The waters that carved the Big Muddy Badlands out of the prairies, and left behind Castle Butte as a monument to the time, flowed during the last ice age when an ancient glacier melt caused a great amount of water to flow down the valley. Today, small creeks and springs are the main water sources and memories of a much more water-plentiful time. The area is known for its stone circles and effigies of turtle and buffalo, indicating it might have been visited by Plains nomadic peoples as early as 10,000 years ago. They would have been attracted by plentiful game, especially bison, berries and other fruit and vegetable foods, as well as fuel in the summer and fall seasons of the year.
Patrolling this region was a challenge in the 19th Century for the Northwest Mounted Police. The Big Muddy Valley attracted bandits and horse thieves who fled to the area north of the 49th parallel and away from the eyes of the American cavalry and other law officials. ...More information below photos...
...Continue gallery information: Local ranchers wanted no trouble from the bandits and often failed to report illegal goings-on in the region to the NWMP.
Today, visitors come to the Big Muddy Badlands region to experience the isolation of the Badlands and to hike around the base of Castle Butte, known as the main attraction of the Big Muddy Valley. Nature lovers can view the prickly pear cactus in bloom and the eerie beauty of this region as the light changes throughout the day.