Welcome to the Judith Basin! Nestled in the heart of the state known as the last best place, the Basin truly fits the classic Montana description of high, wide and handsome. Island mountain ranges like the Highwoods, Snowy's and Moccasins surround a sea of grass where the rancher, farmer, and sportsmen enjoy the rich bounty of this land. The auto tour uses Charlie Russell's art to open a window to the Judith Basin and its history. A young man from Missouri named Charlie Russell arrived in the Judith Basin in 1880. For the next ten years, the cowboy artist lived and worked here; the Western epic was faithfully captured with his paints and canvas, and many of the scenes are from the Judith Basin.
Charlie's art provides a window into the past to tell the story of American Indians, buffalo and wolves, cowboys and the open range, mountain men and miners, and the inevitable change that came with the progress of the homesteaders, railroads, and highways. The story is told where it happened out on the range and in the mountains where people can experience the West as it was, and as it is today.
The Montana Legislature designated Highway 87 between Great Falls and Lewistown as the 'Charles M. Russell Trail.' The land continues to stir the imagination and spirit today as it did for a cowboy artist over 100 years ago. Make sure to visit the C.M. Russell Museum located in Great Falls and also stop in and visit the charming museums located in Stanford, Utica and Hobson during your travels too!
An interpretive booklet for the C.M. Russell Auto Tour is available from the Judith District Ranger Office located in Stanford, Montana or by calling 406-566-2292.
Highway 87, The Charles M. Russell Trail
How to use the below Guide which can be found in the CM Russell Auto Tour booklet: The Guide uses Russell's art to interpret the history of Judith Basin. Occasionally you will see the actual landmarks Russell used in his painting; other paintings depict events that occured nearby. Interpretive test rounds out this glimpse back into the history of the Basin. As you drive the Russell Trail, you will find specific road-side turnouts for some, but not all of the 25 interpretive sites.
(click on left photo to download map)
| # | Painting Title | Theme | Location |
| 1 | Romance Makers | The Free Trapper | West of Belt |
| 2 | America's First Printers | Indian Rock Art | Raynesford |
| 3 | Buffalo In Winter | Buffalo in the Basin | Geyser |
| 4 | The Medicine Man | Blackfeet in the Judith Basin | Geyser Rest Area |
| 5 | First Furrow | The First Settlers | Stanford |
| 6 | In Without Knocking | Old Town Stanford | Stanford |
| 7 | Lone Wolf Roping a Wolf |
The Legendary Wolves of the Basin | Stanford |
| 8 | White Mans Buffalo | The Price of Progress | Windham |
| 9 | Paying the Fiddler | The Cattle Rustlers | Benchland |
| 10 | The Toll Collectors | The First Cattle Herds | Judith River |
| 11 | Trail of the Iron Horse | The Role of the Railroads | Hobson |
| 12 | Chief Joseph | The Flight of Nez Perce | Eddie's Corner |
| 13 | The Price of His Hide | The Grizzley Encounter | Moore |
The Memorial Way-Utica, Yogo and
the South Fork of the Judith Basin
Yogo Creek Road and Memorial Way (South Fork Judith) are narrow single-lane gravel roads with turnouts. Trailers and large recreation vehicles are not recommended.
(click on left photo to download map)
| # | Painting Title | Theme | Location |
| 14 | Quiet Day In Utica | History of Utica | Utica |
| 15 | Cowboy Camp During Roundup | The Cattle Roundups | Utica |
| 16 | Waiting For A Chinook | The Hard Winter of 1887 | Judith River |
| 17 | Doubtful Guest | Russell Meets Jake Hoover | South Fork Judith River |
| 18 | When I Was A Kid | Charlie's Early Days | Russell Point |
| 19 | Old Hoover Camp On The South Fork Of The Judith River |
Jake Hoover and His Cabin | Hoover Cabin |
| 20 | The Elk | Wildlife Boom and Bust | Judith Game Range |
| 21 | Placer Mines Prospecting New Strike | The Yogo Sapphire | Judith Game Range |
| 22 | The Tollgate | Tollgate | |
| 23 | Yogo Town History | Yogo Town | |
| 24 | Fire Boat The Jerkline |
Steamboats & Trails Hauling the Freight |
Philbrook Philbrook |
| 25 | Stagecoach | Early Transportation | Philbrook |
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