Seven State Parks and Campgrounds To Explore in Montana This Summer

In Montana, we're lucky to have our pick of incredible places to spend time outside — state parks, recreation areas and campgrounds that span the state among them. Whether it's a lakeside camping weekend or a day of hiking in badlands you're after, a range of options means you can find your ideal outdoor escape right in your 147,000-square-mile backyard. Below are recommendations — a small sample — of state parks and campgrounds from one corner of Montana to the other, just in time for a summer adventure.

Sluice Boxes State Park

If you're looking for rugged, you're sure to find it among the limestone cliffs of Sluice Boxes State Park. This area that was once rich in precious metals that lured miners now provides access to hiking, fishing, river floating and wildlife viewing. Great Falls is the closest city for you to rest your head after a long day of exploring.

Big Arm State Park

There's nothing that compares to a summer day on Flathead Lake, and Big Arm State Park offers visitors camping, hiking, boating and swimming among the ponderosas that line this picturesque mountain lake. This park is located on the Flathead Reservation, so a tribal fishing permit is required if you're planning to cast a line. If a day visit to the park is more your style than an overnight, make your way to Bigfork or Lakeside when the day is done to find lodging and dining options. For bigger-city amenities, Kalispell is a quick 45 minutes up the road.

Blackfeet Campgrounds

The Blackfeet Campgrounds, located on the Blackfeet Reservation, are surrounded by unparalleled scenery, with views of both the beautiful Rocky Mountains and the rolling prairie that seems to stretch on forever. Staying at one of these campsites affords the chance to fish, boat and hike on the grounds, too. If the great indoors better suits your fancy, you can find accommodations in East Glacier Park. Whether you choose to stay indoors or out, experience the cultural heritage of the area by visiting the Museum of the Plains Indian or the Lodgepole Gallery.

Fort Peck Lake

With 1,520 miles of shoreline, the massive Fort Peck Lake offers plentiful options for outdoor recreation. Boat or fish on the lake, hike or bike on trails with lake views and enjoy starry nights at lakeside campgrounds like Duck Creek Recreation Area, the Pines Recreation Area and the Downstream Campground (or head to nearby Glasgow or the town of Fort Peck for lodging). Be sure to visit the Fort Peck Interpretive Center while you're in the area. This stop on the Montana Dinosaur Trail, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, features exhibits on dinosaurs — including a life-size T. rex replica — the Fort Peck Dam, and the region's wildlife.

Makoshika State Park

Eastern Montana badlands make up Makoshika State Park, Montana's largest state park. With plenty of campsites and scenic hiking trails through the unique rock formations, it's an experience unlike any other park in Montana. More than 10 different species of dinosaur have been discovered in Makoshika, and the park is a stop on the Dinosaur Trail — its visitor center features a Triceratops skull found there. Sleep under the stars in the otherworldly badlands landscape, or find accommodations in nearby Glendive, where you can visit another Dinosaur Trail stop: the Frontier Gateway Museum.

Bannack State Park

Tucked among rolling hills between the Beaverhead and Pioneer mountains is Bannack State Park, a site for adventure seekers and history buffs alike. Here, you can set up camp in one of Montana's best-preserved ghost towns. With two campgrounds that offer a range of sites — including a traditional tipi camping option — and historical reenactments to really take you back in time, this park is not one to miss. If you're not planning on camping, Dillon, just 30 minutes away, is a great place to spend the night.

Cooney State Park

You can certainly hike, bike and wildlife watch at Cooney State Park, but the big draw is the Cooney Reservoir — and all the fishing, boating, waterskiing and even windsurfing you can enjoy here. Five waterside campgrounds mean you can stay where you play and spend some time stargazing before bed. (For those who would rather sleep indoors, nearby Red Lodge offers plenty of accommodations.) Less than an hour south of Billings, the park is a favorite place for locals to get away, but it's a spot well-loved by visitors too.

For more inspiration, ideas and information on parks and recreation areas to enjoy across Montana, go to visitmt.com.