Fun at Montana state parks

Region 1

Les Mason State Park will be the site of a celebration on Friday, June 20. FWP and the Montana State Parks Foundation are celebrating a new swimming dock at Les Mason State Park on Whitefish Lake. A celebration of the new dock will be held from noon to 2 p.m., followed by a Montana State Parks Foundation Trivia Night at Bonsai Brewing in Whitefish later that evening. The public is welcome to attend both events.

Big Arm Unit of Flathead Lake State will host a noxious weed removal event on June 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Learn what it means to be a noxious weed, how to identify them and how to remove them so you can promote a healthy plant community in your own yard. Tools and gloves will be provided. Sign up here: forms.office.com/g/JMyRbWt2NX.

Region 2

Travelers’ Rest State Park is hosting a free youth fly fishing clinic on Thursday, July 10, from 10 to 12:30. Visit  lolowatershed.com for more info. Travelers' Rest will also be providing kids activities at the Missoula Paddleheads baseball games on June 22, July 6 and August 3 where kids 12 and under get into the games for free!

Region 3

Missouri Headwaters State Park is continuing its summer speaker series, with programs each Saturday at 7 p.m. behind the park office. These free, family-friendly events offer a look at the history, culture and natural resources of the park. Upcoming programs include:

• June 28: Russell Rowland presents 56 Counties, A Montana Journey
• July 5: Bear aware program with Nancy Milewski
• July 12: Duane Buchi presents The Life of John Colter

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park is hosting exciting public events each weekend throughout the summer. These events are free to Montana residents. 

Friday evening program - 8 p.m. at the campground amphitheater

• June 20: Goodness Snakes Alive! - A presentation on the prairie rattlesnake

Saturday morning programs - 9 a.m.

• June 21, Harrison Lake Fishing Access Site: Waterfowl watching
• June 28, main visitor center: Walk Like a Naturalist - explore the world through the eye of a naturalist

Saturday evening programs - 8 p.m. at the campground amphitheater

• June 21: Critical Minerals - A presentation by Adrian Van Rythoven on why Montana could play a big role in providing minerals essential to modern society
• June 28: Rooted in Balance - A talk by Jane Mangold on common native plants and invasive weeds

For more information about Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, call 406-287-3541.

Region 4

Giant Springs State Park is hosting a weekly family-friendly Trivia Night every Thursday in July. Bring a lawn chair, food, and drink to comfortably enjoy four rounds of trivia with 10 questions each. Prizes with be awarded to the top three scoring teams. Pre-registration is not required, but participants should arrive before 7 p.m. to register their team. All events are dependent on reasonable weather conditions. Check the park's Facebook page or call 406-727-1212 for cancellations due to weather or for more information.

First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park holds weekly Jump Talks on top of the cliffs in the park. These free events take place every Saturday at 1 p.m. through Labor Day, and advanced registration is not required.

First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park invites children to participate in their Junior Ranger Program every Thursday in July. Advance registration is required for these popular free classes held at 10 a.m. Visit the park’s Facebook page or call 406-866-2217 for more information on the scheduled topics or to register your child.

Region 5

Cooney State Park will host animal ambassadors from ZooMontana for the public to meet. The event is on June 21 from 10 a.m. to noon and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, visit fwp.mt.gov/homepage/news/2025/may/05122025_summer-events-at-cooney-state-park

Pictograph Cave State Park is offering ranger-guided tours every Saturday from May 24 to Aug. 30. The tours begin at 9:30 a.m. and last approximately one hour. Group sizes are limited, so call the park at 406-254-7342 to reserve your spot. Other events include: 

• Writing workshop with Dave Caserio, June 21, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Viewing the night sky with Yellowstone Valley Astronomy Association, June 21, 8:30 p.m. to midnight

Region 7

Mokoshika State Park will host a Skin, Scat, Skulls Summer Youth Program on June 20 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Children ages 7 to 13 are invited to join park staff for an exciting and educational experience. Students will find out what animal skin, scat, and skulls can tell them about their lifestyles and the habitats they live in. Participants should meet at the Makoshika State Park Visitor Center and should bring a water bottle, bug spray, sunscreen and dress appropriately for the weather. Please no flip-flops. Contact Makoshika State Park at 406-377-6256 for more information.

Makoshika State Park invites you to join us on Saturday, June 21 and Saturday, June 28, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. for a Paleo Experience. Makoshika staff will give participants tours of the visitor center and the paleo lab and lead an interpretive hike. The cost of the experience is $10/person and participants should meet at the visitor center a little before 8:30 am. Bring what you may need to be comfortable, such as appropriate clothing and footwear, water, etc. These events are limited to 20 participants, so reserve your spot by calling the visitor center at 406-377-6256.

Makoshika State Park will host Fish Math for children ages 7-13 for the June 27 Summer Youth Program on June 27, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., students will learn how fish biologists use math and science to calculate the population of fish in a river system. Participants should meet at the Makoshika State Park Visitor Center and should bring a water bottle, bug spray, sunscreen and dress appropriately for the weather. Please no flip-flops. Contact Makoshika State Park at 406-377-6256 for more information.

Makoshika State Park is looking for volunteers to be stewards of land on its volunteer Stew Crew. Join us twice each month for land-improvement projects such as trail work, litter clean-ups and invasive species control. For updates on each project and where to meet, please check the Makoshika Facebook page or call the visitor center at 406-377-6256.