2024 Map of Smoky Butte Creek

About this map

Big Dry Creek meanders across the southeastern corner of this Garfield County landscape, joined by a network of drainage systems that define the area's physical character. The terrain is structured by the seasonal flows of Smoky Butte Creek, Lone Tree Creek, and North Fork Lone Tree Creek, which cut through the high plains of Eastern Montana. This modern U.S. Geological Survey representation tracks the rural infrastructure of the early 21st century, where access is provided by a few established routes such as Lone Tree Rd and Steve's Fork Rd. The map provides a clear look at the Public Land Survey System grid, including the intersection of t18n r36e and surrounding townships, which remains the primary method for tracking land ownership and grazing rights in this open ranching country. The presence of Steve Forks in the southern portion suggests the continued importance of specific water sources in an otherwise arid environment.