Wildlife Tour Loop

Fifty-three miles north of Billings is Roundup, famous worldwide as the starting point of the Great Centennial Cattle Drive of 1989. The five-day drive ended in Billings. The 20th Annual Roundup Cattle Drive will be held August 8-14, ending with festivities when the dogies and their drovers ride into Roundup.

Roundup has a well-kept public park with a new walking trail, picnic area, free pool, and a 9-hole golf course where visitors are welcome, nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Bull Mountains.

The Musselshell Valley Historical Museum, open May-September, 1-5 p.m., houses a coal tunnel, complete with wooden car, carbide lamps, lunch pails, maps and photos. It has Indian artifacts, fossils, and re-created shops. Watch for the hanging tree scene on Roundup’s Main Street. It is a reminder of early-day justice in Montana Territory.

Roundup’s shops are one of its greatest charms. The romance of the West has been brought to the modern era. Shopkeepers hold on to the personal pride in their businesses you may have thought was a thing of the past. The Bull Mountain Trading Company is an adventure in itself. A free western and wildlife museum in the store gives a close-up of animals of Montana. The shop offers Montana gifts and souvenirs and is the place where rendezvous trading is done like it used to be.

The Busy Bee family restaurant serves up the tastiest food and libations imaginable. Buffets feature tasty entrees with a fresh from scratch salad bar with lots of fresh fruit, vegetables, and salads.

The CowBelle Campground, located at the fairgrounds on the southeastern edge of Roundup, offers free overnight camping and RV parking. The peaceful setting on the banks of the Musselshell River provides a beautiful location for family reunions, camping and barbecues.

Lavina is home of the historic Adams Hotel.

From Roundup, take Hwy 12 to Ingomar. Wildlife abounds on this loop, from eagles, hawks, ducks, pheasants, geese, sandhill cranes, foxes, coyotes, and badgers, to antelope (guaranteed), mule deer, and white tail deer. Camping is available with water and electric hook-ups.

Recreation areas are abundant around Forsyth, “the city of trees.” A museum, campground, river access, beautiful golf course, agate hunting, fine lodging, an indoor Olympic-size pool, and western-size dining portions will make you want to stay around a day or two longer. Drive the roads around Forsyth to see herds of antelope.

Far West State Recreation Area is 1 mile north of Rosebud on Secondary 446, then 1/2 mile west on the county road. Rosebud State Recreation Area (West Unit) Exit 95 is west of Forsyth on U.S. 12 at the south end of the Yellowstone River Bridge at milepost 270. It has a boat ramp. Rosebud State Recreation Area (East Unit) is off I-94 at Forsyth’s east Exit 923, then north to the Yellowstone River. Cement boat ramps are provided at all three recreation areas. Great fishing in this area!

Check in at the Sundowner Inn for event updates and directions to a good fishing, wildlife watching or hunting spot.

With surface coal mining in the energy plains of Montana, Colstrip features land reclamation as well as mining. Stop for a round of Western fun and activities during Colstrip Days carnival, parade, and activities June 25-27.

From Colstrip, go south to Lame Deer, east to Ashland and Broadus or west to Little Bighorn (Custer) Battlefield.

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