Eastern Montana does not receive nearly the love and admiration it deserves. While it may not offer the towering peaks and idyllic waterfalls found in the western reaches of the state, what it does offer is a different type of beauty. You'll discover it by journeying into a world of mystifying badlands and alien landscapes toward one of the most unique natural wonders in Montana.
In Montana's largest state park, Makoshika State Park, just southeast of the town of Glendive, there is a short and easy trail that leads to one of the most photographed rock formations in the state.
The trail is a total of 0.4 miles out and back, making it one of the more accessible trails in the park. Note that you'll first need to pay $8 to enter the park for all non-Montana residents.
Known as Twin Sisters, these rock formations are composed of largely unaltered dunite, an ultramafic rock that is mostly olivine in composition. As you wander through these Montana badlands, you'll feel as though you've been transported to another planet.
This image gives a powerful sense of its scale; a true testament to the sheer size of these rock formations.
This view of one of the many unique rock pinnacles found in this area of the park is one of my favorite viewpoints.
And add bonus points for the simple fact that these incredible rock formations are easily accessible! This is a great option for those with limited mobility or limited time who still want to enjoy the otherworldly beauty found in Makoshika State Park.
There are several great trails nearby, such as Switchback Trail and Ponderosa Trail, if you want to add a little more mileage to your hiking experience while still keeping the challenge manageable for most hikers.
Be sure to check out AllTrails+ so that you can download your offline trail and topographic maps, record your hikes for later reference, and search for more hikes in your area.
These badlands are truly amazing and you'll encounter incredible views throughout the park even without having to get out of your car (although I highly recommend that you do, and be sure to bring your camera).
The different strata, or layers, of the rock formations shown here offer a great visual of the geologic timeline of this landscape over many years of deposition and erosion of materials.
You're in for a real treat if you stay in the park until sunset as it can be quite spectacular when the weather conditions align just right. And despite this park's undeniable beauty, one of its biggest draws is that you're unlikely to encounter huge crowds.
So if peace and quiet in nature is on your agenda this summer, I highly recommend you check out the Twin Sisters Trail and surrounding badlands in Makoshika State Park.
If you've been fortunate enough to explore Twin Sisters and the other fascinating geologic features found at Makoshika State Park, I'm sure you'll agree that this landscape offers some of the most jaw-dropping natural wonders in Montana. We'd love to hear your thoughts about the park if you've visited — or if you plan to visit — in the comments below!
Better yet, check out this natural wonders road trip in Montana that will take you to some of the most beautiful destinations found throughout the Treasure State. I assure you, you won't be disappointed!
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