Summary
The park spans over 1,200 acres and includes a range of diverse terrain, including rolling hills, lush forests, and scenic mountain views.
One of the top reasons to visit Elkhorn State Park is for its excellent hiking trails. Visitors can explore over 20 miles of trails that wind through the park's beautiful landscapes. Some popular hikes include the Elkhorn Loop Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains, and the Baldy Mountain Trail, which takes hikers to the park's highest point.
Another point of interest in Elkhorn State Park is the historic mining town of Elkhorn. This town was established in the late 1800s during Montana's mining boom and is now a well-preserved ghost town that provides a fascinating glimpse into the area's past.
Visitors to Elkhorn State Park can also enjoy a range of other outdoor activities, including fishing in the park's many streams and lakes, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including elk, moose, black bears, and mountain lions.
The best time to visit Elkhorn State Park depends on the activities you're interested in. Summer is the most popular time to visit, as the weather is warm and sunny, and the park is open for camping and other activities. However, fall and spring can also be excellent times to visit, as the park's landscapes are particularly beautiful during these seasons.
Overall, Elkhorn State Park is a stunning natural destination that offers visitors a wealth of outdoor activities and opportunities to explore Montana's rich history and wildlife.
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
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Boulder City Park
|
||
Eagle Guard Cabin
|
||
GALENA GULCH REC SITE
|