ONGOING PROJECTS
FOR STATE PARKS
We are constantly working on park improvement projects. We work closely with Montana State Parks managers to select a variety of urgent park needs spread across the state meant to enhance the experience of park visitors and create the next generation of State Park enthusiasts.
A donation to the Montana State Parks Foundation helps fund projects like the ones described below. Projects that improve our parks and ensure that they will remain great for generations to come. Please help your parks with a tax-deductible gift today.
STate Park Accessibility
Recognizing that State Parks trails and facilities serve the majority but fall short in true accessibility for some, we've been inspired by our recent success in installing adaptive recreation equipment at several parks. Our long-term goal is to make all Montana State Parks accessible to individuals with mobility and other physical challenges. This involves enhancing trails and facilities, improving communication about park amenities, installing adaptive recreation equipment, and embracing universal design principles.
To achieve this, we are collaborating with a volunteer Accessibility Advisor Committee, comprising adaptive recreationalists and professionals, to identify areas in need and prioritize accessibility improvement projects. We are actively seeking passionate individuals to join this committee. If you are dedicated to advancing adaptive recreation in Montana, we invite you to connect with us!
MISSOURI HEADWATERS STATE PARK EXPANSION
During the spring of 2024, the Montana State Parks Foundation purchased a 26.36 property and donated the land to the Missouri Headwaters State Park. The donation improves connectivity within the park, enhances mixed use recreational opportunities, and will allow for protection of critical fish and wildlife habitat and preservation of the historical site of Gallatin City II. The donated property is now undergoing preparations for its opening to the public.
This project was made possible by the generous support of the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust.
THE VISIONS OF CHIEF PLENTY COUPS
The Chief Plenty Coups Honor Guard & Drumming Group traveled to Arlington, VA on November 9, 2021, to participate in the 100-year anniversary ceremonies of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
They honored their legendary leader Chief Plenty Coups, who 100 years ago was selected by his fellow Native American Chiefs to represent all native tribes at the inaugural ceremonies of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
This project is supported by and will be documented by the Montana State Parks Foundation, in partnership with Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks.
SOMERS BEACH STATE PARK
On December 21st, 2020, the Montana Land Board voted unanimously to approve the Somers Beach acquisition by Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks to become a new State Park!
The Sliter family of Flathead County has generously committed a $125,000 matching challenge to raise needed funding for long-term operations and maintenance of the site as a State Park.
Alternative Lodging Options For Parks
Since 2020 and 2021, we've been working to fundraise for purchase, and construct durable, attractive lodging structures to provide alternatives to camping at Montana State Parks.
In 2021, we provided an alternative Lodging housing unit for park staff and volunteers at Chief Plenty Coups State Park.
We also selected and purchased a 20ft Yurt from Shelter Designs of Missoula to be placed on a bluff overlooking Glendive and the lower Yellowstone River Valley at Makoshika State Park.
SHARED BICYCLE CAMPING AREA AT LEWIS & CLARK CAVERNS STATE PARK
We supported the opportunity for bicyclists and hikers to travel through the state of Montana by providing shared camping areas for individuals and groups traveling by bicycle or hikers on foot, with a no-turn-away policy.
The camping area we provided matching funding for is designed specifically to support & optimize the bicyclists’ and hikers' needs when travelling long distances.
Frenchtown Pond State park
This project seeks to develop an ADA kayak and canoe launch, fishing dock, access trail, and accessible parking at Frenchtown Pond State Park
Fort Owen State Park
We seek to preserve and restore the original trading post structures including repairs to the adobe walls, the roofs, and foundation. Additionally, improving and expanding the interpretive, cultural, and historical displays held within the buildings and other locations within the park will take place in the next two years.
Accessing Fort Owen State Park, which is currently limited, will also be addressed by improving road access, building additional visitor parking, and providing new access for school and tour busses.
RECENT
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
During the past years we have worked hard to complete very ambitious projects that have had a positive impact in the experience of park visitors and have helped create the next generation of State Parks enthusiasts. Check out some of our completed projects.
We are truly proud of these accomplishments!
WILD HORSE ISLAND STATE PARK
The Wild Horse Island Unit of Flathead Lake State Park receives around 20,000 visitors annually who seek world-class wildlife viewing opportunities.
In 2019 and 2020 we worked on several immediate project opportunities that improved wildlife habitat, improved park access, and enhanced the visitor experience.
SLUICE BOXES STATE PARK
The trail to the Sluice Boxes State Park overlook may lead to one of the most spectacular views in Central Montana, but the path itself is in bad shape and getting worse every day.
Currently, the trail passes through areas that are wet and muddy from a year-round spring. Hikers, just trying to keep feet dry and clean, avoid the trail in this area and subsequently cause a lot of erosion and trampling of native plants nearby.
As if the mud and muck were not enough, the trail then climbs to a steep cliff area where negotiating the steep climbs and descents often proves too much for many park visitors.
LEWIS & CLARK CAVERNS STATE PARK
- A large, custom built shade and weather shelter at Lewis and Clark Caverns to help the park offer alternative caverns tours to visitors with mobility limitations in the spring of 2020
- Provided matching funds for the development of a hike/bike-in campsite at the main campground of the park
- Earth Day volunteer event in April 2019
FLATHEAD ACTION FUND
When the 66th Montana Legislature took decisive action to keep Big Arm State Park in the state parks system in March of 2019, the Montana State Parks Foundation established the Flathead Action Fund to help support the immediate and possible future needs for the purchase, restoration, and eventual improvement of Big Arm and the five other State Parks on Flathead Lake.
WILD HORSE ISLAND STATE PARK
- Installed landing site kiosks, trail marker signs, and built new visitor information stations
- Treated and manually removed several acres of invasive weeds and plants
- Trail maintenance, construction, and facility maintenance
LONEPINE STATE PARK
- New visitor information kiosks
- Interpretive program equipment
- New Archery targets
MILLTOWN STATE PARK
- Installed park benches
- Planted trees, bushes and native plants
Tongue River Reservoir State Park
Repaired and replaced critical components of the Fish Cleaning Station located near the Tongue River Reservoir Marina
SLUICE BOXES STATE PARK
- Trail design
- Property boundary survey
MAKOSHIKA STATE PARK
- Trail design and consulting
WAYFARERS STATE PARK
- Lending library
- New park benches
SMITH RIVER STATE PARK
- Funded a ranger position for 2017
MADISON BUFFALO JUMP STATE PARK
- Paid for annual property lease
NATIONAL IMPACT
We funded the Annual Meeting of the National Association of State Parks Directors in Missoula, Montana in September 2017.
GET INVOLVED
Montana's State Parks embody the best things about our state. Clean, natural, accessible to everyone, our parks create a shared sense of pride in our communities. However, state budget shortfall, natural disasters, and increasing use have left our parks needing serious work.
A donation to the Montana State Parks Foundation helps fund projects like the ones described below. Projects that improve our parks and ensure that they will remain great for generations to come. Please help your parks with a tax-deductible gift today.
A donation to the Montana State Parks Foundation helps fund projects like the ones described below. Projects that improve our parks and ensure that they will remain great for generations to come. Please help your parks with a tax-deductible gift today.
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