Events & Programs

Events & Programs

 Scott Stone
If you’re searching for a new and unique experience in eastern Montana, look no further than our local events and programs, offered by the following locations (plus all of these places warrant a daytime visit themselves!):



American Prairie National Discovery Center

American Prairie National Discovery Center
302 W Main Street, Lewistown
406-585-4600
Website

Carter County Museum

Carter County Museum
306 N. Main Street, Ekalaka
406-775-6886
Website

Fort Peck Interpretive Center

Fort Peck Interpretive Center
157 Yellowstone Road, Fort Peck
406-526-3493 | 406-526-3411
Website

Huntley Project Museum

Huntley Project Museum
770 Railroad Hwy, Huntley
406-348-2533
Website

First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park

First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park
342 Ulm-Vaughn Road, Ulm
406-454-5840
Website

WHAT'S ON THE HORIZON:

Add a Stargazing Event or Program to our Events Calendar.

Blue Mountain Observatory Open House

Join UM astronomers and Western Montana Astronomical Association (WMAA) members at the Blue Mountain Observatory this summer for our stargazing nights. In addition to our 16-inch telescope, our volunteer astronomers and student staff will have a variety of telescopes set up outside the dome and will be happy to discuss any questions you may have about astronomical instrumentation. They are available to talk about what you are seeing through the telescopes, discuss current discoveries, point out constellations, share star stories from different cultures, and demonstrate how to find interesting celestial objects with the unaided eye or a pair of binoculars. (It's fun to bring binoculars if you have them.) Public Observing nights are ticketed events, and attendance is capped at 75 people.

Website

Details

Jul 17 - Jul 18
10:30 pm - 1:00am
Forest Rd 19427

Sunset Yoga at Medicine Rocks State Park

Join us at Medicine Rocks State Park at the Night Sky Viewing Area for Sunset Yoga led by Ekalaka's resident Yogi, Melissa Schwede! This event proceeds Dinosaurs & Dark Skies, so plan on sticking around for a bat walk at 9 p.m. and stargazing to follow! This is also part of the festivities leading up to the Annual Dino Shindig.

Website

Details

Jul 23
8:00 PM - 8:45 PM
1141 MT-7

Dinosaurs & Dark Skies

As part of the festivities leading up to the Carter County Museum's 14th 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 Night Sky Trail and bring a folding chair and warm clothing. We will provide telescopes and red-light flashlights for wayfinding.

Website

Details

Jul 23
8:00 PM - 11:00 PM
1141 MT-7

Blue Mountain Observatory Open House

Join UM astronomers and Western Montana Astronomical Association (WMAA) members at the Blue Mountain Observatory this summer for our stargazing nights. In addition to our 16-inch telescope, our volunteer astronomers and student staff will have a variety of telescopes set up outside the dome and will be happy to discuss any questions you may have about astronomical instrumentation. They are available to talk about what you are seeing through the telescopes, discuss current discoveries, point out constellations, share star stories from different cultures, and demonstrate how to find interesting celestial objects with the unaided eye or a pair of binoculars. (It's fun to bring binoculars if you have them.) Public Observing nights are ticketed events, and attendance is capped at 75 people.

Website

Details

Aug 8 - Aug 9
10:00pm - 1:00am
Forest Rd 19247

Blue Mountain Observatory Open House

Join UM astronomers and Western Montana Astronomical Association (WMAA) members at the Blue Mountain Observatory this summer for our stargazing nights. In addition to our 16-inch telescope, our volunteer astronomers and student staff will have a variety of telescopes set up outside the dome and will be happy to discuss any questions you may have about astronomical instrumentation. They are available to talk about what you are seeing through the telescopes, discuss current discoveries, point out constellations, share star stories from different cultures, and demonstrate how to find interesting celestial objects with the unaided eye or a pair of binoculars. (It's fun to bring binoculars if you have them.) Public Observing nights are ticketed events, and attendance is capped at 75 people.

Website

Details

Aug 14
10:00pm - 1:00am
Forest Rd 19247

Blue Mountain Observatory Open House

Join UM astronomers and Western Montana Astronomical Association (WMAA) members at the Blue Mountain Observatory this summer for our stargazing nights. In addition to our 16-inch telescope, our volunteer astronomers and student staff will have a variety of telescopes set up outside the dome and will be happy to discuss any questions you may have about astronomical instrumentation. They are available to talk about what you are seeing through the telescopes, discuss current discoveries, point out constellations, share star stories from different cultures, and demonstrate how to find interesting celestial objects with the unaided eye or a pair of binoculars. (It's fun to bring binoculars if you have them.) Public Observing nights are ticketed events, and attendance is capped at 75 people.

Website

Details

Aug 15 - Aug 14
10:00pm - 1:00am
Forest Rd 19247

Stargazing with Montana Learning Center

Join the Carter County Museum and the Montana Learning Center (Helena) at Medicine Rocks State Park for a stargazing program brought to you by Ryan Hannahoe. Ryan first became involved with the Montana Learning Center in 2013 as a member of the summer camp staff. Eventually he joined the board of directors. Ryan has been Montana Learning Center’s executive director since the fall of 2016. Ryan worked as a science teacher in Clancy, Montana, until 2019, went he went full-time with the Center. Teaching science has been his profession for the past seven years. Getting students and teachers excited about science is something Ryan enjoys. He feels lucky to have had several mentors throughout his career and now wants to share the knowledge and expertise he has with others. According to Ryan, “it is vitally important to inspire and mentor the next generation to become critical thinkers and learn about the natural world around them.” (Co-hosted with the Montana Learning Center and Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks)

Website

Details

Aug 19
9:00 PM - 11:59 PM
1141 MT-7

Stargazing with Montana Learning Center

Join the Carter County Museum and the Montana Learning Center (Helena) at Medicine Rocks State Park for a stargazing program brought to you by Ryan Hannahoe. Ryan first became involved with the Montana Learning Center in 2013 as a member of the summer camp staff. Eventually he joined the board of directors. Ryan has been Montana Learning Center’s executive director since the fall of 2016. Ryan worked as a science teacher in Clancy, Montana, until 2019, went he went full-time with the Center. Teaching science has been his profession for the past seven years. Getting students and teachers excited about science is something Ryan enjoys. He feels lucky to have had several mentors throughout his career and now wants to share the knowledge and expertise he has with others. According to Ryan, “it is vitally important to inspire and mentor the next generation to become critical thinkers and learn about the natural world around them.” (Co-hosted with the Montana Learning Center and Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks)

Website

Details

Aug 19
9:00 pm - 11:59 pm
1141 MT-7

Blue Mountain Observatory Open House

Join UM astronomers and Western Montana Astronomical Association (WMAA) members at the Blue Mountain Observatory this summer for our stargazing nights. In addition to our 16-inch telescope, our volunteer astronomers and student staff will have a variety of telescopes set up outside the dome and will be happy to discuss any questions you may have about astronomical instrumentation. They are available to talk about what you are seeing through the telescopes, discuss current discoveries, point out constellations, share star stories from different cultures, and demonstrate how to find interesting celestial objects with the unaided eye or a pair of binoculars. (It's fun to bring binoculars if you have them.) Public Observing nights are ticketed events, and attendance is capped at 75 people.

Website

Details

Sep 12 - Sep 13
9pm - 12:00am
Forest Rd 19247

Blue Mountain Observatory Open House

Join UM astronomers and Western Montana Astronomical Association (WMAA) members at the Blue Mountain Observatory this summer for our stargazing nights. In addition to our 16-inch telescope, our volunteer astronomers and student staff will have a variety of telescopes set up outside the dome and will be happy to discuss any questions you may have about astronomical instrumentation. They are available to talk about what you are seeing through the telescopes, discuss current discoveries, point out constellations, share star stories from different cultures, and demonstrate how to find interesting celestial objects with the unaided eye or a pair of binoculars. (It's fun to bring binoculars if you have them.) Public Observing nights are ticketed events, and attendance is capped at 75 people.

Website

Details

Sep 18
8:30pm - 11:00pm
Forest Rd 19247

2026 ASTRONOMICAL CALENDAR

April 2026




May 2026

1    Full Moon

June 2026




July 2026




August 2026




September 2026




October 2026




November 2026




December 2026