Sheridan County: History and Nature

First consider whether local history, landscapes and birdlife, or a mix of these interests, should be the focus of your stay. This will help you plan your visit around the topics that genuinely interest you.

Historical connections around Plentywood

The Sheridan County Museum displays original post office boxes from the Dooley Post Office; the museum also includes a general store from the 1920s. The collection includes fossils. Postal services, commerce and natural finds are thus represented as distinct themes: the post office boxes point to postal operations, the store to commerce, and the fossils broaden the view to natural history.

Plentywood served the people of northeastern Montana as a trading post. The present-day location of Plentywood is also connected with the surrender of Sioux Chief Sitting Bull and his people to the U.S. Army. The Outlaw Trail ran north of Plentywood across the border into Canada; Butch Cassidy established a rest stop in the Big Muddy Valley west of Plentywood. These connections lead from the history of trade to events, routes and places in the surrounding area.

The area around the host community of Plentywood also has the Plentywood Golf Club, a public 9-hole golf course. This adds a sporting focus to the cultural themes if golf is one of your travel interests.

Nature and protected-area themes in northeastern Montana

The Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge lies on the heavily glaciated, rolling plains of northeastern Montana. Established in 1935, it provides breeding and resting habitat for numerous migratory birds. A large pelican colony has been present there since at least 1939, with about 3,000 to 5,000 nests per year; it is one of the largest colonies in the United States.

A 14-mile auto tour route passes through grassland and wetland habitats. It is open about eight months of the year; seasonal conditions may change. Check its status before setting out. The refuge’s recreation area also includes a hiking trail. Pelican Overlook at Bridgerman Point offers views of nesting colony birds, and the 99-foot observation tower at Medicine Lake provides views of the lake. In this way, the driving route, hiking trail and viewpoints offer different perspectives on nature.

Within the refuge’s main area, the U.S. Congress established Medicine Lake Wilderness in 1976. It includes the main body of water of Medicine Lake, the islands within it, and the 2,320-acre Sandhills Unit.

An April 2025 visitor brochure from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service states that motorboats and sailboats are not allowed on Medicine Lake. Check the current boating rules before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Plentywood, Madison County, Wheatland County, Ravalli County, Mccone County, Garfield County, Gallatin, Beaverhead.

For the main travel overview: Montana.