stop on the , where the enormous stuffed burger at Tubb鈥檚 Pub earns 鈥渇avorite burger鈥� honors. Miles City is also known for art, from paintings and sculptures at the Waterworks Art Museum to fine leatherworking at Miles City Saddlery.

markets Montana’s spectacular unspoiled nature, vibrant and charming small towns, breathtaking experiences, and relaxing hospitality. For more information, please visit .

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