Carter County Museum

Carter County Museum is a paleontology museum in Ekalaka displaying fossil specimens discovered during local excavations. The building houses a complete Edmontosaurus skeleton, several Triceratops skulls, and other prehistoric remains from the Cretaceous period.

The museum was founded in 1936 inside a former automotive garage and became Montana's first county museum to display dinosaur fossils. Its establishment marked the beginning of paleontological research and exhibition in the region.

The museum displays objects and stories from Indigenous peoples including the Crow, Northern Cheyenne, Mandan, Hidatsa, Lakota, and Assiniboine nations. These collections help visitors understand the cultural diversity of the region and the heritage of the communities who lived here.

The museum is open year-round except on federal holidays, with seasonal hours that change between winter and summer months. Visitors should check seasonal schedules to ensure the museum is open during their planned visit.

The museum hosts the annual Dino Shindig festival on the last weekend of July, recognized as Event of the Year by Montana's Tourism Office. This lively celebration draws dinosaur enthusiasts and families who come to celebrate the region's paleontological discoveries.

Location: Ekalaka

Address: 306 Main St, Ekalaka, MT 59324

Phone: +14067756886

Website: http://cartercountymuseum.org

GPS coordinates: 45.89097,-104.54643

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:40