From the badlands to the Yellowstone River, Glendive is nature-rich
Glendive's gridded residential streets branch out from the banks of the Yellowstone River, with proximity to the Makoshika State Park badlands, in an area hailed for its abundance of natural recreation and prehistoric fossil sites, including the Frontier Gateway Museum. “It’s a rural agricultural community whose residents enjoy spending time outside,” says Shanon Schmitz, the museum curator. “Makoshika State Park is in Glendive's backyard. It is Montana’s largest state park, and visitors come to camp, hike, fish in the Yellowstone River.”
Sports facilities, a park with fossils and Frontier Gateway Museum
Various fossil remains have been unearthed at Makoshika State Park, making it a popular archaeology spot and stop on the Montana Dinosaur Trail. Frontier Gateway Museum is also a stop on the dinosaur trail. “Our museum is a frontier museum that features exhibits chronologically ranging from dinosaur fossils and minerals to a handmade doll house by sculptor Pamela Harr,” Schmitz says.
Glendive has over 37 parks, some with playgrounds and sports facilities, such as Whipkey Park, which also has a baseball field. Lloyd Square Park is the area’s most expansive facility, and it includes a public swimming pool and tennis courts.
Local businesses near Merrill Avenue and standalone grocery stores
The shopping and dining district east of the river has a local focus and is across the street from the railroad, which has been a functioning freight line for over a century. National chains are in west Glendive. Local shops and restaurants are clustered around Merrill Avenue, a sidewalk-lined road with street parking. Businesses include the video game store, Flashback, and a thrift store called, The Attic. Crav’ns, a coffee shop, as well as a traditional American sports bar, Beer Jug, are both nearby. An Albertsons and Reynolds Market are both near Towne Street.
Limited homes on the market in Glendive
Homes rarely go on the market in Glendive. As of mid-2025, only three homes had been listed, with prices ranging from $255,000, for a three-bedroom home, to nearly $1 million, for a six-bedroom home on over 20 acres.
Residences near the river may be at an elevated flood risk during heavy rainfall.
From grade school to Dawson County High School
Glendive Public Schools includes Jefferson Elementary School, a kindergarten through second-grade institution. Niche grades it a B overall. Lincoln Elementary, a third through fifth-grade school, receives a C-plus. Washington Middle School, for sixth to eighth, scores a C-plus. Dawson County High School has a C grade.
Local hospital and connections to Billings by interstate and plane
Interstate 94 connects Glendive to Billings, including the Billings-Logan International Airport, both in about a 220-mile drive. The Dawson Community Airport, about 7 miles away, has direct flights to the airport in Billings. The Glendive Medical Center is the regional hospital, offering 24-hour emergency care.
