2020 Map of Pretty Butte

About this map

Pretty Butte rises above the vast expanse of the Little Missouri National Grassland in this corner of Slope County. The landscape is defined by the winding course of the Little Missouri River, which carves through the eastern portion of the quadrangle, joined by tributaries such as Cash Creek. Further west, the headwaters of Cannonball Creek and its smaller branches like Mud Creek and Cottonwood Creek drain the high plains. The map illustrates a remote grazing territory with minimal human infrastructure, primarily composed of section-line tracks and older thoroughfares such as Old 16 Road and the Indian Hills Trail Road. The intricate contour lines reveal the complex drainage patterns of North Butte Creek and Butte Creek, illustrating the transition from flat grassland into the breaks near the river valley.