Broadus, Montana

The shortest distance from the present to the past in terms of the Old West begins in Broadus, Montana. Things to do, history, and beautiful wilderness all abound here.

Broadus ain’t a big place, and that’s a good thing. We’re all neighbors here, and we appreciate being able to step outside at night to stare at the stars and see the Milky Way with the naked eye. There are many things to do in Broadus, Montana and this is truly where the “deer and the antelope play.” And if yer wondering why everyone waves when you pass by, well… that’s just what we do around these parts. Broadus is the “Wavingest Town in the West.”

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The Warrior Trail

Smack dab on U.S. Highway 212 from Billing to Rapid City—also known as the Warrior Trail—Broadus is the county seat of Powder River County, and is the only incorporated town in the county. It rests comfortably on the banks of the Powder River, which some folks say is “a mile wide and an inch deep, too thin to plow and too thick to drink.” Around here, we all know it’s a great place for fishing.

A lot of Old West and Native American history happened here, and some of it is preserved in the Powder River Historical Museum over on the corner of Park Avenue and Wilson Street. You can amble through displays of dinosaur fossils and get a gander at a real uniform from the Battle of Powder River. You get a real feel for the old days with their displays of an authentic pioneer cabin, the original county jail, an original setup of an old general store, and antique cars. Inside the museum is Mac’s Museum, where you can examine the amazing craftsmanship of more than 1,000 arrowheads, a collection of more than 20,000 seashells, and a marvelous assortment of bird eggs. There’s tons more things to do in the Broadus, Montana area from Billings to Rapid City, and when you book a stay at Broadus Motels, you’ll have plenty of time to see it all! Our website offers additional info for visits to Broadus, Montana and the surrounding areas.

Powder River Heritage

You get a feeling of authenticity here, cuz the western heritage that characterized much of what made the Old West what it was still courses through the blood of the folks who farm, ranch, and work here. It’s embedded in the spirit of the land. The history of the Broadus, Montana region from Rapid City to Billings and the surrounding areas defined many policy decisions in Washington, D.C.—many of which still remain policy even today.

Originally this was Native American land, but as the country grew and gold was discovered, an influx of white settlers and entrepreneurs from back East made the area feel a bit crowded. Broadus sits pretty much in the middle of all those things you learned in American history class, from the Battle of Powder River—just down the road apiece—to the Battle of the Little Bighorn and the final battles of the Black Hills War. We’re the perfect stopping-off spot when yer traveling west from all the Old West towns and national parks that line the border between South Dakota and Montana, either on your way to Yellowstone National Park or to study the abundant history and many things to do in the Broadus, Montana area. This place is the gateway to Southeastern Montana.