Montana is famous for its rugged natural beauty, and places like Glacier National Park are nationally renowned. That being said, we also have plenty of underrated gems to discover, and Medicine Rocks State Park is definitely one of them. If you’ve never seen this sacred park, you owe it to yourself to check it out.

Medicine Rocks State Park is located in Carter County just outside of Ekalaka.

Citallwic / TripAdvisor With a population of 358, Ekalaka is a tiny town by any definition. And since this particular part of Montana doesn’t have many tourist attractions, this park isn’t as well known as some of our others.

This beautiful ancient site was considered sacred by Native American tribes, and it’s easy to see why.

RJourn / TripAdvisor The beautiful sandstone pillars almost look otherworldly.

As the name implies, this was once a place of big medicine for the tribes.

bxdiver65 / TripAdvisor Tribes came here searching for medicinal plants to use in their vision quests and to rest after traveling. Some of them even lived here permanently.

Take a close look and you’ll find thousands of tribal petroglyphs carved into the rocks.

bxdiver65 / TripAdvisor Some of these inscriptions go back centuries, long before European settlement even began.

In 1883, future President Theodore Roosevelt visited the park and called it ‘As fantastically beautiful a place as I have ever seen.’

Corey Wren / TripAdvisor The 320 acres of Medicine Rocks State Park is definitely as beautiful today as it was back then.

These days, the park is mainly used for walking, biking, wildlife viewing, and learning more about our ancient past.

RJourn / TripAdvisor The area is a haven for mule deer, antelope, and sharp tailed grouse as well. There are picnic areas and 12 campsites for those who want to spend the night.

Address: 1141 MT-7, Ekalaka, MT, 59324

Citallwic / TripAdvisor

With a population of 358, Ekalaka is a tiny town by any definition. And since this particular part of Montana doesn’t have many tourist attractions, this park isn’t as well known as some of our others.

RJourn / TripAdvisor

The beautiful sandstone pillars almost look otherworldly.

bxdiver65 / TripAdvisor

Tribes came here searching for medicinal plants to use in their vision quests and to rest after traveling. Some of them even lived here permanently.

Some of these inscriptions go back centuries, long before European settlement even began.

Corey Wren / TripAdvisor

The 320 acres of Medicine Rocks State Park is definitely as beautiful today as it was back then.

RJourn / TripAdvisor

The area is a haven for mule deer, antelope, and sharp tailed grouse as well. There are picnic areas and 12 campsites for those who want to spend the night.

Have you ever been to Medicine Rocks State Park? While you’re in Eastern Montana, it’s worth making the drive up to the majestic Makoshika State Park as well.

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Address: 1141 MT-7, Ekalaka, MT 59324, USA