Visit the log home and farmstead of Chief Plenty Coups of the Crow tribe whose bravery, leadership and vision helped bridge the gap between two cultures.
Situated within the Crow Indian Reservation in south-central Montana, 40 minutes south of Billings, this day-use park preserves the log home, sacred spring, and farmstead of Chief Plenty Coups. This state park is a National Historic Landmark.
Plenty Coups (Aleek-chea-ahoosh, meaning "many achievements") was a man of war - and then a man of peace - whose vision has helped bridge a gap between two cultures. Recognized for his bravery and leadership, he was made a chief of the Apsáalooke (Crow) tribe by age 28.
When Plenty Coups gave up his nomadic ways in 1884, he became one of the first Apsáalooke to own and settle on a farm, which was deeded to him through the federal Indian Allotment Act. On his 320-acre tract, located a half mile east of Pryor, he opened a general store, built a home, and tilled the earth until his death in 1932 at age 84.
At that time, as requested by Plenty Coups and his wife, Strikes the Iron, 195 acres of his land was made into a public park. Upon his death, the Apsáalooke people voted to designate him as their last traditional tribal chief.
Plan at least an hour to walk the grounds and browse through the Visitor Center that commemorates the life of this remarkable man and his efforts to lead his people into bridging the gap between two cultures and transition from a tipi and buffalo to a settled reservation lifestyle. Walk the 3/4 mile trail around the park along beautiful Pryor Creek. The tranquil, shaded picnic area is a beautiful spot to enjoy lunch and absorb the serenity of this special place.
The park is day use only; no camping.
Aaron Kind
Aaron Kind is the Park Manager at Chief Plenty Coups State Park. He has been the ranger there since 2013 and held positions before that with the US Forest Service, the BLM and the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. Aaron has his degree in Anthropology, is an experienced interpreter and teacher and has done much to enhance the educational programs at the park. Aaron is originally from Centerville, MT and enjoys spending time with his family, fly fishing and rooting for the Bobcats.
CONTACT INFO
Mailing Address:
Chief Plenty Coups State Park
PO Box 100
1 Edgar/Pryor Road
Pryor, MT 59066
Phone: 406-252-1289
Email: akind@mt.gov
