Makoshika State Park

Overview

To the Sioux Indians, Ma-ko-shi-ka meant bad earth or bad land. Today, as Montana's largest state park, the pine and juniper studded badland formations house the fossil remains of dinosaurs. You'll find a visitor center at the park entrance with exhibits explaining the site's geologic, fossil, and prehistoric stories. Roads and hiking trails let you explore the park's whimsical badlands landscape. Or try out the campground and the park's folf (frisbee golf) course. The visitor center sits just inside the park boundary with an impressive view of the badlands landscape unfolding in the background. The visitor center houses a museum detailing the evolution of the park as well as a gift shop. Visitors can watch a video on Makoshika. Park maps are available free of charge as well as informative brochures on other Montana State Parks and regional attractions. The park is also home to a section of the Montana Dinosaur Trail. More than ten different dinosaur species have been discovered in Makoshika. Significant finds include a complete Triceratops horridus skull (on display at the park's Visitor Center), fossil remains of Edmontosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex and a nearly complete skeleton of the rare Thescelosaur. There are developed campgrounds throughout the park. Open range camping is also permitted.

Park Partners

Directions

Phone Numbers

Links