Miles City, Montana Vacations
Authentic western vacations in Miles City, Montana
by Michele Kadison
With its huge expanse of badlands and plains along with the Yellowstone and Tongue rivers, Miles City retains its reputation as a truly authentic western town. Here you’ll find great opportunities for Montana fishing, golfing and sight seeing. Miles City also offers great Montana hotels. The town can also make a great resting point on your way to Yellowstone National Park.
Named after Colonel Nelson A. Miles, a commanding officer of the cavalry sent to round up “hostile Indians” in 1876, the area became a convenient resting point for cattle drivers coming in from Texas. As the cattle industry grew, especially with the advent of the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1881, Miles City became the home of the Montana Stockgrowers Association in 1884 as well as one of the leading cattle markets in the state. There are still weekly livestock auctions in Miles City, along with the famed annual Bucking Horse Sale so important to rodeo stock breeders and buyers.
Strolling down Miles City’s main street is like taking a trip back to the 1950’s, with short trips further back in time via the 1930’s high school and a reconstructed 1900’s saloon. Stop at the Range Riders Museum to see the wide range of western gear, including guns, wagons, farm equipment, and classic cars. The museum is located on the original Fort Keogh site.
The Custer County Art Center is another must-see when in Miles City. Beautifully set in a park overlooking the Yellowstone River, the art center features a wide variety of programming and exhibits that include a permanent collection in addition to exhibitions that change throughout the year.
Pop over to the Miles City outdoor municipal pool for a reviving dip on a hot afternoon. The area is ideal for a day of relaxation, with boating facilities right nearby. Take your rod and reel to fish along the Yellowstone and Tongue rivers or in one of the many reservoirs around the area. You can also find tennis courts, a golf course, bowling, river floats, and racquetball to add some good physical activity to your stay in Miles City.
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