431 US Hwy 2 East
Malta, MT 59538
406-654-1037
Website
The Phillips County Museum provides visitors with discoveries from the nearby Judith River Formation. Seventy-seven million years ago, this formation stood as the bank of a shallow, warm inland sea, which created the perfect habitat for dinosaurs and resulted in a rich deposit of fossils. While visiting the museum, meet “Elvis” the 33-foot-long Brachylophosaurus fossil which is one of the best articulated skeletons ever found. An Albertosaurus poses to greet visitors upon arrival. Other interesting fossils on display include a 700-pound Apatosaurus femur for visitors to take pictures with and a variety of activities for children. The underwater sea area contains a 4×4-foot crinoid plate, along with various other fossils and a gift shop.
Did You Know?
During the Cretaceous Period, a huge inland sea split the North American continent in two. This sea happened to run directly through what is now eastern Montana. The underwater sea life fossils displayed alongside the dinosaurs are not brought in from a distant location, but remnants of Montana’s prehistoric history.
Where to Next on the Montana Dinosaur Trail?
Nearest
Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station
Malta, right next door, west across the parking lot
Nearest to the West
Blaine County Museum
Chinook, 67 miles (1 hour)
US Highway 2 west from Malta to Chinook.
Nearest to the East
Fort Peck Interpretive Center
Fort Peck, 89 miles (1.5 hours)
US Highway 2 east from Malta to Glasgow; MT Highway 24 south from Glasgow to Fort Peck.
Nearest to the South
Upper Musselshell Museum
Harlowton, 191 miles (3.25 hours)
US Highway 191 south from Malta to Lewistown; US Hwy 200 west from Lewistown to junction with US Hwy 191 at Eddies Corner; US Hwy 191 south from Eddies Corner to Harlowton.
While You’re in the Area
Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge
Located just six miles east of Malta, this wetlands prairie preserve provides viewing opportunities for more than 260 species of birds, as well as other Montana wildlife.
CM Russell National Wildlife Refuge
Sitting at just over 1-million-acres, this wildlife refuge is one of the nation’s largest. It preserves untouched wilderness and habitat for wildlife of many species. The Slippery Ann Wildlife Viewing Area is a popular fall viewing site for elk.
Fishing & Hunting
Check out the popular hunting and fishing opportunities in the area.
Little Rocky Mountains
The communities of Zortman and Landusky are nestled in this “island mountain” range about 45 miles south of Malta. The area provides access to outdoor recreation along with lodging and restaurants.
Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs
These natural springs have created the perfect retreat on US Highway 2, 17 miles east of Malta. This Oasis on the Hi-Line offers pools, a sauna, and RV sites, camping, and cabins.
More to do in Malta
