BILLINGS AND THE BIG OPEN - Montana and Wyoming - page 77

MM Miles City Bucking Horse Sale
Held annually the third full weekend in May, the Miles City Bucking Horse Sale (406/
874-2825 or 406/234-2890, www.buckinghorsesale.com ) is in many ways the granddaddy
of all rodeos. Simply stated, it is where the top rodeo contractors come to get their stock,
but it has defined Miles City and given it serious swagger since 1914. The image of a head-
strong cowboy hitch-hiking a lonely highway with nothing in hand but his trusty saddle and
the shirt on his back is realized here year after year—they come to ride the best broncs in
the business.
In addition to the central bronc sale, the event is rounded out by concerts, bull riding,
pari-mutuel horse racing, street dances each night, and a good old-fashioned parade on
Saturday morning. The whole affair can be slightly bawdy, and it's true that the town's
many bars take out all their furniture to make room for thirsty cowboys. If you arrive
Monday morning after the Bucking Horse Sale, you'll see what a hungover town looks like.
SHOPPING
While much of the shopping done in Miles City involves livestock, there are a few shops
well worth poking your head into. Located in an old church listed on the National Register
of Historic Places, Pleasantries (1720 Main St., 406/234-5644, 10am-6pm Tues.-Sat.) is a
unique little gift shop with great home accessories and everything from purses and jewelry
to toiletries. They also carry a few local items, including Montana agate chimes, made of
stones from the Yellowstone River.
In business since 1909, Miles City Saddlery (808 Main St., 406/232-2512,
www.milescitysaddlery.com , 9am-6pm Mon.-Sat.) is famous for having originated the
Coggshall Saddle. The shop is a step back in time with exceptional custom saddles, cloth-
ing, boots and belts, hats, tack, and gifts.
FISHING AND OUTDOOR RECREATION
For outdoor recreation, one need not travel too far from town. There are fishing accesses
(and in some cases boat launches) on the Yellowstone River at Roche Jaune (Truscott St.
and N. 6th St.), Kinsey Bridge (10 miles east of Miles City, on a gravel road intersecting
Valley Dr. E.), and Pirogue Island State Park (3 miles northeast of Miles City,
www.fwp.mt.gov/parks ) , where Lewis and Clark camped on their cross-country journey.
The 269-acre park is a haven for waterfowl, bald eagles, and white-tailed and mule deer.
Spotted Eagle Recreation Area (just south of the Eastern Montana Fairgrounds) is a quiet
place for walks, picnics, and fishing in the small artificial lake. Disabled-accessible fishing