Blaine County Museum - Chinook

If your travel takes you down Highway 2 on the Montana Hi-Line, be sure to visit the Blaine County Museum in Chinook. It’s one of the best history museums in the state, plus it’s a featured site along the Montana Dinosaur Trail. This top-notch Montana history museum invites visitors to journey through time, from the prehistoric Gorgosaurus that lived nearly 80 million years ago to pioneer life.

Exhibits showcase the deep cultural heritage of the Assiniboine and Gros Ventre tribes, the resilience of the Homestead Era, and Blaine County’s significant contributions to both World Wars. Immersive displays include a historic tar-paper shack, a re-created one-room schoolhouse, frontier-era clothing, and period-accurate medical and dental offices, each offering a glimpse into everyday life on the plains.

The museum also serves as the interim visitor center for the nearby Bear Paw Battlefield, which marks the end of the Nez Perce Trail. Inside, you’ll find exclusive exhibits with authentic Nez Perce War artifacts, vintage photographs, and military relics. A must-see is the powerful 20-minute multimedia presentation, “Forty Miles from Freedom,” which tells the dramatic story of Chief Joseph and the final chapter of the Nez Perce's legendary journey.

For dinosaur enthusiasts, the Paleontology Exhibit showcases fossils from the Judith River Formation, including those of Hadrosaur, Gorgosaurus, and Ankylosaur fossils. It also features massive fossils of marine reptiles such as Mosasaur and Plesiosaur. The hands-on “Look, Touch, and Wonder” room lets visitors interact with real fossils and ancient marine life.

Don't forget to visit the on-site gift shop, which features over 500 book titles, Native American artwork, and resources on local landmarks. Whether you're exploring things to do in Chinook or planning a family-friendly Hi-Line road trip, the Blaine County Museum is a can't-miss stop for history, heritage, and hands-on discovery.