Glendive, Montana

Glendive is in eastern Montana with the Yellowstone River to the north and west and the Makoshika badlands to the south. Because of the location, many folks consider Glendive to be the agricultural hub of eastern Montana. The town's motto is "Good people surrounded by badlands." Glendive is also the Paddlefish and Caviar Capital of Montana. The paddlefish inhabit the Yellowstone River and average about 55 pounds in weight (the state record is 142 pounds, caught in 1973). This is an area where you can have the deep-sea fishing experience and be on an inland river... Paddlefish are a bit different: they live on microscopic organisms so they can't be caught using conventional methods. They must be snagged and you need to be using special heavy duty equipment. Paddlefish roe is usually donated to the Yellowstone Caviar Project, an organization run by the Glendive Chamber of Commerce that processes the roe into caviar and sells it to benefit regional recreational projects.

The Lewis & Clark Expedition camped for the last time in Montana near Glendive on their journey back to St. Louis in 1806. The next most famous person to camp near here was George Armstrong Custer, the night before the Battle of Little Big Horn.

A mile south of town is Makoshika State Park: 11,500 acres of primitive, rugged terrain with lots of fossils sticking out of the ground. A large triceratops skull was found there in 1991 and is now on display in the Visitor Center. The park offers a full complement of campgrounds, picnic areas, an archery range and several established trails, some with interpretive signage.