Rivers, trails and history converge at Montana's newest state park.
About the Park
Abundant outdoor opportunities and a rich cultural heritage converge at the newly restored confluence of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot Rivers at the heart of the Milltown State Park.
The site of a federal Superfund dam removal and river restoration project, Milltown State Park features nearly 635 acres of terrain and several miles of river frontage. It is a small but diverse landscape, ranging from restored river bottoms and mature cottonwood stands to a pine forested bluff above the confluence and dramatic rock cliffs over the Blackfoot River.
There are multiple entrances to the park. The Milltown State Park Overlook offers a panoramic view of the rivers and features interpretive displays and picnic tables. There are three miles of hiking trails that lead from the Overlook down to the Clark Fork River and its floodplain trails. Across the river at the Confluence and Gateway areas, there are two park entrances connected by an accessible paved trail along the lower Blackfoot River. The Confluence Area’s main attractions are the riverfront trails and the interpretive plaza. In July and August, the Confluence and Gateway Areas serve as river access for the renowned “tube hatch” of thousands of floaters and paddlers escaping Missoula’s summer heat.
Beyond recreational pursuits, the park is a place for historical exploration along riverfront trails. Among the many stories from the deep past are the Glacial Lake Missoula floods that shaped the landscape thousands of years ago. The Salish and Kalispel know the confluence as the place of bull trout and consider it an important part of their ancient, ancestral home to this day. In 19th century history, Meriwether Lewis made a Fourth of July passage through the confluence and decades later John Mullan and his road builders spent a harsh winter there. Beginning in the 1880s, with the rise of the timber industry, the rivers were dammed to produce power for the mills and communities but at great consequence.
The hopeful story of the Milltown Dam removal and rivers' return presents an educational opportunity to explore the nation’s changing relationship to the landscape as well as the science behind river restoration and ecology. Thousands of students, from grade school to grad school, have done so in the park’s short history. For a deeper dive, visit the story map, A Confluence of Stories, that highlights the natural and cultural history at Milltown State Park.
As Montana’s newest state park, Milltown is still a work-in-progress. Additional land along the Clark Fork was acquired in 2020 and a new trailhead and trail at the historic Bandmann Flats property is slated for 2021. Whether you go to play or to learn, there’s a lot to do at Milltown State Park and more yet to come.
Geologic activity has caused the hillside at the Milltown Overlook to show signs of instability. The overlook will be closed indefinitely. All trails in the park remain safe and open.
Restrictions and Closures
See a current list of Restrictions and Closures on State Parks and other FWP lands that may be affected by floods, fire, drought or major maintenance activities.
Activities
Bird Watching
Exhibit
Fishing
Heritage
Hiking
History
Lewis And Clark
Nature Tours
Photography
Picnicking
River Overlooks
Wildlife Viewing
Amenities
Some amenities are seasonal. Check with the park for availability.
ADA Accessible
Interpretive Display
Parking
Pets Allowed
Toilets (Vault)
Trails
Seasons & Hours
Hours listed below are normal operating hours and may not apply when there is a special restriction or closure. Check Alerts and Closures in the tab below.
Park
Open all year. Day Use only. No Camping.
Confluence Area gate hours:
October 16 through April 30: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 pm.
May 1 through August 31: 9:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
September 1 through October 15: 9:00 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Contact the park manager for open volunteer positions at Milltown State Park.
For complete position descriptions, application forms, and details about Montana State Parks volunteer programs, visit the Volunteers page.
Fees
Montana Residents
Montana residents who pay the $9 state parks fee with their annual vehicle registration have no daily entrance fees to state parks. For residents who don't include this in their vehicle registration, non-resident day use fees apply.
Nonresidents
Day use entrance fee with a vehicle: $8
Day use entrance fee as a walk-in, bicycle or bus passenger: $4
With a Nonresident Entrance Pass: Free
Contact Information
Mailing Address:
Milltown State Park
c/o FWP Region 2 Headquarters
3201 Spurgin Rd.
Missoula, MT 59804
The site of a federal Superfund dam removal and river restoration project, Milltown State Park features nearly 635 acres of terrain and several miles of river frontage. It is a small but diverse landscape, ranging from restored river bottoms and mature cottonwood stands to a pine forested bluff above the confluence and dramatic rock cliffs over the Blackfoot River.
Milltown State Park
Address
1353 Deer Creek Rd.Missoula, MT Latitude/Longitude: (46.871289 / -113.898157 )
Growing up in Missoula MT, Cody began his love for the outdoors by floating, fishing, camping, and backpacking with his family. Cody started with MT Fish, Wildlife & Parks as a River Ranger on the Smith River in Region 4. He then worked in the Region 2 Access Program before receiving full-time employment as the Backfoot River Ranger. Cody's passion for the outdoors, conservation, and protecting the resource has always been a part of him. He became a Recreation Manager in 2024 and manages Milltown, Council Grove, Frenchtown Pond, and Fish Creek State Parks.
CONTACT INFO Mailing Address:
FWP Region 2 Headquarters
3201 Spurgin Rd
Missoula, MT 59804
