Posted in Montana National & State Parks, Nature July 07, 2021 by

Makoshika State Park Is The Single Best State Park In Montana, And It’s Just Waiting To Be Explored

Recently, Travel + Leisure made a list of the 50 best state parks in America, and with Montana having 55 gorgeous state parks to choose from, we can’t imagine that being an easy choice. However, we were pleasantly surprised to see they named Makoshika State Park as our best. As the article mentions, visiting this prehistoric place feels a little bit like going to Mars.

Makoshika State Park is located on the southeast side of Glendive, which is pretty out of the way for most Montanans.
Robby GC / TripAdvisor
However, once you make the trek, you'll understand why it's always worth the drive.
Makoshika encompasses 11,538 acres at an elevation of 2,415 feet, so it's pretty massive -- in fact, it's the largest state park in Montana.
Kerry G / TripAdvisor
The site officially became a state park in 1939, but its history going back further -- much, much further, in fact.
Makoshika State Park has been one of the largest sites for fossil discoveries in the state, which is really saying a lot.
Sara / TripAdvisor
Dinosaur fossils discovered here include Triceratops, Thescelosaurus, and even a T-Rex, just to name a few.
While fossils are still discovered here, these days, the park is mainly used to its nature trails and camping.
Sara M / TripAdvisor
Campsites can be reserved online. You'll also find information on the trails and the dinosaurs at the Visitor Center at the park entrance.
To the Lakota tribe, Makoshika meant "bad earth" or "bad land."
Latisha M / TripAdvisor
The Lakota spent a great deal of time here, and that's where the park's name comes from.
Sometimes, being here really does feel like being on Mars, or at least somewhere otherworldly.
Brett Whaley / Flickr
Montana doesn't have much in the way of badlands, and all the bizarre-shaped rock outcroppings somehow only add to its unique beauty.

Visit the park’s website or Facebook page to learn more.

Have you ever taken a trip to Makoshika State Park? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments section below! Check out our previous article for more state parks in Montana worth visiting.

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Address: Makoshika State Park Road, Makoshika State Park Rd, Glendive, MT 59330, USA