{"id":54014,"global_id":"americanhiking.org?id=54014","global_id_lineage":["americanhiking.org?id=54014"],"author":"50","status":"publish","date":"2025-12-14 12:24:01","date_utc":"2025-12-14 17:24:01","modified":"2026-04-29 15:45:59","modified_utc":"2026-04-29 19:45:59","url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/volunteer-vacation-trip\/lakeside-project-in-southeast-montana-fossil-lovers-paradise\/","rest_url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-json\/tribe\/events\/v1\/events\/54014","title":"Southeast Montana Fossil Lovers Paradise","description":"

Southeast Montana is a beautiful and diverse region. The area provides a wide range of recreational opportunities, including hunting, fishing, hiking, rafting, bird watching, rock collecting, mountain biking, camping, and more. This region is world-famous for its paleontological discoveries, including well-known dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops.<\/p>\n

Enjoy Dean S. Reservoir, located approximately 12 miles east of Miles City. A popular destination for fishing, hiking, and camping, set within a beautiful 162-acre ponderosa pine landscape. The reservoir is stocked by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Amenities include electrical campsites, designated tent sites, a vault toilet, picnic tables, fire pits, and newly established hiking trails. The area is open to the public and is a scenic spot for outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds.<\/p>\n

Volunteers will focus on trail maintenance along 2.5 miles of newly constructed trail. Because the trail was originally built with native materials and a rough grade, some erosion is expected over the winter and spring. Anticipated tasks include: clearing debris from the trail, removing accumulated sediment, completing short trail reroutes, pruning and brushing vegetation, clearing downed trees, addressing hazards such as exposed roots or rocks, litter clean-up, and installing trail signage.<\/p>\n

There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation!\u00a0<\/b>Your expert hosts will provide detailed instruction, tool demonstrations, and project oversight throughout the week. All you need is a willing attitude and to be in good physical condition to participate in moderate physical activity for approximately 6-8 hours a day with plenty of breaks, at your own pace. Find out more about what it\u2019s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions\u00a0here.<\/a><\/p>\n

Avg. Temperature:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Typical weather for this area during this season has highs of about 85\u201390\u00b0F and lows of 55\u201360\u00b0F. Mid-August on the eastern Montana plains is hot and generally dry, with only occasional late-day thunderstorms.<\/p>\n

Sample Schedule: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Day 1: Arrival<\/p>\n

Typically meet in the afternoon for check in, introductions, orientation, and camp setup. (Time\/place TBD)<\/p>\n

Day 2: Work Day<\/p>\n

Enjoy a hearty breakfast, pack lunches, and be on the trail between 8 AM and 9 AM<\/p>\n

Lunch and plenty of other breaks will be included.<\/p>\n

Wrap up the work day in the late afternoon and head back to camp and enjoy a few hours of daylight for free time.<\/p>\n

Reconvene at a chosen time for dinner.<\/p>\n

After dinner has been cleaned up, evenings offer plenty of\u00a0 time to relax, sit around the campfire and get to know your fellow crew members, or enjoy more free time.<\/p>\n

Day 3: Work Day<\/p>\n

Day 4: Rest Day (Specific Day on Trip Will Be Confirmed By Host)<\/p>\n

Your choice! Explore the area, take a recreational hike,\u00a0 tour local attractions, or hang out at camp. Group excursions can be planned or set-out on your own.<\/p>\n

Day 5: Work Day<\/p>\n

Day 6: Work Day<\/p>\n

Day 7: Departure<\/p>\n

Pack up and clean up, celebrate your accomplishments, wish each other a fond farewell, and depart. Please note: This schedule is subject to change due to weather or other circumstances. Any updates will be communicated to the group.<\/p>\n

Land Acknowledgment:<\/strong><\/p>\n

AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot, Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla, M\u00e9tis, Cheyenne, O\u010dh\u00e9thi \u0160ak\u00f3wi\u014b, and Crow people past and present. We honor the land itself, the Indigenous communities who have stewarded these islands and mountain landscapes for countless generations, and those who continue this stewardship today. This acknowledgement is one step in our ongoing commitment to uplift Indigenous voices. We invite the American Hiking Society community to learn about, support, and stand in solidarity with the Indigenous peoples whose lands we live, work, and recreate on.<\/p>","excerpt":"","slug":"lakeside-project-in-southeast-montana-fossil-lovers-paradise","image":{"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/img-1715.jpg","id":54099,"extension":"jpg","width":2560,"height":1920,"filesize":744396,"sizes":{"medium":{"width":550,"height":413,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":35635,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/img-1715-550x413.jpg"},"large":{"width":800,"height":600,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":72250,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/img-1715-800x600.jpg"},"thumbnail":{"width":300,"height":300,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":14605,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/img-1715-300x300.jpg"},"1536x1536":{"width":1536,"height":1152,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":252620,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/img-1715-1536x1152.jpg"},"2048x2048":{"width":2048,"height":1536,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":436543,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/img-1715-2048x1536.jpg"},"rta_thumb_no_cropped_1920x9999":{"width":1920,"height":1440,"mime-type":"image\/jpeg","filesize":386709,"url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/img-1715-1920x1440.jpg"}}},"all_day":true,"start_date":"2026-08-16 00:00:00","start_date_details":{"year":"2026","month":"08","day":"16","hour":"00","minutes":"00","seconds":"00"},"end_date":"2026-08-22 23:59:59","end_date_details":{"year":"2026","month":"08","day":"22","hour":"23","minutes":"59","seconds":"59"},"utc_start_date":"2026-08-16 04:00:00","utc_start_date_details":{"year":"2026","month":"08","day":"16","hour":"04","minutes":"00","seconds":"00"},"utc_end_date":"2026-08-23 03:59:59","utc_end_date_details":{"year":"2026","month":"08","day":"23","hour":"03","minutes":"59","seconds":"59"},"timezone":"America\/New_York","timezone_abbr":"EDT","cost":"","cost_details":{"currency_symbol":"","currency_code":"","currency_position":"","values":[]},"website":"","show_map":true,"show_map_link":false,"hide_from_listings":false,"sticky":false,"featured":false,"categories":[],"tags":[],"venue":{"id":54015,"author":"50","status":"publish","date":"2025-12-14 12:24:01","date_utc":"2025-12-14 17:24:01","modified":"2026-01-14 09:50:53","modified_utc":"2026-01-14 14:50:53","url":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/location\/dean-s-reservoir\/","venue":"Dean S. Reservoir","slug":"dean-s-reservoir","address":"111 Garryowen Road","city":"Miles City","country":"United States","state":"MT","zip":"59301","stateprovince":"MT","json_ld":{"@type":"Place","name":"Dean S. 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Recent site improvements include fire pits, picnic tables, and a double vault toilet. Vehicles may remain on-site during the stay. No cell service at the campground but limited reception is available approximately \u00be mile away. Electricity is available. Potable water brought in daily. Volunteers need to bring their own tent and personal camping gear; sheets, bedding or sleeping bag; towels; and personal cup, bowl, mug, and eating utensils."},"_ecp_custom_6":{"label":"Area and Attractions","value":"Southeast Montana is a beautiful and diverse region. The area provides a wide range of recreational opportunities, including hunting, fishing, hiking, rafting, bird watching, rock collecting, mountain biking, camping, and more. This region is world-famous for its paleontological discoveries, including well-known dinosaurs such as Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops. The landscape varies dramatically\u2014from vast plains and rolling grasslands to rugged badlands, river breaks, and sculpted sandstone formations. You'll experience expansive open space, sagebrush flats dotted with cottonwood trees, isolated lone trees, and hillsides covered with ponderosa pine and juniper. Farm fields, prairie buttes, and deep canyons unfold beneath Montana\u2019s iconic big sky, with stunning sunrises and impressive sunsets that highlight the area\u2019s natural beauty.\r\n\r\nMiles City, a community of approximately 7,000 residents, offers several local attractions, including the WaterWorks Art Museum, the Range Riders Museum, and nearby Pirogue Island State Park. The Yellowstone and Tongue Rivers provide excellent fishing opportunities, and Spotted Eagle Lake\u2014also stocked\u2014offers both fishing and swimming.\r\n\r\nIn addition to Miles City, many nearby small towns such as Terry, Jordan, Broadus, Baker, Ekalaka, Forsyth, and Hysham offer their own unique attractions and points of interest, making the region rich with opportunities to explore."},"_ecp_custom_9":{"label":"Minimum Age","value":"15"},"_ecp_custom_10":{"label":"Maximum Group Size","value":"15"},"_ecp_custom_11":{"label":"Travel Details","value":"Billings Logan International Airport, Billings, MT is the nearest airport. Airport pickup is available. Scheduled pickup time is 10am on August 16. Scheduled drop-off time is 10am on August 22."},"_ecp_custom_23":{"label":"Project Access","value":"Volunteers will be camping on-site at project location. Trails are located at various locations around the site less than 1 mile away. Access to campground and worksite is distance is approximately 12 miles on paved State Highway and improved graveled road."},"_ecp_custom_32":{"label":"Hike Type","value":"Day Hiking"},"_ecp_custom_33":{"label":"Registration URL","value":"https:\/\/americanhiking.org\/civicrm\/event\/register\/?id=381&reset=1"},"_ecp_custom_34":{"label":"Trip Length","value":"Full (week long)"},"_ecp_custom_37":{"label":"Volunteer Age","value":"Family Friendly"}},"json_ld":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org","@type":"Event","name":"Southeast Montana Fossil Lovers Paradise","description":"<p>Southeast Montana is a beautiful and diverse region. 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