This Montana State Park Is a Year-round Destination — But Here's Why Winter Is Especially Magical

"A remote 330-acre state park of Great Plains badlands known for its unusual, Swiss cheese–like sandstone pillar formations and wide-open solitude. Designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary in 2020, it offers some of the clearest night-sky viewing in the country and is a popular spot for camping beneath the rock formations; camping is available year-round (including winter, the offseason, when the park is often nearly empty). Wildlife sightings commonly include mule deer, antelope, grouse, and turkey. Facilities are minimal but visitor-friendly: eight campsites on a first-come, first-served basis, potable water year-round, and dogs allowed on leashes no longer than eight feet. Visitor numbers are low (just over 21,000 in 2023 versus roughly 2.9 million at Glacier that year), and fees are modest—campsite rates generally range $4–$34 per night (lower in winter and spring) and out-of-state entry is $8 (Montana residents are exempt if they pay the $9 state parks fee with vehicle registration)." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines