Makoshika Badlands

Makoshika State Park sits on the eastern edge of Glendive in Custer County, eastern Montana, and is the largest state park in Montana at 11,531 acres of dramatically eroded badlands, hoodoos, and amphitheater canyons. The park name derives from a Lakota phrase roughly meaning bad land or evil spirits. The geological formation exposed here is the Hell Creek Formation — Late Cretaceous rock layers containing significant dinosaur fossil beds, including remains of Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex recovered during excavations. The primary photographic subjects are the hoodoo formations visible from the Clay Hills corridor and the Diane Gabriel Trail, the canyon overlooks accessible from the main park road, and the fossilized bone beds partially displayed under glass at the park visitor center. The sunrise orientation at Makoshika faces east, with the formations catching warm orange and red light within the first 30 minutes of the sun clearing the horizon; western canyon walls glow at sunset. The paved entry road from the Glendive city edge winds to multiple overlooks without requiring significant hiking. The Cap Rock Nature Trail, a 1-mile loop, provides the most accessible hoodoo foreground access on foot; the Diane Gabriel Trail at 5 miles round-trip reaches deeper canyon country with more isolated formations. Spring from May through June brings wildflowers among the clay formations and consistently moderate temperatures. Autumn from September through October produces clear skies, stable weather, and cooler conditions ideal for longer shooting sessions. Summer midday temperatures can exceed 100°F in the open badlands; early-morning and late-evening sessions are essential from late June through August to avoid heat and harsh midday light. Makoshika charges a Montana state park vehicle entry fee — approximately $8 for non-residents as of 2025. Tripods are permitted throughout the park. Drone use in Montana state parks requires advance written permission from Montana State Parks.