View C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge & Fort Peck Lake in a larger map

PADDLE FISH. FOUND ONLY IN TWO PLACES IN THE WORLD: CHINA AND OUR BACKYARD.

It’s a known fact you should always hide treasure in a place that’s hard to get to. And there may be no greater national treasure than the C.M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge—a million-acre expanse of grass and wetlands playing host to antelope, mule deer and the last herd of elk to reside on its native prairie all year long. 200 different species of birds can be spotted here along with 45 different species of mammals and countless reptiles and fish. If you want to brush directly with prehistoric decedents in this area, head over to Glendive to chase the elusive Paddlefish. It is a refuge of truly staggering proportions. But that’s only one element of the riches. Throughout the landscape, history is laid bare for those who make the journey. Abandoned homestead buildings, wagon wheel ruts, buffalo kill sites and tepee rings remain to bear testament to events of the past. A twenty-minute driving tour is accessible from I-191 approaching from Lewistown. It is a good way to begin your exploration of this amazing part of Montana.

PLACES TO STAY:

FORT PECK HOTEL
175 South Missouri St
Fort Peck, MT
Phone: 800-560-4931 or 406-526-3266
The rustic charm of Fort Peck Hotel &
Lodge comes from its origins as housing
put up for the workers who built Fort
Peck Dam in the 1930s.
Between $50 and $75, double occupancy

COTTONWOOD INN
US Hwy 2 East
Glasgow, MT
Phone: 800-321-8213 or 406-228-8213
Quiet, comfortable rooms with an unhurried
pace and unparalleled hospitality.
Between $75 and $90, double occupancy
www.cottonwoodinn.net

ZORTMAN MOTEL & GARAGE
800-517-0372 or 406-673-3160
and
BUCKHORN STORE, CABINS, & RV PARK
888-654-3162 or 406-673-3162
201 14th St West
Zortman, MT
Tucked into the Little Rocky Mountains
and off the beaten path, these properties
provide a good base for exploring the
CMR National Wildlife Refuge.
Under $50, double occupancy

GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL
& RESTAURANT
2 South 1st St East
Malta, MT
Phone: 406-654-2100
Comfortable lodgings, along with an on-site
restaurant that features “plate filler” catfish,
the GN is centrally located in Malta’s downtown
district.
Between $50 and $75, double occupancy

TILLMANS
BED & BREAKFAST
Off Hwy 191
The rural setting for this beautifully
restored roadhouse is rolling grain
fields set against a sweep of blue sky
and dotted with an abundance of wildlife.
Between $70 and $90, double occupancy
www.tillmansofmontana.com

PLACES TO EAT:
Average meal
$ = $10 or under
$$ = $10-$20
$$$ = over $20

GATEWAY
2001 Hwy 24
Fort Peck, MT
Phone: 406-526-9988
The Gateway is noted for being the
“Best Dam Bar by a Dam site” –
a must-stop for burgers.
$ - $$

SAM'S SUPPER CLUB
307 1st Ave North
Glasgow, MT
Phone: 406-228-4614
The atmosphere is lively—you can’t miss
with the hickory smoked barbecue brisket.
$-$$

THE DURHAM
309 2nd Ave South
Glasgow, MT
Phone: 406-228-2236
Chef Scott Redstone trained at the Art
Institute of Colorado and is noted for
his mushroom brandy sauce that complements
the steaks in this elegant restaurant.
$-$$

STOCKMAN STEAKHOUSE & BAR
64 South 1st St East
Malta, MT
Phone: 406-654-1919
The locals love the Stockman for its
barbequed ribs, while the setting is
a colorful mix of outdoor hunter / western
cowboy.
$-$$ $-$$

MINER'S CLUB & CAFE
373 Whitcomb St
Zortman, MT
Phone: 406-673-3515
This casual diner offers up
“more-than-you-can-eat” platters for
breakfast, lunch and dinner. Not to be
missed are Friday night prime rib specials.
$

THINGS TO DO:

DINO TRAIL DELIGHTS
In addition to having one of the largest
earth-filled dams in the world, Fort Peck
is home to a life size, fleshed-out model
of Peck's Rex, the Tyrannosaurus Rex
discovered 20 miles southeast of Fort Peck.
Check him out at the Fort Peck Dam
Interpretive Center and Museum, which
features dinosaur fossils found nearby,
aquariums showcasing native and game
species, and displays of area history.
406-526-3493.
Year-round.
Free admission.

Don’t miss theFort Peck Paleontology Field
Station where you can watch paleontologists
research, prepare, mold and cast fossil finds.
406-526-3539,
www.pecksrex.com.
Year-round.
Adults $5, Children 6-11, $2.

Fort Peck Dam and Power Plant Museum offers a
unique perspective on how the dam was built as
well as scenic vistas.
406-526-3431.
Seasonal.
Free admission.

A THEATRE TREASURE:
FORT PECK SUMMER THEATER
This colorful historic playhouse has
hosted live weekend entertainment every
summer since 1970.
406-228-9216
www.fortpecktheatre.org
Adults $15, Students $10, Pre-school $5

ON THE WATER!
Fort Peck Lake, with more coastline than
California, provides a wealth of opportunities
on and in the water. Try waterskiing, boating
or fish for walleye, small-mouth bass,
northern pike, lake trout and king salmon.
Besides needing a Montana fishing license
(available online or a local license agent),
you’ll also need to purchase a $5 Warm Water
Fishing Stamp. Licenses, tackle, as well as
information on guided fishing trips are
available at Fort Peck Marina (east end of
lake near Fort Peck), 406-526-3442; Hell
Creek Marina (26 miles north of Jordan),
406-557-2345, www.hellcreekmarina.com;
Rock Creek Marina on the Big Dry arm of
Fort Peck Lake, 406-485-2560,
www.rockcreekmarina.com

AUTO TOURS OF
WILDLIFE REFUGES
Eastern Montana offers two unique auto
tours that invite you to get off the
beaten path (or paved highway) and explore
the natural landscape; just be aware of
weather conditions!

The Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge offers
a 15-mile self-guided auto tour that takes
you through habitat of 263 species of birds,
over 20 species of mammals and several species
of reptiles, amphibians and fish.
Off Hwy 2 East, follow signs
406-654-2863
www.fws.gov/bowdoin

The Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge
self-guided auto tour route may be accessed from
two points along Highway 191 on the west side of
the Refuge. Interpretive stops along the route
provide information on the wildlife, geology, and
history of this unique landscape. Expect the
19-mile trip to take between 2 to 3 hours, so sit
back and enjoy the scenery and have a picnic!
406-538-8706
www.fws.gov/cmr

GREAT PLAINS DINOSAUR
MUSEUM & FIELD STATION
405 North 1st St East
Malta, MT
Phone: 406-654-5300
One of Montana Dinosaur Trail museums,
they showcase many of Montana’s finest
dinosaur specimens including a rare mummy
dinosaur listed in the “Guinness Book of
World Records” as the best preserved dinosaur.
$5 adults, $3 youth 12 & under, Family $12
www.greatplainsdinosaurs.org