Dark Sky Events

Wednesday, June 19 at 9 p.m.

Apsáalooke Star Stories with Shawn Backbone

Free Admission

Join us at Medicine Rocks State Park at the Sunset Loop for an evening of stories about our world from the Apsáalooke people. The Apsáalooke, or Crow, have ties to the Medicine Rocks area and their reservation is located in southern Montana. Our speaker, Shawn Backbone, is a member of the Apsáalooke/Crow Tribe and has served as a tribal officer and legislator, with a strong belief in empowerment and giving back to his community.

(Sponsored by Humanities Montana, Co-hosted with Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks)

THURSDAY, JULY 25 AT 10 P.M.

Dinosaurs & Dark Skies

Free Admission

Medicine Rocks State Park Sunset Loop, 1141 MT-7 Ekalaka MT 59324

As part of the festivities leading up to the Carter County Museum's 12th Annual Dino Shindig, Dinosaurs & Dark Skies invites visitors to Medicine Rocks State Park (Montana's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary) for a night of stargazing and fossil phosphorescence. Join us at the Sunset Loop and bring a folding chair and warm clothing. We will provide telescopes and red-light flashlights for wayfinding. 

There will be a Bat Walk preceding the event at 9 p.m. 

(Co-hosted with Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks)

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14 AT 9 P.M.

Stargazing with Montana Learning Center

Free Admission

Medicine Rocks State Park Night Sky Trail, 1141 MT-7 Ekalaka MT 59324

Join the Carter County Museum and the Montana Learning Center (Helena) at Medicine Rocks State Park for a night of stargazing! We will start at 8:30 p.m. with kid's activities and the Medicine Rocks Dark Sky Sanctuary pop up exhibit. Ryan Hannahoe from MLC will give a guided stargazing presentation starting at 9 p.m. Located at the Night Sky Trailhead. Bring a chair and a blanket as it can get cold at night. Carter County Museum and MLC will provide telescopes and red light flashlights for wayfinding.

(Co-hosted with the Montana Learning Center and Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks)