The American Prairie protects over 3.2 million acres of shortgrass prairie in Montana. With wildlife like pronghorn, eagles, and buffalo, it’s one of the most underrated destinations in Big Sky Country.
Between the marquee peaks of Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks lies a stretch of prairie where the land rolls wide and unbroken, and the only crowds are herds of bison. It is a landscape that’s bookended by national parks that are inundated with visitors, but it couldn’t be more different. In the great American Prairie, visitor centers and vending machines are replaced with solitude and silence—and the occasional pronghorn sighting.
The American Prairie stretches across central and northeastern Montana. Eventually, it will become one of the largest nature reserves in the U.S., protecting around 3.2 million acres of shortgrass prairie.
For some, the prairie is thought to be a flat, “boring” swath of land—but those who know know it is a complex, endangered ecosystem with a long human history involving both homesteaders and Indigenous peoples.
What to Do
The National Discovery Center is a good place to start your time in the American Prairie. There, you can talk to the experts and map out your day. The prairie is known for its wide open space, which includes a national monument and wildlife refuges that house herds of elk and pronghorn. Birds of prey, including eagles, hawks, owls, and falcons, circle overhead, while bison gather to compete for mates (around August) or to calve (which usually takes place in April).
Unlike most protected lands, in the American Prairie you are encouraged to wander off trail—following your own sense of adventure or what appeals to you. The idea of hiking as more of a wander rather than a way to get to a destination is summed up in the term “land snorkeling,” which was developed by long-time supporters of American Prairie. According to the website: “Land snorkeling is taking the time to savor aspects of nature we ordinarily don’t see or pay attention to. Land snorkelers wander through nature with no intention of hiking to a destination.”
The quantity of open space also lends itself to biking—particularly gravel biking on roads and trails that are naturally void of traffic. There are plenty of dirt roads and two-track trails for a mellow day trip, or you can plan a multi-day trip into the adjacent Charles M. Russell Wildlife Refuge.
And when the sun sets, the prairie’s endless horizon really shines—welcoming bright, twinkling stars.
Where to Stay
The easiest place to stay within the American Prairie is Antelope Creek Campground, which has its own hiking trail and wetlands. There are tent spaces, RV sites with power, and small cabins, along with a bathhouse that’s outfitted with showers.
There are also several huts spread across the prairie. The Founders Hut is near two-track roads that are ideal for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing, while the Lewis and Clark Hut is set above the Missouri River and has great hiking and stunning views of the Missouri River Breaks. The John and Margaret Craighead Hut is a great choice for those looking to fish or paddle on the Missouri and Judith Rivers.
What to Know
As most people know, the prairie is big and wide open. Anyone who visits should be prepared to be fully self-reliant, with extra food, water, and any necessary medications. Visitor services outside of the region’s larger towns are limited, and there are no rangers if there is an emergency.
When you turn off the prairie’s paved roads and highways, cell phone coverage is unreliable. And in a protected space that houses so much flora and fauna, following Leave No Trace principles are paramount.
