Miles City, Montana

Miles City offers Montana Recreation, Culture, and Fun in a Picturesque Cattle Town

by Michele Kadison

Looking for excellent Montana recreation activities in a typical old western town? Miles City offers fishing, boating, golf and other Montana activities, as well as great lodging and hotels.

Colonel Nelson A. Miles was the commanding officer for the cavalry sent to round up “hostile Indians” back in 1876 when he ended up camping at Yellowstone at the Tongue River.  The site became a stopover for cattle drivers arriving from Texas, and eventually became a center for the cattle industry.  In 1884 the Montana Stockgrowers Association was formed, strengthened by the Northern Pacific Railroad, which reached the area in 1881.

Sitting pretty along the vast Montana plains and badlands, with the Yellowstone and Tongue rivers flowing forth, Miles City still retains the air of an old Western town.  With its weekly livestock auctions and its annual Bucking Horse Sale for rodeo breeders and stock buyers, the town is a great destination point when planning your vacation travel.  Make sure to stroll down the main street, where the 1950’s come alive.  Visit the 1930’s era high school as well as the saloon, renovated to its original 1900’s style.

For you Western buffs, take yourselves over to the Range Riders Museum where you will see classic cars and wagons, old farm equipment, and a wide range of western gear, including over 400 firearms.  The museum complex is on the original Fort Keogh cantonment, adding to its historical interest.

The Custer County Art Center is another important site to visit when in Miles City.  With its excellent exhibits and programming that includes a permanent collection as well as visiting collections, the center is a wonderful place to spend some culturally fulfilling hours.  Overlooking the Yellowstone River in a beautiful park setting, the art center features two large galleries as well as a smaller one to keep you steeped in art.

If you’re planning your vacation travel in August, you’ll be just in time for the Eastern Montana Fair.  The four day festivities include rodeos, a carnival, tractor pulls, a demolition derby, and many commercial exhibits.  Contact the Miles City Chamber of Commerce for more information on events.

Miles City has a large outdoor municipal pool right next to the city park.  There is also a recreation area with boating facilities to take you along the Yellowstone and Tongue rivers for a relaxing day on the water.  For anglers, you can take your gear over to one of the reservoirs for a day of fishing.  Golf, racquetball, tennis, and bowling are other activities that will keep you fit and fresh.

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