Discover Ekalaka: Hotels for Your Trip

A trip to Ekalaka can be shaped by dinosaur history, archaeological collections, or outdoor activities. The Carter County Museum is located in Ekalaka; other topics to consider when planning your trip include the Montana Dinosaur Trail and Medicine Rocks State Park. If you’re looking for a hotel, it helps to first decide which of these interests you want to shape your stay.

Museum and History in Ekalaka

The Carter County Museum displays dinosaur fossils from the Hell Creek Formation. It is Montana’s first county museum and was the first museum in Montana to exhibit dinosaur fossils. Other collection areas include artifacts from the 10,500-year-old Mill Iron Site and the history of American Indians, both ancient and contemporary. The museum building is ADA accessible.

The Montana Dinosaur Trail also offers a direct connection to paleontology: It includes 15 sites, among them the Carter County Museum in Ekalaka. This makes it possible to view a museum visit as part of a broader theme, without requiring each site to show the same things.

Events and Paleontology Programs

The annual Dino Shindig features talks by leading paleontologists and activities for children. The event therefore offers a different focus from the museum’s collections: Talks and activities are at the heart of this recurring program. Check specific dates before your trip.

Camp Clades and Spades includes two-day excursions to active paleontological dig sites in the Hell Creek Formation, as well as a tour of the Carter County Museum. The program thus combines excursions to dig sites with a museum visit. Camp Needmore is about 7 miles southeast of Ekalaka and was a former Civilian Conservation Corps camp. 4-H and football camps are also held there; programs may vary.

Medicine Rocks State Park

Medicine Rocks State Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is Montana’s first International Dark Sky Sanctuary. The park offers opportunities for hiking and biking; conditions may vary seasonally.

Eight campsites are designated at Medicine Rocks State Park. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’d like to stay there overnight, check current availability before your trip; campsite amenities may also change.

Other Places to Consider When Planning Your Trip

Nearby Ekalaka Park Campground has seven campsites and two picnic areas for day use. Since facilities can change, it’s a good idea to check the latest information before visiting. McNab Pond and Campground is about 9 miles southeast of Ekalaka. The stocked fishing pond has sunfish, perch, and rainbow trout; fish stocks and facilities may change.

The places mentioned have different focuses: The museum is dedicated to fossils and cultural history, Medicine Rocks State Park offers hiking, biking, and designated campsites, while McNab Pond is described as a fishing pond.

For the broader travel overview: Carter County.