In January of 2025, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks acquired the 109.43-acre Judith Landing property at the confluence of the Missouri and Judith Rivers in Central Montana. Judith Landing State Park is central to the broader Judith Landing Historic District, which offers substantial heritage values and outdoor recreation opportunities. Judith Landing State Park is located within the scenic Missouri River Breaks.
Today, the property contains six historic structures. The most prominent building on the property is the Norris ranch house which was built in 1901. The Judith Landing store/warehouse lies to the west of the Norris house. The store/warehouse is a granite and sandstone structure that was built in 1882 and has experienced numerous collapses since the 1970s. The Judith Landing State Park hosts several other historic structures including the old log Post Office, a root cellar, schoolhouse, and blacksmith shop. The property is a mix of ranch land and riparian habitat and provides access to the Missouri and Judith Rivers. The property contains significant wildlife resources and habitat and the Missouri and Judith Rivers host diverse fish species. Please see the history tab below to learn more about the history of Judith Landing.
History
There are few places in Montana that are as rich in history as the Judith Landing. Here the Missouri River meets the Judith River in a wide-open valley. After traversing miles of steep cliffs and badland formations, the Judith Landing’s cottonwood galleries must have felt like an oasis to those following the river. For millennia, Native people, such as the Blackfeet, the Assiniboine, and many others, gathered here, using the landing as a seasonal camp. In May 1805, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark also camped in this valley, with Clark naming the Judith River after his future wife.
Later, fur traders and naturalists passed through, including paleontologist Ferdinand Hayden, who, in 1855, collected the first dinosaur remains documented in North America. The Judith River Formation, an important late Cretaceous geologic feature containing a wealth of dinosaur fossils, is named for this place.
Judith Landing was also the site of significant tribal peace councils. In September 1846 and October 1855, Indigenous leaders convened at Council Island, first to broker peace between the Blackfeet and several western tribes, then to negotiate Lame Bull’s Treaty, which established communal hunting grounds and paved the way for non-Indigenous settlement.
The wide valley and abundance of cottonwood trees made Judith Landing a perfect stop for steamboats. Before the arrival of the railroad, the landing was a vital hub bringing goods and people into Montana. In 1866, the U.S. Army built Camp Cooke west of the Judith River to protect steamboat traffic. Soon after, merchant Thomas C. Power set up a trading post to supply the camp. When Camp Cooke closed in 1870, Power and his business partner, James Wells, acquired the site and renamed it Fort Clagett. In the 1870s, Wells relocated Fort Clagett just east of the Judith River, established a post office, and built a stone warehouse and store, which are still standing within the park.
As steamboat traffic slowed and ranching flourished, Gilman R. Norris took charge in 1883, partnering with Power to form the Judith Mercantile and Cattle Company, also known as the PN Ranch. Norris’s elegant 1901 ranch house still stands as a testament to the PN’s prominence, and as a symbol of Montana’s ranching legacy.
Please respect the historic and cultural significance of the area while you enjoy your visit to Judith Landing State Park. Do not enter or disturb the historic buildings and leave any archaeological features, artifacts, or fossils where you find them.
Development
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has requested funds at the 2025 Montana legislative session to develop the Judith Landing property as a State Park. Should the funds be secured, it is anticipated that development would occur in 2026 or 2027. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has designated the park’s service level as “Rustic”. The attributes associated with a rustic park, such as limited amenities, pack in/pack out trash, and limited on-site staffing align with the site’s remote location. A rustic service level designation will ensure the focus of the site will remain on the area’s history. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has prepared a development plan to preserve and protect Judith Landing State Parks’ cultural, natural and recreational heritage. This plan includes actions to preserve the historic structures and develop the property to provide visitors with a safe and enjoyable experience. Learn more about the environmental assessment for the acquisition and development of the property. The following amenities are planned to be offered in the development plan however, the plan may change based on the results of the cultural survey.
Signage – External and internal wayfinding signage will be installed to identify the site and direct visitors. The signage would consist of an entrance sign, fee station, regulation signs, property boundary signs, and other State Park signage. A second category of signage will include an interpretive signage package throughout the State Park to convey the significant history of the area and share the heritage values unique to Judith Landing.
Fencing – A fence would be erected around most of the property, except where the property borders the Missouri River and Judith River. This fence will mitigate trespass onto the neighboring property and reduce livestock impacts within the state park. Fences will be built around the historic structures and the buildings’ doors and windows will be secured to prevent access to the buildings for public safety and to prevent damage of the structures.
Access road – A graveled access road will be developed to provide public access into the site. A gate will be installed at the site entrance to afford FWP the ability to restrict access to the site, should there be a need to do so (for public safety).
Parking lot – A gravel parking lot with space for approximately 20 vehicles will be developed. This parking lot will have multiple accessible stalls, multiple stalls for vehicles with trailers and ample single vehicle stalls.
Vault toilet – A single, accessible vault toilet will be installed near the parking lot for visitors.
Picnic shelter and picnic tables – The day use area will offer a picnic shelter and multiple picnic tables. This infrastructure will be located west of the parking area and will offer the public an additional recreational amenity at the site. The picnic shelter could also be used for future interpretive presentations.
Trails – Approximately 1 mile of universally accessible trails will lead from the parking lot to the picnic shelter/tables, the historic buildings and to all the interpretive panels. In addition to the accessible trail, a native surface single track trail will also be developed that would meander through the PN Island area to provide additional recreational opportunities at the site. This trail will also be approximately a 1 mile in length.
Campground – The campground will be located along the northeastern boundary of the property. The campground will consist of a one-way traffic loop, a kiosk/fee station, a single accessible vault toilet, and 5-10 campsites with a mix of pull through and back-in sites. Each campsite will contain of a pad for a recreational vehicle, a picnic table and campfire ring. One campsite will be developed with the intent of being used by a campground host to help FWP have a presence at the site.
Administrative Area – An administrative area will be established with a secured shed to store park maintenance equipment, park supplies, and space for park staff to camp.
Activities
Bird Watching
Heritage
History
Photography
Fishing
Sightseeing
Wildlife Viewing
Amenities
Small parking area with kiosk
Walk in access to the historic structures, Judith River and Missouri River
Further State Park Developments are expected for 2026 and 2027
Season and Hours
Day-use only, no overnight camping.
Alerts and Closures
Judith Landing State Park is open for day use only and no amenities are present at the park. Secondary Road 236 to the State Park, between Winifred and Big Sandy, is primarily a dirt road and is impassable when wet or snow/ice covered. There is no cell coverage at the property. If you’re planning to visit Judith Landing State Park, please plan accordingly and keep an eye on the weather forecast.
Restrictions and Closures
See a current list of Restrictions and Closures on State Parks and other FWP lands that may be affected by floods, fire, drought or major maintenance activities.
Park Rules
Day-use only, no overnight camping
Fireworks and fires are prohibited
Pack it in, pack it out. Do not litter
Food storage required
Removal or damage of cultural or natural resources prohibited
Collecting, removing, displacing or damaging archaeological artifacts is illegal
Use of metal detectors prohibited
Entry into buildings is prohibited
Weapons restriction: Designated safety area present – Hunting is not allowed in safety area. Discharge of weapons prohibited, except for lawful hunting during commission established season. Weapons restriction – rifles prohibited.
Trapping permitted – limited to sets below the water surface only. Limited number of trappers allowed, written permission from FWP required, contact the park manager.
Pets must be on a leash and under control (8-ft max). Pick up after your pet
Contact the park manager if you are interested in volunteering at Judith Landing State Park.
For complete position descriptions, application forms, and details about Montana State Parks volunteer programs, visit the Volunteers page.
Fees
Montana Residents
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.
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
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
FWP Region 4 Headquarters
Attn: Judith Landing State Park
4600 Giant Springs Rd
Cannon Colegrove is a Recreation Manager with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, where he oversees Judith Landing State Park and manages the Fishing Access Sites across North Central Montana. His role focuses on preserving the natural and historic resources while enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities for the public. Based in Great Falls, Cannon ensures visitors can safely and responsibly enjoy Montana’s rivers, river access sites, and state parks. Cannon is a graduate of the University of Montana.
Cannon’s commitment to the outdoors extends beyond his recreation management work. As a licensed EMT and Swiftwater Rescue Technician, he volunteers with Cascade County Search and Rescue responding to emergencies and helping those in need who are often recreating in the outdoors. Cannon began his career with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in 2015 working as a River Ranger on the Smith River, Blackfoot River, and the Alberton Gorge, and has worked in Montana’s hunting access program for several years. Cannon has served as a Recreation Manager in Great Falls since 2022. Cannon is excited for the opportunity to manage Montana’s newest State Park.
CONTACT INFO Mailing Address:
4600 Giant Springs Road
Great Falls MT 59405-0901
