The Powder River runs slow and brown across the prairie east of Broadus, a river that gave its name to one of the most evocative landscapes in Montana history.
Cowboys driving cattle north from Texas in the 1880s talked about the Powder River the way generations talked about the Mississippi or the Rio Grande — it was a defining feature of the open range cattle era, written about by Charles Russell and Theodore Roosevelt, fought over during the Plains Indian Wars.
Today Broadus, the only real town in Powder River County, sits quietly on US-212 in a corner of Montana most travelers will never see.
TL;DR
- Broadus (~440) is the county seat of Powder River County in southeast Montana — one of the most lightly populated counties in the state.
- Powder River Historical Museum (known locally as “Mac’s Museum” after founder Mac McCurdy) is a surprising regional treasure with extensive collections.
- The Powder River itself is a historically significant Montana river with quiet fishing and floating access.
- Best for: travelers on US-212 between the Black Hills and Yellowstone, history enthusiasts, remote southeast Montana road trippers, and hunters during fall season.
- Very low SERP competition.
Broadus at a Glance
| Population (2020) | ~440 |
|---|---|
| County | Powder River County (county seat) |
| Region | Southeast Montana |
| Elevation | 3,041 ft |
| Distance to Miles City | ~80 miles north (~1.5 hours) |
| Distance to Belle Fourche, SD | ~85 miles southeast (~1.5 hours) |
| Distance to Sheridan, WY | ~100 miles south (~1.75 hours) |
| Best for | US-212 road trippers, Powder River history, Mac’s Museum, remote southeast Montana |
What Makes Broadus Different
Powder River County is one of Montana’s emptiest — fewer than 1,700 residents in the entire county, in an area larger than Rhode Island. The economy is ranching, period. There are essentially no other industries. The county seat at Broadus serves the broader rural community as the only real service center for hundreds of square miles.
What Broadus has, surprisingly, is one of the better small-town museums in Montana. The Powder River Historical Museum — universally called “Mac’s Museum” after founder MacKnight “Mac” McCurdy — grew from his personal collections of regional history. The museum building is small; the collection is enormous and surprising in its quality.
The Powder River itself is one of Montana’s quieter rivers — not famous for fishing the way the Madison or Yellowstone are, not commercially floated like the Smith, but historically and culturally significant. The phrase “Powder River, let ‘er buck!” became a cowboy rallying cry in the 1880s open-range era.
For broader trip context, see my Montana cities and towns hub.
The Top 10 Things to Do In & Around Broadus
1. Powder River Historical Museum (“Mac’s Museum”)
The destination. Founded by Mac McCurdy and continued by the community, the museum houses extensive collections covering Powder River County’s ranching history, Indigenous artifacts (Northern Cheyenne and Crow), pioneer life, military history, and natural history. Free admission. Plan 90 minutes — the collection is much larger than the building suggests.
2. Powder River Fishing
The Powder River runs slow and warm; fishing is for channel catfish, sauger, and some walleye rather than trout. Public access points along US-212 and county roads. The river is best for travelers who want a quiet, uncrowded fishing experience rather than trophy chasing.
3. Drive US-212 (Cheyenne-Black Hills Corridor)
US-212 runs through Broadus connecting the Yellowstone area (via Lame Deer and the Little Bighorn Battlefield) to the Black Hills of South Dakota. One of Montana’s most underappreciated scenic drives — rolling grasslands, the Powder River corridor, and dramatic open-sky country.
4. Hunt Eastern Montana (Fall)
Powder River County is significant hunting country — mule deer, antelope, and increasingly elk. Broadus fills with hunters during fall season. Most hunting is on private ranches (block management or paid access); some BLM and Forest Service land available.
5. Powder River County Library & Local History
The county library in Broadus has significant local history archives. Worth a visit if your interest in the area’s history runs deep.
6. Watch the Sky
Powder River County has some of the darkest skies in Montana — essentially zero light pollution. Stargazing from any open ranch road is exceptional on clear nights.
7. Day Trip to Little Bighorn Battlefield (~1.5 hours west)
US-212 west to Lame Deer and then northwest reaches the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument — one of the most historically significant sites in American history. See Hardin guide.
8. Day Trip to Devils Tower (~1.5 hours south)
America’s first national monument is in Wyoming, about 100 miles south of Broadus. The drive south on US-212 and onto Wyoming highways is itself worthwhile.
9. Day Trip to the Black Hills (~2 hours southeast)
Belle Fourche, SD and the surrounding Black Hills are easily accessible via US-212. The geographic center of the United States is near Belle Fourche.
10. Custer National Forest (Sioux Ranger District)
Portions of the Custer National Forest extend into the Broadus area — the Sioux Ranger District offers limited but interesting recreation, including the Mill Iron area and Tongue River access.
Where to Stay
| Hotel | Vibe | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powder River Inn | Local motel, basic | $80–130 | Most travelers |
| Broadus Motel | Budget basic | $70–110 | Very budget |
| Miles City (1.5 hours north) | Full range | $100–190 | More variety |
Where to Eat
- Powder River Inn Restaurant — reliable for the area
- Judge’s Chambers — local bar and grill
- Convenience options on US-212 — limited but functional
- Plan ahead — Broadus has very limited dining hours
Getting There
From Miles City: 80 miles south on US-212, about 1.5 hours.
From Sheridan, WY: 100 miles north on US-212, about 1.75 hours.
From Belle Fourche, SD: 85 miles northwest on US-212, about 1.5 hours.
When to Visit
Summer (June–August): Best weather; full museum hours; comfortable for outdoor exploration.
Fall (September–November): Hunting season — Broadus fills with hunters. Book lodging well ahead.
Year-round for travelers on US-212: Broadus is a reliable stop year-round, with some seasonal limitations on services.
Personal Tips
Mac’s Museum is the real reason to stop. A 90-minute visit will surprise you with its quality and depth.
Plan provisions. Broadus has the basics but limited variety. Stock up in Miles City or Sheridan for backcountry days.
Hunting season changes everything. September–November brings hunters from across the country; lodging fills, businesses busy. If you’re not hunting, consider visiting in summer or late spring.
Take US-212 deliberately. The drive is the experience as much as the destination. Allow time for stops at historical markers, river overlooks, and small ranching communities along the way.
Broadus Quick Facts
| Founded | 1900 (homestead era) |
|---|---|
| Named for | Broadus McAlpin, son of postmaster |
| Powder River County population | ~1,700 (entire county) |
| Powder River Historical Museum | Founded by MacKnight “Mac” McCurdy |
| Average summer high | 88°F |
| Average winter low | 4°F |
Conclusion
Broadus is the kind of small Montana town that rewards travelers who choose it deliberately. The Powder River Historical Museum is genuinely strong; the Powder River itself carries deep cultural weight; and the surrounding empty country offers a sense of remote Montana increasingly hard to find. For US-212 travelers between the Black Hills and Yellowstone, Broadus is the right stop.
Have a Broadus question? Drop it in the comments — I read every one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Broadus Montana worth visiting?
Yes for travelers on US-212 between the Black Hills and Yellowstone Country, or for anyone interested in Montana’s Powder River cattle history. The Powder River Historical Museum (Mac’s Museum) is surprisingly strong for a community of 440 people, the surrounding country is genuine remote Montana, and the US-212 corridor connects to major attractions including Little Bighorn Battlefield (1.5 hours west) and the Black Hills (1.5 hours southeast).
What is Mac’s Museum in Broadus Montana?
Mac’s Museum — formally the Powder River Historical Museum — is the local history museum in Broadus, founded by MacKnight “Mac” McCurdy and named for him locally. The museum houses extensive collections covering Powder River County’s ranching heritage, Indigenous artifacts (Northern Cheyenne and Crow), pioneer life, and military history. Free admission; among the better small-town museums in eastern Montana.
What is the Powder River?
The Powder River is a slow, sediment-laden river flowing through eastern Wyoming and southeast Montana, gaining cultural significance during the 1880s open-range cattle era when “Powder River, let ‘er buck!” became a cowboy rallying cry. It runs through Powder River County, Montana, providing fishing for warm-water species (channel catfish, sauger, walleye) and historical significance throughout the region.
How far is Broadus from Little Bighorn Battlefield?
Broadus is approximately 90 miles east of Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument — about a 1.5-hour drive west on US-212 through the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.
