Bring Your Bike to These Montana State Parks

Cooney State Park may be best known for water recreation, thanks to its location along the shores of the Cooney Reservoir, but biking is another great way to enjoy this popular park 40 minutes south of Billings. Travel the 300-acre park’s paved and gravel roads by bike to take in the lake views, see Cooney Dam, spot wildlife and easily reach the park’s day-use areas and campgrounds spread around the reservoir.

Giant Springs State Park lies just outside of Great Falls and features prime access to biking along the banks of the Missouri River and the four waterfalls that lie within the park’s boundaries. The day-use park boasts more than 30 miles of paved and dirt single-track trails, which make up part of the greater River’s Edge Trail system that encompasses 60 miles of trail in the Great Falls area.

Sitting on top of one of the largest known limestone caverns in the northwest, Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park offers miles of trails that are waiting to be explored. While you can travel by bike only on above ground trails, there are scenic views of the surrounding Tobacco Root Mountains in abundance. When you’ve biked to your heart’s content, there are 40 dedicated campsites to rest your head in between rides.

Pedal through dramatic sandstone rock formations in Medicine Rocks State Park. Located on the state’s eastern side, this secluded park offers access to untouched wilderness, where nothing comes between you, your bike and a landscape that rolls on forever. The unique topography provides unforgettable riding, and the remote nature of the park, which includes eight first-come, first-served campsites, lends itself to a peaceful getaway.

Whitefish Lake State Park, located just minutes from downtown Whitefish, sits among the community’s extensive network of paved and singletrack trails. With its 25-site campground, the park makes an excellent biking basecamp, whether you’re looking for a casual ride in town, a mountain biking adventure or a family-friendly bike outing. When you’re done riding for the day, bike into town for a cold beverage or bite to eat. The park also has a hike-bike campsite that’s ideal for cyclists traveling on the nearby Great Divide Mountain Bike Route.