Makoshika State Park

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Makoshika State Park
Makoshika rocks.jpg
Rock formations in the park
USA Montana relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Location in Montana
Location Dawson County, Montana, United States
Nearest city Glendive, Montana
Coordinates 47°03′20″N104°40′38″W / 47.05556°N 104.67722°W / 47.05556; -104.67722 [1]
Area11,538 acres (4,669 ha) [2]
Elevation2,566 ft (782 m) [1]
Designation Montana state park
Established1953 [3]
Visitors93,150(in 2023) [4]
Administrator Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Website Makoshika State Park

Makoshika State Park ("ma-KO-sh(ih)kuh" from the Lakota Mako sica, meaning 'bad land' or 'land that is bad') [2] is a nature preserve and public recreation area located on the southeast side of Glendive in Dawson County, Montana. The state park encompasses badlands containing dinosaur fossils and rock from the Hell Creek Formation. [2] It is the largest of Montana's state parks at more than 11,000 acres (45 km2). [5]

Contents

Park history

In 1938, the site was proposed as a Badlands National Park by the Glendive Chamber of Commerce. Chamber secretary K. E. Burleigh wrote to federal officials, requesting that they "inspect our proposed bad-lands park, we would be very glad to show it to them and we would appreciate any efforts on your part to have a park established near Glendive, as you know we are very short on scenery and places of interest, and I believe it would be one way to stop tourists in Glendive for a day or two." However, the National Park Service regional office determined that the location was "not of national significance." [6]

The site became a state park in 1939, when Dawson County donated an initial 160 acres to the state. Another 80 acres were donated by the county in 1953. The state acquired additional lands from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Dawson County, and private landowners over the course of the following five decades. [7]

Fossil discoveries

Dinosaur fossils discovered in and near the park include examples of Triceratops and Thescelosaurus . A 600-pound juvenile female triceratops skull measuring 5.5 feet long was unearthed in 1991. The skull is displayed in the park's visitor center. In 1997, a fossil thescelosaurus considered to be the largest and most complete skeleton of its kind was found by an expedition led by Jack Horner and Bob Harmon. [7]

Wildlife

Turkey vultures, prairie falcons, and golden eagles make their home in the park. [8]

Activities and amenities

The park features a visitors center with geology and fossil displays, scenic drives, nature trails, campground, archery area, amphitheater, and picnicking facilities. Events include the annual "Buzzard Day" celebration. [2]

Makoshika state park panorama.jpg
Panorama of part of Makoshika State Park in eastern Montana. View is to the west from the Cap Rock Trailhead.

References

  1. 1 2 "Makoshika State Park". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Makoshika State Park". Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Retrieved September 19, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Park Origin by Date". Montana State Parks. 2014. Archived from the original on January 1, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  4. ↑ Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (May 6, 2024). "2023 Montana State Parks Annual Visitation Report" (PDF). fwp.mt.gov. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
  5. ↑ "Now You Know". Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. 2017. Archived from the original on November 5, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2018. Largest—Makoshika near Glendive, with 11,531 acres.
  6. ↑ Dilsaver, Lary M.; Wyckoff, William (Autumn 2009). "Failed National Parks in the Last Best Place". Montana The Magazine of Western History. 59 (3): 10. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  7. 1 2 "Makoshika State Park Management Plan". Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. December 2013. p. 2. Archived from the original on October 21, 2020. Retrieved June 29, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Makoshika State Park". Montana Kids. Montana Department of Tourism. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
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