You've checked Yellowstone off your bucket list. You've seen Old Faithful erupt, marveled at the Grand Prismatic Spring, and maybe even spotted a bison or two. Now you're ready for the next adventure, and some of the West's most spectacular experiences are waiting just beyond the park's borders in Southeast Montana.
While millions of visitors flock to Yellowstone each year, Southeast Montana remains one of the state’s best-kept secrets. Here, you'll find dramatic landscapes, incredible wildlife, and outdoor adventures with an authentic Western experience that feels genuinely untouched.
Your National Park Pass Still Works
Here's a travel hack many visitors don't know: your National Park Pass grants you access to two of Southeast Montana's premier destinations. Pompeys Pillar National Monument and Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument both accept your park pass, making them budget-friendly additions to your trip.
The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is currently undergoing renovations—please visit the National Park Service's info page for up-to-date hours of operation.
Camping Under Dark Skies
Southeast Montana's camping offers an incredible experience under some of the darkest, most star-filled skies in the country at designated dark sky sites along Montana's Trail to the Stars. The minimal light pollution and wide-open spaces create astronomical viewing opportunities that are truly spectacular.
For a unique twist, you can camp at Medicine Rocks State Park has been designated as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary by the International Dark Sky Association. The park is one of only two dark sky sites in Montana and only the 14th dark sky sanctuary in the world.
Badlands Adventures: A Different Kind of Mountain
Southeast Montana offers a completely different geological wonder—evolving badlands that change colors as the sun rises and sets across the landscape. Makoshika State Park provides the crown jewel of badlands hiking, with trails that reveal fossil discoveries and otherworldly rock formations.
The badlands experience extends beyond Makoshika. The Terry Badlands Wilderness Study Area and Acton Recreation Area offer additional hiking opportunities where you can explore these distinctive landscapes in peaceful solitude. Join ranger programs for paleo experiences and night sky viewing—intimate, hands-on learning experiences.
Wildlife and Photography: 400+ Bird Species
Southeast Montana is home to over 400 bird species, making it a paradise for wildlife watchers and photographers. You can explore canyons, forests, and prairies to spot elk, deer, pronghorn, foxes, and otters across vast, open spaces.
Pack your binoculars for spectacular bird watching—eagles, osprey, owls, herons, and Montana's state bird, the Western meadowlark. For photography enthusiasts, follow in the footsteps of Evelyn Cameron, the British pioneer who captured the perfect light across these landscapes. Visit the Evelyn Cameron Gallery in Terry, then use the "Framing the Big Sky" map to find picture-perfect locations.
Water Adventures: Bighorn Canyon
For a spectacular water experience, head to Bighorn Canyon. This 71-mile lake stretches along the Montana-Wyoming border, nestled beneath steep canyon walls nearly 1,000 feet high. Created by Yellowtail Dam, the lake offers some of the most dramatic water scenery in the region.
Bring your own boat or kayak, or rent a pontoon from Ok-A-Beh Marina. The lake provides the perfect setting for a relaxing day on the water after days of hiking and sightseeing, with pristine waters and stunning canyon views.
World-Class Fishing Adventures
Southeast Montana's fishing opportunities put you right in the action with incredible access and flexibility. The Bighorn River is considered one of America's premier blue ribbon trout streams, offering consistent hatches and trophy-sized fish with excellent guide services and public access points.
For a completely different angling experience, try wrangling monster catfish from the Yellowstone River or head to Tongue River Reservoir for record-winning catches. The best part? You can purchase your Montana fishing license online before you arrive, making it simple to get started.
Biking Adventures: From Prairie to Badlands
Southeast Montana offers unique biking experiences you simply can't find elsewhere. The rustic and remote Calypso Trail in the Terry Badlands provides mountain biking across prairies, buttes, and badlands—a challenge unlike any other where you'll be truly one with nature.
The region offers everything from urban trails in Billings to remote badlands routes. The diverse terrain means you can experience a different type of adventure each day, from technical badlands riding to peaceful prairie cycling across vast landscapes.
Summer Wildflower Spectacle
From June through July, Southeast Montana transforms into a wildflower paradise. Wild iris and tall stalks of yucca blooms dot the prairies and rimrocks, while sunflowers create a steady spread of gold throughout the summer months.
Discover sego lily, lupine, prairie roses, purple prairie clover, crocus, and prickly pear cactus across the grasslands. These blooms are accessible right from the roadside and along easy walking paths, making them perfect for exploration and photography across the region's expansive landscapes.
The Southeast Montana Burger Trail
After all that hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching, you're going to work up an appetite. Lucky for you, Southeast Montana has created the perfect solution: the Southeast Montana Burger Trail. This isn't your typical fast-food experience—we're talking about locally-sourced, hand-formed patties that showcase the region's agricultural heritage.
Follow the trail from town to town, sampling unique burger creations that reflect each community's character. From classic ranch-style burgers to creative local specialties, each stop offers a taste of authentic Montana flavor. It's the perfect way to fuel up between adventures and experience the local culture one delicious bite at a time.
Don't Go Home Yet!
Think of Yellowstone as the appetizer—Southeast Montana is where the real feast begins. Sure, you've seen a geyser shoot water into the air, but have you ever tried to photograph a yucca bloom while a pronghorn photobombs your shot? We didn't think so.
Before you head home with your "I survived Old Faithful" t-shirt, stick around and discover what happens when the West gets really wild. Southeast Montana is waiting to show you that sometimes the best adventures are the ones you stumble into when you're not quite ready to leave Big Sky Country.
