“Southeast Montana is unsuspecting in all the best ways. From its scenic state parks that are off the beaten path to the small towns packed with history and locally owned businesses, it's a region of Montana that is worth slowing down for.”
— Staci Wilt (@ridetofood) hit the road in Southeast Montana on her Softail motorcycle and enjoyed the area’s unique history, views, eateries and more along the way.
:focal(1051x410:1052x411))
:focal(607x357:608x358))
:focal(2372x3491:2373x3492))
Motorcycle enthusiasts, get ready to hit the road on this four-day route that takes you through some of the region’s most iconic scenery. Along the way, enjoy delicious signature burgers from local restaurants on the Southeast Montana Burger Trail. From riding through hoodoos to ending the day with a meal you’ll never forget, this itinerary makes sure all you need to do is bring your bike. If you’re planning to travel by car, no need to worry! This route is suitable for all motor vehicles.
:focal(724x538:725x539))
:focal(659x673:660x674))
Your eastern Montana adventure begins in Glendive. This small community tucked between the badlands of Makoshika State Park and the Yellowstone River is a hub for the largely agricultural surrounding region. With unusual rock formations, prehistoric findings and unique mineral specimens, Glendive is the perfect place to discover the unexpected. Ride into town just in time for dinner, and if there’s some daylight left, make sure to visit the famous Glendisaurus, a quirky, community-created statue that pays homage to Glendive’s early reptilian residents.
:focal(676x400:677x401))
:focal(743x420:744x421))
:focal(806x525:807x526))
Before heading southwest, visit the Frontier Gateway Museum to learn about the area’s history from the time when dinosaurs roamed the plains to the Lewis and Clark Expedition and all the way up to present day. Then, ride to Makoshika State Park — Montana’s largest state park. With hoodoos jutting out of the landscape and sweeping badlands offering a unique scenic experience, there’s plenty to explore here. Whether you’re traversing the formations on foot, by bike or by car, you can’t go wrong with choosing how to see the park. Makoshika also has a vibrant prehistoric past, with fossil remains of Triceratops and T. rex having been uncovered here. After seeing the otherworldly terrain, ride on to Terry for your first stop on the Southeast Montana Burger Trail — a restaurant route with more than 20 featured burgers throughout the region. Head to Roy Rodgers Bar Grill and Casino for their Fried Green Tomato and Bacon Burger, a favorite on the trail. Once you’ve finished lunch, spend the afternoon in Terry, where you can check out the collection at the Prairie County Museum and Evelyn Cameron Gallery, shop Montana-made goods at Prairie Unique or see the nearby Terry Badlands if conditions permit. To end the day, travel to Miles City for another stop on the Burger Trail at Tilt Würks Brewhouse and Casino. While you’re here, don’t miss the Spicy Buckin’ Bronco Burger before finishing your meal with a round of pinball at this gastropub.
:focal(3229x3047:3230x3048))
:focal(730x576:731x577))
:focal(3344x1943:3345x1944))
This morning, grab breakfast before setting out for the day’s travels. Ride to Forsyth, where you’ll find a charming community settled along the banks of the Yellowstone River. For rockhounds, this particular section of the river is well-known for Montana moss agates, and enthusiasts comb the banks every year in pursuit of the elusive stones. When you’re ready for lunch, make your way to The Joseph Café, another Burger Trail stop. Make sure to grab this eatery’s featured burger — the Joe Burger. Then, travel on to Garryowen, where history buffs and curious travelers can engage with the region’s history and culture up close at the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument and Custer Battlefield Trading Post. From here, head toward Billings, stopping at Pompeys Pillar National Monument along the way. The surface of the 150-foot sandstone bluff at this site features markings, petroglyphs and inscriptions from travelers who’ve passed through this area for thousands of years — including William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Continue on to Billings, where you’ll grab dinner before ending the night.
:focal(649x534:650x535))
:focal(780x437:781x438))
)
Before the end of your trip, take the day to explore all that Montana’s largest city has to offer. Start with a ride along the rims, where you’ll find the best view of Billings and a panoramic perspective of where the mountains meet the plains. Then, visit Pictograph Cave State Park to view the prehistoric rock paintings on the cave walls. For your last stop on the Burger Trail, head to The Burger Dive, a local favorite and downtown Billings institution. Sporting the title of 2016 World Food Champion, the I’m Your Huckleberry Burger can’t be missed while you’re here. Settle in to enjoy your meal, and reminisce on the trip of a lifetime over delicious burgers and fries made the Montana way.