The Montana Dinosaur Trail
Old Trail Museum Upper Musselshell Museum H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum Phillips County Museum Makoshika Dinosaur Museum Two Medicine Dinosaur Center Museum of the Rockies Rudyard Depot Museum Blaine County Museum Dinosaur Field Station Garfield County Museum Fort Peck Interpretive Center and Museum Makoshika State Park Carter County Museum
 

The Montana Dinosaur Trail Prehistoric Passport

The Prehistoric Passport is your guide back in time – millions of years back – as you explore the Montana Dinosaur Trail.

Get yours now.

Here's how

 


Carter County Museum,
Ekalaka

Exhibits

Montana's first county museum, its paleontological finds include a mounted skeleton of Anatotitan copei (one of only a few nearly complete skeletons of this species found), as well as a complete skull of Triceratops horridus (three horns), skull casts of Pachycepalosaurus wyomingensisi (dome head) and a Nannotyrannys lancesis (tiny Tyrannosaur) - all collected from the nearby Hell Creek Formation.

 

Top of Page

 

Makoshika State Park, Glendive

ExhibitsPrograms

Makoshika (meaning "bad land" in Lakota) is part of the late Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation; more than ten different dinosaur species have been discovered in Makoshika. Significant finds include a complete Triceratops horridus skull (on display at the park's Visitor Center), fossil remains of Edmontosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex and a nearly complete skeleton of the rare Thescelosaur.

  • Open year-round;
    camping sites available.
  • Hours of operation available at www.makoshika.org,
    406-377-6256.
  • Located 1.4 mi. S.E. of downtown on Snyder Ave., follow State Park/Dinosaur Track signs.

 

Top of Page

 

Makoshika Dinosaur Museum, Glendive

ExhibitsProgramsField Digs

The Makoshika Dinosaur Museum displays fossils and casts from around the world. Displays include life-sized Allosaurus and Stegosaurus, Pterosaurs of all sizes, dinosaur skeletons, T. rex skull and many "fleshed-out" dinosaur sculptures.

  • Season and hours of operation available at www.makoshika.com,
    406-377-1637.
  • Located downtown at 104 W. Bell St.

 

Top of Page

 

Garfield County Museum, Jordan

ExhibitsField Digs

The Garfield County Museum features Cretaceous fossils from the Hell Creek Formation. The first T. rex ever discovered was found near Jordan in 1902! Free attractions include a full T. rex skull, full-size Triceratops replica, and a Pachycephalosaur domed skull.

 

Top of Page

 

Fort Peck Interpretive Center
and Museum, Fort Peck

ExhibitsPrograms

The Fort Peck Interpretive Center's signature attraction is "Peck's RexTM," one of the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons ever found. The lobby features a life-size replica model of Peck's Rex, and the exhibit hall displays a full-size skeleton cast. A Cretaceous Sea display and several other dinosaur exhibits are also highlighted.

 

Top of Page

 

Blaine County Museum, Chinook

Exhibits

The Blaine County Museum's Paleontology Department displays a dozen Judith River Formation exhibits including Hadrosaur, Gorgosaurus, and Ankylosaurus fossils from the area. Remains of gigantic marine reptiles Mosasaur and Plesiosaur are featured, along with invertebrates from the area's ancient ocean (75-500 million years ago). In the Look, Touch, and Wonder room guests can handle fossils of sea creatures, plants, and dinosaurs that roamed this area millions of years ago.

  • Open all year.
  • Hours of operation available at www.blainecountymuseum.com,
    406-357-2590.
  • Free.
  • Located 4 blocks off US Hwy 2,
    501 Indiana Street.

 

Top of Page

 

Exhibits

Exhibits

Unique paleontology displays, interpretation, replicas or actual skeletons of dinosaurs and other fossils found in Montana.

Programs

Programs

Facility provides public/visitor education programs and/or guided tours of paleontology displays associated with the facility. Regularly scheduled or upon request.

Field Digs

Field Digs

Facility operates or is formally affiliated with organization(s) conducting paleontology field digs open to the public. Strict adherence to the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Code of Ethics is required.

Black icons indicate activity available at each location.

 
           
   

Phillips County Museum, Malta

Exhibits

Phillips County MuseumThe Phillips County Museum features fossil discoveries from the nearby Judith River Formation (late cretaceous period, 77 million years ago). Features include a 33-foot long skeleton of "Elvis" the Brachylophosaurus, one of the best articulated dinosaur skeletons ever found, a complete T. rex skull, and a dynamically posed 28' skeleton of an early T. rex cousin, Albertosaurus. Pose with a 700-pound Apatosaurus femur and shop in the gift store.

 

Top of Page

 

Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station, Malta

ExhibitsProgramsField Digs

Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field StationThe Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station displays rare fossils: fish, invertebrates, plants and a variety of dinosaur species such as Triceratops, Stegosaurus, sauropod, raptor, and Hadrosaurs 'Roberta' and 'Leonardo' - the mummy dinosaur that the Guinness Book of World Records lists as the 'best preserved' dinosaur. Museum includes preparation lab and gift shop. Summer field digs and area tours available.

 

Top of Page

 

H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum, Havre

Exhibits

The museum's feature displays are 75 million year old dinosaur eggs and embryos found in area exposures of the Judith River Formation. Research suggests these eggs were laid by a Lambeosaur (a "duck bill" dinosaur) along the banks of an ancient river and estuary of the Bearpaw Sea that once covered this area. In addition to the dinosaur eggs and other fossil displays, the museum highlights the story of an archeological treasure immediately north of the museum facility: the Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump Site.

 

Top of Page

 

Depot Museum, Rudyard

Exhibits

The Rudyard area has provided dinosaur specimens for the Museum of the Rockies (MOR) and other premier institutions for years. Now an MOR affiliate, the Depot Museum's signature display is the 'Oldest Sorehead,' a fully articulated Gryposaurus found near here. The facility's lifelike duckbill dinosaur and egg nest display places you right next to these ancient creatures, plus other permanent and changing dinosaur exhibits.

  • Open Memorial Day to Labor Day and Winter by appointment.
  • Hours of operation available at
    www.rudyardmuseum.com,
    406-355-4322 or 4356.
  • Located off US Hwy 2,
    4th Avenue NW.

 

Top of Page

 

Upper Musselshell Museum, Harlowton

Exhibits

The museum's centerpiece is "Ava," the full-size skeleton replica of a "first of its kind" Avaceratops, found in the Judith River Formation near Shawmut. The museum also has a Hadrosaur tibia and fibula, a cast of a Gypsonictops jaw, numerous dinosaur leg bone and hip bone fossils, and fossilized ancient sea creatures.

 

Top of Page

 

Old Trail Museum, Choteau

Exhibits

Old Trail MuseumThe Old Trail Museum's Dinosaur Antechamber showcases discoveries from the Two Medicine Formation: Maiasaura and Einosaurus skulls, nestling, hatchling and adult Maiasaura skeletons and bones, and a Sauronitholestes skeleton casting. A prep lab display and geologic information about the Rocky Mountain Front and Willow Creek Anticline provide additional information about the area and its rich paleontology heritage.

 

Top of Page

 

Two Medicine Dinosaur Center, Bynum

ExhibitsProgramsField Digs

See the first baby dinosaur bones found in North America, the Guinness Book of World Records largest, scientifically accurate dinosaur reconstruction - Seismosaurus halli (earth-shaking lizard), and other spectacular dinosaur-related displays. The Center is famous for its public, hands-on dinosaur research and education programs ranging from 3 hrs to 10 days in length. Advance registration required; some programs available for college credit.

 

Top of Page

 

Museum of the Rockies, Bozeman

ExhibitsPrograms

Home to one of the largest collections of dinosaur fossils in the world, the Museum of the Rockies houses the world's largest T. rex skull and one of the first identified female dinosaurs in the world — an ovulating T. rex. The new Siebel Dinosaur Complex (designed by world-renowned dinosaur paleontologist and advisor to the Jurassic Park Films, Dr. Jack Horner) features some of the world's rarest fossils. Part of Montana State University-Bozeman, it is the state's official repository for both federal and state paleontological collections.

  • Open year-round.
  • Hours of operation available at www.museumoftherockies.org, 406-994-2251.
  • Located south of MSU campus, 600 West Kagy Blvd.

 

Top of Page

 
The Montana Dinosaur Trail

Carter County Museum Ekalaka

Montana's first county museum, its paleontological finds include a mounted skeleton of Anatotitan copei (one of only a few nearly complete skeletons of this species found), as well as a complete skull of Triceratops horridus (three horns), skull casts of Pachycepalosaurus wyomingensisi (dome head) and a Nannotyrannys lancesis (tiny Tyrannosaur) - all collected from the nearby Hell Creek Formation.

Makoshika State Park Glendive

Makoshika (meaning "bad land" in Lakota) is part of the late Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation; more than ten different dinosaur species have been discovered in Makoshika. Significant finds include a complete Triceratops horridus skull (on display at the park's Visitor Center), fossil remains of Edmontosaurus and Tyrannosaurus rex and a nearly complete skeleton of the rare Thescelosaur.

ExhibitsPrograms

Makoshika Dinosaur Museum, Glendive

The Makoshika Dinosaur Museum displays fossils and casts from around the world. Displays include life-sized Allosaurus and Stegosaurus, Pterosaurs of all sizes, dinosaur skeletons, T. rex skull and many "fleshed-out" dinosaur sculptures.

ExhibitsProgramsField Digs

Garfield County Museum, Jordan

The Garfield County Museum features Cretaceous fossils from the Hell Creek Formation. The first T. rex ever discovered was found near Jordan in 1902! Free attractions include a full T. rex skull, full-size Triceratops replica, and a Pachycephalosaur domed skull.

ExhibitsField Digs

Fort Peck Interpretive Center and Museum
Fort Peck

The Fort Peck Interpretive Center's signature attraction is "Peck's RexTM," one of the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons ever found. The lobby features a life-size replica model of Peck's Rex, and the exhibit hall displays a full-size skeleton cast. A Cretaceous Sea display and several other dinosaur exhibits are also highlighted.

ExhibitsPrograms

Blaine County Museum Chinook

The Blaine County Museum's Paleontology Department displays a dozen Judith River Formation exhibits including Hadrosaur, Gorgosaurus, and Ankylosaurus fossils from the area. Remains of gigantic marine reptiles Mosasaur and Plesiosaur are featured, along with invertebrates from the area's ancient ocean (75-500 million years ago). In the Look, Touch, and Wonder room guests can handle fossils of sea creatures, plants, and dinosaurs that roamed this area millions of years ago.

Exhibits

Phillips County Museum, Malta

Phillips County Museum

The Phillips County Museum features fossil discoveries from the nearby Judith River Formation (late cretaceous period, 77 million years ago). Features include a 33-foot long skeleton of "Elvis" the Brachylophosaurus, one of the best articulated dinosaur skeletons ever found, a complete T. rex skull, and a dynamically posed 28' skeleton of an early T. rex cousin, Albertosaurus. Pose with a 700-pound Apatosaurus femur and shop in the gift store.

Exhibits

Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station,
Malta

Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station

The Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station displays rare fossils: fish, invertebrates, plants and a variety of dinosaur species such as Triceratops, Stegosaurus, sauropod, raptor, and Hadrosaurs 'Roberta' and 'Leonardo' - the mummy dinosaur that the Guinness Book of World Records lists as the 'best preserved' dinosaur. Museum includes preparation lab and gift shop. Summer field digs and area tours available.

  • More information on Malta
  • ExhibitsProgramsField Digs

    H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum, Havre

    dinosaur skeleton The museum's feature displays are 75 million year old dinosaur eggs and embryos found in area exposures of the Judith River Formation. Research suggests these eggs were laid by a Lambeosaur (a "duck bill" dinosaur) along the banks of an ancient river and estuary of the Bearpaw Sea that once covered this area. In addition to the dinosaur eggs and other fossil displays, the museum highlights the story of an archeological treasure immediately north of the museum facility: the Wahkpa Chu'gn Buffalo Jump Site.

    Exhibits

    Depot Museum, Rudyard

    The Rudyard area has provided dinosaur specimens for the Museum of the Rockies (MOR) and other premier institutions for years. Now an MOR affiliate, the Depot Museum's signature display is the 'Oldest Sorehead,' a fully articulated Gryposaurus found near here. The facility's lifelike duckbill dinosaur and egg nest display places you right next to these ancient creatures, plus other permanent and changing dinosaur exhibits.

    Exhibits

    Upper Musselshell Museum, Harlowton

    The museum's centerpiece is "Ava," the full-size skeleton replica of a "first of its kind" Avaceratops, found in the Judith River Formation near Shawmut. The museum also has a Hadrosaur tibia and fibula, a cast of a Gypsonictops jaw, numerous dinosaur leg bone and hip bone fossils, and fossilized ancient sea creatures.

    Exhibits

    Old Trail Museum, Choteau

    Old Trail Museum

    The Old Trail Museum's Dinosaur Antechamber showcases discoveries from the Two Medicine Formation: Maiasaura and Einosaurus skulls, nestling, hatchling and adult Maiasaura skeletons and bones, and a Sauronitholestes skeleton casting. A prep lab display and geologic information about the Rocky Mountain Front and Willow Creek Anticline provide additional information about the area and its rich paleontology heritage.

    Exhibits

    Two Medicine Dinosaur Center Bynum

    See the first baby dinosaur bones found in North America, the Guinness Book of World Records largest, scientifically accurate dinosaur reconstruction - Seismosaurus halli (earth-shaking lizard), and other spectacular dinosaur-related displays. The Center is famous for its public, hands-on dinosaur research and education programs ranging from 3 hrs to 10 days in length. Advance registration required; some programs available for college credit.

    ExhibitsProgramsField Digs

    Museum of the Rockies Bozeman

    Home to one of the largest collections of dinosaur fossils in the world, the Museum of the Rockies houses the world's largest T. rex skull and one of the first identified female dinosaurs in the world — an ovulating T. rex. The new Siebel Dinosaur Complex (designed by world-renowned dinosaur paleontologist and advisor to the Jurassic Park Films, Dr. Jack Horner) features some of the world's rarest fossils. Part of Montana State University-Bozeman, it is the state's official repository for both federal and state paleontological collections.

    ExhibitsPrograms

    The Montana Dinosaur Trail Prehistoric Passport

    The Prehistoric Passport is your guide back in time – millions of years back – as you explore the Montana Dinosaur Trail.
    Get yours now.
    Here's how

     

    Icons

    Black icons indicate activity available at each location.

    Exhibits Exhibits BACK

    Unique paleontology displays, interpretation, replicas or actual skeletons of dinosaurs and other fossils found in Montana.

    Programs Programs BACK

    Facility provides public/visitor education programs and/or guided tours of paleontology displays associated with the facility. Regularly scheduled or upon request.

    Field Digs Field Digs BACK

    Facility operates or is formally affiliated with organization(s) conducting paleontology field digs open to the public. Strict adherence to the Society of Vertebrate Paleontology Code of Ethics is required.