Lake Elmo State Park

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Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Lake Elmo State Park is a popular outdoor recreational area located in Billings, Montana.


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Summary

The park is situated around a beautiful 64-acre man-made lake, which provides opportunities for fishing, boating, swimming, and other water activities. There are several good reasons to visit the park, including its scenic setting, numerous trails, and abundance of wildlife.

One of the main points of interest in Lake Elmo State Park is the lake itself, which is stocked with a variety of fish species, including rainbow trout, walleye, and bluegill. Visitors can fish from the shore or rent a boat to explore the lake's many coves and inlets. There are also several picnic areas and playgrounds located throughout the park, making it a great place for families to spend a day outdoors.

In addition to its recreational amenities, Lake Elmo State Park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, foxes, and a variety of bird species. The park's numerous hiking and biking trails provide opportunities for visitors to explore the surrounding woodlands and observe the local flora and fauna.

Interesting facts about Lake Elmo State Park include its history as a water source for the city of Billings, and its role in the development of the surrounding area. The park was created in the 1970s, and has since become a beloved destination for locals and visitors alike.

The best time of year to visit Lake Elmo State Park is during the summer months, when the weather is warm and the lake is open for swimming and boating. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing, and other activities throughout the year.

       

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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.
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