Space, lots of space, is the hallmark of eastern Montana’s gently rolling plains. If you’re looking to escape stifling crowds and urban sprawl, you’ll take well to the wide-open plains of Big Sky Country.

The state as a whole averages seven people per square mile, but some of its prairies measure in reverse: one person per 7 square miles. Although largely devoid of the epic snow-covered peaks of the towering Rockies, the eastern two-thirds of Montana have an expansive beauty that seems to stretch endlessly beyond the horizon, beckoning you to bask in the isolated serenity of one of the least-populated places in the country—in a land of almost too much sky.

That’s not to say that eastern Montana is flat and boring. In fact, the grassy plains are often broken up by geographical oddities such as badlands, glacial lakes, and ice caves. Occasional pine-covered foothills or snowcapped mountains even pop up, looking strangely out of place rising from the surrounding prairie. This topographical diversity makes the region a playground for lovers of the outdoors. Hiking, horseback riding, wrangling, boating, skiing, snowmobiling, caving, and some of the best fishing and hunting in the world are among the greatest attractions here. Beyond the blessings nature has bestowed upon the state are an ample number of historic sites, state parks, museums, and even paleontological digs.