Explore the Upper Musselshell Museum and get a look at “Ava” the Avaceratops, ancient sea creatures and more. Other activities in the area include Chief Joseph Park, with a playground, fishing pond, picnic areas and several campsites. Stretch your legs on the Smoking Boomer Rail Trail and visit the Harlowton Milwaukee Depot Museum. Note that as you head out of town north on U.S. Highway 191, you’ll see the Judith Gap Wind Energy Center, where the sprawl of 90 wind turbines produces millions of kilowatts of power per year. When it’s time to eat, Loco Creek Grill is a family-friendly stop serving breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as specialty coffee and espresso.

From Harlowton, you’ll see the dramatic peaks of the Rocky Mountain Front come into view as you make your way to Choteau. Stop at Freezout Lake Wildlife Management Area 8 miles south of Choteau — it’s a prime location for spotting birds, including waterfowl. While in Choteau, explore the Old Trail Museum’s Dinosaur Antechamber and get a hands-on education about the area’s rich paleontology heritage. Don’t miss the delicious food at Copper Creek Coffee, baked goods at La Mia Cucina Cafe and Bakery and Montana-made Wilcoxson’s ice cream at Old Trail Ice Cream Parlor. Just 15 minutes north of Choteau in Bynum, explore the Montana Dinosaur Center (which offers dino dig programs throughout the summer) and Trex Agate Shop. Overnight back in Choteau at the Stage Stop Inn or at one of the guest ranches or campgrounds in the area.

Two hours northeast of Choteau in Rudyard, explore the Rudyard Depot Museum and see their fully articulated Gryposaurus, known as the “Oldest Sorehead.” Car buffs will enjoy the collection of antique automobiles at the Hi-Line Vintage Motors Museum. From Rudyard, drive 45 minutes east to Havre, where you’ll find the H. Earl Clack Memorial Museum and its 75-million-year-old dinosaur eggs. If time allows, other Havre attractions include Beaver Creek Park, historic Fort Assinniboine and Wahkpa Chu’gn Buffalo Jump. Fuel up on delicious food at Duck Inn, Nalivka’s Original Pizza Kitchen, Murphy’s Pub, Guadalajara or Wolfer’s Diner. Overnight in Havre at one of several hotel options.

Just 30 minutes east of Havre in the little town of Chinook, stop by the Blaine County Museum to see giant marine reptiles and handle fossils of sea creatures from millions of years ago. Other noteworthy attractions in Chinook include Bear Paw Battlefield and the Blaine County Wildlife Museum. Stop for lunch at Chinook Grille or Rad’s Deli & Pizza, and don’t miss the delicious malts at the Creamery (seasonal). An hour east of Chinook in Malta, explore the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum — home of “Leonardo,” the mummified remains of a duck-billed dinosaur — and the Phillips County Museum, where a 33-foot-long Brachylophosaurus fossil known as “Elvis” awaits. Or save those sights for tomorrow and settle into Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs for a relaxing soak and an overnight. (If you’re interested in a little wildlife watching, note that Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge and Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge are both in the area).

If you didn’t get to it all on Day 4, explore the Malta museums on Day 5 before heading to the Fort Peck Interpretive Center to see “Peck’s Rex,” one of the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons ever found. The lobby features a life-size replica of Peck’s Rex and the exhibit hall displays a full-size skeleton cast. Other Fort Peck attractions include Fort Peck Dam and Powerplant Museum, Milk River Observation Point, Fort Peck Summer Theatre and Fort Peck Lake water recreation (like fishing and boating) as well as wildlife watching. Grab dinner at the Gateway Club. Come evening time, set up camp at one of the lake's many campsites (reserve in advance) and settle in for a night of stargazing.

Fuel up on breakfast at the Fort Peck Marina (breakfast served Saturdays and Sundays) before the 2.5-hour drive to Glendive. (If you’re traveling on a weekday, have breakfast in Glendive at Penny’s Diner.) Once in Glendive, visit the Frontier Gateway Museum, where you’ll find a full-size skeleton cast of “Margie,” a Struthiomimus found near Glendive in the 1990s, as well as fossils from Stegoceras, Triceratops, Thescelosaurus and hadrosaurs. Lunch in Glendive at Gigi’s Café, and then make your way to Makoshika State Park for badlands exploration and a dino dig with Baisch’s Dinosaur Digs. Back in Glendive, grab brick-oven pizza at the Gust Hauf. Other dinner options include the Yellowstone River Inn or Los Amigos. After your meal, head back to the park and set up camp (reserve in advance) before a sublime night of stargazing. You can also overnight in Glendive, where you’ll find multiple lodging options. (Note: Other sights in the area include Hell Creek Music & More, the historic Bell Street Bridge and the Yellowstone River.)

Option: Stop in Jordan on your way to Glendive (1.5 hours from Fort Peck) to visit the Garfield County Museum, where you can see a replica of the “Dueling Dinosaurs.” The museum is located near the site where, in 1902, the world’s first identified T. rex was discovered.

Just under two hours south of Glendive, arrive in Ekalaka and visit the Carter County Museum’s unique paleontology exhibits and opt for a dino dig (seasonal) followed by lunch at TSO Cantina. Next, backtrack to Medicine Rocks State Park for hiking and wildlife watching until the sun goes down and the stars come out. Camp below the mesmerizing starry night sky in Medicine Rocks (reserve in advance) or stay in Ekalaka at the Guest House Hotel. Try the Wagon Wheel Café — a stop on the Southeast Montana Burger Trail — if you’re looking for dinner in town, but keep in mind you’ll be stargazing late into the evening.

Trip Tip: Plan your trip around Ekalaka’s annual Dino Shindig at the Carter Country Museum.