7 East Montana Geologic Formations Worth Visiting

The barren, rolling prairies of the badlands of eastern Montana reveal a colorful, tranquil slice of Big Sky Country that’s often overlooked. Unspoilt, undeveloped and as far as the eye can see, the banded sandstone bridges, tabletops and spiers of the Terry Badlands create a rugged, otherworldly landscape that is idyllic to explore along the winding paths. A sunset here is particularly magical, but the lively character of this 44,000-acre wilderness study area is made even quieter thanks to the lack of crowds.

Aeons of wind and water erosion have sculpted every stunning formation here – both those that rise above ground and the channeled canyons that lie between. And in spring? A sea of ​​ancient wildflowers like you won’t find anywhere near. Visit the BLM office in Miles City to pick up a trail map.

It might seem odd that a mountain range would make its way onto a list of overlooked Montana geological formations, but the Pryor Mountains are a truly special part of the Treasure State — unexpected, even.

In contrast to the rugged, glacially carved Beartooth Mountains further west, this 5,000-foot mountain range rises like an island out of the prairie meadow, uniquely sculpted by uplifted rocks penetrating deep beneath the earth’s surface. As such, the Pryor Mountains are a stunning region, filled with rugged gorges, ice caves and winding streams, while also being home to an incredibly diverse array of animals and ecosystems. There are two sub-alpine plateaus to explore here: Big Pryor Mountain and East Pryor Mountain. Both offer hiking trails, beautiful viewpoints and many hidden surprises.

Rising from the earth in south-central Montana, Pompey’s Pillar has been a landmark for centuries. In fact, it is the only sandstone outcrop of its kind south of the Yellowstone River – although you may notice that it is decidedly non-columnar and rather…loaf-like.

One of Montana’s most unique rock formations and an excellent vantage point, this magnificent 130-foot natural landmark is steeped in history. Pompey’s Pillar is not only likely named after Jean Baptiste Charbonneau (aka Baby “Pomp”) of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, but is also the only place on the Lewis and Clark History Trail where there is tangible evidence of the Corps’ travels are. Clark’s signature is etched into the rock and is now protected from further aging.

If you’ve ever visited the Upper Missouri Breaks National Monument and looked out over the water from a float or stopped at an overlook, chances are you’ve seen Montana’s prized White Cliffs. But do you know her story?

Meriwether Lewis himself described the sight of these soft white columnar formations in 1805 as “romantic” and “remarkable”, and even today the vast scenery is nothing if not picturesque. Covered in dark, rich clay, each perfectly formed pillar stands approximately 300 feet tall and towers over the meandering Missouri River. Ancient waters carved and eroded these stunning monuments and pressed layers of sandstone deposits into the magnificent natural spiers we see today. While the Missouri Breaks are a popular and well-visited stretch of Montana, next time you’re here, pause for a moment to look around at the multitude of hilly formations in the area and admire the scenic wonder of Montana White Cliffs.

Tucked away in the small town of Montana lies a sea of ​​skyscrapers—only these high-rise landmarks are made of stone and handcrafted by nature herself. This natural rock “city” offers an incredible opportunity to stroll through ancient formations sculpted by the ebb and flow of the mighty Two Medicine River.

Flat, mushroom-shaped hoodoos galore fill the landscape, some nearly three stories tall, along with eerie natural features that spark curiosity and capture the imagination. On some, unique layers of rock are more clearly visible here than in other badlands areas in Montana, demonstrating the intense geologic history that led to their formation. Rock City in Valier, while not currently designated as an official federal landscape or wilderness area, is believed to be more densely formed than Jerusalem Rocks to the north. This is a place definitely worth visiting!

As Montana’s largest state park, Makoshika may not be hidden per se, but it’s definitely underrated for many. As well as epic rock formations, nature trails and stunning badlands to explore (many dating back to the Cretaceous period), you can also find yourself unknowingly over the remains of dinosaurs and other prehistoric creatures here.

As part of the Montana Dinosaur Trail, you can even see the KT boundary line: the geologic boundary between the end of the Cretaceous and the beginning of the Tertiary (Paleogene) period. As Montana’s badlands carve their way into the Dakotas, the rocks here are much older than those nearby and therefore still full of surprises: hidden ponds, fossil remains (please don’t touch!), and even living foliage, as erosion has not yet taken its toll. Be sure to visit the visitor center to see some ancient fossils and interpretive exhibits and learn more about the area!