Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M 93 C U S T E R C O U N T Y Dancing after the Bucking Horse Sale in Custer County www.distinctlymontana.com/custer191 DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL P ERHAPS NO COUNTY IN MON- TANA HARBORS THE SPIRIT OF THE WILD WEST AS THIS ONE. Named after General George A. Custer and populated with ranchers, farmers, and historic characters, the county bursts with stories, true and false. e center of cattle country, it was the destination of many cattle drives from Texas. At the center of the excitement is Miles City, its county seat. Miles City with its week-long wild Bucking Horse Sale and Ro- deo in May sustains at least a dozen bars. Places of interest around Miles City include the YELLOWSTONE JEWEL, nestled in the Yellowstone River Valley, located 7.5 miles out of Miles City. e trail leads you past the Buffalo Gap to high bluffs where General Custer and the 7th Cavalry camped on June 15, 1876 (10 days later was the Battle of the Little Big Horn). It's named for the Sioux chief, Spotted Eagle, who camped his people nearby. PIROGUE ISLAND is located along the north bank of the Yellow- stone River. Excellent for fishing, bird watching, and picnicking. e highest point is SIGNAL BUTTE, said to have been used by na- tive Americans for communication; it also has been used for radio and TV antennas.It lies on the edge of badlands with sandstone formations in the midst of sagebrush and cedar trees. With 23 lakes recreation, such as fishing, boating, swimming, and hiking, are available. Good eating is to be enjoyed too. You must visit the MILES CITY SADDLERY with its huge variety of saddles, bridles, western clothes and the KICKIN' ASS HAT CO., the best of its kind. Two important museums are to be found here. THE RANGE RIDERS MUSEUM encompasses 13 buildings of artifacts and local history as well as a huge Cowboy Hall of Fame. e WATER- WORKS ART MUSEUM houses works of the top artists in the country. MILES CITY BOZEMAN Take a ride on the DEVIL'S TOBOGGAN next time you are in Boze- man. 21st century cocktails and tapas in hip, second floor speakeasy in the Cannery district of Bozeman conveniently located away from downtown. Tell them Distinctly Montana sent you for entry. BILLINGS Take a winter hike on FOUR DANCES TRAIL in Billings. It's only three miles long and offers great views of the city. You walk around a plateau that is edged with cliffs. e west boundary is the Yellowstone River. Starts at 1100 Coburn Rd. DONNIE SEXTON

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