2024 Map of Fort Benton NW

About this map

The Marias River carves through the northern reaches of this High Plains landscape, defining the topography of Chouteau County as it flows toward the Missouri. The terrain is marked by a complex system of drainage coulees, most notably the Dry Fork Coulee and Chip Creek, which have etched deep contours into the surrounding plateau. A series of section-line and topographic roads, such as Pleasant Valley Rd and Diamond Lake Rd, reveal the grid-based land management common to Montana’s agricultural and ranching heartland. To the southeast, the elevated landform of Vimy Ridge provides a distinct geographic landmark overlooking the river valley. This 2024 survey documents the persistence of family-named routes like Emmett Wright Rd and Norby Rd, reflecting the generational footprint of rural homesteads in this part of the Big Sky state.