Montana State Parks That Come Alive in the Wintertime

Montana is home to state parks where the experience does not stop when the weather gets cold. Here are a few favorites for winter: 

Makoshika State Park (Glendive, MT): Montana’s largest state park is known for its badland formations, including caprocks and land bridges, and its dinosaur fossils. The winter season doesn’t stop visitors from exploring the park's hiking trails in the snow and enjoying some of the best stargazing in the state. No Makoshika visit is complete without playing the park’s 18-hole disc golf course (even in the snow). 

Medicine Rocks State Park (Ekalaka, MT): Officially designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, Medicine Rocks State Park offers hiking, biking and wildlife viewing (mule deer, antelope and sharp-tailed grouse), along with camping at eight designated campsites. It’s a great winter destination for travelers looking to stargaze.

Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park (Whitehall, MT): The park is one of the most highly decorated limestone caverns in North America. In the winter, the caverns are open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and closed Mondays and Tuesdays starting in December. 

• From Dec. 19-21 and Dec. 26-28, the park offers a two-hour guided candlelit cave tour that’s about 2 miles long. 

Bannack State Park (Dillon, MT): Serving as the site of Montana’s first major gold discovery in 1862, Bannack is one of the best-preserved ghost towns in the U.S. 

• In the winter months, visitors can cross-country ski around the ghost town and skate on the frozen dredge pond. Free loaner skates are available at the warming hut, along with hot beverages and snacks for sale. Skating is sponsored by the Bannack Association.

Brush Lake State Park (Dagmar, MT): Expansive prairies, open skies and unmatched stargazing make Brush Lake State Park an ideal destination for year-round wildlife viewing. In winter, visitors can enjoy snowshoeing and Nordic skiing along the lake’s edge, and 10 campsites remain open for all-season stays. 

Chief Plenty Coups State Park (Pryor, MT): Sitting at the base of the Pryor Mountains, this day-use park is also a national historic landmark that is open year-round and makes for a great day trip to learn more about the Crow Tribe in Indian Country.

First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park (Ulm, MT): Home to one of the largest buffalo jump sites in the country, this park is a great winter destination for visitors and features an on-site visitor center that offers interpretive buffalo culture exhibits, a storytelling circle, classroom, gallery and bookstore. 

Giant Springs State Park (Great Falls, MT): First recorded by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805, Giant Springs is one of the largest freshwater springs in the country and doesn’t freeze in the winter. Visitors can explore the springs, go fishing (yes, even in the winter) and fat bike along the park’s 30+ miles of paved and dirt single-track trails.