Heren Park

Rate this place

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Heren Park is a popular destination in Montana for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.


°F

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

The park is located in the northwestern part of the state, near the town of Kalispell. It is a vast wilderness area that offers visitors a wide range of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing.

One of the top reasons to visit Heren Park is the spectacular scenery. The park boasts beautiful forests, crystal clear lakes, and majestic mountain peaks that are sure to take your breath away. Some specific points of interest in the park include the Kintla Lake area, Bowman Lake, and the Quartz Lake Loop Trail.

Heren Park is also home to a diverse range of wildlife, including grizzly bears, gray wolves, elk, and mountain goats, making it a great destination for wildlife enthusiasts. Visitors can also enjoy fishing in the park's many lakes and streams, with trout being the most common catch.

Interesting facts about the area include that it was established in 1910 and covers over 1,000 square miles. Additionally, the park is named after the famous explorer and conservationist George Bird Grinnell, who played a key role in the establishment of the park.

The best time of year to visit Heren Park is during the summer months when the weather is warm and the park is open for hiking, camping, and other activities. However, visitors should be prepared for sudden changes in weather and should always check the park's website for current conditions before heading out.

       

Weather Forecast

Park & Land Designation Reference

National Park
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
View more

Featured Parks