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Major city · United States

Glendive

Glendive.
Photo: Royalbroil, CC BY-SA 4.0

Stop for one night off I-94: badlands at Makoshika, two fossil museums, then drive on. No taxi or bus, so you need a car.

Glendive is a town of about 5,000 on the Yellowstone River in eastern Montana, 222 mi (357 km) east of Billings and 35 mi (56 km) west of the North Dakota line. It is a Montana Dinosaur Trail stop: Makoshika State Park's badlands sit just south of town, and two fossil museums sit at Exit 215. There is no taxi or bus service, so a car is required, and one night covers the sights.

basic guide: no trip line yet
More
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
May–Sep
avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow, some sights closed)
Airport
Dawson Community (GDV)
Nights
1

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide for Glendive: no airport-to-bed path, walking clusters or day plans yet. Fares and schedules here are unverified. What this page does cover
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.

Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide

Checking your follows…
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Glendive911 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Glendive, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–6
  • Street or quick mealDiner breakfast$10–16
  • BeerDraught beer at a brewery$6–9
  • Museum or sight ticketMakoshika State Park entry per vehicle$8
  • Budget bedMakoshika campsite, a night, per roomUS$4
  • Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$110
  • High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$150 · High US$260

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Makoshika State Park badlandsFrontier Gateway MuseumGlendive Dinosaur and Fossil MuseumYellowstone River and Bell Street BridgeMontana Dinosaur Trail
Airports
GDV Dawson Community Airport (Glendive) (Cape Air flights within Montana and private planes; small field on Hwy 200 toward Circle, about 4 mi from town)

Map of Glendive

Where it is, and the guides within about 120 km.

BeachSidneyMedoraCartwrightAlexanderMiles CityBelfield

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors

  • Glendive
  • Basic guide

Directions in Google Maps · Apple Maps

Guides nearby

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    −2°C (28°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    1°C (34°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    8°C (46°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  5. May

    Best

    21°C (70°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    26°C (79°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    31°C (88°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    24°C (75°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    16°C (61°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    6°C (43°F)

  12. Dec

    Avoid

    −1°C (30°F)

Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)), coolest Jan (−14°C (7°F) low), wettest May (9 rain days), driest Feb (5). Averages, not a forecast.

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Glendive: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

−2°C (28°F)

−14°C (7°F)

6 rd

Feb

1°C (34°F)

−11°C (12°F)

5 rd

Mar

8°C (46°F)

−5°C (23°F)

6 rd

Apr

15°C (59°F)

1°C (34°F)

7 rd

May

21°C (70°F)

6°C (43°F)

9 rd

Jun

26°C (79°F)

11°C (52°F)

9 rd

Jul

31°C (88°F)

14°C (57°F)

7 rd

Aug

31°C (88°F)

13°C (55°F)

6 rd

Sep

24°C (75°F)

7°C (45°F)

6 rd

Oct

16°C (61°F)

1°C (34°F)

5 rd

Nov

6°C (43°F)

−6°C (21°F)

5 rd

Dec

−1°C (30°F)

−13°C (9°F)

6 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Drive. There are no taxi or bus services in Glendive, so plan on your own car or a rental; the sights are spread along I-94 and the river, and Makoshika is a short drive south of downtown. Walk only within the compact centre.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Makoshika State Park

go

Door to door: About 10–15 min

Drive south from downtown on Snyder Ave to the park entrance

Badlands overlooks, trails and a campground; $8 per vehicle, open daily 7:00–22:00.

Miles Citygo

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

I-94 west

Next real town west; good lunch stop on the drive to Billings.

Medora, North Dakota

overnight

Door to door: About 1 h 30 min

I-94 east

Theodore Roosevelt National Park gateway; too far for a comfortable return day.

Billingsskip

Door to door: About 3 h

I-94 west

Montana's largest city; a separate stop, not a day trip.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

I-94 Exit 215 strip (N Merrill Ave)

Motels, diners and the museums cluster here; easiest with a car and bags.

Downtown / W Towne St

Closer to the river, bars and shops; a short drive from the interstate.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$70–110 excl. bed
Mid
$110–180 excl. bed
High
$180+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel double room1 × 1 night × US$110US$110
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150US$300
Makoshika State Park vehicle entry, one day1 × US$8US$8
Baisch's Dinosaur Digs, full day2 × US$120 · Half day $80; children 12 and under free; reservations only, Apr–Oct.US$240
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$69
Trip total≈ US$379 per person per day, bed includedUS$757

2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–6
Diner breakfast$10–16
Burger or pizza meal$14–25
Draught beer at a brewery$6–9
Makoshika State Park entry per vehicle$8
Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum entry$8 adults, $7 children/seniors
Gallon of gas$3–4

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Glendive is a small, low-crime town; the real risks are long empty drives, summer heat in the badlands and winter storms on I-94. Carry water and check road conditions before setting out.
  • No taxi or bus service in town: without a car you are stuck.
  • Makoshika's badlands roads and trails are rough; carry water and watch for rattlesnakes in warm months.
  • Summer storms and winter snow can close park roads; check conditions before you drive in.
  • Distances are long: the next services east are in North Dakota, west in Miles City.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Poison Control
1-800-222-1222

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

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GlendiveGlendive

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Take me to this address, pleaseTake me to this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Poison Control1-800-222-1222

Embassy

No embassy in Glendive; nearest consulates are in Denver or Seattle.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Makoshika State Park entry: $8 per vehicle
  • Baisch's Dinosaur Digs: $120 full day, $80 half day, children 12 and under free
  • Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum: $8 adults, $7 children/seniors

Say or show

  • Where is I-94? — Where is the interstate?
  • Is there gas close by? — Is there a gas station nearby?
  • Can I pay by card? — Do you take cards?
  • How far to the state park? — How far is Makoshika?

No taxi or bus service: arrange your own car before arrival.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Glendive. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow, some sights closed) · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for GDV: Cape Air schedule, no-taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Walking clusters with rescue anchors: Exit 215 museums, downtown and the river, Makoshika.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Frontier Gateway Museum, Glendive Dinosaur and Fossil Museum, Makoshika visitor center) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Seasonal fixtures for park road closures and Buzzard Day so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources

Ask about Glendive

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