2024 Map of Cow Island

About this map

The Missouri River cuts a deep, winding course through this portion of the Montana badlands, where the water is protected as part of the Missouri Wild and Scenic River system. The terrain is dominated by the complex drainage networks of Cow Creek and Bull Creek, which have carved out the characteristic breaks of the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. Centrally located within the river's bend is Cow Island, a notable landmark in a landscape defined by sharp elevation changes and seasonal watercourses. The convergence of multiple county lines, including Blaine, Fergus, and Phillips, underscores the geographical significance of this river corridor. Smaller tributaries like Kills At Night Creek and Woodhawk Creek further illustrate the highly dissected nature of the plateau surrounding the Missouri.