Posted in Montana Nature August 01, 2017 by

One Of The Oddest Geological Wonders Is Located Right Here In Montana

Considering the word “Montana” means “mountainous,” it should come as no surprise that we’ve got some impressive geological wonders in our state. From the limestone canyons of the Pryor Mountains to the Lewis and Clark caverns, there are plenty of natural sights worth exploring.

But our most visually unique geological attraction has to be the medicine rocks of Medicine Rocks State Park in Ekalaka. You certainly won’t find anything like this anywhere else in Montana.

Medicine Rocks State Park is located on Highway 7 just north of Ekalaka.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM / Flickr
The 330 acre park has drinking water, grills, fire rings, picnic areas and a few campsites.
Medicine Rocks was once a place of 'big medicine' where Indian hunting parties conjured up magical spirits, hence the name.
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
It’s not hard to see why Native American tribes considered the ancient sandstone pillars sacred. The geological formations look surreal.
Weathering is what has given the soft sandstone formations a Swiss cheese look.
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
In the 1800s, Sioux and Northern Cheyenne camped near these perforated rocks, which are filled with holes and tunnels created by rainfall and wind over millions of years.
The "medicine rocks" are certainly different, but once you learn their history, they actually seem pretty fascinating.
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
The tribes that came here were searching for medicinal plants to use in their vision quests while traveling from the Yellowstone River Valley to the Black Hills. You can still see thousands of tribal petroglyphs in the park.
In 1883, Theodore Roosevelt visited the area and called it "As fantastically beautiful a place as I have ever seen."
J. Stephen Conn / Flickr
Medicine Rocks State Park is open year-round.
RJohnson1975 / TripAdvisor
There is no entrance fee for Montana resident. If you're not a resident, the cost is $6.

Medicine Rocks State Park is a must-see for Montanans. And if you love our impressive natural wonders, check out our list of the 7 Wonders of Montana.