Oct 9, 2022-- Love Notes to Public Lands

Love Notes to Public Lands


Makoshika State Park, Glendive, Montana


By: Carrie Keiser


We moved to this area 21 years ago in February and I heard there was a state park but of course in the winter it wasn’t very open.  Spring faded to summer and summer into fall and I didn’t take the kids to the local state park, because I thought: “How nice can it really be, this area isn’t very pretty!” It was a good year and a half before I gave in and finally followed the prodding of people to “Go see Makoshika!”  

As you enter the park, off to your right:  



And to your left:



Not all that impressive of a start. The first trail head is the Blue Bird, then the Ponderosa which follows alongside the road and takes you to the Diane Gabriel which will take you to view a triceratops still imbedded in the side of the hill and to experience the natural air conditioning.

A surprising variety of animals call the park home, mountain lions, coyotes, deer, squirrels, lizards, scorpions and even bears have been spotted here.



You wind up the switchbacks and soon are met with new sights on the Cap Rock Trail. 



There’s a more woodsy feel at the campground across the dirt road from Cap Rock. On further up the road will bring you to a choice to make, right or left?

If you make a right you will find views like:

and this:



A few more turns and and we arrive at the A-frame a rentable area with two separate areas owned by the Lions Club and breathtaking vistas:



Now if we head back and take the left hand turn we will see things like: 



There’s a short hike and you will find an old log cabin. A few trails run past here, so many quiet peaceful walks in this amazing park.

If you continue to road's end, there’s an amphitheater where many events happen throughout the spring, summer and fall (weddings, church, concerts, photo shoots, outdoor movies).  



Around every curve it’s like a new surprise. So many things to see and yes Makoshika State Park is a place you should for sure put on your list of places to visit.  If you happen to be in the park at sunset or leaving at sunset, you will not be disappointed.


  


I recommend a visit to everyone who happens to be driving by Glendive on I-94.  I recently talked a guy who was so impressed with the park that he had made it a point to go camping again on his way back through towards home.  There is nothing like the view in Montana’s Bad Lands!



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