Visit Southeast Montana

Night Sky in Makoshika State Park. Photo by Colin Ruggiero

Southeast Montana: There’s Nowhere Better for History Larger than Life

 

Southeast Montana is a land shaped by epic stories and enduring traditions. Whether you’re exploring its vast landscapes or stepping into towns that celebrate their Western heritage, history comes alive at every turn.

Stand where dinosaurs once roamed in Makoshika State Park’s otherworldly badlands—perfect for hiking, biking and stargazing. See traces of prehistoric fossils up close in the park’s visitor center or in museums in nearby Glendive.

History takes center stage at Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, where warriors faced soldiers in an attempt to preserve their way of life—a conflict that changed life on the plains forever. The Monument is currently undergoing renovations, so check nps.gov/libi for updates before your visit.

 

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument. Photo by Andy Austin

 

Explore Pictograph Cave State Park and encounter 2,000-year-old cave paintings, or visit Pompeys Pillar National Monument and see where Capt. William Clark carved his name into the tall rock bluff back in 1806.

 

Pompeys Pillar National Monument. Photo by Melynda Harrison

 

The small towns of Southeast Montana are treasure troves of history, too. Museums like the Big Horn County Historical Museum in Hardin and Miles City’s Range Riders Museum offer remarkable glimpses into the past while events like rodeos, festivals and reenactments bring history to life in real time.

All that exploring is bound to work up an appetite—venture onto the Southeast Montana Burger Trail for mouthwatering, one-of-a-kind burgers that reflect the flavors of the region.

With so many memorable ways to explore our storied past, there’s nowhere better to dig into history than Southeast Montana. Plan your visit today!

 

The French Onion Burger at Diamond X in Billings, on the Southeast Montana Burger Trail. Photo by Cassie Solberg

 

Related Articles

  • couple sitting mountain lookout Southeast Montana Travel

    Out here, in Southeast Montana, find yourself miles away from ordinary and smack-dab in the…

  • ghost town front southwest montana

    In Montana's southwest corner, breathtaking crags pierce the bluest sky you’ll ever see. Vast flocks…

  • This city struck it rich with a well-preserved ghost town.   The Cartwrights and Bonanza…