The colorful bands of cliffs in the Terry Badlands WSA open up views across rolling prairie. The area is in Prairie County, three miles northwest of Terry, Montana. Alongside their striking landforms, the Badlands also have historic traces: Sheridan Butte features graffiti left by U.S. Army troops in the 19th century.

Hiking and Trails in the Badlands

The Bureau of Land Management lists hiking, backcountry hunting, and collecting rocks and fossils as possible activities in the Terry Badlands WSA. The unpaved Calypso Trail is five and a half miles long and leads to the scenic Terry Badlands. The Bureau of Land Management recommends a four-wheel-drive vehicle for this trail; check road conditions before setting out.

The Natural Bridges Trail and its trailhead are within the WSA. To reach the trailhead, first drive a four-wheel-drive vehicle along the Calypso Trail. From there, the hike is just over a mile to the natural bridges and is relatively easy to moderate. For planning, it is helpful to distinguish between the two distances: the just-over-one-mile distance refers to the hike from the trailhead, while five and a half miles is the length of the Calypso Trail.

Terry Scenic View overlooks the edge of the WSA. From Interstate 94 near Terry, follow Highway 253 and the unpaved Scenic View Road to get there. Here, too, road conditions can change, so check them before setting out.

Routes on Different Scales

The 105-mile Big Sky Back Country Byway begins in Terry and ends in Wolf Point. It is an all-weather road that can be driven year-round through scenic Badlands. In Terry, an information kiosk provides details about the byway’s features as well as local history and culture. The Yellowstone Trail also passes through Prairie County: from Mildred, through Fallon and Terry, continuing west to Miles City. Terry is also at the junction of old Highway 10 and Highway 253, not far from Interstate 94.

Culture and History in Prairie County

The Prairie County Museum began in 1975 in the historic State Bank of Terry building, which dates to 1916. Visits to the Prairie County Museum and Evelyn Cameron Gallery can be arranged outside regular opening hours or outside the season by contacting the museum in advance.

After moving with her husband to Prairie County, Evelyn Cameron documented life on the frontier with her camera and daily diary entries. Evelyn Cameron Heritage owns more than 900 original historical photographs of the American West taken by Cameron. The annual Lady Cameron Heritage Celebrations in Terry are a major cultural tourism event; check current dates before your trip. The history of Grandey School also offers a glimpse into the county’s past: its first section was built in 1908, and its history is closely linked to Charles William Grandey.

River Landscapes, Bridge, and Park

Powder River Bridge is in the lower Yellowstone Valley in southeastern Montana. It crosses the Powder River about a mile southeast of its confluence with the Yellowstone River, was built in 1946, and is 633 feet long. Located on the Lewis and Clark Trail, it is about seven miles southwest of Terry, the county seat of Prairie County.

The Powder River Depot Special Recreation Management Area is a riparian ecosystem on the Yellowstone River: cottonwoods, green ash, and willows line the riverbank, with grassland beyond. Legal public access to the area is by boat on the Yellowstone River only; access across private land is limited. Check access conditions before visiting.

Murn Park has a swimming pool and playground equipment, as well as picnic areas, a large covered gathering space, and a historic bandstand. The variety of places and themes makes Prairie County a destination where Badlands, river landscapes, and cultural history can each be discovered in their own way.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Terry, Daniels County, Carter County, Powell County, Valley County, Sheridan County, Deer Lodge, Dawson County.

For the main travel overview: Montana.