Cook Mountain Hiking and Riding Area

When you visit Cook Mountain Hiking and Riding Area in southeastern Montana, it’s a good bet that pronghorn, mule deer, and prairie birds will be your only company. Game trails are the only paths across these sprawling hills and sweeping valleys, so let your imagination be your guide as you climb to some of the highest points in this corner of the state. Intermittent streams feed the forests that line the lower-elevation slopes, and the rolling prairie and open meadows make great campsites, if you’re inclined to spend the night. Photo by Forrest Theisen