Makoshika State Park

State: Montana. Type: state park in Dawson County, southeast of Glendive. Montana's largest state park at 11,538 acres, elevation 2,415 feet. Became a state park in 1939 after Dawson County donated 160 acres; expanded significantly since. Known for badlands geology, Hell Creek Formation dinosaur fossils, and the K-T boundary. About 93,150 visitors in 2023.

Makoshika State Park sits on the badlands southeast of Glendive in eastern Montana and is the state's largest state park at 11,538 acres. Its name derives from a Lakota phrase often translated as "bad land" or "bad earth," a fitting description for its eroded buttes, spires and canyons carved from the Hell Creek Formation. The park was first proposed as a national park in 1938 by the Glendive Chamber of Commerce, but federal officials judged it insufficiently significant for that designation; it became a state park instead in 1939, when Dawson County donated an initial 160 acres, with later donations and acquisitions building it to its current size. The park's real claim to fame is paleontological: its rock layers span the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-T) boundary from roughly 65.5 million years ago, and fossils of Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops and Thescelosaurus, among other species, have been recovered here, including a 1997 Thescelosaurus discovery led by paleontologist Jack Horner considered the largest and most complete of its kind. Beyond fossils, the park draws hikers, mountain bikers, campers and even disc golfers, along with birdwatchers tracking turkey vultures, prairie falcons and golden eagles across its dramatic terrain.

Makoshika State Park is located at 1301 Snyder Avenue, Glendive, MT 59330, on the southeast side of Glendive in Dawson County, in far eastern Montana. The park sits at about 2,415 feet elevation amid badland terrain carved by erosion of the Hell Creek Formation.

Eastern Montana's badlands have a semi-arid continental climate, with hot summers, cold winters, and generally low humidity year-round. The exposed badland terrain offers little natural shade, so summer heat can be intense on hiking trails, while winter conditions can bring cold temperatures and wind.

Spring and fall offer the most comfortable hiking conditions, avoiding both summer heat and winter cold in this exposed badlands terrain. The park's visitor center keeps extended summer hours (May-September, daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.) versus a reduced winter schedule (October-April, Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.), which can help time a visit around center availability. The annual "Buzzard Day" celebration is a notable seasonal event tied to the return of turkey vultures.

The badlands that became Makoshika were first proposed for national park status in 1938 by the Glendive Chamber of Commerce, but the federal government judged the site did not meet the bar for national significance. Local advocates pursued state park status instead, and Dawson County donated an initial 160 acres in 1939 to establish the park. Over subsequent decades, further donations and acquisitions expanded it to its current 11,538 acres, making it Montana's largest state park. The park's Hell Creek Formation rock layers, which record the end of the Cretaceous period, have yielded significant paleontological finds, including a 1997 discovery of a Thescelosaurus skeleton, led by paleontologist Jack Horner, considered the largest and most complete example of the species found to date.

The park offers 11 designated hiking trails through badland formations, along with mountain biking and a disc golf course. Paleontology-focused visitors can explore the visitor center's fossil and geology displays and look for exposed rock layers along trails. Birdwatching for turkey vultures, prairie falcons and golden eagles, photography of the badland scenery, and scenic driving are popular low-effort activities, and the park runs educational programs and the annual Buzzard Day event.

The park's badland formations and buttes are the main draw, alongside the visitor center, which houses geology and fossil displays. The Hell Creek Formation rock exposures, including the site of a notable 1997 Thescelosaurus discovery, illustrate the park's paleontological significance. An amphitheater and group picnic area serve as gathering points for programs and events.

Makoshika State Park is on the southeast edge of Glendive, Montana, reachable via Snyder Avenue from the city. Glendive sits along Interstate 94 in far eastern Montana, making the park accessible by car from Billings (roughly three hours west) or from North Dakota to the east. There is no scheduled commercial air or transit service directly to Glendive that was confirmed in research; a personal or rental vehicle is the practical way to reach the park.

As of research, the park itself is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. The visitor center keeps summer hours (May-September) of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, and winter hours (October-April) of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday. The campground operates year-round. Confirm current hours on Montana FWP's website before visiting.

As of research, day-use fees for non-residents were $8 per vehicle and $4 for walk-in or bicycle visitors; Montana residents with a state parks registration pay no entrance fee. Camping fees ranged from $4 to $34 per night depending on season and site type. Confirm current pricing on Montana FWP's website before visiting.

A half day allows time to visit the center and hike one or two trails; a full day or overnight camping stay lets visitors explore more of the 11 trails and take in the scenic drives and badland overlooks at a relaxed pace.

The park's own campground offers 28 campsites and is open year-round, making it the closest option to stay overnight. Glendive, a short drive away, offers a small selection of hotel chains typical of a smaller Montana city for visitors who prefer not to camp.

The park itself does not appear to have on-site dining beyond its gift shop and visitor center; most restaurant options are located in nearby Glendive, a short drive from the park entrance.

Glendive itself, with its downtown and Yellowstone River frontage, sits adjacent to the park. The wider Hell Creek Formation badlands extend across parts of eastern Montana beyond the park boundary, drawing additional paleontology interest to the region.

There is no confirmed scheduled commercial air or rail service directly to Glendive in the sources reviewed; the park is reached by personal or rental vehicle via Interstate 94 and local roads from Glendive. Billings, roughly three hours west, has the nearest major regional airport.

Badland trails can be steep, loose underfoot, and exposed to sun and wind, so sturdy footwear and caution near cliff edges are important. Carry sufficient water, especially in summer heat, since shade is limited across most of the terrain. For any emergency, dial 911.

Sturdy hiking shoes, sunscreen, a hat and ample drinking water are essential given the park's exposed badland terrain. Binoculars are worth packing for birdwatching, and a camera or phone for photographing the geology and any fossil displays is popular among visitors.

Check the visitor center's seasonal hours before visiting, since they shrink in the off-season (October-April) and only run Wednesday through Sunday in winter. Reserve camping in advance through the park's reservation line if you plan to stay overnight, particularly around the Buzzard Day event or other peak-season weekends. Bring cash or a card for day-use and camping fees, and fill up on gas and supplies in Glendive before heading into the park.

Dial 911 for any emergency. For park information, the park manager's office can be reached at 406-377-6256, and campsite reservations can be made at 1-855-922-6768, per Montana FWP's official park page.

Makoshika State Park (Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks) - https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/makoshika

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This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.