We have some fantastic outdoor spaces in Montana, and if you are using time constraints as a reason for not taking advantage of them- you are out of luck! There are Nine Montana state parks within hours of Missoula. What are you waiting for?

Photo Credit Montana State Parks

As the motto says “Start your Montana adventure”

Photo Credit Montana State Parks fortowengate Fort Owen State Park. The site of many "firsts" in Montana history. 99 Fort Owen Ranch Rd. Stevensville, MT

You can explore on your own as many of us tend to do or use the Montana State Park service webpages to do some pre-trip legwork.

Photo Credit Montana State Parks. Fish Creek State Park is over 5,600 acres, the largest state park in western Montana. 851 Rivulet Road, Alberton, MT 59820

Photo Credit Montana State Parks travelersrest Travelers' Rest State Park and National Historic Landmark is a place you can say with certainty that you are walking in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark. 6717 Highway 12 W. Lolo, MT 59847

Travelers' Rest State Park and National Historic Landmark

Photo Montana State Parks travelersresttent2 Travelers' Rest is at the core of a campsite used by the Corps of Discovery in 1805 and 1806.

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

Photo Credit Montana State Parks milltowndrone Milltown State Park features nearly 635 acres of terrain and several miles of river frontage. 1353 Deer Creek Rd.Missoula, MT

From the Montana State Parks website you can not only find what areas are near you if time is a factor but also the kind of terrain or features available at that park.

Photo Credit Montana State Parks salmonlakepaddle Salmon Lake. 2329 Hwy. 83 N. Seeley Lake, MT

Montana residents who pay the $9 state parks fee with their annual vehicle registration have no daily entrance fees to state parks. For residents who don't, day-use fees apply.

Photo Credit Montana State Parks
Council Grove State Park. This is the site of the 1855 Hellgate Treaty between the Salish, Kalispel, and Kootenai Indians and the U. S. government. 11249 Mullan Road, Missoula, MT.

Get our free mobile app

Photo Montana State Parks Beavertail Hill State Park. On the Clark Fork River, terrific fishing and floating, Boating is carry-in. Camp, picnic, or try the 2 tipi rentals. 29895 Bonita Station Road, Clinton, MT

You can also go straight to reservations, where you can reserve a campsite or spot at a Park facility.

Photo Credit Montana State Parks placidlakewater. Placid Lake.
5001 N. Placid Lake Road Seeley Lake, MT

On the Page can also find out about news and information, restrictions and closures, and maps of all kinds.

Photo Montana State Parks. Frenchtown Pond State Park This 18-acre pond is for gatherings, recreation, and outdoor education. Well-maintained lawns, and picnic tables with a playground area. 18401 Frenchtown Frontage Road Frenchtown, MT 59834

Montana State Parks also offer you a chance to help conserve the parks you love by volunteering, donating, and helping determine the future of our state park resources. As the motto says “Start your Montana adventure”

Yellowstone National Park Rebuilds After Historic Flooding

After catastrophic flooding damaged portions of Yellowstone National Park in June of 2022, major reconstruction was necessary to make the park passable again. The following are photos of the improvement projects at Old Gardiner Road and the Northeast Entrance Road. All photos are courtesy of the National Park Service, photographer Jacob W. Frank.

LOOK: Things from the year you were born that don't exist anymore

The iconic (and at times silly) toys, technologies, and electronics have been usurped since their grand entrance, either by advances in technology or breakthroughs in common sense. See how many things on this list trigger childhood memories—and which ones were here and gone so fast you missed them entirely.

Source: 9 State Parks Within Reach of Missoula! Why Are You Waiting?