Prepare Now To Celebrate July 4

Print

Forget the calendar, summer arrives in Montana July 4. It’s time to start planning where to celebrate that holiday weekend. For camping, water recreation, angling or history and culture, Montana’s State Parks offer some great opportunities.

Special events scheduled at some parks will help make the weekend even more memorable. The parks have a $5 daily entrance fee and camping fees of $12 to $15 per night. Or, a $30 State Parks Passport provides unlimited access to all 42 State Parks for the season.

Here is a sampling of special events scheduled around the July 4 holiday. For details on events in a particular park, contact the park manager or visit the FWP web site at www.fwp.state.mt.us , click on Parks and Recreation and then Calendar of Events.

July 2 & 3  

Travelers’ Rest State Park

Discover Travelers’ Rest

A celebration of the anniversary dates of the Corps of Discovery’s return visit to the site in 1806. Events and times will be available at www.travelersrest.org or call 406-273-4253.

July 3 at 7-8:30 p.m.

Giant Springs State Park Regular outdoor presentations at the park include topics about area history and the natural world. For information call 406-454-5858.

  July 4 at 8 p.m.

Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park Join expert Walt Timmerman for a fascinating evening with frogs, toads, salamanders, lizards, turtles and snakes. Live examples of some of Montana’s species will be exhibited. For information call 406-287-3541.

  July 5 at 7 p .m.

Bannack State Park Programs alternate each Saturday with one beginning at 2 p.m. and the next one at 7 p.m. The evening programs will be live musical presentations at the Hotel Meade. For information call 406-834-3413.

  July 5 at 7   p.m.

Missouri Headwaters State Park Nate St. Pierre, a Chippewa Cree and MSU Native American Studies professor, will demonstrate traditional games, tools and weapons. Following the presentation, roast marshmallows around the campfire and enjoy the park. For information call 406-994-6934.

  July 5 at 7 p.m.

Black Sandy State Park Campfire programs begin at the park located on Hauser Lake, near Helena, each Saturday evening beginning on June 21 and continuing through Aug. 30. For information call 406-495-3270.

  July 6 all day

Spring Meadow Lake State Park Spring Meadow Lake Triathlon

Watch athletes show off their swimming skills. For information call 406-495-3270.

  Other special events scheduled in July include:

  July 10, 11 beginning at 1 p.m.

Ulm Pishkun State Park “Traditional Brain Tanning”

Learn about the traditional technique of hide tanning the Indian way. All phases of the process will be demonstrated each afternoon including fleshing, braining, stretching and drying and then smoking.   For more information call 406-866-2217.

  July 19 and 20    two-day event

Bannack State Park “Bannack Days”

Turn back the clock to the 1800’s for two fun-filled days for the entire family. This celebration of pioneer life features skill demonstrations, music, shoot-outs, wagon rides, old-fashioned plays, hilarious pranks, great food and more. For information call 406-834-3413. For more information on recreation and boating, click on Fishing on FWP’s home page.