Hiking Near Glendive, Montana

At a Glance

• 24 recreation sites within 30 miles
• 7 viewpoints within 7 miles (all inside Makoshika State Park)
• 3 campgrounds within 30 miles
• 1 nature reserve within 30 miles
• 1 state park within 30 miles (Makoshika, 2 mi)
• 1 formal trailhead: Vista View Trailhead, 5 miles
• No wilderness areas—this is prairie and badlands, not mountains
• Best seasons: Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October)
• Hazards: Extreme heat, rattlesnakes, limited water and shade

Makoshika State Park

Makoshika State Park (2 miles from Glendive) is Montana’s largest state park, covering 11,500 acres of badlands terrain. The name comes from the Lakota word meaning “bad land” or “bad earth.” The park exposes Late Cretaceous geology—formations dating back 65 million years, when this landscape was a subtropical floodplain bordering an inland sea. Fossils of Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus rex, and other dinosaurs have been found eroding from canyon walls and buttes throughout the park.

Hiking in Makoshika is unlike mountain hiking in western Montana. The terrain is open and exposed—eroded buttes, deep coulees, cap rock formations, and hoodoos sculpted by wind and water. Seven named viewpoints lie within 7 miles of town: Caines Coulee Overlook (3 mi), Eyeful Vista Point (4 mi), Pine on Rocks Vista (4 mi), Kinney Coulee Vista (4 mi), Caprock Vista View and Trail (4 mi), Artists Vista (6 mi), and Sandcreek Coulee Overlook (7 mi). The Caprock Trail at 4 miles from town takes hikers through signature cap rock formations. The park also features a disc golf course and an archery range.

Vista View Trailhead

Vista View Trailhead (5 miles from Glendive) is the only formal trailhead in the area’s recreation data. From here, hikers access panoramic views across the badlands—layered buttes stretching to the horizon, with the Yellowstone River valley visible to the north. The trail traverses open terrain with little shade, so carry plenty of water and start early in warm weather.

State Parks

One state park lies within 30 miles of Glendive. Makoshika dominates outdoor recreation in the immediate area, offering maintained trails, campgrounds, and visitor facilities within a badlands landscape found nowhere else in Montana.

Trails Near Glendive

Mid-Range Trails (15–35 Miles)

Beyond the immediate Glendive area, trails and access points in the surrounding badlands and prairie provide additional day-hiking options. The terrain remains open and arid—expect exposed ridgelines, coulees, and grassland rather than forested mountain trails.

Extended Trips (35+ Miles)

For hikers looking beyond the Glendive area, Theodore Roosevelt National Park in western North Dakota (approximately 90 miles) offers additional badlands hiking through dramatic Painted Canyon terrain. Short Pines OHV Recreation Area (2,800 acres) provides off-road trails that double as hiking routes through rough breaks country.

Seasonal Guide

Spring (April–May): The best season for badlands hiking near Glendive. Temperatures are mild, wildflowers bloom on the prairie, and the landscape is green before summer heat sets in. Trails in Makoshika State Park are accessible by early April. Spring storms can bring brief but intense rain—clay soils become extremely slippery when wet.

Summer (June–August): Extreme heat dominates. Glendive has recorded temperatures as high as 117°F. Hiking in July and August requires early morning starts—finish by mid-morning. There is virtually no shade on badlands trails. Carry at least one gallon of water per person per day. Rattlesnakes are active. Dawn and dusk offer the best conditions.

Fall (September–October): Many consider fall the finest hiking season near Glendive. Heat breaks, skies are clear, and the badlands take on warm autumn tones. Wildlife viewing is excellent. Hunting season begins in September—wear blaze orange on trails during hunting season.

Winter (November–March): Cold and wind limit hiking, but mild days can offer good conditions in the badlands. Snow is typically light in this part of eastern Montana. Makoshika State Park remains open year-round, though the scenic drive may close temporarily after snow or ice.

Trail Safety

Badlands hiking near Glendive presents hazards different from mountain hiking in western Montana. Heat is the primary danger—carry far more water than you think you need. Rattlesnakes are present; watch where you step and place your hands. The terrain offers no shade and no water sources— bring everything you need. Clay soils become treacherous when wet. Cell service can be unreliable in coulees and canyons. Carry a paper map or downloaded offline maps.

For more outdoor activities, see our Glendive fishing guide and the Glendive weekend itinerary.