State Parks in Montana

Bannack State Park rests within an old Montana ghost town from 1862. The area was named after the Bannock Indians and once served as the capital of the Montana Territory before it was moved to Virginia City. Guests to the park can still see buildings remaining from this time period which has been restored.The park is located in the southern part of the state and is situated near the border of Idaho. Bannack State Park is located near a few major cities and towns, such as Bozeman and Jackson. The park is also next to a few beautiful outdoor destinations, such as Grasshopper Creek and Beaverhead River.

Located 26 miles east of Missoula, MT, is Beavertail Hill State Park, a green oasis surrounded by mountains. The park covers an area of 65 acres and sits at an elevation of 3,15 feet, and although small, there is still plenty of things for visitors to do and see. The park is located just off Interstate 90 and offers river frontage, a nature trail, a developed campsite, and much more. People rent an RV in Missoula County to enjoy the natural surroundings and take part in the huge range of recreational activities available such as swimming, boating, and fishing, to name a few.The Clark Fork River runs directly through Beavertail Hill State Park, and during the summer months, …

Big Hole National Battlefield is a historical monument near the town of Gibbonsville. The site recognizes a conflict that occurred between Native Americans and U.S. troops in 1877. The battlefield site is open year-round during daylight hours; in the winter, the roads aren't cleared, but you can still access the battlefield by snowshoe or cross-country skis. The monument's visitors center is open during regular business hours during the summer; in the winter, opening hours may be reduced.The Nez Perce National Historical Park preserves a grouping of several important sites that includes Big Hole National Battlefield, Bear Paw Battlefield, and others. Nez Perce is spread across several states, specifically in select areas that were the ancestral home of the …

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in Montana was established in 1966 when the construction of the Yellowtail Dam was completed. Both the park and the reservoir straddle the Montana-Wyoming state borders, though a majority of it is in Montana. A particular trail found within the park, the Bad Pass Trail, is thought to have been used by Native American tribes for thousands of years. Even today, it holds a sacred cultural significance to the local tribes. As a result, no one is allowed to travel or hike on it. Within the park’s boundaries are four historic (and now-defunct) ranches. One, found on the fringes of a ghost town, Hillsboro, MT, was once visited by President Roosevelt. In spite of this …

The Bitterroot National Forest is located in far western Montana. The small town of Stevensville is located near it. The nearest larger town is Missoula, located around 30 miles to the north, while the state's capital, Helena, is almost 150 miles to the east.Bitterroot National Forest is located in a wild and beautiful part of the country, surrounded by rugged mountain chains. Creeks, ponds, and other waterways snake through the forest, and you will likely find more wildlife here than people. There are historical sites, such as ghost towns and old mines that can be discovered, as well as expansive vistas to be enjoyed.

Black Sandy State Park is located in west-central Montana near the towns and cities of Helena, Great Falls, and Deer Lodge. The park lies on shores of Hauser Lake and is one of the few to do so making a unique attraction to those with an RV rental in the local area. Black Sandy State Park encompasses everything that’s appealing to camping in the state of Montana. From its picturesque mountain views - perfect for trekking and hiking to its crystal clear lakes and rivers ideal fishing and boating. Rent a camper near Black Sandy State Park, and you can lose yourself in this Eden-like wilderness in the heart of the ‘Treasure State.’Making your way to …

In 1907 the US Forest Department became concerned about the risks of overgrazing and mining Montana and purchased a huge swath of land. This area was originally called Otter National Forest. However, sometimes in 1908, the romanticized stories about the Battle of the Little Bighorn and Custer’s Last Stand approached a fever pitch, and the Forest Department caved to the pressure and changed it to Custer National Forest. The Forest Department steadily added large land purchases over the subsequent decades. Today, Custer National Forest sprawls across a large chunk of eastern Montana, spilling over into South Dakota.The closest large town depends on which part of Custer National Forest one is visiting. Bozeman, MT, is a growing ski town that …

Originally called Flathead Forest Reserve, Flathead National Forest was officially established in 1897 by President Cleveland. The park was merged with Blackfeet Forest Reserve in 1904 and renamed Flathead National Forest. During the early 1900s, the park rangers blazed several miles of trails, most of which are still intact today. In the 1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps, backed by President Roosevelt’s New Deal, constructed several offices, buildings, bathrooms, and other structures in this Montana park that are still being used today. One major appeal to Flathead National Forest is the park is virtually untouched. What visitors see today is nearly identical to what people saw 150 years ago (although trees have grown in the interim).The closest town is Kalispell …

Gallatin National Forest is situated in the southwest portion of the very large state of Montana. It is bordered by the larger town of Bozeman on the north and runs to the state border of Idaho to the south. On its south end, the forest also meets up with the northern border of Yellowstone National Park, which is in northwest Wyoming. The popular skiing town of Big Sky, MT, is located within the forest borders as well.There is so much to do in this part of the country when you are on an outdoor adventure. Recreational opportunities are available year-round, from camping, hiking, and scenic drives during the summer to winter sports and ski resorts that are available …

If you’re searching for spectacular natural beauty and some of the best hiking anywhere in the United States, Glacier National Park should be high on your must-visit list. Dubbed “the Crown of the Continent,” this famous park is home to 25 active glaciers, snow-capped mountains, and pristine lakes.Located right on the Canadian border in northwestern Montana, around 30 miles northeast of Kalispell, this one-million-acre national park has something special to offer visitors of all ages. And if you’re planning on camping with an RV at Glacier National Park, you’ll find more than a dozen stunning spots to set up camp.

On the eastern side of Montana and on the western shore of its namesake Hell Creek Bay is Hell Creek State Park. At 337 acres, it's certainly one of Montana’s smaller state parks, but its seclusion from big cities and its access to the water offers a relaxing look at nature for any traveler. Hell Creek State Park is hilly with unique rock formations. Sitting right on Hell Creek Bay coast, it's well-known for all sorts of water activities.Several small towns, such as Jordan and Cohagen, are only a short drive away. Hell Creek State Park isn't only isolated from city noise, but also from other state and national parks. Ul Bend National Wildlife Refuge is about a five-hour …

Kaniksu National Forest is located in far western Montana. The national forest actually spans the state border between Montana and neighboring Idaho. This is a very rural region. There are several small towns located nearby, including Trout Creek, MT, and Clark Fork, Idaho. The nearest larger town is Thompson Falls, MT, which is found about 50 miles to the east. The nearest larger city is Spokane, WA, at over 100 miles to the west.This is a forested and mountainous part of the state. The area is a paradise for outdoor lovers. From camping, hiking, and water sport opportunities during the summer to snowmobiling and other winter activities during the lengthy, snowy months, you can find something fun …

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument is a memorial to famed U.S. General George Armstrong Custer, located on the site where he fought and lost his final battle. The monument, however, is not just for Custer but is a symbol of how two cultures clashed, the results of that conflict on both sides, and the effect the conflict had on an emerging American nation. The memorial is a combination of exhibits and artifacts; the story of the battle is told through the photographic images and other items. The monument is open year-round but closed on certain holidays. Book an RV rental near Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, and you'll have complete access to the area and a chance to experience it …

Nestled between some of Montana’s most popular state parks - Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park, just to name a couple - Logan State Park is often overlooked as a motorhome camping destination. However, sitting along the Thompson Chain of Lakes and surrounded by the grand Cabinet Mountains, Logan State Park is ideally based for exploring everything the Glacier Country Region has to offer.When you book an RV in Lincoln County, you’ll have no problem accessing Logan State Park along the stretch of Highway 2 that runs between Kalispell and Libby. Once there, campers can enjoy an afternoon of boating, fishing or swimming on one of the many lakes in the area, or embark on a …

Montana is known for its beautiful scenery, excellent fly fishing, and remote RV camping opportunities. Book an RV in Deer Lodge County and spend a few days experiencing everything Lost Creek State Park has to offer. This park, founded in 1957, is in the heart of Montana’s copper country and is surrounded by a wealth of mining history.Lost Creek State Park is in southern Montana, just over 100 miles south of Missoula and 30 miles northwest of Butte. But despite its relatively close distance to these cities, it still offers a feeling of serenity. Lost Creek State Park is 502 acres and is known for its feature 50-foot waterfall in the northwest corner of the park. The park itself …

For thousands of years before settlers arrived in Montana, Native American tribes would visit the sacred sandstone formations at Medicine Rocks State Park for their medicinal qualities. Today, visitors come to the park and have similar experiences, enjoying the solitude and mystic qualities of this magical place. Theodore Roosevelt was one of this area’s first tourists and immediately fell in love with it. But long before any of them were here, this area was inhabited by unique prehistoric animals that have left a vital fossil record in the shale.Medicine Rocks State Park is approximately four hours east of Billings, in eastern Montana. This relatively small park, only 330 acres, still has plenty of activities to justify prolonged stays …

The Missouri Headwaters State Park is situated in west-central Montana, just north of I-90 and the small town of Three Forks. The nearest larger town is Bozeman, at about 30 miles to the southeast. The state's capital, Helena, is the nearest true city, at almost 100 miles to the north.The park is located in a fairly rural part of this very large state. It sits in a flatter, lower-lying, plains region, surrounded by mountains, where the Gallatin, Missouri, and Madison Rivers all meet. This is the origin of the Three Forks' name. As the name of the park would suggest, this is where the mighty Missouri River, which eventually becomes a major tributary to the Mississippi …

Nez Perce National Historical Park is a celebration of a Native American tribe, though it extends much further than that. The Nez Perce have lived in the inland northwest region of North America for thousands of years, occupying the prairies, valleys, plateaus, and mountains in the area. The park is a living testament to their history and culture; it is also connected to the cultures of the immigrants who settled here. Lewis and Clark took their expedition through the Nez Perce's homeland twice, earning the trust of the Nez Perce peoples and creating cultural ties.The Nez Perce NHP spans four separate states, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, and includes a long list of specific landmark sites. Some of these …

On the southern fringes of the Bitterroot Mountains in Montana, Painted Rocks State Park was officially established when the dam for Painted Rocks Lake was constructed. Painted Rocks get its name from a particular stretch of granite rock slab that’s perpetually covered by colorful lichens. The hues range from vivid green to yellow to orange. The valley in which the lake now rests was once used as a corridor for fur traders and trappers in the early 1800s, and before the arrival of white men, by the Salish Native Americans to travel to their hunting grounds.The closest town is Darby, which is about 30 miles to the north. This small town of around 800 residents has a few …