Summary
The park covers approximately 309 acres and is situated near the town of Roberts.
One of the main reasons to visit Cooney State Park is for the excellent fishing opportunities. The park's Cooney Reservoir is stocked with a variety of fish species, including rainbow trout, brown trout, and walleye. Additionally, the park offers boating and swimming opportunities, as well as hiking and camping.
Some specific points of interest to see while visiting Cooney State Park include the Cooney Dam, which was constructed in the 1930s and is one of the largest earthfill dams in Montana. The park also offers scenic overlooks and picnic areas for visitors to enjoy.
Interesting facts about the area include that the park is named after Charles Cooney, who was a prominent Montana businessman and politician. Additionally, the park was established in 1971 and has since become a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
The best time of year to visit Cooney State Park depends on the activities you plan to engage in. Summer is the busiest season and offers warm temperatures for swimming and boating. Spring and fall are ideal for fishing and hiking, while winter offers opportunities for ice fishing and snowshoeing.
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
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