Powder River County: Museums, History, and Landscapes
Accommodation in Powder River County
The Powder River flows from southwest to northeast through Powder River County, draining its central part and joining the Yellowstone River in Custer County. The Powder River Valley is surrounded by hills, creeks, and coulees. The landscape also changes within the county: to the west, the terrain is steeper and forested; to the east, the scenery is shaped by grassy hills and draws.
Landscape and Getting Your Bearings Around Broadus
East of Broadus, the Hay Draw Travel Management Area spans more than 30,000 acres. West of town is the Rolling Hills Golf Course. This nine-hole course is shaped by hills, terrain features, and elevation changes. These are two different reference points: an expansive landscape east of Broadus and a golf course west of it.
Broadus is also located along the section of Highway 212 known as the Warrior Trail. If you are interested in a historic site, there is another geographical point of reference southwest of town: the Reynolds Battlefield Monument, about 28 miles from Broadus on the Powder River. Access is via County Road 391 toward Moorhead Road; check road conditions before setting out.
Museums and History
The collections of the two Powder River museums have different focuses. The Powder River Taxidermy and Tannery Museum displays taxidermy, antique and commemorative firearms, and local art. The Powder River Historical Museum & Mac’s Museum features artifacts from Indigenous cultures, historic clothing, old firearms and ammunition, pre-1900 wagons, historic cars, tractors, and agricultural equipment. Materials on the history of the American West are also included.
The grounds of the Powder River Historical Museum & Mac’s Museum also include a one-room rural log schoolhouse and a Bucyrus-Erie steam shovel. The county jail is also there; it was built in 1919, when Powder River County was established. The area’s history extends beyond the museum grounds: the Battle of Reynolds took place on March 17, 1876, and preceded the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
The Powder River Congregational UCC was founded in Broadus in 1920 and is considered the town’s oldest church. Along with the museum collections and the jail, this offers a glimpse into different aspects of local and regional history, from the founding of a church to material evidence of life in the West.
Things to Do and Events
The Powder River County Fair is held each year during the last week of July at the fairgrounds. If you want to plan your trip around the event, check the dates for your chosen year. Rolling Hills Golf Course is a nine-hole course on rolling terrain.
Broadus Bridge Fishing Access Site is a basic fishing spot with no boat access and no latrine. Moorhead Recreation Area in Powder River County offers a different kind of stay: a basic campground on the Powder River. Cottonwood Park has a climbing structure for children. These places serve different purposes—from a simple fishing spot and riverside camping to a climbing structure.
Powder River Wagon Trains and Cattle Drives offers the chance to take part in cattle drives on horseback or in a covered wagon. The rides go through scenic areas rich in history, with ranches dating to the 1920s. Confirm in advance whether dates are available for your travel period. Powder River Outfitters also offers guided hunts, including hunts for mule deer, white-tailed deer, antelope, elk, birds, and turkeys. Check current hunting seasons, tags, and availability.
Seasonal Planning
The Powder River Chamber of Commerce operates a visitor information center east of Broadus at the rest stop on 2 Scale Road. It is near Highways 212 and 59 and is open seasonally from May through September. Check the opening days for your travel dates before you go. Powder River Lanes and The Grille adds to the visitor offerings with a full-service restaurant, pizza, a bowling center, arcade games, and a play area; confirm its current operating status before your visit.
For the broader travel overview: Montana.
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