1301 Snyder Avenue
Glendive, MT 59330
406-377-6256
Website
Makoshika State Park is located just southeast of Glendive. Makoshika means ‘bad land’ in Lakota, and the Park’s landscape is part of the late Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation. Over ten different dinosaur species have been discovered in Makoshika. Significant discoveries include a complete Triceratops horridus skull, the fossil remains of Edmontosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex, and a nearly complete skeleton of the rare Thescelosaur.
Makoshika is Montana’s largest state park; the land has been set aside for visitors to enjoy, offering camping, hiking, and a vast collection of history. The recently refurbished visitor center houses the Triceratops skull, and provides additional interpretive displays significant to the badlands.
Did You Know?
The Hell Creek Formation is rich in dinosaur fossils, and has led to many of the world’s most important discoveries in the field. In Makoshika alone, 10 species of dinosaurs have been discovered, and there are more remains to be found. As the wind, rain, snowfall, etc. continue to disrupt the landscape and erode the sandstone, more fossils will show themselves.
Where to Next on the Montana Dinosaur Trail?
Nearest
Frontier Gateway Museum
Glendive, 201 State Street (Take I-94 exit 215)
Nearest to the South
Carter County Museum
Ekalaka, 106 miles (1.75 hours)
I-94 east from Glendive to Wibaux, MT Highway 7 south from Wibaux to Ekalaka.
Nearest to the West
Garfield County Museum
Jordan, 115 miles (2 hours)
US Hwy 200s northwest from Glendive to Circle, US Hwy 200 west from Circle to Jordan.
While You’re in the Area
Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum
This museum is not a member of the Montana Dinosaur trail. The facility bases its exhibits on a biblical context and sits down the road from the Frontier Gateway Museum in Glendive.
Glendive Recreation Department
Check out their site for a variety of outdoor opportunities such as winter snowshoes and cross- country ski rentals to providing refreshing swimming and an enjoyable splash park during the summer.
Hell Creek Music
The Hell Creek Music store features the largest selection of guitars in the state of Montana, and has a 38-foot replica of a Tyrannosaurus rex on display.
The Historic Bell Street Bridge
This is the perfect place for riverfront views and an observation point for beautiful sunsets along the Yellowstone River. The bridge provides a safe pedestrian/biking trail over the river.
Yellowstone River
Running through Glendive, the Yellowstone River provides fishing, agate hunting, boating, and other recreational opportunities.
More to do in Glendive
