Visit the Frontier Gateway Museum and take a giant step back in time. Wander among dinosaur fossils, Indian artifacts, farm machinery, and blacksmith tools. One of the most popular exhibits is “Merrill West,” which is a walkway through a replica of the businesses which lined Glendive’s business district in the late 1800s. A restored sheep wagon, a rural schoolhouse, a log cabin, a windmill pump, a smithy shop, and a restored 1916 fire truck are displayed. Historic Bell Street Bridge, which connects Glendive to West Glendive, was first built in 1894, destroyed by an 1899 ice jam, and rebuilt between 1924 and 1926, is one of the longest of its kind in Montana. It has been preserved for its engineering accomplishment and significant role in the commercial development of the area. An annual September celebration, Historic Bell Street Bridge Day, commemorates the local landmark, Work is underway to return it to its original glory. New glowing street lamps guide visitors along its path, now a pedestrian walkway. And do not miss the outdoor amphitheater 45 minutes away in Medora, where the famous Medora Musical is staged annually.
Medora also has “One of America’s Top 100 Public Golf Courses”, Bully Pulpit Golf Course. The 11,531-acre Makoshika State Park is 3-miles southeast of Glendive. Wind and water have created caprocks, pinnacles, hogback ridges, and fluted hillsides. The Park preserves the fossil remains of Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops dinosaurs and is part of the Montana Dinosaur Trail. Visit the Makoshika Dinosaur Museum located in a historical building in downtown Glendive, dedicated to teaching the public about dinosaurs and the science of paleontology.
What I found on my visit to Glendive was a small-town vibe and an accepting, friendly, and welcoming community. People help each other out and are very community-growth-minded and welcome new ideas for growth. One of the doctors I met, who just moved to Glendive from Detroit, told me that she had a flat tire and before she knew it, there were 3 people asking her if she needed help. She said, “If that had been in Detroit, I would have been mugged.”
Glendive is a very safe town. In fact, it has been voted “Safest Place to Live in Montana” for several years in a row. The people I spoke with told me they sleep without locking their doors. If you like to play, you are sure to enjoy Glendive. From the wonderous Badlands to the free-flowing Yellowstone River, you can walk the dog, ride your bike, run like crazy and enjoy the beauty of Montana’s “Big Sky.” The recreational opportunities are endless in the region. You can take up an outdoor hobby in each of the four seasons. Enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, skiing, biking, hunting, golfing, rafting, birdwatching, boating, and much more. Yellowstone National Park is one of the world’s most incredible scenic wonders and it is a short Montana drive. Want to take in some history? Head over to Pompey’s Pillar, just 50 miles west of Glendive, to check out part of the journey along the Lewis and Clark trail. You can also head southwest to the historic Little Bighorn National Monument.