7 Montana State Parks That Rival National Parks (Without the Crowds)
Montana is the envy of many states, thanks to its stunning natural beauty and mind-boggling landscapes. From towering mountaintops to seemingly endless lakes and rivers, just about any of the scenery you find in Big Sky Country rivals that of storybook illustrations from childhood. And while the state is renowned for being home to two of the most popular national parks in the country — Yellowstone National Park and Glacier National Park — there are 55 state parks that might surprise you with their comparable (or sometimes even better) beauty.
Here are seven great Montana state parks to explore if you want to get out and about without dealing with the national park crowds.
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1. Flathead Lake State Park
2 miles from Bigfork, MT
Few places can compete with the natural beauty of Flathead Lake State Park, one of the most sought after Montana state parks. In addition to holding the record for the largest natural freshwater lake in the western United States, Flathead boasts more than 200 square miles of water, numerous mature forests and breathtaking views of the Mission Mountains and Swan Range. And don’t forget the 185 miles of shoreline just waiting to be hiked, wandered and explored. From sailing and swimming to boating and waterskiing, you could spend a lifetime enjoying life here on the water. But if you’d rather keep your feet on dry ground, plenty of picnicking spots, campgrounds, trails and wildlife like eagles, osprey and deer keep you busy.
Multiple public access points and units surround the lake. For more on recreation areas, boat launch points, picnic and campground facilities, check out the information from Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.
2. Makoshika State Park
2 miles from Glendive, MT
Gazing out over Makoshika State Park may leave you wondering if you’re even in Montana anymore. But guess what? You are! And there is plenty to explore. Makoshika is actually the largest state park in Big Sky Country, with more than 11,000 acres featuring otherworldly rock formations, fossil remains and prehistoric vibes. The visitor center at the entrance is well worth a pitstop with its impressive Triceratops and T-Rex fossils, and backcountry camping here is almost guaranteed to make you feel like you’re on the set of Jurassic Park. You won’t get bored exploring the various wonders dotted throughout this magical state park. Still, if you want a few extra ideas, you can check out the plethora of special programming and events, like full moon hikes, ranger-led night sky talks and paleontology experiences.
3. Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
26 miles from Whitehall, MT
Want to go somewhere a little outside the box? Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks describe Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park as “one of the most highly decorated limestone caverns in North America.” It also happens to have the honor of being named Montana’s first state park, which is a fun-filled trivia tidbit to tuck away for later.
While you’re here, you can duck, wiggle and slide through the caverns (where you’ll find more than 600 stairs) or explore the 3,000-plus acres and 10 miles of trails that weave around and above the caverns. Be sure to bring your good hiking boots since you can easily scale more than 1,000 feet in elevation during your journey. And during the holiday season, you can even explore the caverns by candlelight on a special guided tour.
4. Beavertail Hill State Park
26 miles from Missoula, MT
Fans of camping will love Beavertail Hill State Park. Full of fishing and water recreation opportunities, this 65-acre state park boasts more than 3,600 feet in elevation. The half-mile or so of waterfront access is a great perk for anyone hoping to hook a few trout and whitefish while they’re here or spend a hazy summer afternoon floating or kayaking downstream with blue skies and storybook clouds overhead. When you’re ready to put your feet back on solid ground, you can spend many leisurely hours hiking among the cottonwoods while keeping your eyes peeled for any of the many birds commonly found in the area.
When it comes to spending the night, 24 developed campsites with electricity and two rentable Sioux-style tipis comfortably fit anywhere from six to eight guests — making it super fun for families with small children or shared vacations among friends. And, due to its remote location, visitors to Beavertail can partake in some seriously stunning stargazing.
5. Bannack State Park
26 miles from Dillon, MT
You don’t often associate state parks with ghost towns, but that’s exactly what you’ll find at Bannack State Park. Back in the gold rush days, people flocked all over the West in hopes of striking rich, and Bannack went down in the history books as the site of the state’s first significant gold discovery in 1862. Walking down this preserved old town may not be what you had in mind when you envisioned a state park trip, but it’s seriously cool and one for your bucket list. You can wander the streets, take a peek inside the empty buildings (which include everything from a saloon and church to log cabins and a hotel) or book a tour at the visitor center if you’d prefer to dig a little deeper into the town’s rich (literally) history.
If you happen to be planning a trip in July, stick around for Bannack Days, a big celebration featuring reenactors, displays, activities and more. Visitors can even try ice skating on the pond in the winter. If you can’t squeeze everything into one day, Bannack offers two campgrounds with 24 campsites, eight of which are available on a first-come, first-served basis. And, if you plan in advance, there is even one tipi available for rental along Grasshopper Creek.
6. Wild Horse Island State Park
26 miles from Kalispell, MT
Exclusively accessed by boat and renowned for its wildlife, Wild Horse Island State Park is one of Montana’s most rare and unique state parks. Nestled on a large island in Flathead Lake, this primitive spot was the former grazing site of the Salish-Kootenai horse herds. While you can find a few of their descendants there today, this 2,200-acre island also boasts bald eagles, rare plants and plenty of Instagram-worthy landscapes to make your friends and family wonder where on earth you are — and how they can go, too.
Be prepared to hoof it once you arrive because hiking and walking are the only modes of transport allowed once you dock. But don’t let that deter you. Traveling on foot is the best way to find the multitude of wildlife on the island (including the single resident bear who has been spotted from time to time) and take in the sweeping views of the lake and surrounding water. If you’d rather stay close to shore, you could spend a few hours fishing for rainbow trout or kokanee salmon, as long as you have the proper licenses.
7. Giant Springs State Park
5 miles from Great Falls, MT
Giant Springs State Park is said to be the most frequented state park in Montana, and it won’t take you long to see why. In addition to its rich history as a discovery on the Lewis and Clark Expedition back in 1805, the Madison Aquifer is one of the largest freshwater springs in the United States. The springs are well worth a visit, especially when you consider they produce a whopping 156 million gallons of water every single day, but they aren’t the only thing worth exploring while you’re here. There are plenty of great spots for hiking and mountain biking, fishing and hunting, birdwatching and boating. You can even tour the Giant Springs Trout Hatchery or picnic beneath the poplars. With more than 4,500 acres to explore, trust us when we say you won’t run out of adventures here.