People and Cultures

• Two out of the 12 federally recognized tribal nations in the state can be found in Southeast Montana: the Northern Cheyenne and the Crow Agency.
• Miles City is known as “The Cowboy Capital” of Montana because of the World Famous Bucking Horse Sale, which takes place annually in May.

Geography

• Medicine Rocks State Park is one of two officially designated International Dark Sky Sanctuaries in Montana. According to DarkSky International, this designation is one of the most remote and darkest places globally, with an outstanding natural nighttime environment away from light pollution.
• Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area has five climate zones ranging from high desert to alpine.
• The largest state park in Montana is Makoshika State Park.
• Montana’s largest city is located in Southeast Montana: Billings, with a population of 122,000!

History

• The only known on-site physical evidence of the Lewis and Clark Expedition can be found in Southeast Montana, at Pompeys Pillar National Monument, near Billings, where William Clark carved his signature and the date, July 25, 1806, into the sandstone along the Yellowstone River. Visitors can explore the modern visitor center with exhibits on Lewis and Clark, walk the interpretive trails along the Yellowstone River, and climb the boardwalk stairs to view William Clark’s signature and the panoramic landscape from the top of the pillar.
• Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is commemorating 150 years in 2026 — the same year as America’s 250th.
• Southeast Montana is a prime spot on the Montana Dinosaur Trail and features three of its 14 locations: the Carter County Museum, the Frontier Gateway Museum and Makoshika State Park.