2014 Map of Phillips Butte

About this map

Custer National Forest lands dominate this portion of Powder River County, where the high-plains landscape is defined by a dense network of springs and man-made water catchments. The terrain is marked by prominent elevations such as Phillips Butte and Diamond Butte, which overlook the complex drainage systems of Elk Creek and North Fork Elk Creek. The land use here reflects a sophisticated approach to water management in an arid environment, evidenced by the numerous named reservoirs like Lyon Creek Divide Reservoir and Mud Turtle Reservoir. These features, alongside Coal Mine Spring and Rock Spring, provide a clear picture of the ranching and resource infrastructure that sustains this corner of Montana. Small-scale routes such as Sayle Road connect these points of interest, while draws like Coal Draw and Deadman Draw carve through the sections, offering a view of the local topography and naming conventions used by generations of land managers.