Makoshika State Park

Makoshika State Park
Rock formations in the park
Map showing the location of Makoshika State Park
Map showing the location of Makoshika State Park
Location in Montana
LocationDawson County, Montana, United States
Nearest cityGlendive, Montana
Coordinates47°03′20″N 104°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]
DesignationMontana state park
Established1953[3]
Visitors93,150 (in 2023)[4]
AdministratorMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
WebsiteMakoshika 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]

  1. ^ a b "Makoshika State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference mfwp was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference origin was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  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. ^ Cite error: The named reference nowyouknow was invoked but never defined (see the help page).