WHO WE ARE

We envision state parks that reflect Montana's renowned outdoor recreation and heritage for all... forever.

The Montana State Parks Foundation is the official nonprofit fundraising partner of

Montana State Parks

Montana's unique outdoor recreation culture and spectacular natural assets deserve a park system that is world-class.

Yet for years, government funding has fallen far short of delivering the high-caliber system of parks and front country recreation amenities that Montanans deserve.

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park 4

Spring Meadow Lake State Park 5

The Montana State Parks Foundation helps bridge that gap.

We are a 501c3 dedicated to helping Montana's state park system become one of the best in the nation through private fundraising and capacity building in areas where government funding is simply not enough.

OUR

MISSION

The Montana State Parks Foundation raises private support to enhance the visitor experience and build advocates for Montana's state parks and recreation heritage.

ABOUT

STATE PARKS

You might think of Montana's 55 state parks as "our parks". While we are blessed to have Glacier National Park, Yellowstone National Park and numerous other federal lands to enjoy, no other entity represents the full spectrum of the Montana experience like Montana State Parks.

They are used by and designed for Montanans, by Montanans and include world-class recreation opportunities, some of our most important historic sites, and a fantastic representation of many facets of Montana culture.

Montana State Parks Map

Les Mason

This wooded area on the east shore of Whitefish Lake provides access to cool, clear waters along a stretch of smooth cobble beach.

Whitefish Lake

This small park provides a mature forest and a pleasant campground and beach.

Lone Pine

Overlooks and trails present dramatic views of the Flathead Valley.

Marias River

Brush Lake

Brush Lake is a deep, clear lake with white, sandy beaches surrounded by grass fields.

Hell Creek

This park provides facilities for most water sports, as well as, excellent walleye fishing.

Makoshika

Montana's largest state park, the pine and juniper studded badland formations house the fossil remains of such dinosaurs as tyrannosaurus rex and triceratops.

Pirogue Island

Floaters find this isolated cottonwood-covered Yellowstone River island an excellent spot to view wildlife.

Medicine Rocks

Medicine Rocks was a place of 'big medicine' where Indian hunting parties conjured up magical spirits.

Tongue River Reservoir

The Tongue River provides a 12-mile long reservoir set in the scenic red shale and juniper canyons

Rosebud Battlefield

Rosebud Battlefield, a National Historic Landmark, is associated with the Great Sioux War of 1876-1877.

Chief Plenty Coups

Featuring the home of Plenty Coups, last chief of the Crow.

Pictograph Cave

A new, sandstone-hued interpretive center rises at the foot of rimrocks where Pictograph Cave has drawn human beings for over 3,000 years.

Yellowstone River

Lake Elmo

This 64-acre reservoir is a popular swimming, non-motorized boating, and fishing area.

Greycliff Prairie Dog Town

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

Cooney

This reservoir is a popular recreation area serving south-central Montana.

Clark's Lookout

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

Bannack

The best preserved of all Montana ghost towns.

Beaverhead Rock

This natural landmark resembles the head of a swimming beaver.

Madison Buffalo Jump

This high limestone cliff was used for 2,000 years by Native Americans.

Missouri Headwaters

Within the boundaries of this scenic park the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin rivers merge to form the 2,300 mile Missouri River.

Lewis & Clark Caverns

Montana's first and best-known state park showcases one of the most highly decorated limestone caverns in the Northwest.

Painted Rocks

Located in the scenic Bitterroot Mountains, this 23-acre park offers boating and water sport opportunities on the reservoir.

Anaconda Smoke Stack

One of the tallest free-standing brick structures in the world at 585 feet.

Elkhorn

Backcountry roads settle you into a 19th century mining landscape before you reach historic Elkhorn.

Lost Creek

Spectacular grey limestone cliffs and pink and white granite formations rise 1,200 feet above the canyon's narrow floor.

Granite Ghost Town

This is one of the best of all ghost camps and was the richest silver mine on the earth.

Spring Meadow Lake

This 30-acre spring-fed man-made lake is noted for its clarity and depth.

Ackley Lake

Smith River

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.

Black Sandy

Extremely popular weekend boating, fishing, and water skiing take-off point.

Sluice Boxes

Soaring cliffs and precipitous ledges mark the Belt Creek Canyon as it slices out of the Little Belt Mountains.

Giant Springs

Discovered by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805 and one of the largest freshwater springs in the country.

First Peoples Buffalo Jump

This site may be the largest bison cliff jump in North America.

Tower Rock

This famous rock became a landmark for native tribes, fur trappers and many more that followed in their footsteps.

Beavertail Hill

One-half mile of Clark Fork frontage that provides fishing and floating opportunities.

Fort Owen

Fort Owen is the site of many “firsts” including the first Catholic Church in Montana in 1841.

Travelers Rest

See the only archaeologically verified campsite of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the nation.

Milltown

Rivers, trails and history converge at Montana's newest state park.

Council Grove

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

Salmon Lake

A natural impoundment, Salmon Lake is one of the beautiful links in the chain of lakes on the Clearwater River.

Placid Lake

Located on a branch of the Clearwater River, Placid Lake is known for its good trout fishing and smooth water.

Frenchtown Pond

Frenchtown Pond is a favorite place to practice boardsailing, kayaking, canoeing, and snorkeling.

Fish Creek

Fish Creek State Park Experience this beautiful, wilderness park.

Thompson Falls

This shaded, quiet campground is located on the Clark Fork River in the rugged and beautiful Clark Fork Valley.

Flathead Lake

Logan

With frontage on the north shore of Middle Thompson Lake, it's a spot for swimming, boating, camping, water-skiing, and fishing.

Montanans agree. State parks hosted nearly 2.5 million visitors in 2015; that’s more than double the number of visitors than just a decade ago. Montanans of all ages, incomes and interests accounted for 80% of those visits—because Montana's state parks are for all of us.

Parks are popular, front-country experiences that help us get outside and enjoy Montana's one-of-a-kind outdoor heritage.

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