Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park offers one of Montana’s most unexpected wildlife encounters. Tucked into Sweet Grass County along Interstate 90 between Big Timber and Columbus, this compact 98-acre park protects a thriving colony of black-tailed prairie dogs — one of the few places in Montana where visitors can observe these charismatic rodents up close in their natural habitat.

The park’s main draw is straightforward: walk the short interpretive trail and watch hundreds of prairie dogs popping in and out of their burrows, barking alarm calls, and socializing across their underground city. It’s a hit with kids and photographers alike. Interpretive signs explain prairie dog ecology, their role as a keystone species, and why their towns matter to the broader grassland ecosystem — from burrowing owls to black-footed ferrets.

Beyond the prairie dogs, the park sits in a striking stretch of the Yellowstone River valley with views of the Crazy Mountains to the north and the Absaroka Range to the south. It’s an ideal leg-stretcher if you’re road-tripping through southern Montana.

Greycliff is a day-use park, so plan your overnight stays elsewhere — Big Timber, about 10 miles east, has lodging and campground options. The prairie dogs are most active from late spring through early fall, with mornings and late afternoons offering the best viewing. By late October, most have retreated underground for winter.

Admission is free for Montana residents; out-of-state visitors pay a small vehicle fee.

Explore Nearby

• Beartooth Highway — Scenic Byway in Montana
• Clarks Fork of The Yellowstone — Public Land in Wyoming
• Four Dances SRMA — Public Land in Montana
• Gallatin National Forest — National Forest in Montana