Sheridan to Choteau: A Road Trip Through Montana's Wild Heart

On US-87 north from Sheridan, you cross the Wyoming-Montana line near mile marker 14, where the pavement texture changes and the speed limit jumps to 75 mph. This subtle shift marks the beginning of a 350-mile journey through the heart of the Northern Rockies.

Sheridan itself sits at 3,743 feet, but within an hour you'll be climbing toward the Big Horn Mountains, a Cretaceous-era uplift that holds some of the oldest rock formations in North America.

The drive to Choteau takes approximately 6 hours without stops, but the real question isn't how long it takes—it's how to find the best stops and hidden gems between cities along this underrated corridor.

US-87 from Sheridan to Billings is mostly two-lane highway with occasional passing lanes. In winter, black ice forms on the bridges near the Big Horn River. Snow tires or chains are recommended November through April.

The section from Billings to Harlowton (MT-3) is a desolate stretch with no services. Ensure you have a full tank and water. Cell reception drops near Shawmut.

Wildlife crossings: Deer and antelope are common at dawn and dusk. Pronghorn herds often cross the road near the Crow Reservation. Slow down near mile marker 60 on US-87.

Best Stops for Families

• Buffalo, WY: The Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum has a dinosaur exhibit and a hands-on pioneer room. Kids love the stagecoach replica.
• Hardin, MT: The Big Horn County Museum features a restored 1904 schoolhouse and a vintage fire truck. Free admission.
• Great Falls, MT: The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center has a touch-tank with aquatic insects and a simulated portage. Great for ages 5–12.

Rest zones: Rest areas at mile marker 40 on US-87 (Wyoming side) and at exit 434 on I-90 (Montana side) have picnic tables and restrooms. The Hardin Rest Area has a playground.

Pet-Friendly Framework

• Big Horn Canyon: Leashed pets allowed on trails but not on boat tours.
• Little Bighorn Battlefield: Pets allowed on the tour road but not inside the visitor center.
• Lewis and Clark National Forest: Dogs must be on a leash in developed areas. Beware of wildlife.
• Accommodations: Most motels in Sheridan, Hardin, and Great Falls accept pets (check for fees).

Fatigue Management & Rest Zones

The drive is long with few curves, which can induce highway hypnosis. Plan stops every 90 minutes. The best break points are Buffalo (coffee at The Wolf Hotel), Hardin (lunch at The Sip 'n Nip), and Stanford (walk around the Teton County courthouse).

Avoid driving past 8 pm because wildlife activity increases and services are closed. If tired, the Big Timber KOA offers long-term parking for $10.

Hidden gem: Turn off at MT-80 near the town of Ryegate to see the ghost town of Kendall, an abandoned gold mining camp. This detour adds 20 minutes but offers solitude.

Big Horn Canyon National Recreation Area

At mile 30 north of Sheridan, turn east on MT-37 to reach the Big Horn Canyon. This 120-mile-long reservoir carved by the Big Horn River is a geological spectacle of red sandstone cliffs.

The canyon's depth exceeds 1,500 feet in places, and the visitor center near Fort Smith offers interpretive trails. You can spot bighorn sheep on the canyon rims at dawn.

Local insight: The ranger-led boat tours ($15/adult) navigate into the narrowest sections where the canyon walls rise vertically 800 feet.

Hot Springs of the Big Horns

Thermopolis, 60 miles south of Sheridan on US-20, is worth a detour for the world's largest mineral hot spring. The state-run Hot Springs State Park has free public pools at 104°F.

But closer to the route, the tiny town of Thermopolis also offers the Star Plunge, a private facility with a 300-foot water slide. This is a great place to soak tired muscles after a day of driving.

Hot springs are also found at Chico Hot Springs near Livingston, but that's a 90-mile detour. Stick to Thermopolis if you're on a tight schedule.

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

At mile 65 north of Sheridan, just off I-90 exit 510, this is a must-stop for history buffs. The battlefield marks the 1876 clash between the 7th Cavalry and the Lakota-Cheyenne coalition.

The visitor center displays artifacts and a 12-minute film. The paved 4.5-mile tour road passes the Last Stand Hill, where Custer fell. Allow 1.5 hours.

Note: The monument is a National Historic Landmark but not a UNESCO World Heritage Site—that designation is reserved for nearby Yellowstone.

Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness

For those willing to detour, the Beartooth Highway (US-212) starts near Red Lodge, 100 miles west of Sheridan. This all-American road climbs to 10,947 feet at Beartooth Pass, offering alpine tundra and glaciated peaks.

The full loop adds 3 hours but gives access to Yellowstone's north entrance. However, the pass is closed from October to May.

Closer to the main route, the town of Big Timber (exit 367) is a gateway to the Absaroka-Beartooth. Local outfitters offer fly-fishing trips on the Boulder River.

Lewis and Clark National Forest

As you approach Choteau, the landscape transforms into the Rocky Mountain Front. The Lewis and Clark National Forest sprawls east of the Continental Divide, with grizzly bear habitat and limestone cliffs.

The Pine Butte Swamp Preserve, 20 miles west of Choteau, is a protected area with orchids and sandhill cranes. Guided hikes are available in summer.

Local ranches here offer guest stays; the historic Stage Stop Inn in Choteau is a good base for exploring.

US-87 is the backbone of this route, but you'll also spend significant time on I-90/I-94 and US-89. Here's the practical breakdown.

Fuel stations thin out significantly west of Billings. Fill up before leaving I-90, as the stretch from Big Timber to Harlowton has no services for 70 miles.

Cell coverage: Good from Sheridan to Billings, then spotty west of Big Timber. AT&T and Verizon work best in the open prairies. T-Mobile users will lose signal near the Big Horn River.

• Drive time without stops: 6 hours
• Total distance: 350 miles
• Recommended fuel stops: Hardin, MT (exit 452) and Stanford, MT
• Best time to drive: May through October, daylight hours