Malta, Montana, is a remarkable stop on the Montana Dinosaur Trail. When planning your trip, you can choose from several themes: paleontology, a distinctive piece of local history, and outdoor experiences in the surrounding area. This lets you decide what you would like to focus on, rather than combining every visit into a single itinerary.
Dinosaurs and Heritage
Malta is a stop on the Montana Dinosaur Trail with two facilities along the trail. The Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station displays fossils of fish, invertebrates, and plants, as well as several dinosaur species. A replica of “Leonardo,” made using rapid prototyping, is also currently on display there. Exhibits may change, so check before your visit to see whether the replica is still on display.
The museum offers programs for all ages, including summer field digs. If you plan to take part in one, check the dates before your trip. The exhibits and programs offer different perspectives: the fossils provide an overview of several groups of finds, while a field dig explores the subject through hands-on experience.
The Phillips County Museum displays “Elvis,” the 33-foot-long skeleton of a Brachylophosaurus. The specific name and stated length make this find a clearly defined focus for a visit.
The Phillips County Carnegie Library is also part of Malta’s history. Built in 1917, it was the last of 17 Carnegie libraries constructed in Montana. It offers a way to complement the dinosaur theme with an example of public architectural history: the library tells the story of a different period and another aspect of the area’s cultural heritage.
Nature Around Malta
Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge is seven miles east of Malta. It has a 15-mile, self-guided driving route. Check current route conditions and access rules before setting out. Public activities at the refuge include hunting, fishing, wildlife watching, photography, environmental education, and nature interpretation.
For a shorter walk, the Display Pond Trail at the refuge is near Malta: the trail is 0.4 miles long, paved, and accessible. An accessible parking space, an observation shelter, picnic tables, and benches are also available. The two options differ mainly in how you get around and the scope of the outing: a short trail with facilities along the way, or a longer driving route. Which one suits your stay depends on whether you prefer to walk or explore by car.
The Trafton Trail is a one-mile nature trail near the winding Milk River. You can spot birds and rabbits there, and occasionally deer. Its riverside setting and the chance to see wildlife give the walk a different focus from the driving route at the refuge.
More Activities and Practical Planning
Trafton Park has tent and RV sites, as well as access to fishing on the Milk River. Recreational facilities include basketball and volleyball courts, softball fields, playground equipment, and a horseshoe pit. There are several outdoor activities to choose from, so check before your trip to decide which ones you’d like to include.
Golfers will find Marian Hills Golf Course in Malta, a nine-hole course with a par of 36. It’s a specific alternative to museum visits and nature trails, without requiring a full-day itinerary.
If you’re arriving by train, the Malta Amtrak Station is a practical detail to check in advance: there is no ticket office on site. The station has an enclosed waiting area and restrooms, available during station hours. Station services may change, so confirm these details before your trip.
For the broader travel overview: Phillips County.
