Enjoy photography, hiking and wildlife viewing at Medicine Rocks. As the name implies it was a place of "big medicine" where Indian hunting parties gathered.
About the Park
"As fantastically beautiful a place as I have ever seen," said one of its first tourists in the late 1800s, a young rancher named Teddy Roosevelt. Medicine Rocks State Park is a treasure—full of history, culture and unique topography—and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Weathering has given the soft sandstone rock formations a Swiss cheese look providing a fascinating landscape filled with meaning and serenity. Visitors can witness thousands of inscriptions on the sandstone pillars dating back centuries.
Enjoy photography, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, picnicking and camping in this remote state park.
The park is also a haven for mule deer, antelope, woodhouse's toads, and sharp tailed grouse.
There are 12 campsites that are available on a first come, first served basis.
Park size 330 acres. Elevation: 3,379 feet.
Activities
Camping
Cultural
Heritage
History
Hunting
Nature
Photography
Picnicking
RV Camping
Tent Camping
Wildlife Viewing
Amenities
Some amenities are seasonal. Check with the park for availability.
Grills/Fire Rings
Maps
Pets Allowed
Picnic Shelter
Toilets (Vault)
Water
Seasons & Hours
Hours listed below are normal operating hours and may not apply when there is a special restriction or closure. Check Alerts and Closures in the tab below.
Park
Open year-round. Day use hours: 7 am - 10 pm.
Camping
Open year-round. Campsites are on a first come first serve basis.
Water
Available year-round
Alerts & Closures
Social distancing is still required per the Governor's statewide directive to reduce spread of COVID-19. Stay safe!
Contact the park manager for open volunteer positions at Medicine Rocks State Park.
For complete position descriptions, application forms, and details about Montana State Parks volunteer programs, visit the Volunteers page.
Fees
Montana Residents
Day use entrance is free*
Nonresidents
Day use entrance fee with a vehicle: $8
Day use entrance fee as a walk-in, bicycle or bus passenger: $4
With a Nonresident Entrance Pass: Free
Campsites
Campsite fees range from $4-$34 per night, depending on season and available amenities.
Montana State Parks offers hike/bike, rustic, tent, rv, and boatslip campsites. Medicine Rocks' 12 campsites are available on a first come, first served basis.
* Montana residents who pay the $9 state parks fee with their annual vehicle registration have no daily entrance fees to state parks. For residents who don't include this in their vehicle registration, non-resident day use fees apply.
Contact Information
Medicine Rocks State Park
c/o Makoshika State Park
PO Box 1242
Glendive, MT 59330
Chris Dantic is the park manager at Brush Lake, Medicine Rocks, Makoshika and Pirogue Island State Parks. He began his career with Montana State Parks in 2003. He has worked at Chief Plenty Coups, First Peoples Buffalo Jump, Giant Springs, Sluice Boxes, Tower Rock and Smith River State Parks. Chris has a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Oregon University in History.
CONTACT INFO Mailing Address:
Makoshika State Park
PO Box 1242
Glendive, MT 59330
