Musselshell County: River Landscapes and Montana History

The Musselshell River crosses the middle of Musselshell County from west to east. The county’s name is also connected to the river; Lewis and Clark traveled along it. This connection leads into a region whose history is shaped as much by cattle ranching and coal mining as by its river landscapes. For planning your trip, this offers two appealing perspectives: nature by the water and traces of the work and communities that shaped the county.

River, Landscapes, and Outdoor Activities

The Musselshell River supports watersheds and wildlife in the county and offers opportunities for fishing. There is a specific river access point at the Asparagus Point Recreation Site: it is located seven miles east of Roundup on Highway 12 and offers parking. Both catfish fishing and asparagus picking are possible there. The Heritage Trail and River Walk offers another perspective on the river: its scenic river landscape makes the water itself the focus of a walk. A designated riverside trail and activities at a designated recreation site thus offer different ways to enjoy the county.

The terrain also varies across the county. Rolling landscapes lie in the east; overall, the scenery ranges from rolling grassland to the sandy, rocky, wooded, and rugged Bull Mountains. Wooded areas are also part of the landscape. Scenic routes and highways add to the recreational options. Those interested in the county’s nature will find not only the river, but also varied scenery spanning grassland, hills, and the Bull Mountains.

Ranching, Coal Mining, and History in Roundup

The legacy of cattle and sheep ranching is part of Musselshell County’s history. Coal mining also shaped the region: production began in 1908, declined after 1956, and the last major mine closed in 1959. This chronology gives the mining history a clear outline—from its beginnings and decline to the end of large-scale mining.

The Musselshell Valley Historical Museum explores several aspects of this history. Its topics include the Wild West, cowboys, and cattle drives, as well as coal mines, one-room schools, and general stores. The museum also includes an original log cabin built by English Lords for an early cattle ranch. Works by local artists and photographs of early Roundup complement the historical topics with art and images from the town’s development.

School buildings are also connected to Roundup’s history. Roundup Central School was built in 1911 and represents the development of education and community in the town. St. Benedict's Catholic School was built in 1920–21. It is associated with the hundreds of European immigrants who came to Roundup after the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad established major coal mines there in 1907–08. Together with the mining history, these stories of buildings and immigration show how work, migration, and education helped shape the region.

Events and Recreation in Roundup

R.I.D.E. is an annual three-day event celebrating the 4th of July in authentic Montana style. It includes concerts at the Roundup Stage east of the municipal parks. The Musselshell County Fairgrounds host events throughout the year, including the 4-H Fair, the 4th of July Rodeo, and the Fall Festival. The annual Roundup Cattle Drive gives visitors a glimpse of agriculture and ranching. If you’d like to plan your trip around an event, check the dates in advance.

Roundup offers a range of other recreational activities. The Roundup Sportsman's Association has an archery course running through a coulee, a shotgun trap area, and rifle ranges at 100 and 200 yards. The Pine Ridge Golf Course offers 2,849 yards of play from the back tees and a par of 36. The details on length and par help you assess this option, while the archery course and shooting ranges appeal to other recreational interests.

For a taste of locally made products, Roundup's Market on Main offers another way to connect with the town. Together with the museum’s exhibits, events, and river and landscape activities, it paints a varied picture of Musselshell County: ranching and mining explain part of its past, while the river, nature, and recreational options reveal other sides of the region.

Explore more destinations: Roundup, Gallatin, Custer County, Beaverhead, Carter County, Big Horn County, Powell County, Yellowstone.

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