Rim Country Land Institute

Start at Rimrock Road heading West (or turn left onto Rimrock from Shiloh).

After passing the Mormon Temple (big white spire), the road veers to the right at the intersection of Rimrock and 62nd. Stay on Rimrock and you’ll pass under a RR trestle and go past the parking lot for Phipps Park.

2.0 miles past the trestle and just past mile marker 6 there is a gated gravel road to the left. Take the turnoff, go through the gate (and close behind you!), and drive on the gravel road just over one mile to another gate. You’ll see a horse corral and a barn straight ahead. Go through the second gate and park in the marked lot. Call 406-669-8880 if you have any problems.

WELCOME TO THE RIM COUNTRY LAND INSTITUTE AND COVE CANYON GRASSLANDS! WE ARE GLAD THAT YOU HAVE COME TO VISIT THE PRAIRIE AND HOPE YOU HAVE A MEANINGFUL EXPERIENCE.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT IS:

TO CONNECT PEOPLE TO EARTH, SELF AND OTHERS SO THAT ALL SPECIES MAY FLOURISH

AS A REFLECTION OF THIS MISSION AND OUR DESIRE TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN A HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS LAND, WE ASK THAT YOU COMMIT TO THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES OF RESPECT DURING YOUR VISIT HERE.

1. PARKING AND USE OF VEHICLES: Drive only on developed roadways and park in the designated parking lot East of the barn. Share rides whenever possible, and close the gates behind you.

2. WALKING ON THE LAND: There are few trails at Rim Country, as we wish to preserve the natural habitat as much as possible. Where there are trails, use them. In the absence of trails, please tread lightly. Spread out instead of walking in single file. Walk on durable surfaces (rocks, snow, dirt) when possible. Step on plentiful and durable plants (grass) instead of fragile plants and flowers.

3. COLLECTING OBJECTS (PLANTS, BONES, ROCKS, ETC.): Unless you have specific permission from Rim Country staff, please refrain from picking plants or collecting objects. If you are picking plants, please do so only when there are several of the same plant in the area so that the plant community remains sustainable.

4. WILDLIFE: Refrain from disturbing wildlife as much as possible. If the animal has to change its behavior, you are probably too close. Enjoy the view from a respectful distance.

5. TRASH: In most cases, ‘pack it in, pack it out.’ When attending a Rim Country activity, throw trash into appropriate bins—recycling for glass, plastic, paper, aluminum, and compost; trash can for all else. Keep all trash with you until you return to the barn.

6. IMMERSION: Your experience here should be one of connection. Do your best to learn about the land and encounter it openly. Give yourself time to reflect.

7. ACTION: The experience you have today does not end at the gate. Remember what you have learned and experienced and use that to inform all of your decisions. Make choices that enhance the health of both earth and human communities, and try to influence others to do the same.