Terry Badlands

Values

The Terry Badlands WSA includes colorful, banded cliffs that overlook rolling prairie.  Geologic features include sandstone bridges, spires, table tops, and buttes divided by many deep gullies all formed by thousands of years of wind and water erosion. Rolling benches are vegetated with grasses, wildflowers and brush such as sage, yucca, greasewood, and scattered juniper. One of the most easterly stands of limber pine is located in the WSA. Wildlife include mule and whitetail deer, pronghorn, elk, badgers, many raptors and reptiles such as horned lizards. Petrified logs may be encountered in the WSA. The WSA is high in cultural resources. Historical resources include 1800s era U.S. Army troops graffiti on Sheridan Butte. The WSA is an excellent area for hiking, back country hunting, rock and fossil collecting and enjoying the spectacular badlands scenery. 

Visitation Information

The Terry Badlands WSA is located in Prairie County, 3 miles northwest of Terry, MT. From Interstate 94 at Terry, travel on Highway 253, crossing the Yellowstone River, about 2 ½ miles to Scenic View Rd, a dirt road.  Turn left, west, and drive this road about 6 miles to the Terry Scenic View, an overlook on the edge of the WSA.  Alternatively, from highway 243 in Terry, turn left, west, on Old Highway 10 and drive about 3 miles to the Milwaukee Road.  Turn right, traveling west, and follow this road for about 3 miles, crossing over a one-lane bridge across the Yellowstone River which originally served as a Milwaukee Railroad bridge, to where a kiosk is located about a half mile past the river.  The kiosk gives information about the area and marks the beginning of the Calypso Trail.  Taking the Calypso Trail the WSA boundary is encountered in about 1 mile. Note, the alternative access is currently not available.  The Montana Department of Transportation has closed the Milwaukee Bridge due to deterioration of the deck which can no longer be relied upon to carry traffic safely.  

Visitor Advisory

There are no designated parking areas. Pull over along side the road where it’s safe (avoid places where there is not space or visibility is poor such as a hill, etc.).  Four wheel drive is recommended on the Calypso Trail.  Do not drive off road.