Stage II Fire Restrictions for Carbon County in the Billings Fire Restriction Area.

The following acts are prohibited until further notice:

1.  Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire,
2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

The following acts are prohibited from 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.:

1. Operating any internal combustion engine.
2. Welding, or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame.
3. Using an explosive. (A patrol is required for two hours following cessation of all activities as identified in #3 above.)
4. Operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails.

Exemptions to the fire restrictions:

1. Persons with a written permit that specifically authorizes the otherwise prohibited act.
2. Persons using a device fueled solely by liquid petroleum or LPG fuels that can be turned on and off.
3. Operating motorized vehicles on designated roads and trails.
4. Emergency repair of public utilities and railroads as per attached conditions.
5. Persons conducting activities in those designated areas where the activity is specifically authorized by written posted notice.
6. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
7. All land within a city boundary is exempted

Pets must be on a leash at all times.

Head to Cooney State Park's reservoir 40 minutes south of Billings to boat, play in the water, camp, and fish. This is the most popular recreation area serving south central Montana, and it's always a busy place in the summer!

The park features good walleye and rainbow trout fishing, abundant boating opportunities, and five campgrounds with 82 campsites and three group use areas available daily around the lake. Nineteen campsites with electricity are available.

The park offers three boat ramps with docks and a fish cleaning station at Red Lodge Arm.

Park size: 309 acres. Elevation: 4,252 feet.

View Cooney's summer programs for 2021

• Bicycling
• Bird Watching
• Boating
• Camping
• Canoeing
• Cross-Country Skiing
• Fishing
• Group Camping
• Hiking
• Horseshoes
• Hunting (click for map)
• Ice Fishing
• Ice Skating
• Kayaking
• Lake Fishing
• Motor Boating
• Mountain Biking
• Photography
• Picnicking
• Running
• RV Camping
• Sailing
• Sand Volleyball Court
• Sightseeing
• Snowshoeing
• Swimming
• Water Skiing
• Wildlife Viewing
• Wind Surfing

Some amenities are seasonal. Check with the park for availability.

• ADA Accessible
• Boat Launch
• Campsite
• Camp Host
• Dock
• Electricity
• Established Fire Pits
• Grills/Fire Rings
• Parking
• Pets Allowed
• Picnic Tables
• Playground
• Public Restroom
• Shower
• Toilets (Flush)
• Toilets (Vault)
• Trash Removal
• Water

Hours listed below are normal operating hours and may not apply when there is a special restriction or closure. Check Alerts and Closures in the tab below.

Park
Open 24 hours/day all year.

Electricity
Available

Drinking Water
Available May 15 - September 27.

Comfort Stations & Showers
Flush toilets available May 15 - September 27.
Showers not available to reduce spread of COVID-19

Docks
Available May 1 - November 1, weather dependent

Visit the State Parks Fees & Regulations page for park rules.

Contact the park manager for open volunteer positions at Cooney State Park.

For complete position descriptions, application forms, and details about Montana State Parks volunteer programs, visit the Volunteers page.

Montana Residents

• Day use entrance is free*

Nonresidents

• Day use entrance fee with a vehicle: $8
• Day use entrance fee as a walk-in, bicycle or bus passenger: $4
• With a Nonresident Entrance Pass: Free

Campsites

• Campsite fees range from $4-$34 per night, depending on season and available amenities.

Montana State Parks offers hike/bike, rustic, tent, rv, and boatslip campsites. To check fees or reserve a campsite at Cooney State Park, click here.

* Montana residents who pay the $9 state parks fee with their annual vehicle registration have no daily entrance fees to state parks. For residents who don't include this in their vehicle registration, non-resident day use fees apply.

Mailing Address:
Cooney State Park
86 Lake Shore Road
Roberts, MT 59070

Phone: 406-445-2326
Email: Melinda.Kitchens@mt.gov

Reservation Phone Number:

1-855-922-6768