Distinctly Montana Magazine

W W W. D I S T I N C T LY M O N TA NA . C O M 73 RANGE RIDERS MUSEUM MONTANA BAR STRAWBERRY HILL RECREATION AREA For an unconventional glimpse into the history of Southeast Montana and the Old West, visit the Range Riders Museum. The rarities found here are housed in multiple buildings. View an eclectic assortment of farm tools, historic photographs, an impressive barbed wire display and one of the nation's premier arrowhead collections, plus antique automobiles and an entire building dedicated to the weaponry of one donor— including some pre-revolution pieces. Just east of town, explore more than 4,000 acres of grassland, sage and ponderosa pine at Strawberry Hill Recreation Area, with mesmerizing rock formations and Yellowstone Valley views. Bring your binoculars, as the wildlife tends to make itself known. Primitive camping is allowed here, so pitch a tent and revel in the rustic. While you're in Miles City, stop in for a drink at the iconic Montana Bar, one of the state's best-preserved historic watering holes. There's no telling how many cowboys and cowgirls have sidled up to the bar at this landmark, still boasting its original ornate Italian tile floor, cherry wood tables, the bar itself (which arrived by steamboat in 1912) and shiny gold 1914 cash register. Make sure to ask about the bullet hole in one of the glass partitions. One of Southeast Montana's best-kept secrets is its phenomenal prairie fishing, and no trip to Big Sky Country is complete without casting a line in the waters of the famous Yellowstone River. These waters are home to the prehistoric paddlefish— believed to be the oldest big-game animal surviving in North America—offer a very rare and unique angling adventure. Snag a paddlefish near Glendive between May 15 and June 30. Paddlefish tags, a conservation license and a fishing license are all required. Out here in Southeast Montana, we have a story to tell. It's a story shaped by landscapes and legends, dreamers and dinosaurs, roamers and rivers. It's a story of big adventures under even bigger skies, and it's waiting for you to discover. RANGE RIDERS MUSEUM MONTANA BAR STRAWBERRY HILL RECREATION AREA 2018 SOUTHEAST MONTANA EVENTS Plan your big-sky adventure around a much-anticipated Southeast Montana event. MAY 17 – 20 | MILES CITY 68th Annual World Famous Miles City Bucking Horse Sale JUNE 9 | GLENDIVE Buzzard Day Festival and Fun Run at Makoshika State Park JUNE 2 – 3 | BILLINGS Renaissance Festival at ZooMontana JUNE 14 – 16 | GLENDIVE Dawson County Carnival & Bump 'n Run JUNE 15 – 16 | MILES CITY Miles City Ranch Rodeo JUNE 16 | MILES CITY Miles City CowTown Cook Off, Kansas City BBQ Sanctioned Contest JUNE 16 – 17 | FORSYTH Matthew Quigley Buffalo Rifle Match JUNE 22 – 24 | LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT Little Big Horn Days JUNE 22 – 24 | GARRYOWEN Battle of the Little Bighorn Reenactment JUNE 22 – 24 | CROW AGENCY Crow Native Days JUNE 22 – 23 | GLENDIVE Badlands Drifters Cars in the Park JULY 6 | GLENDIVE Shakespeare in the Park JULY 21 – 22 | EKALAKA Ekalaka Dino Shindig AUGUST 15 – 20 | CROW AGENCY Crow Fair Celebration Powwow & Rodeo SEPTEMBER 1 | CHIEF PLENTY COUPS STATE PARK Chief Plenty Coups Day of Honor SEPTEMBER 21 – 23 | MILES CITY Miles City Bluegrass Festival SEPTEMBER 29 | GLENDIVE BBQ in the Badlands and Brew Fest

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