Summary
There are several reasons to visit the park, including the opportunity to see wildlife, bird watching, hiking, and camping. The park is home to a large population of elk, which can be seen grazing in the open meadows. Visitors can also see other animals like deer, bighorn sheep, and black bears.
One of the main points of interest in the park is the Gallatin River, which is a popular spot for fishing and rafting. The river is known for its blue ribbon trout fishing, and visitors can also enjoy a scenic float down the river. The park is also home to several hiking trails, including the Elephant Mountain Trail, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Interesting facts about the park include that it is a designated wilderness area, and it is home to some of the largest elk herds in the state. The park also has a rich history, with evidence of human habitation dating back over 10,000 years.
The best time of year to visit National Conservation Area Bull Elk Park is in the summer and fall months, when the weather is mild and the wildlife is most active. However, the park is open year-round, and visitors can enjoy winter activities like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
Overall, National Conservation Area Bull Elk Park is a beautiful and unique destination in Montana, offering visitors the opportunity to experience the natural beauty and wildlife of the region.
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 |
|---|---|---|
North Tongue
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North Tongue Campground
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North Tongue River Campground
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Porcupine Campground
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Porcupine
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Bald Mountain
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