Mount Helena City Park

Rate this place

Parks

Montana

Nearby: Womens Park Cruse Park

Last Updated: December 5, 2025

Mount Helena City Park is a popular outdoor recreation destination in the state of Montana.

°F

mph

Wind

%

Humidity

Summary

The park offers stunning views of the Helena Valley and boasts an extensive trail system that attracts hikers, mountain bikers, and trail runners. Visitors can also enjoy picnicking, wildlife viewing, and birdwatching.

As for specific points of interest, the park is home to Mount Helena, which is the highest peak in the Helena Range, standing at an elevation of 5,468 feet. The peak offers panoramic views of the surrounding area and is accessible via various trails.

Other notable features of the park include the Helena Ridge Trail, the Hogback Trail, and the 1906 Trail, which takes visitors through historic mining sites. The park is also known for its diverse wildlife, which includes deer, elk, foxes, and mountain lions.

Interesting facts about the area include that Mount Helena was once a popular mining site, with over $3 million worth of gold extracted from the area in the late 1800s. Additionally, the park's trail system was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression.

The best time of year to visit Mount Helena City Park is during the summer months when the weather is mild, and the trails are in good condition. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy winter activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Overall, Mount Helena City Park offers visitors a chance to experience the natural beauty and history of Montana and is a must-visit destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

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