The diverse, breathtaking beauty of Montana unfolds in a vista of snow-capped mountains, endless prairies, and crystal clear rivers. Montana’s nickname is “Big Sky Country” because of the vast, open landscapes and expansive views of the sky.
Pictograph State Park's Pictograph Cave was home to generations of prehistoric hunters for over 2000 years.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Rock Formations above the Pictograph State Park provided not only shelter but a natural defense from enemies.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Views from the Pictograph State Park Caves. The rock formations and caves faced open prairie land, making it easier to spot game or enemies.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Prairie Views from the Pictograph State Park Caves
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Pictograph State Park's surrounding rock formations provided shelter and defense against enemies for generations of Native Americans.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Pictograph State Park Ghost Cave-The Crow believed there were writings on the cave from spirits.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Pictograph State Park's Ghost Cave
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Pictograph State Park Sandstone Rock Formations
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Pictograph State Park-Cliff Swallow Nests
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
The pictographs of Pictograph Cave State Park have faded over time due to exposure to the elements. Excavation of the caves in the 1930s removed a large amount of soil, which destabilized the cave structure and contributed to the loss of the pictographs.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Views of the Beartooth Mountains on way to Bearcreek, Montana
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Views on way to Bearcreek, Montana
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Views on way to Bearcreek, Montana
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Smith Coal Mine Disaster in 1943 was the worst underground mine disaster in Montana history. Seventy-four men died.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Smith Coal Mine Ruins-the mine permanently closed after the 1943 disaster.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Dame's Rocket (Hesperis matronalis) and old truck, Bearcreek, MT
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Northeast Entrance to Yellowstone Naitonal Park
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Bison Herds in Yellowstone National Park's Lamar Valley
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Bison Bull in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Yellowstone River in the Lamar Valley
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Calcite Formations along the Yellowstone River, Yellowstone National Park
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Tower Falls in Yellowstone National Park
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
The Liberty Cap is a 37 foot tall, dry rock formation in Yellowstone that was created by a now dormant hydrothermal hot spring.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Mammoth Hot Springs is known for its travertine terraces formed by hot spring mineral deposits over thousands of years.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Mammoth Hot Springs Travertine Terraces
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
The Roosevelt Arch located at Yellowstone's north entrance was built in 1903 and dedicated by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Yellowstone National Park and the other 62 parks in the US protect and preserve significant natural and cultural resources to prevent commercial development.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Beartooth Mountains southwest of Billings, MT
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Rimrock Formations above Billings, MT are sandstone cliffs formed from the shoreline of a vast inland sea that once covered the area.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Rimrock ledge overlooking Billings, MT can have a drop of 200 to 500 feet down to the valley floor.
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
Rimrock Sandstone Formations, Billings, MT
Barbara H. Smith, ©2025 HGIC, Clemson Extension
