Blake Walsh

16 Best Things to Do in Ekalaka, MT

  • Published 2022/08/22

Ekalaka, Montana, features incredible sights with its majestic mountains down to its beautiful parks and historical landmarks.

The people here are hospitable and friendly, making it an excellent destination for travelers.

This town gets its name from a Sioux native named Ijkalaka, meaning “restless” or “moving about.”

Some local shops and restaurants occasionally have live music.

Check out Dawg House Pub because this place offers the most-visited steaks in Montana.

The Carter County Museum is another place worth visiting.

They have an outdoor garden regularly maintained depending on the season.

Likewise, the museum houses a Native American collection inside and outside.

Check our list of the best things to do in Ekalaka, Montana.

Visit the Dinosaur Collection at Carter County Museum

Exhibit in Carter County Museum

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The Carter County Museum in Ekalaka sits among the beautiful Montana landscape, the perfect place to explore and learn more about the town’s history.

Founded in 1936, the museum features significant fossils dating back to 1930 and 1940.

Dinosaur bones in Carter County Museum

Teresa Otto / Shutterstock.com

These fossils include an intact Triceratops skull.

The dinosaur collection is also popular, which covers 90 million years of history.

Triceratops skull in Carter County Museum

Teresa Otto / Shutterstock.com

There’s also an exhibit on Native American artifacts, which gives insight into how they lived before the European settlers arrived.

The Carter County Museum is a beautiful sight with all of its historic buildings and signages.

Dinosaur skull in Carter County Museum

Teresa Otto / Shutterstock.com

Stop By and Read at Ekalaka Public Library

Enjoy an educational Ekalaka experience by visiting the Ekalaka Public Library.

This learning hub has a wide variety of books that you can consult.

You can find anything from works of fiction and nonfiction to works written for children.

You’ll also find plenty of magazines, newspapers, and periodicals.

If you don’t find what you’re looking for, ask one of the librarians!

Likewise, the library offers a weekly story time for preschool children and a summer reading program for ages three to eight.

The library makes it easy and fun to let your inner child come out and play.

Children can listen to stories like fables, fantasies, and other tales each week.

They also have a chance to win prizes if they complete their reading materials.

Bring your kids to the Ekalaka Public Library!

Hang Out at the Perso Park

Next to the Ekalaka Public Library is the small but beautiful Perso Park.

This peaceful park is an ideal place to unwind and enjoy reading simultaneously.

With an elevation of over 1,040 meters, you will surely love the relaxing view and green grass surrounding the area.

You can come here and get refreshed after learning new things at the public library or walking your dog.

Perso Park also sits amid a cluster of trees, which offer shade on hot days and let people unwind without worrying about sunburns.

Set up Camp at Sunset Campground

It’s time to head out to the Sunset Campground in Ekalaka for some fishing and camping fun!

During the hunting season, guests at any of these 12 campsites can see and hunt various species of wildlife.

Likewise, you will observe birds traveling and stopping here to rest.

There is also a designated space for RV hookups and tent camping.

Here you can grill barbecues or your steak!

You don’t have to worry about your convenience because there are nearby restrooms and water sources and a designated space for showering.

Spend the weekend at Sunset Campground!

Try Fishing at Macnab Campground

The Macnab Campground offers a more challenging camping experience in Ekalaka.

The campground is a little more challenging than other parks, but it’s worth it.

Traversing there can be challenging, but once you get there, you’ll see some of the most beautiful views in Ekalaka.

There’s also a pond within walking distance of the campsites where you can go fishing.

Trees and bushes surround the place, so it feels like an oasis in the middle of nowhere.

Choose from one of three tent sites at the Macnab Campground; restrooms are also accessible.

Enjoy a Picnic at DJ RV Park

The DJ RV Park in Ekalaka is unlike other RV parks that do not offer convenience to RV park goers.

This place provides its guests eight hookups, electricity, water, and a restroom.

It is near the city park, which features a variety of playground equipment and picnic tables.

You have two options when visiting this place.

Firstly, you can go on an adventure yourself.

Otherwise, bring your family and friends and enjoy each other’s company without any interruptions.

The spacious location can host several guests at once.

Picnicking, listening to music, and telling stories are all enjoyable activities you can do at DJ RV Park.

Explore Downtown through the Ekalaka City Park

The Ekalaka City Park is probably the most popular in the area since it is closest to the downtown district and is near hotels and notable cafes.

Most people meet their friends at this park before heading out to their favorite restaurants.

This park is ideal for unwinding with a good book, having a picnic with friends, or simply enjoying the weather.

It has several benches scattered throughout the park and a few tables if you want to eat some food while you’re there.

The Ekalaka City Park is also an excellent place to walk or jog in the morning.

Hike the Iron Spring Trail

Are you looking for an Ekalaka hike that takes you through some of the most beautiful terrains in Montana?

The 14-kilometer loop Iron Spring Trail is an excellent spot for hiking which will take you more than three hours to complete.

Dogs are welcome here, but you must keep them leashed.

The terrain is flat, with some inclines here and there.

It’s not difficult for most people, but it could be tricky if you’re new to hiking.

The Iron Spring Trail is perfect for people who want to see all the best parts of Montana without spending a lot of time driving around.

Check Out the Wildlife at Medicine Rocks State Park

Landscape of Medicine Rocks State Park

Teresa Otto / Shutterstock.com

Elevate your Ekalaka experience at this 330-acre park and discover why Theodore Roosevelt said this town is “fantastically beautiful.”

The “Medicine Rocks,” a group of sandstone pillars that resemble hoodoos, inspired the name of Medicine Rocks State Park.

Marvel how these formations appeared.

Check out the sturdy rocks that surround you once you have reached the peak of one of these beautiful, stable rocks.

Rock formation at Medicine Rocks State Park

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The opportunity to witness wild animals awaits you here!

Keep an eye out for any antelope, deer, or sharp-tailed grouse in the area.

There are even 12 different campsites.

If you visit during one of the place’s organized events, you will add excitement to your trip.

In 2017, the National Register of Historic Places added the Medicine Rocks State Park to the record.

Eroded rocks at Medicine Rocks State Park

Teresa Otto / Shutterstock.com

Grab Lunch at Wagon Wheel Cafe

The Wagon Wheel Cafe in Ekalaka is famous for its breakfast menu.

It’s a rustic cozy restaurant that serves excellent steak and eggs breakfast with excellent customer service.

Breakfast at the Wagon Wheel Cafe starts with a cup of hot coffee, served in a mug perfect for sipping.

The parking space can accommodate many customers.

Notably, the place has no Wi-Fi, so you can focus on your conversation with your breakfast partners.

The Wagon Wheel is also friendly to kids so you can bring them too.

Grab a Pizza at Dawg House Pub

Take a quick walk from the Carter County Museum to find the most visited Dawg House Pub in Ekalaka.

The Dawg House Pub is a fun place to grab a drink and enjoy a delicious snack with friends.

They serve cold drinks and have a variety of flavors for their famous all-meat pizza.

The ambiance is relaxing and exotic, which makes it ideal for spending an evening with friends or family.

Visit the Dawg House Pub if you want something to do on a Saturday night!

You’ll enjoy good music while having a cold drink and delicious pizza.

Celebrate Bonds at Camp Needmore

You need a place to help you create lasting memories whenever you have a party or reunion.

Kick back and enjoy your loved ones’ company without stressing over whether or not the venue will meet your specific requirements.

You would want a beautiful place to inspire great photos and memories.

Built in 1930, Camp Needmore in Ekalaka also opens for hunting activities during the hunting season.

Find six cabins and the central hall ideal for the dining or dance floor.

You can also head to the basketball courts and play a game or walk around to appreciate the beautiful place.

There are also 13 RV spaces and ample parking spaces for everyone at Camp Needmore.

Get Your Coffee Fix at Stompin Grounds Coffee House, LLC

Treat yourself to a good cup of coffee with a friend or a loved one at the Stompin Grounds Coffee House.

This coffee shop started creating good coffee in the early 90s.

Since then, they have also organized fundraising activities for children’s charitable institutions, such as The Mission for Children in 2015.

Their specialty includes white chocolate raspberry mocha, red velvet mocha, cinnamon red hot latte, and rose latte.

They also serve tea such as chamomile lavender tea and Mama’s tea.

After drinking coffee, stop by the coffee corner and gift yourself a bag of dark coffee like Journey and Big Black Boot.

Other Things to Do Nearby

The best part about traveling is getting to know a new destination and its quirks and charms.

Ekalaka has a lot of things going for it, but one of the biggest draws is that it’s close to so many other gorgeous places.

Explore the O’Fallon Historical Museum

The O’Fallon Historical Museum is in Baker, Montana, 34 minutes from Ekalaka.

It offers a quick glimpse into the life of settlers that lived on the prairie a century ago.

The exhibits depict life in the 1800s and allow you to immerse yourself in the past while enjoying an interactive experience.

Bring your family to the O’Fallon Historical Museum!

Go Camping at Lantis Spring Campground

There is a place in Camp Crook, Montana, that you will want to visit.

You’ll find the Lantis Spring Campground on the Custer Gallatin National Forest, close to the border with South Dakota.

This place is 48 minutes from Ekalaka.

The area has become a favorite for campers for decades, and it’s easy to see why.

It’s beautiful, quiet, and full of incredible things to do.

The six-acre campground rises 6,000 feet above sea level, and it has four campsites, bathrooms, and a spring.

If you become thirsty, you can go to the drinking fountains provided.

Your dog can drink from them, too.

Admission to the Lantis Spring Campground is free, so you can save a little more.

Final Thoughts

Ekalaka is a tranquil little town in the Montana countryside, home to pleasant and welcoming residents.

You will have a great time at this destination no matter who you’re traveling with or how old they are.

Don’t miss out on the best things to do in Ekalaka, Montana, for your next unforgettable adventure!

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