From the badlands to the Yellowstone River, Glendive is nature-rich
In Glendive, gridded residential streets fan out from the west and east banks of the Yellowstone River. The area is known to be home to prehistoric fossils and an abundance of natural recreation, with the Makoshika State Park’s badlands located just to the east. “It’s a rural agricultural community whose residents enjoy spending time outside,” says Shanon Schmitz, the curator at Frontier Gateway Museum. 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 western Glendive, so regardless of which side of town homes are on, they have proximity to everyday necessities.
Sports facilities, a park with fossils and Frontier Gateway Museum
Glendive has over 37 parks, some with playgrounds and sports facilities, such as Whipkey Park, which has a baseball field. Lloyd Square Park is the area’s most expansive facility, and it includes a public swimming pool and tennis courts. “Makoshika State Park is in Glendive's backyard. It is Montana’s largest state park, and visitors come to camp, hike, fish the Yellowstone River and agate hunt the river,” Schmitz says. Various fossil remains have been unearthed in the 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,” she says.
Local businesses near Merrill Avenue and standalone grocery stores
Local shops and restaurants are clustered around Merrill Avenue, a sidewalk-lined road with street parking. Businesses include the video game store Flashback and The Attic, a thrift store. Crav’ns coffee shop and Beer Jug, a traditional American sports bar, are nearby. An Albertsons and Reynolds Market standalone 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 have an elevated flood risk, as the water can overflow with heavy rain.
From grade school to Dawson County High School
Glendive Public Schools includes Jefferson Elementary School, a kindergarten through second-grade institution. Niche gives the school a B grade and bestows Lincoln Elementary, a third through fifth-grade school, with a C-plus overall. Washington Middle School also earns a C-plus and educates sixth through eighth-grade students. Dawson County High School oversees grades nine through 12 and has school sports, including football and tennis. Niche gives it a C.
Local hospital and connections to Billings by interstate and plane
Interstate 94 connects Glendive to Billings and the Billings-Logan International Airport, both about a 220-mile drive. The Dawson Community Airport, about 7 miles away, has direct flights to the airport in Billings, which, despite its distinction as “international,” only has domestic flights. Glendive Medical Center is a full-service hospital that offers 24-hour emergency care.
