Montana State Parks

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54! Count 'em. Fifty-Four State Parks.

Montana offers some of the greatest natural and cultural treasures on earth.

From stunning scenery and dazzling waters to geologic wonders and cultural history, Montana State Parks offer something for everyone! The diverse recreation and education opportunities make this a great place to live and a special place to visit.

Rollover the markers on the map for information about each Montana State Park and click for more detailed information.

Ackley Lake: Ackley Lake State Park

Nestled right in the heart of Montana's Big Sky Country
Anaconda Smoke Stack: Anaconda State Park

One of the tallest free-standing brick structures in the world at 585 feet.
Bannack: Bannack State Park

The best preserved of all Montana ghost towns.
Beaverhead Rock: Beaverhead Rock State Park

This natural landmark resembles the head of a swimming beaver.
Beavertail Hill: Beavertail Hill State Park

One-half mile of Clark Fork frontage that provides fishing and floating opportunities.
Big Arm: Big Arm State Park

On Flathead Lake's Big Arm Bay, this park is a popular jump-off point to Wild Horse Island.
Black Sandy: Black Sandy State Park

Extremely popular weekend boating, fishing, and water skiing take-off point.
Brush Lake: Brush Lake State Park

Brush Lake is a deep, clear lake with white, sandy beaches surrounded by grass fields.
Chief Plenty Coups: Chief Plenty Coups State Park

Featuring the home of Plenty Coups, last chief of the Crow.
Clark's Lookout: Clark's Lookout State Park

This outcropping above the Beaverhead River provided the Lewis and Clark Expedition a view of the route ahead.
Cooney: Cooney State Park

This reservoir is a popular recreation area serving south-central Montana .
Council Grove: Council Grove State Park

This park marks the site of the 1855 council between Isaac Stevens and the Flathead, Kootenai, and Pend d'Oreille Indians.
Elkhorn: Elkhorn State Park

Backcountry roads settle you into a 19th century mining landscape before you reach historic Elkhorn.
Finley Point: Finley Point State Park

There's hiking, swimming, boating, paddling, and fishing from the park.
First Peoples Buffalo Jump: First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park

This site may be the largest bison cliff jump in North America.
Fort Owen: Fort Owen State Park

Fort Owen is the site of the first permanent white settlement in Montana.
Frenchtown Pond: Frenchtown Pond State Park

Frenchtown Pond is a favorite place to practice boardsailing, kayaking, canoeing, and snorkeling.
Giant Springs: Giant Springs State Park

Discovered by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805 and one of the largest freshwater springs in the world.
Granite Ghost Town: Granite Ghost Town State Park

This is one of the best of all ghost camps and was the richest silver mine on the earth.
Greycliff Prairie Dog Town: Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park

This 98-acre park offers a unique opportunity to observe the prairie dog community in its natural environment.
Hell Creek: Hell Creek State Park

This park provides facilities for most water sports, as well as, excellent walleye fishing.
Lake Elmo: Lake Elmo State Park

This 64-acre reservoir is a popular swimming, nonmotorized boating, and fishing area.
Lake Mary Ronan<: Lake Mary Ronan State Park

Noted for kokanee salmon, yellow perch and small mouth bass, this park is a fisherman's delight.
Les Mason: Les Mason State Park
This wooded area on the east shore of Whitefish Lake provides access to cool, clear waters along a stretch of smooth cobble beach.
Lewis and Clark Caverns: Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
Montana's first and best-known state park showcases one of the most highly decorated limestone caverns in the Northwest.
Logan: Logan State Park
With frontage on the north shore of Middle Thompson Lake, it's a spot for swimming, boating, camping, water-skiing, and fishing.
Lone Pine: Lone Pine State Park
Overlooks and trails present dramatic views of the Flathead Valley.
Lost Creek: Lost Creek State Park
Spectacular grey limestone cliffs and pink and white granite formations rise 1,200 feet above the canyon's narrow floor.
Madison Buffalo Jump: Madison Buffalo Jump State Park
This high limestone cliff was used for 2,000 years by Native Americans.
Makoshika: Makoshika State Park
Montana's largest state park, the pine and juniper studded badland formations house the fossil remains of such dinosaurs as tyrannosaurus rex and triceratops.
Marias River: Marias River State Park Wildlife Management Area
The site includes an undeveloped 14-mile stretch of the Marias River.
Medicine Rocks: Medicine Rocks State Park
Medicine Rocks was a place of 'big medicine' where Indian hunting parties conjured up magical spirits.
Milltown: Milltown
Milltown State Park grand opening is anticipated in 2014. The overlook on the Milltown bluff is now open.
Missouri Headwaters: Missouri Headwaters State Park
Within the boundaries of this scenic park the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers merge to form the 2,300 mile Missouri River.
North Shore: North Shore State Park
One hundred sixty acres of agricultural land sharing a border with Flathead Lake Waterfowl Production Area at the north end of Flathead Lake.
Painted Rocks: Painted Rocks State Park
Located in the scenic Bitterroot Mountains, this 23-acre park offers boating and water sport opportunities on the reservoir.
Pictograph Cave: Pictograph Cave State Park
A new, sandstone-hued interpretive center rises at the foot of rimrocks where Pictograph Cave has drawn human beings for over 3,000 years.
Pirogue Island: Pirogue Island State Park
Floaters find this isolated cottonwood-covered Yellowstone River island an excellent spot to view wildlife.
Placid Lake: Placid Lake State Park
Located on a branch of the Clearwater River, Placid Lake is known for its good trout fishing and smooth water.
Rosebud Battlefield: Rosebud Battlefield State Park
Rosebud Battlefield, a National Historic Landmark, is associated with the Great Sioux War of 1876-1877
Salmon Lake: Salmon Lake State Park
A natural impoundment, Salmon Lake is one of the beautiful links in the chain of lakes on the Clearwater River
Sluice Boxes: Sluice Boxes State Park
Soaring cliffs and precipitous ledges mark the Belt Creek Canyon as it slices out of the Little Belt Mountains.
Smith River: Smith River State Park
The Smith River is unique in that it has only one public put-in and one public take-out for the entire 59-mile segment of river.
Spring Meadow Lake: Spring Meadow Lake State Park
This 30-acre spring-fed man-made lake is noted for its clarity and depth.
Thompson Falls: Thompson Falls State Park
This shaded, quiet campground is located on the Clark Fork River in the rugged and beautiful Clark Fork Valley.
Tongue River Reservoir: Tongue River Reservoir State Park
The impounded Tongue River provides a 12-mile long reservoir set in the scenic red shale and juniper canyons.
Tower Rock: Tower Rock State Park
This famous rock became a landmark for native tribes, fur trappers and many more that followed in their footsteps.
Travelers' Rest: Travelers' Rest State Park
This famous rock became a landmark for native tribes, fur trappers and many more that followed in their footsteps.
Wayfarers: Wayfarers State Park
Nature walks over the rocky shoreline to the cliffs are popular with photographers for the excellent view of Flathead Lake.
West Shore: West Shore State Park
Glacially carved rock outcrops rise from Flathead Lake to overlooks with spectacular views of the Swan and Mission Mountains.
Whitefish Lake: Whitefish Lake State Park
This small park provides a mature forest and a pleasant campground and beach.
Wild Horse Island: Wild Horse Island State Park
Wild Horse has been a landmark rich with history since the Salish-Kootenai used it to pasture horses
Yellow Bay: Yellow Bay State Park
Yellow Bay is in the heart of the famous Montana sweet cherry orchards.
Yellowstone River: Yellowstone River State Park
This state park and wildlife management area opens up more than 9,400 acres of hunting, hiking, and wildlife watching, as well as Yellowstone River fishing.

Candlelight tours of Lewis and Clark Caverns

Candle light tour of Lewis and Clark Caverns Photo courtesy of Kenton Rowe

Lewis & Clark Caverns near Whitehall and Cardwell is a popular summer tourist attraction. The park offers summer camping, naturalist programs and, of course, tours of the caves. With fewer visitors in the “off” season, the caverns are usually closed during the winter, but during December they are open for special holiday tours—by candlelight.

— Montana Magazine

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Ice Skating at Bannack State Park

Dress warmly and skate on the frozen dredge pond in a rare ghost town. This event is available from December 26th (weather permitting) to the first week in March. Warming house hours are 11:00am to 5:00pm on weekends. Skates are available to use or you may bring your own. Hot drinks, videos, and gifts are offered in the warming house. A day use fee is required. call first (406) 834-3413

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Lone Pine State Park Snow Shoeing

Snowshoe Discovery Hikes- Join a Ranger for an exciting (and FREE) snowshoe hike this winter! After some “how-to” basics, we’ll hit the trail in search of winter discoveries! Bring your own snowshoes or rent a pair from Lone Pine for only $5! Adults and families with kids 10 and over.

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