Twenty years ago, Montana embarked on an ambitious journey to showcase its rich prehistoric heritage by establishing the Montana Dinosaur Trail. Today, this remarkable trail continues to captivate visitors with its collection of 14 premier locations across the state, each offering unique glimpses into Montana's fascinating dinosaur history.

In Southeast Montana, three extraordinary stops on the trail demonstrate why this region has become a landmark destination for dinosaur enthusiasts and families alike. As we celebrate the trail's 20th anniversary, let's explore these remarkable venues that have been inspiring wonder since 2005.

Carter County Museum: Where It All Began

The Carter County Museum is Montana’s first county museum and the first to display dinosaurs found in the state of Montana. Ekalaka has been at the epicenter of dinosaur discoveries for the past 100 years and is continuing to be a source of scientific discovery. The Lambert Room, dedicated to paleontology displays, includes exhibits of a mounted Edmontosaurus annectens skeleton (one of only a few nearly complete skeletons of this species), as well as a complete Triceratops skull. In addition, the badlands in the area have produced pachycephalosaurs, plesiosaurs, ankylosaurs, pterosaurs (this is the only known specimen from the Hell Creek Formation), mosasaurs, and the most complete juvenile T. rex. The museum has mounts and casts of each of these species, along with other authentic dinosaur bones.

The museum's commitment to paleontology education shines brightest during its Annual Dino Shindig each July. This signature event, which has become a cornerstone of the trail experience, brings together scientists and enthusiasts for an unforgettable celebration of discovery. Participants can even join real excavations around Ekalaka, getting hands-on experience in field paleontology.

Frontier Gateway Museum: Meeting Margie

Frontier Gateway Museum is the official Dawson County museum, located in the heart of the Hell Creek Formation which is rich in Cretaceous fossil remains. The museum displays a full-size skeleton cast of “Margie,” the Struthiomimus found near Glendive in the early 1990s. Other fossils are from Stegoceras, Triceratops, Thescelosaurus and hadrosaurs as well as aquatic and plant fossils.

Makoshika State Park: Where Discoveries Await

Makoshika State Park is located just southeast of Glendive. Makoshika means ‘bad land’ in Lakota, and the Park’s landscape is part of the late Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation. Over ten different dinosaur species have been discovered in Makoshika. Significant discoveries include a complete Triceratops horridus skull, the fossil remains of Edmontosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex, and a nearly complete skeleton of the rare Thescelosaur.

Makoshika is Montana’s largest state park; the land has been set aside for visitors to enjoy, offering camping, hiking, and a vast collection of history. The visitor center houses the Triceratops skull, and provides additional interpretive displays significant to the badlands.

Celebrating Two Decades of Discovery

As the Montana Dinosaur Trail marks its 20th anniversary, the Prehistoric Passport program continues to inspire exploration across all 14 locations. Passport holders have five years to collect their "Dino Icon" stamps from each site – a challenge that has encouraged countless families to embark on unforgettable Montana adventures over the past two decades.

The trail's enduring success speaks to Montana's unique position in paleontological history. What was once a tropical landscape teeming with prehistoric life has become a treasure trove of discoveries that continue to shape our understanding of Earth's distant past. Twenty years after its inception, the Montana Dinosaur Trail remains a vital link between this ancient heritage and modern-day explorers.

Whether you're a first-time visitor or returning to celebrate this milestone anniversary, Southeast Montana's stretch of the Dinosaur Trail offers an unparalleled journey through time. From the hands-on experiences at Carter County Museum to the wild beauty of Makoshika State Park, these destinations continue to fulfill the trail's original mission: making Montana's prehistoric wonders accessible to all.

Here's to twenty years of discovery – and many more to come!