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Great Plains
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Explore Montana’s Great Plains for prairie landscapes, badlands, river valleys, Indigenous history, wildlife and wide-open road journeys.

Montana’s Great Plains form the broad eastern and central-eastern sweep of the state, where the Rocky Mountains give way to open grassland, badlands, river valleys and an immense, changing horizon. This is a region of long distances and low population density, shaped by the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers and by the prairie rising gradually towards the state’s northern border. It is not a single administrative district, but a geographical landscape that includes communities such as Great Falls, Havre, Glasgow, Miles City, Glendive, Sidney and Billings, with the exact boundary varying according to whether the term is used geographically or culturally.
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The scenery is more varied than the word “plains” suggests. Along the Missouri River, cottonwood bottoms and reservoirs interrupt rolling prairie, while the eastern badlands around Glendive expose sharply eroded sandstone and clay. Near the Canadian border, the Hi-Line passes wheat fields, ranch country and wildlife refuges; farther south, the Yellowstone Valley combines irrigated agriculture with sandstone bluffs and dry grassland. Fort Peck Lake, Makoshika State Park and the prairie landscapes around the Little Bighorn River provide some of the region’s most distinctive outdoor settings.
Human history is deeply present in these landscapes. The plains are homelands and living cultural territories for Native nations including the Apsáalooke, Northern Cheyenne, Assiniboine, Gros Ventre and Blackfeet, among others. The Missouri and Yellowstone corridors later became routes for Indigenous trade, fur trading, military expeditions, railways and settlement. Places such as Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Pompeys Pillar National Monument and the museums of Great Falls and Billings help visitors understand overlapping Indigenous, expeditionary, military, agricultural and industrial histories rather than presenting the region as an empty frontier.
Travel here rewards preparation and a willingness to move between dispersed places. Great Falls and Billings provide the largest concentrations of services, while smaller communities offer access to reservoirs, prairie wildlife, local museums and historic trails. Driving is usually the most practical way to link destinations, and distances between fuel, food and accommodation can be considerable. Weather can change quickly, especially on exposed roads and during winter, while summer brings heat, thunderstorms and strong sun.
The Great Plains of Montana are best experienced through attentive observation: a dawn drive beside the Yellowstone, a walk among Makoshika’s fossil-bearing formations, a visit to a working agricultural community, or a quiet view across Fort Peck Lake. Local food reflects ranching, farming and the wider culinary traditions of Montana, while evening life is generally centred on relaxed pubs, cafés, community events and live music rather than a large club scene. The region’s appeal lies in its scale, geological drama and the continuing relationship between people, rivers and prairie.

When is the best time to visit Great Plains?

Best: June–August · 22–25°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January-113
February111
March614
April1119
May1724
June (best)2230
July (best)2527
August (best)2424
September1820
October1116
November413
December-212

Getting to and around Great Plains

How to get there

Billings Logan International Airport and Great Falls International Airport are the principal air gateways for the larger central and eastern plains, while smaller commercial airports serve communities including Sidney, Glasgow, Wolf Point and Havre. Billings and Great Falls are inside the broader plains landscape, though their suitability depends on the itinerary. Interstate 90 provides access from the west and east through southern Montana, while Interstate 94 crosses the eastern part of the state. Routes 2, 87 and 191 are important approaches to the northern and central plains. Visitors arriving from outside the United States generally connect through a larger American airport before taking a domestic flight or driving.

Transportation

A private or hire car is normally the most practical way to explore Montana’s Great Plains, as attractions, towns and accommodation are spread across substantial distances. Intercity buses and Amtrak’s Empire Builder serve parts of the northern corridor, but they are not a comprehensive sightseeing network and do not reach every attraction. Billings and Great Falls have local urban transport, while smaller communities mainly rely on cars, taxis and limited local services. Cycling and walking are rewarding on selected trails and in towns, but exposed roads, heavy vehicles, heat and limited shoulders require care. Download maps and plan fuel stops before leaving the main highways.

Top city travel guides in Great Plains

The cities of Great Plains, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in Great Plains

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in Great Plains

Attractions across Montana’s Great Plains range from Indigenous and military history to geological formations, reservoirs, wildlife refuges and working agricultural landscapes. Great Falls provides museums and river-related heritage connected with the Missouri, while the Upper Missouri Breaks and Fort Peck Lake offer boating, fishing, birdwatching and long stretches of river scenery. Makoshika State Park, outside Glendive, is the region’s leading badlands landscape, with eroded formations, fossil-bearing geology, trails and wide views. Around the Yellowstone Valley, Pompeys Pillar National Monument combines a prominent sandstone outcrop with expedition history and river habitat. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument offers a carefully interpreted account of the 1876 battle and its Indigenous context. Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge and other prairie wetlands are important for migratory birds and wildlife viewing. Smaller museums, historic depots, galleries and community events add local perspective, while the roads between attractions are themselves part of the experience, revealing ranches, wheat country, cottonwood-lined rivers and changing prairie horizons.

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Best landmarks in Great Plains

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Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in Great Plains

Dining in Montana’s Great Plains reflects ranching, farming, river communities and the broader food traditions of the American West. Steakhouses, family cafés, diners and traditional pubs are common in larger towns, while rural communities may offer a smaller choice centred on straightforward, filling meals. Beef, bison, lamb and locally grown wheat feature prominently, alongside burgers, chilli, soups and baked goods; trout and other freshwater fish appear in places connected with the Missouri and Yellowstone systems, though menus vary by season and location. Farmers’ markets in larger communities can provide regional honey, vegetables, preserves and baked products, while breweries and cafés often add contemporary options. Billings and Great Falls have the broadest dining range, including international cuisines and modern restaurants, whereas smaller plains towns are useful for local conversation, provisions and dependable breakfasts. Distances make it sensible to check food availability before setting out for remote parks or reservoirs.

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Best bars in Great Plains

Evening life on Montana’s Great Plains is generally relaxed and community-oriented rather than dominated by nightclubs. Billings and Great Falls have the widest choice of cocktail bars, breweries, live-music venues, restaurants and late-night entertainment, while university and civic events can influence their calendars. In towns such as Miles City, Glendive, Havre, Glasgow and Sidney, traditional bars, grills, cafés and historic-style pubs are more typical social settings. Breweries and taprooms provide locally produced beer in some larger communities, but opening arrangements and venue status can change. In smaller settlements, evening activity may revolve around a sports fixture, concert, fair, rodeo or community gathering rather than a formal nightlife district. Visitors driving between towns should plan a sober driver or overnight stay, since distances are long and taxis or ride-hailing services may be limited outside the main centres.

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Best nightclubs in Great Plains

Evening life on Montana’s Great Plains is generally relaxed and community-oriented rather than dominated by nightclubs. Billings and Great Falls have the widest choice of cocktail bars, breweries, live-music venues, restaurants and late-night entertainment, while university and civic events can influence their calendars. In towns such as Miles City, Glendive, Havre, Glasgow and Sidney, traditional bars, grills, cafés and historic-style pubs are more typical social settings. Breweries and taprooms provide locally produced beer in some larger communities, but opening arrangements and venue status can change. In smaller settlements, evening activity may revolve around a sports fixture, concert, fair, rodeo or community gathering rather than a formal nightlife district. Visitors driving between towns should plan a sober driver or overnight stay, since distances are long and taxis or ride-hailing services may be limited outside the main centres.

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Best shops in Great Plains

Shopping in Montana’s Great Plains is concentrated in the main towns rather than in continuous retail districts. Billings and Great Falls provide the largest selection of supermarkets, department stores, independent retailers, galleries, outdoor-equipment shops and regional food businesses. Smaller centres such as Miles City, Glendive, Havre, Glasgow and Sidney serve their surrounding ranching and farming communities, with practical supplies, local gift shops, books, antiques and modest independent high streets. Farmers’ markets, when operating seasonally, are useful for honey, preserves, baked goods, vegetables and handmade items, while galleries and craft shops may carry Western-themed art, pottery, jewellery, leatherwork and textiles. Products associated with Montana’s wider identity, including outdoor clothing, locally made food and Native-designed or Native-produced art, are widely available, but buyers should check provenance and avoid treating Indigenous cultural designs as generic souvenirs. In remote areas, stock up on essentials before driving onward to parks, reservoirs or wildlife refuges.

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Great Plains essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD). Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, petrol stations, museums and restaurants in larger towns, although a small amount of cash remains useful in rural areas and for minor purchases. Mobile coverage can be inconsistent outside settlements, so do not rely exclusively on a phone-based wallet or online payment. In the United States, restaurant and service staff commonly receive tips, and the final amount on a card transaction may be added after the main charge.
Safety
The principal practical concerns are distance, weather, road conditions and outdoor exposure rather than crowded urban environments. Keep fuel and water available, watch for wildlife and farm vehicles, and allow extra stopping distance on long rural highways. Summer heat, lightning, wildfire smoke and sudden storms can affect plains travel, while winter brings ice, snow and reduced visibility. At badlands, riverbanks and reservoirs, remain on signed routes and keep away from unstable edges, deep water and rapidly changing conditions. Check local forecasts and land-management notices before hiking, boating, fishing or visiting remote areas.
Emergency Situations
Dial 911 anywhere in Montana for police, fire or ambulance assistance. Tell the operator your exact location, highway number, direction of travel or nearest town, as rural addresses and mobile coverage can be less straightforward than in cities. For outdoor emergencies, follow the directions of park staff, sheriff’s offices and local emergency services; do not assume that a remote trail or reservoir has immediate reception. In a vehicle breakdown, remain with the car when conditions are severe unless emergency personnel advise otherwise. The national 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is also available for urgent mental-health support in the United States.
Do's and Don'ts
Do respect private property, tribal sovereignty, posted access restrictions and the Leave No Trace principles. Do ask before photographing people, ceremonies or culturally sensitive objects, and use particular care at battlefields, cemeteries and memorials. Do keep to marked trails around fragile badlands and archaeological areas, and never remove fossils, artefacts or rocks where regulations prohibit it. Do drive patiently around agricultural machinery and livestock. Do not assume that apparently empty land is public, and do not enter a ranch road, reservation area or historic site without checking the rules. Tipping service staff follows national United States practice rather than a distinct Montana custom.
Local Tips
Use Great Falls or Billings as service-rich bases when the itinerary combines museums, supplies and longer day drives, but stay in smaller communities when visiting remote parks or river landscapes. Fort Peck, Glendive and the Hi-Line each offer different versions of the plains, so avoid treating the region as uniform. Dawn and late afternoon bring gentler light and more comfortable temperatures for badlands walks and photography. Local visitor centres, park offices and tribal cultural institutions can provide the most reliable information on current access, road conditions and respectful interpretation.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[hau-dee]
GoodbyeSee you later[see yoo lay-ter]
YesYep[yehp]
NoNope[nohp]
Please/You're welcomeSure thing[shur thing]
Thank youThanks a lot[thanks a lot]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me[par-don mee]
How are you?How ya doin'?[how ya doin'?]
Fine. And you?Good. You?[good. yoo?]
Do you speak English?Do ya speak English?[do ya speak ing-glish?]
I don't understandI ain't gettin' it[I aynt gettin' it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu?[can I see the men-yoo?]
I don't eat meatI ain't eatin' meat[I aynt eatin' meet]
Cheers!Cheers![cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I pay, please?[can I pay, pleeze?]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![help!]
Go away!Leave me be![leave me bee!]
Call the Police!Call the cops![call the cops!]
Call a doctor!Get a doctor![get a doc-tor!]
I'm lostI’m turned around[I’m turned around]
I'm illI’m feelin' sick[I’m feelin' sick]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[I wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingJust lookin' around[just lookin' around]
How much is it?What’s the price?[what’s the price?]
That's too expensiveThat's a bit much[that's a bit much]
Can you lower the price?Can ya bring it down?[can ya bring it down?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What's the time?[what's the time?]
It's one o'clockIt's one o'clock[it's one o'clock]
Half past (10)Half past ten[half past ten]
MorningMornin'[mornin']
AfternoonAfternoon[afternoon]
EveningEvenin'[evenin']
YesterdayYesterday[yesterday]
TodayToday[today]
TomorrowTomorrow[to-mor-row]
1One[one]
2Two[two]
3Three[three]
4Four[four]
5Five[five]
6Six[six]
7Seven[seven]
8Eight[eight]
9Nine[nine]
10Ten[ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[where's the...?]
What's the address?What's the address?[what's the address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can ya show me on the map?[can ya show me on the map?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next bus?[when's the next bus?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket to...[a ticket to...]

History of Great Plains

Indigenous Plains Homelands

For thousands of years, the grasslands, river valleys and badlands of eastern Montana have been used, travelled and cared for by Indigenous peoples. The Apsáalooke, Northern Cheyenne, Assiniboine, Gros Ventre and Blackfeet are among the nations with deep historical and contemporary connections to Montana’s plains. Bison, rivers and seasonal movement shaped economies and cultural practices, while trade routes joined communities across the northern Great Plains. These histories remain central to places such as Little Bighorn Battlefield and to the sovereignty and living traditions of Montana’s tribes.

Missouri River Expeditions, 1804–1806

The Lewis and Clark Expedition travelled through the northern Great Plains of present-day Montana in 1805 and 1806, following the Missouri River on its westward and return journeys. The expedition depended on knowledge, assistance and diplomacy involving Indigenous communities, including Sacagawea’s participation as a Lemhi Shoshone woman. Its route is commemorated at sites around Great Falls and the Missouri Breaks, although these places should be understood within much older Indigenous geographies rather than as the beginning of the region’s history.

Fur Trade and Forts

During the early nineteenth century, the Missouri and Yellowstone river corridors became important to the fur trade and to competition between trading companies. Fort Benton, at the head of navigation on the Missouri River, connected river commerce with the interior plains, while trading posts and later military installations supported movement through the region. The trade brought goods and new political pressures into established Indigenous networks. Its legacy survives in historic sites and museum collections, but it also forms part of a wider history of disease, conflict, commercial change and treaty-making.

The 1876 Great Sioux War

The 1876 conflict between the United States and the Lakota, Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples culminated in the Battle of the Little Bighorn in present-day southeastern Montana. On 25 and 26 June, a large force of Lakota and Cheyenne warriors defeated Lieutenant Colonel George A. Custer’s battalion of the Seventh Cavalry. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument interprets the battle from multiple perspectives, including those of the Indigenous warriors and families involved. The conflict was followed by intensified United States control and the narrowing of Indigenous territorial autonomy.

Railways, Homesteads and Agricultural Settlement

Railway construction in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries opened Montana’s plains to large-scale commercial agriculture, stock raising and new settlement. Towns grew along lines such as the Great Northern Railway across the northern part of the state, while homesteading campaigns attracted farmers to an environment whose rainfall could be unpredictable. Wheat, cattle and sheep became significant parts of the economy, but drought, harsh winters and the agricultural crisis of the 1920s and 1930s exposed the limits of settlement. Many present-day towns retain railway-era street plans and buildings.

Dams, Irrigation and Energy

Twentieth-century development transformed major rivers across the plains. Fort Peck Dam, completed on the Missouri River during the New Deal era, created Fort Peck Lake and remains one of the largest earthen dams in the world. Its construction provided employment during the Great Depression and supported flood control, hydroelectric generation and water management, while also altering river ecology and landscapes. Later oil and gas development, including activity around the Williston Basin and eastern Montana, added another important but sometimes cyclical influence to the region’s economy.

Great Plains in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Great Plains, Montana

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  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
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Welcome to Evendo, your all-in-one app-based travel guide to the breathtaking Great Plains, Montana. Whether you're planning your first visit or returning for another adventure, Evendo transforms your travel experience by providing comprehensive insights and easy navigation to make your journey unforgettable.

Discover renowned attractions like the serene Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge or the vast beauty of the Missouri River. Evendo offers detailed guides on these and many more landmarks, ensuring you never miss a moment of your Great Plains adventure. Dive into local culture with visits to acclaimed restaurants such as the Prairie View Grill and indulge in authentic Montana cuisine.

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Evendo is not just a guide but a gateway to experiencing Great Plains like a local. With curated local tips, extensive history, travel essentials, and easy navigation, you will find yourself immersed in the rich culture and stunning landscapes of this region. And the best part? Evendo is entirely free, with no in-app purchases or hidden costs, offering you a world of travel possibilities at no cost.

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