American Prairie is an ambitious conservation effort working to protect and restore one of the last intact shortgrass prairie ecosystems on Earth, spanning private and public lands across central and northeastern Montana. Watch for bison and other wildlife, take in wide-open sagebrush plains, and learn about Indigenous and homestead-era history across a landscape of striking, remote beauty. Before heading out, stop at the National Discovery Center in Lewistown—302 W. Main Street, open Thursday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.—for exhibits, films and trip-planning help. Overnight options range from huts and campgrounds on the prairie to dispersed backcountry camping for self-sufficient travelers; gateway towns like Lewistown and Malta offer local lodging as well. Some areas, including Mars Vista, are accessible by any vehicle, while the more remote PN and Sun Prairie properties require high-clearance 4WD and careful advance planning. Services and cell coverage can be extremely limited once you leave the pavement.