You may not realize this, but Montana is home to over 50 state parks, and the Treasure State is about to add another one to the list.

A generous donation of 109 acres of historically rich land in North Central Montana may soon be Montana's 56th State Park.

The Montana State Parks Foundation received the land from American Prairie.

This property was once part of the PN Ranch and lies at the Judith and Missouri Rivers confluence between Winifred and Big Sandy.

Historic Land Donated

The land donated to the state holds quite a cultural and historic past.

For centuries, this land was used as a gathering place for Indigenous peoples and served as a site for treaties and peace councils.

In 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped out in this area and named the Judith River, during their journey.

In subsequent years, the US Army established Camp Cook nearby to protect riverboats on the Missouri River.

After the camp's closure, Thomas Power and Gilman Norris transformed it into the PN Ranch.

What Could Montana’s 56th State Park Offer?

• Public access to the property

• Interpretive opportunities related to the surrounding historic district

• Expanding the Montana State Park system into a portion of the state with limited access to state parks

• Recreational opportunities including camping, wildlife watching, hiking, and access to the Judith River and Missouri River for fishing and other water-based recreation

• A state park in north-central Montana with the potential to benefit the surrounding small communities due to increased tourism

• The preservation of historic structures and cultural resources found on the property

State Park Approval Process

FWP has released a draft of the environmental assessment for the property’s acquisition and development.

Public comment is open until 5 p.m. on Dec. 14.

The Montana State Parks and Recreation Board will discuss the acquisition during their meeting on December 20th, where public input is welcome.

Visit FWP's website for details on commenting and registering for the meeting.

What Happens Next?

Should the acquisition be approved, FWP plans to seek funding for park development and operations in the 2025 legislative session.

Property development will begin in 2026, contingent on securing the necessary resources.

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