Summary
The park covers over 700 acres and includes Brush Lake, which is a popular spot for fishing, boating, and swimming. The park also features several hiking trails, picnic areas, and a campground for visitors who want to stay overnight.
One of the main attractions at Brush Lake State Park is the lake itself, which is stocked with rainbow trout and other fish. Visitors can fish from the shore or rent a boat to explore the lake. There are also several hiking trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
In addition to the natural beauty of the park, there are also several historical sites and landmarks to visit. One of the most popular is the Brush Lake School, which was built in 1912 and served as a one-room schoolhouse for many years. The school has been restored and is now open to visitors who want to learn more about the history of the area.
Finally, the best time of year to visit Brush Lake State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the lake is ideal for swimming and boating. However, the park is open year-round and offers a range of activities throughout the year, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter months.
Overall, Brush Lake State Park is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves the great outdoors and wants to experience the natural beauty of Montana. With its stunning lake, scenic hiking trails, and fascinating historical sites, this park offers something for everyone to enjoy.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References