Driving vacations are a great way to spend time with people you love, as well as a great way to see areas of the country that you may otherwise overlook. When driving through Montana, there are a number of very interesting places to stop, but some of the best are in the form of state parks that are protected by the state itself. Montana is pure paradise for anyone interested in nature as well as both natural and United States history. The state offers absolutely everything an outdoor recreational enthusiast would be seeking. For history, scenery, natural wonders and more though, a visit to Montana's state parks is an absolute must. Here is a look at five great state parks in the state of Montana.
Missouri Headwaters State Park
Located near Three Forks, Montana, the purpose of the Missouri Headwaters State Park is self-explanatory in that it is set aside to mark the beginning of one of the longest rivers in North America. It is at this point that the Jefferson River and the Madison River converge to form the Missouri River. In July of 1805, Merriwether Lewis and William Clark came to this point after following the water route there for much of their journey while they explored the area on their way to the Pacific Ocean. The park is just three miles from Interstate 90 and a great stop for anyone traveling through this part of the state. There are a number of short hiking trails, complete with posted information relating to the Lewis and Clark expedition as well as the natural surroundings. There are a number of activities available in this primarily undeveloped state park including fishing, camping, biking, hiking and picnicking. There are also a number of different types of wildlife in the area at one time or another including beaver, raccoon, deer mouse, chipmunk, masked shrew, ground squirrel, striped skunk, western rattlesnake, western terrestrial garter snake as well as many species of birds.
Makoshika State Park
The largest state park in the Montana state park system is Makoshika State Park located just east of Glendive. There are more than 11,000 acres included within the borders of Makoshika State Park and much of it is undeveloped and even untraveled. The park has revealed many dinosaur fossils as well as dinosaur bones too and is regularly visited by those interested in paleontology. The geography of the land is consistent with much of what are referred to as "badlands" that are found throughout this region. There are a great number of roads and hiking trails that zig zag in and out of the valleys and hills that make up the park. Some of the activities popular in the area include camping, picnicking, biking, hiking, photography, archery, recreational shooting and even Frisbee golf. Along with the great bird watching opportunities available at Makoshika State Park there are a number of other types of wildlife that can be viewed including the white tailed deer, spotted and big brown bats, bushy tailed woodrat, western rattlesnake, plains garter snake, milk snake, desert cottontail, deer mouse, coyote, and the dwarf shrew.
Spring Meadow State Park
One of the top local attractions for many outdoor recreational pursuits, Spring Meadow Lake State Park is also extremely beautiful. Located just west of the state capital of Helena, Montana, the park has no overnight accommodations available and is intended for just day use. Some of the activities available within the park include swimming, fishing, picnicking, short hikes, and non-motorized boating. A number of different types of wildlife are available for viewing including the deer mouse, masked shrew, mink, mule deer and more.
Giant Springs State Park
Another current state park that was originally discovered by Lewis and Clark is Giant Springs State Park. Giant Springs, with an output averaging more than 150 million gallons of water a day, is ranked as the second largest cold fresh water spring in the entire world. Currently there is a small trout hatchery located at Giant Springs State Park, among other attractions and developments like a Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and groomed paths. The Roe River is nearby and is listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the shortest river in the world with an overall length of just 200 feet. Some of the activities available in the area include boating, hiking, fishing, biking, and more. Some of the wildlife that is viewable in the area include the American badger, American beaver, raccoon, porcupine, white tailed jack rabbit, coyote, easter fox squirrel, masked shrew, northern river otter, red fox, western rattlesnake, gopher snake and more.
Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park
The most popular feature at Lewis and Clark State Park is the cavern that takes its name from two of the most famous explorers in United States history. While there is no mention of the cavern by either Merriwether Lewis or William Clark, a visitor standing at its mouth can observe more than fifty miles of the trail that they took on their expedition to the Pacific Ocean. The park is located 45 miles west of the community of Bozeman, Montana and is a popular stop for travelers driving through the state. Designated a state park in 1941, the park had previously been a national monument up to that point. Thanks to the hard work of the New Deal-era Civilian Conservation Corps, there are a series of well maintained walkways, ramps and stairs that allow for easy access to the deep cavern by visitors of all ages. The beauty within the rock walls is truly mesmerizing and often leaves its visitors speechless. The stalactites and stalagmites are a truly unique thing to see up close and personal. Photographers frequent the Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park regularly, and with one visit it is easy to see why. There are a number of featured attractions to the park in addition to the caverns including an amphitheater, cafe, gift shop, and a visitor center. There are many activities available in the area including fishing, camping, picnicking, biking, hiking and more. Viewing wildlife is also popular in the park and there depending on the season there are many different type of animals to see including the yellow pine chipmunk, racer, western rattlesnake, deer mouse, black bear, bushy tailed woodrat, dusky shrew, mule dear, striped skunk and more.
While there are a number of worthwhile places and things to see in the state of Montana, a great way to enjoy the outdoors and see things that might be missed otherwise is by visiting the five Montana state parks listed above, or any of the others in the Montana state park system. Montana's natural scenery and resources are some of the most beautiful and unspoiled in the entire country and are a wonderful place to spend an extended weekend or an entire vacation. A road trip through the state of Montana would be an incredibly rewarding experience and something that will be remembered for a lifetime.
in Montana
