Every July, the quiet town of Glendive, Montana becomes a hub for dinosaur enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike as the Makoshika Dinosaur Museum hosts its annual Dino Shindig. This event fuses science, history, and outdoor exploration into a packed weekend that honors the prehistoric giants whose bones whisper deep beneath Montana's rugged soil. The museum, situated on the edge of Makoshika State Park — Montana’s largest state park — offers visitors a chance to engage hands-on with fossils, crafts, and guided hikes through terrain that still echoes the ancient past.

The Dino Shindig spans several days, featuring fossil digs supervised by professional paleontologists, educational workshops, kids’ activities, and vibrant evening presentations that bring the Jurassic period to life. Attendees can walk among impressive dinosaur replicas, participate in bone identification sessions, or explore local trails where ancient sea beds and dinosaur footprints lie hidden in the rock.

What sets the Dino Shindig apart is its balance of immersive experience and practical accessibility. Makoshika State Park’s hiking terrain is moderately challenging, with trails ranging from easy 1-2 mile loops to more demanding climbs topping around 4.5 miles, often rising 600-900 feet in elevation. The landscape pushes back with stiff rock formations, wind-sculpted badlands, and grassy ridgelines, each offering sweeping views that stretch across the Yellowstone River Valley. As you hike, the park’s iconic buttes and hoodoos stand like ancient sentinels, daring you to discover their secrets.

The event encourages preparedness; bring sturdy footwear with good ankle support, hydration systems to handle Montana’s dry summer heat, and sun protection. Morning and late afternoon hikes offer cooler temperatures and optimal lighting for photography, capturing the textures of cracked earth and layered cliffs without midday glare.

Despite its adventurous cast, the Dino Shindig maintains a welcoming vibe for families and casual explorers. Educational guides participate actively, translating the fierce, raw beauty of this fossil-rich landscape into accessible stories that connect past with present. The spirit of adventure here is not about conquering the wild but engaging with it — respecting its seasonal moods, weather shifts, and the fragile traces left by creatures that roamed millions of years ago.

For those coming from afar, Glendive offers approachable accommodations—motels, campgrounds, and rustic inns—making it a practical base camp for both the festival and broader explorations of eastern Montana’s natural and historic sites. Whether you're a dedicated paleontology buff or simply chasing a unique summer adventure, the Dino Shindig at Makoshika is both a celebration and a call to the wild, fiercely itself and ready for your footsteps.

Planning a visit around the Dino Shindig means syncing your itinerary with the rhythms of Montana’s summer: early July days can be hot and invigorating, with afternoons hosting sharp gusts that sweep the badlands like breath from the past. By taking proper precautions and packing thoughtfully, you’ll join the ranks of adventurers who have stood shoulder to shoulder with history, tracing the paths of beasts enormous and ancient.