Custer County: Rivers, Badlands and Special Excursions

Custer County combines river landscapes, nature experiences, historic sites and scenic road routes. The Yellowstone River shapes several of the area’s special excursion destinations: Miles City was established at the confluence of the Yellowstone River and the Tongue River, while one riverbank area is characterized by cottonwood trees, green ash, willows and open grasslands. When looking for a vacation rental or vacation home, it is therefore worth first deciding what kind of trip you want: Would you like to experience the water, take short outings, visit museums or plan a longer drive through the landscape?

River Landscapes and Nature Around the Yellowstone River

Pirogue Island State Park is an isolated island in the Yellowstone River. Cottonwood trees provide shade there; the characteristic wildlife of this place also includes waterfowl, bald eagles, fox squirrels, and white-tailed and mule deer. Those who want to combine nature observation with a river landscape during a stay in Custer County will find a clear focus for planning a day trip here.

The Yellowstone River also remains part of the setting at the WaterWorks Art Museum. The museum is housed in the concrete basins of the 1910 WaterWorks facility. This system produced Miles City’s drinking water for more than 60 years. In this way, art and local history come together in one place, without requiring you to limit your travel itinerary exclusively to nature-related activities.

Trails, Water and Camping

Strawberry Hill Recreation Area is located on Baker Road along Montana Highway 12 and covers 4,200 acres. Hiking opportunities are available there; the area is also suitable for primitive camping. The Natural Bridges Trail leads for a little more than 1 mile to the natural bridges. To access its trailhead, you must first travel the Calypso Trail in a four-wheel-drive vehicle. This information should be included in your day-trip and arrival planning if you choose this trail.

At Matthews Recreation Area, the Yellowstone River is accessible by canoe or kayak. There are no developed boat-launch facilities there, but overnight camping is permitted. Non-motorized boating is possible at Spotted Eagle Recreation Area near Miles City. Those looking for water activities can therefore distinguish these places according to the type of experience they want, rather than treating them as equivalent offerings. On the Powder River, Moorhead Recreation Site includes a partially developed but basic campground.

Badlands, Road Route and Walking Trails

The Big Sky Back Country Byway begins in Terry and is 105 miles long. The route passes through badlands and rolling prairies. From a road that is open year-round, it offers year-round views of the scenic badlands in eastern Montana. For a road trip, this is an independent way to experience the landscape over a longer distance.

For a shorter outing, the walking paths in Fairgrounds/Riverside Park are a good option. They consist of smooth asphalt or concrete surfaces. The red route is 1.8 miles long; with the blue extension, it totals 2 miles. This allows you to add a manageable walk to your stay when a longer excursion is not planned for the day.

Culture and Events in Miles City

The Range Riders Museum was built on the grounds of the 1876 Fort Keogh cantonment and opened in August 1942. Together with the WaterWorks Art Museum, it creates a cultural focus that connects art, the history of water supply and the region’s historical development. The Eastern Montana Fair takes place every August at the Custer County Fairgrounds in Miles City. If you schedule your stay during this period, the fair is one of the specific dates you can take into account when planning.

For urban amenities and events, Miles City is an important point of reference among the travel experiences mentioned. Outside the 2-mile area around downtown Miles City, Custer County Transit provides local out-of-town transportation within Custer County. These trips must be coordinated at least 72 hours in advance. This is particularly relevant if you do not want to base your accommodation search and excursion planning exclusively on driving your own car.

Choose Accommodation Suited to Your Travel Style

When selecting a vacation rental or vacation home in Custer County, you can base your choice on the rhythm you want for your days. For days spent in nature, Strawberry Hill, Pirogue Island, the riverbanks of the Yellowstone River and the trails at Natural Bridges Trail are the main attractions. Those who prefer culture and history can combine Miles City with the WaterWorks Art Museum, the Range Riders Museum and the Eastern Montana Fair. For a round trip or longer excursion, the Big Sky Back Country Byway offers a different focus. When searching for accommodation, therefore, consider above all which of these experiences should define your trip and what arrival planning they require.

For further orientation, you can also find pages about Deer Lodge, Sheridan County, Richland County, Big Horn County, Musselshell County, Cascade and Gallatin.

For the broader travel overview: Montana.