With 105 miles of adventure at your feet, the Big Sky Backcountry Byway out of Terry, MT is one of our favorite ways to travel within eastern Montana.
Although interstates are convenient and quick, this moseying road winds through sections of the historic Regina-Yellowstone Trail, while connecting the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers and blasting into badland terrains, peaceful grasslands, and more.
And of course, we wouldn’t be Discovering Montana without our great love of Montana history and paleontology – something this byway has in spades.
Read on for more on one of the most unique and scenic drives in the state, from our favorite historic and wilderness attractions to the best fishing, camping, toe-dipping, hunting, and eating this eastern Montana highlight has to offer.
Big Sky Backcountry Byway, Terry, MT – A Complete Guide
Big Sky Backcountry Byway connects the Yellowstone River in the south to the Missouri River in the north.
The route travels along highways 253, 200, and 13, open in all weather conditions, connecting Terry to Wolf Point
Numerous points along the drive point to Montana history, paleontology, and geology. Locals and travelers alike come to wilderness areas for hunting, fishing, and swimming
Scenic Drive Stats
- Length: Approximately 105 miles in length
- Time: This scenic drive takes around two hours to complete one-way, not including stops
- Highlights Include: the Terry badlands, game hunting, fossil excavation, camping, wildlife viewing, river floating
- ADA-accessible
History Along the Big Sky Backcountry Byway
Prior to becoming the Big Sky Backcountry Byway, this route was originally the Regina-Yellowstone Trail, connecting Canadian tourists from northern prairie lands to Yellowstone National Park. Otherwise known as the R-Y route, this international drive opened in 1924 but came with an accompanying brochure in 1926, highlighting towns and camping sites with select photographs.
As more cars entered the roadways of America, this highway was a natural and innovative movement forward, particularly to our once cut-off neighbors to the North. And just as Terry was once highlighted as a clean, reliable auto camp area, the badlands area remains a highlight of any overnight adventurer’s camping trip – so some similarities remain.
Over time, the Regina-Yellowstone route faded into the past, making way for more efficient routes within the state and beyond.
Before the settlement of Europeans, the land surrounding Terry was also prime hunting grounds for the Crow, Sioux, and Cheyenne indigenous tribes, while 1806 saw Lewis and Clark traveling through the area close to the Yellowstone River.
Moving up towards Circle sees a proliferation of paleontological research and historical play, from the neighboring Glendive to Makoshika State Park to the east.
Much like other Montana regions, Wolf Point also saw the presence of Lewis and Clark in 1805, fighting bears and taking names.
The Wolf Point area was substantially utilized by Assiniboine, Crow, Sioux, and more, although the town is now mainly centered within the Fort Peck Indian Reservation – created in 1886 after indigenous tribes ceded millions of acres of land to start a new life they didn’t ask for.