2020 Map of Acton

About this map

Acton sits at a geographic crossroads in Yellowstone County, where the transition between high plains and the drainage systems of the Yellowstone River basin is clearly defined. The terrain is characterized by the broad Comanche Flat to the northwest and a complex network of seasonal watercourses to the south and east. Modern rural development is visible through a grid of named routes like Mainwaring Rd and Shepherd Acton Rd, which connect the settlement to the surrounding ranching landscape. The hydrologic patterns are a central feature of this area, as the N Fork Fivemile Cr and S Fork Fivemile Cr converge before joining Five Mile Cr in the southeast. Meanwhile, the N Fork Alkali Cr carves through the southern sections of the quadrangle. These drainage ways have historically dictated the placement of roads and homesteads, illustrating how the natural topography continues to influence life in this part of Montana.