American Prairie is pleased to announce another record-setting year in 2024 with more than 6,600 overnight visitors at its huts and campgrounds, and over 5,000 visitors at its National Discovery Center in Lewistown, Montana. This increase in guests staying at American Prairie’s lodging facilities marks the seventh straight year of increased visitor numbers.
“We saw our highest volume yet of visitors last year and welcomed people from 45 states,” said Mike Kautz, Vice President of Access and Infrastructure at American Prairie. “Even more, a growing number of Montanans are seeking out adventure on the prairie, with more than half of our visitors coming from within the state.”
2025 Reservations
Online reservations for the 2025 visitation season open to the public on Saturday, March 15 at 8 am MDT. Considering the steady increase in visitor numbers, guests interested in reserving an American Prairie hut, cabin, or campground space are encouraged to make reservations early. All visitors are also encouraged to make a stop at the American Prairie National Discovery Center at 302 W. Main in Lewistown, on their way to or from the prairie.
American Prairie offers a variety of overnight accommodations for families and groups to stage adventures on the prairie grasslands. Price points range from $14-$20 per night for a tent campsite, $20-$39 per night for an RV spot, and $178 per night for a hut that sleeps up to nine.
• Learn about Myers Family Huts: Open April 25 to February 28
• Learn about Antelope Creek Campground: Open May 23 to October 26
• Learn about Buffalo Camp: Open year-round
“Whether you come for one day or one week, we invite you to get off the beaten path and make memories in a truly unique corner of Montana,” said Kautz. “These prairie grasslands are a great location to explore for anyone who enjoys wildlife watching, hiking, biking, boating, fishing, or hunting.”
Reservation booking links are available throughout our website, americanprairie.org. The website offers information and trip-planning resources, including maps, lodging descriptions, and amenity lists. Visitors also are encouraged to review safety considerations before adventuring on the prairie.
Overnight Visitor Numbers
The number of visitors at American Prairie lodging facilities has steadily grown each year since its first hut opened in 2018.
“We have seen a consistent and steady increase in the number of people choosing the prairie as a destination for their summer and fall travel,” said Kautz. “Montanans recognize the beauty that exists in the middle part of the state and we’re happy to see return-visitors year after year.”
American Prairie hosted 1,661 overnight reservations last year, which is a slight increase over the previous year. Montana residents accounted for the majority of all reservations at American Prairie’s huts and campgrounds. A reservation is defined as a group reserving one unit of lodging (campsite, hut or cabin), and not a count of individual visitors.
National Discovery Center Welcomes Thousands of Visitors
The National Discovery Center, located at 302 W. Main in Lewistown, hosts a variety of programs and continues to attract thousands of visitors each year.. The visitor facility serves as a jumping off point for adventures and as an interactive educational center to teach people about the significance of Montana’s prairie ecosystem.
The NDC is free to the public and features interactive exhibits, community meeting spaces, and the Ken Burns American Heritage Theater. Last year, the facility welcomed over 4,200 visitors into the educational exhibit space. 74 percent of visitors were Montanans and nearly half of the visits were from the local community of Lewistown.
The National Discovery Center is open Thursday through Saturday from 10am to 4pm, and admission is always free. Visit us online to learn more, and follow American Prairie on Facebook for updates on upcoming events and programming.