Montana's Largest State Park Is Wildly Underrated

When one thinks of Montana, images of towering mountains (like those found in Glacier National Park) likely come to mind. But in reality, the vast majority of Montana is covered in flat prairies and badlands, with the mountainous area only covering a relatively small sliver at the far western border of the state.

Montana is also a very large state, covering over 147,000 square miles, making it the fourth largest state by landmass. It is, however, sparsely populated, sitting at the 43rd with only around 1.13 million residents. With all this seemingly empty land, it is no surprise that Montana contains a number of excellent parks (besides Glacier). But, what is this state's largest state park?

Makoshika State Park is a little talked about, and highly underrated, park that we feel needs some more attention. See why it should be added to your to-do list the next time you're traveling in the great state of Montana.

The Geography of Makoshika State Park

Makoshika State Park, located on the far eastern side of Montana near the border of North Dakota, covers approximately 11,538 acres, making it by far Montana's largest state park (with Fish Creek coming in second at 6,200 acres). The park's name, derived from the Lakota phrase Mako Sica, translates to "land of bad spirits" or "bad land," reflecting the area's challenging terrain that was poor for both hunting and agriculture. It is situated within the rugged badlands of America's Northern Great Plains and is characterized by a unique geology that reveals millions of years of Earth's history to the naked eye.

Makoshika’s landscape is dominated by eroded sedimentary rock, including sandstone, siltstone, and shale, which create its iconic steep cliffs, spires, and natural arches. These formations date back to the late Cretaceous and Paleogene periods, with fossils from dinosaurs like Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex found within the park. Layers of rock within the park, weathered over time by wind and water, display an array of brilliant natural colors ranging from earthy reds and oranges to soft grays and tans. These colors show off the diversity of minerals and other geologic materials that can be found right below your feet!

Deep ravines and plateaus interspersed with prairie grasslands add to the diversity of the terrain you'll see here. The Yellowstone River also flows nearby, further shaping the park's environment and supporting its wildlife. The park lies within a semi-arid climate zone, meaning there is sparse vegetation. Plant fans out there should not worry however, as junipers, cacti, sagebrush, and even an assortment of wildflowers adapted to dry conditions can still be found here. Keep your eye open for the park's diverse plains wildlife too, including mule deer, bobcats, sage lizards, rattlesnakes, and a variety of birds, most notably turkey vultures, golden eagles, and mountain bluebirds.

What To Do in Makoshika State Park

This wonderful natural area is full of scenic landmarks, trails, campgrounds, and other amenities for all types of outdoor adventurers. The appeal of Makoshika will likely increase for you once you realize how sparse the crowds generally are here, something that can't be said for many of the other popular parks within the state.

Here are the top things we recommend you see and do during your visit:

Go Fossil Hunting

Makoshika State Park is renowned for its fossils. The erosion over time has made it easier for people to find the ancient dinosaur bones that rest here, with many being discovered accidentally by visitors simply hiking among the park's terrain throughout the decades. Today, the state of Montana, along with generations of paleontologists who have been studying here, has denoted various fossil-rich areas within the park with educational signage.

It is also very much worth checking out the visitor center, which contains a large collection of some of the area's best findings, including T-Rex and Triceratops fossils.

Hiking

The park features 11 official trails, ranging from short, family-friendly walks to more challenging routes. Popular paths include the Cap Rock Trail, which showcases many of the park's most interesting rock formations along the way, and the Diane Gabriel Trail, where fossil replicas will teach you about the area’s former prehistoric life. The Hungry Joe Trail is the longest in the park, clocking in at around 4.6 miles.

As with any visit to Makoshika, let alone for a hike, it is highly recommended you bring plenty of water and sunscreen, particularly in the summer when precipitation is sparse and temperatures often roar. We'd also like to mention the importance of staying on designated trails. The historic and scientific importance of this park, along with its delicate ecosystems, means that straying off park-designated pathways could lead to you accidentally stepping on priceless fossils and disrupting the local wildlife.

Visitor Center

Near the main entrance of the park is the Makoshika State Park Visitor Center, which serves as both a museum and a rest stop. Within its walls are a number of displays and exhibits that cover the park's natural history, especially its prevalence in the world of paleontology. Do not miss the center's main pieces, which include fossils from both a triceratops and a T-Rex.

The visitor center also features a gift shop, bathrooms, a seating area, and a small parking lot. It is also near the trailhead for many of the park's most popular trails.

Camping

There are a couple of notable campgrounds, both within and near Makoshika State Park. In the center of the park is Cains Campground, a camping area that we think is the most scenic. With colorful cliff sides and grasslands surrounding Cains, it is perhaps the most immersive way to sleep under the stars during your visit. It also focuses more on tent camping and contains fire rings as well.

Other RV-friendly campgrounds can be found in nearby Glendive, including Riverview RV Park and Blue Sky RV Park.

Disc Golf

The park is home to an 18-hole disc golf course. Open to disc golfers of all skill levels, and containing some of the best views one can have while playing a round, what more can we say?

Visit Glendive

Glendive sits right on the northern border of Makoshika State Park, making it the closest town to the park and its official gateway. The Yellowstone River flows through this beautiful town of 4,800 residents, offering further opportunities for outdoor activities like fishing, boating, and sightseeing.

Downtown Glendive features a number of restored early 20th-century buildings, many of which now house locally-owned shops and restaurants. One must-see destination is the Frontier Gateway Museum, which highlights the region’s history, from the original pioneers all the way to its prehistoric past. Another worthwhile museum for dinosaur fans to check out is the Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum, which showcases a number of world-class fossils, many of which were collected locally.

As mentioned before, Glendive is home to a couple of RV parks, but there are also several hotels (primarily at the northern end of town) where you can stay the night.

Explore Makoshiko State Park - The Gem of Eastern Montana

Makoshiko has proven to be one of the most underrated parks in the United States, between its lack of crowds and jaw-dropping landscapes. Will you be able to make your way out to this remote area of the country?

We think it is worth seeing things that don't always get the attention they deserve, and this part of the world is full of them. From the many lesser-known parks that can also be found nearby to the quaint small towns that are full of charm, it'll definitely make for a memorable vacation off the beaten path.