Lakeside Project in Southeast Montana Fossil Lovers Paradise
August 16, 2026 - August 22, 2026
Trip Navigation
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.
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.
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.
There is no experience needed to join a Volunteer Vacation! 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’s like to join a Volunteer Vacation and other frequently asked questions here.
Avg. Temperature:
Typical weather for this area during this season has highs of about 85–90°F and lows of 55–60°F. Mid-August on the eastern Montana plains is hot and generally dry, with only occasional late-day thunderstorms.
Sample Schedule:
Day 1: Arrival
Typically meet in the afternoon for check in, introductions, orientation, and camp setup. (Time/place TBD)
Day 2: Work Day
Enjoy a hearty breakfast, pack lunches, and be on the trail between 8 AM and 9 AM
Lunch and plenty of other breaks will be included.
Wrap up the work day in the late afternoon and head back to camp and enjoy a few hours of daylight for free time.
Reconvene at a chosen time for dinner.
After dinner has been cleaned up, evenings offer plenty of time to relax, sit around the campfire and get to know your fellow crew members, or enjoy more free time.
Day 3: Work Day
Day 4: Rest Day (Specific Day on Trip Will Be Confirmed By Host)
Your choice! Explore the area, take a recreational hike, tour local attractions, or hang out at camp. Group excursions can be planned or set-out on your own.
Day 5: Work Day
Day 6: Work Day
Day 7: Departure
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.
Land Acknowledgment:
AHS acknowledges with gratitude that this project takes place on the traditional lands of the Blackfoot, Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla, Métis, Cheyenne, Očhéthi Šakówiŋ, 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.
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