Better Check First – Montana State Parks Begin Fall Prep

Mother Nature just can't seem to say goodbye to what my father would call "this damn heat" this late in the year.  Generally, by now we've seen at least a skiff of snow and the first good frost to get rid of a large portion of the leaves in September.

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Even though her stubbornness is a wonderful bonus to my continued rounds of golf, the inevitable cold, wind and snow are bound to hit.  Probably sooner rather than later, and Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) are beginning the arduous task of closing up shop for the season at some parks across the state.

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Better Check First - Montana State Parks Begin Fall Prep

Mother Nature's defiance to let Old Man Winter wander into the room doesn't mean that the calendar stops ticking off days.  Sure, camping is wonderful in this weather, but what if you didn't have water to hook up to and didn't bring any with you.  Or, and this one is a big one, the RV dumps are closed for the year, and your black tank is full.

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MFWP has started to limit some of the amenities that are available at state parks.    Even so, many of those parks will continue to see activity as rifle season approaches and hunters will begin setting up camps.  And trust me, Hell Creek isn't a place to be in the cold temps without the proper gear.  I don't care how big the muley or wapiti are.

Fall Recreation Opportunities Still Exist Across Montana at State Parks

If you haven't managed to fit all of your planned (or unplanned) summer activities in yet, there is still plenty of time to recreate in Big Sky Country.  But I wouldn't just pack the camper and load the rifles without checking with MFWP about the status of your favorite park.

Some Montana State Parks have entered into the "off-peak season" mode until spring of 2026.  You may experience some (or all) of the following amenities or procedures have changed including:

• Closed for season
• Water hook ups turned off
• Limited electricity hook ups
• Limited availability
• First come, first serve at camping sites within the parks

To find details on your favorite state park in Montana and what is available for fall and winter, information for all parks is available through MFWP here.