Land of Giants: Dinosaurs in Missouri River Country
Did you know that Northeast Montana isn’t just Missouri River Country — it’s dinosaur country? The region, once a lush wetland environment, served as stomping grounds for prehistoric giants, including the likes of Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops. Today, portions of Missouri River Country sit on rich deposits of dinosaur fossils from the Late Cretaceous period, making it a prime location for fossil discoveries.
Notable Fossil Finds
Numerous dinosaurs of various species have been uncovered in Missouri River Country. Three of the most famous are a T. rex known as Peck’s Rex, a duck-billed dinosaur “mummy” named Leonardo and the “Dueling Dinosaurs” — remains of a T. rex and Triceratops found together, seemingly locked in battle at the time of their demise.
Peck’s Rex
One of the most complete T. rex skeletons ever found, Peck’s Rex was discovered in 1997 near the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and Fort Peck Lake. About 65% of the skeleton — including a nearly complete skull — was recovered. Not only that, but the condition of the bones and their articulated and semi-articulated positions (meaning bones are not scattered or greatly disturbed but instead closely resemble how they would have been positioned in the living animal) have provided researchers with valuable insights into T. rex anatomy and behavior. The skeleton has helped to shed light on how these animals lived and interacted with their environment.
You can get to know Peck’s Rex, named after Fort Peck Reservoir near the site of its discovery, at the Fort Peck Interpretive Center in the town of Fort Peck. Right inside the front doors, visitors are met with a fleshed-out, life-size replica of the dinosaur, and an exhibit at the museum features a full-size cast of the skeleton (the skeleton itself is on display at the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman).
Leonardo
The remarkably well-preserved duck-billed dinosaur fossil known as Leonardo was found in Phillips County, Montana, in 2000. How well-preserved is Leonardo? He’s listed in the 2004 Guinness Book of World Records as the Best Preserved Dinosaur. Fossilized skin covers the dinosaur’s remains — more than 90% of the mummy dinosaur is covered with skin impressions that show its scales were small and of a polygonal shape; the remains of a beak made of keratin are visible; and study of the animal’s stomach showed preserved plant material as well as evidence of stomach parasites.
In the course of studying Leonardo, the fossil was digitally scanned to create a rapid prototype of the dinosaur. This replica of Leonardo is on display at the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum in Malta, Montana — the fossil itself is currently undergoing study of its insides at the Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum in Fukui, Japan. Leonardo will eventually return home to the Great Plains Dinosaur Museum.
The Dueling Dinosaurs
This incredible fossil discovery is actually the remains of two dinosaurs: an adult T. rex and a Triceratops horridus. The exceptionally well-preserved skeletons are approximately 67 million years old and are positioned in a way that indicates they were fighting when they died. The skeletons, uncovered in 2006, are nearly complete and, like Leonardo, feature skin impressions. Not only does the find give researchers clues about the dinosaurs’ anatomy, it is helping scientists understand the animals’ behavior, including predation and combat.
Though these fossils were recovered in Missouri River Country in the Hell Creek geological formation near Jordan, Montana, they were acquired in 2020 by the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. Luckily, you can see a small replica of the fossil on display at the Garfield County Museum in Jordan.
Missouri River Country Museums With Dinosaurs
With the region’s renowned reputation for dinosaur discoveries, it’s no wonder that there are several museums in Montana’s Missouri River Country where you can see fossil remains of these prehistoric giants. All four of the museums below are sites on the Montana Dinosaur Trail, a collection of 14 different locations across the state that highlight historic dino discoveries made in Montana and educate visitors on these amazing creatures.
Fort Peck Interpretive Center, Fort Peck: In addition to Peck’s Rex, visitors will find several dinosaur exhibits, including one on the Cretaceous Sea that covered parts of Eastern Montana millions of years ago.
Great Plains Dinosaur Museum and Field Station, Malta: At this working paleontological institution, see the replica of Leonardo, take part in a dino dig (more on that below!) or take in the numerous fossils here, including Stegosaurus, Triceratops and Maltaceratops (another horned dinosaur) and those of plants, fish, invertebrates, turtles and crocodiles.
Phillips County Museum, Malta: While in Malta, stop into the Phillips County Museum to see a range of fascinating fossils, including the 33-foot-long Brachylophosaurus known as Elvis — one of the best articulated dinosaur skeletons ever found — a 700-pound Apatosaurus femur and the facility’s Crinoid plate: a 4-foot by 3-foot plate showing fossilized marine life.
Garfield County Museum, Jordan: Not far from the site where the world’s first identified T. rex was found in 1902, you’ll find the Garfield County Museum and its displays that feature a full T. rex skull, a full-size cast of a Triceratops and the domed skull of a Stygimoloch (a plant-eating, bipedal dinosaur), as well as the small Dueling Dinosaurs replica.
Dino Digs
Your dinosaur experience in Montana’s Missouri River Country can extend beyond museums and right into the field. The Great Plains Dinosaur Museum’s Dino Dig programs offer both kids and adults the chance to accompany museum paleontology staff for a hands-on fossil-finding experience and education on dinosaurs and paleontology. Programs for kids range from 2 to 3 hours, while adults can take part in 3- to 5-day experiences. Visit the museum’s website for more information and to book your spot!
