Six of Montana’s Best State Parks

Looking for fun trails, camping, or chances to learn more about Montana’s history and wild places? Montana’s state parks offer all this and more. And Montana residents can enter all state parks for free! With 55 parks across the state, there’s bound to be something that will captivate you, from gorgeous lakes and rivers to dinosaur fossils to fishing and birdwatching.

Here are a few of my favorite parks, along with some ideas to help you plan your next state park adventure.

Giant Springs State Park

Location: Great Falls
What’s there: the Missouri River, Giant Springs Trout Hatchery, a natural spring, and lots of birdwatching
Size: 4,500 acres
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A truly beautiful area that provides numerous opportunities to engage with nature and local history, Giant Springs is a must-see on any state park itinerary. Pumping out an impressive 156 million gallons of water per day, the park’s namesake spring is one of the biggest in the whole country. Enjoy gorgeous views of the Missouri River, trees full of birds, and sunny open fields as you explore the more than 30 miles of trails that wind through the park. Stop by the trout hatchery where you can feed fish (a great activity for kids!), make your way along the river to the Lewis and Clark interpretive center, or visit the Missouri waterfalls. During the summer, Giant Springs State Park also hosts a variety of outdoor programs like trivia nights, trail tours, and educational events.

Tongue River Reservoir State Park

Location: Decker
What’s there: camping, fishing (including ice fishing in the winter), wildlife, and a beach with a picnic area
Size: 642 acres
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Surrounded by hills and grassy meadows, this southeastern Montana state park features a 12-mile long reservoir popular for fishing, swimming, and other water-based fun. You can spend the day relaxing at Sand Point beach, enjoy a picnic by the water, or extend your trip by staying in the campground, which has over 160 campsites to choose from. A great place for recreation year-round, the reservoir is also a popular ice fishing location, and the park offers several campsites that are accessible in winter.

Painted Rocks State Park

Location: Darby
What’s there: a lovely lake and opportunities for water recreation, camping, wildlife viewing, and fishing
Size: 23 acres
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There’s plenty to do and see in this beautiful little park, named for colorful lichens that cover the area’s towering granite cliffs. Enjoy activities like fishing, swimming, or canoeing in the reservoir or take in stunning views of the surrounding Bitterroot Mountains as you make your way along the hiking trails. Watch for wildlife too. Plenty of bird species live in the park, and if you’re lucky you might see bighorn sheep!

Milltown State Park

Location: Missoula
Features: trails, access to the Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers, fishing, and historical information
Size: 635 acres
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Explore and support Montana’s newest state park! Following the removal of the Milltown Dam, efforts began to clean up pollution, restore the riverfront ecosystem, and create what is now Milltown State Park. Located at the confluence of the Blackfoot and Clark Fork rivers, this beautiful and unique park offers incredible views and represents the best of what can happen when community and conservation goals come together. You’ll find plenty of opportunities to connect with nature, fish, hike, and learn about local history along the park’s trails and interpretive displays. With plans for expanding the trail system and other developments still in the works, Milltown’s life as a hub for conservation, history, and outdoor recreation has only just begun, and the future looks bright.

Makoshika State Park

Location: Glendive
Features: dinosaur fossils, trails, camping, a disc golf course, and a visitor’s center
Size: 11,538 acres
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Travel back in time as you learn about the dinosaurs that once roamed here and the rest of the park’s fascinating geological and paleontological history. As Montana’s largest state park, there’s no shortage of recreation opportunities and fun activities in Makoshika. Enjoy a self-guided hike or bike ride through unique rock formations, beautiful rolling hills, and clusters of juniper and pine. You can also join one of the Paleo Hikes led by park paleontologists, which provide detailed information about the fossils found in the park and a tour of the paleontology lab. Makoshika also includes a visitor’s center, disc golf course, outdoor amphitheater, and even an archery range.

Thompson Chain Of Lakes State Park

Location: Libby
Features: lakes, water recreation, camping, fishing, and gorgeous mountain views
Size: 3000 acres
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Stretching over 20 miles and encompassing a whopping 18 different lakes, this state park is a perfect chance to spend time on or near the water, whether you visit for the day or stay at one of the park’s 83 campsites. Relax here and escape the bustle of everyday life, enjoying activities like fishing, swimming, and floating among gorgeous views of the surrounding mountains, lush forest landscape, and colorful crystal waters.

Coming soon: Montana’s newest state park!

In October, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks acquired 100 acres on the northwestern shore of Flathead Lake to create the new Somers Beach State Park, which will provide more access to Montana’s most popular lake.

This is just one small example of why securing funding for state lands is so important, and a big focus of our work. You can help support Wild Montana by making a year-end donation today.