Tongue River Reservoir State Park park
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Tongue River Reservoir State Park
1. Reasons to Visit:
- Scenic Beauty: The park boasts breathtaking views of the rolling prairies, diverse wildlife, and the serene Tongue River Reservoir. The landscape provides a peaceful and tranquil setting for outdoor activities.
- Outdoor Recreation: The park offers ample opportunities for activities such as fishing, boating, camping, hiking, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing.
- Fishing Paradise: Tongue River Reservoir is renowned for its excellent fishing opportunities. Anglers can expect to catch a variety of fish species, including walleye, northern pike, smallmouth bass, and catfish.
- Camping Facilities: The park provides both primitive and developed camping sites, catering to different camping preferences. RV hookups, picnic areas, and shower facilities are available as well.
2. Points of Interest:
- Tongue River Reservoir: The reservoir, covering approximately 12,000 acres, is the main attraction of the park. Its calm waters provide an idyllic setting for boating, canoeing, and kayaking.
- Wildlife Viewing: The park is home to an array of wildlife species, including deer, elk, pronghorn antelope, bald eagles, waterfowl, and a variety of songbirds. Nature enthusiasts will appreciate the opportunity to observe these creatures in their natural habitat.
- Hiking Trails: Tongue River Reservoir State Park offers several scenic trails that wind through the park's diverse landscapes, providing a chance to explore its beauty on foot.
3. Interesting Facts:
- Tongue River Reservoir State Park was established in 1959 and covers over 6000 acres.
- The reservoir was created by the Tongue River Dam, which was constructed primarily for flood control and irrigation purposes.
- The park is managed by Montana State Parks and requires a daily or annual entrance fee for visitors.
4. Best Time to Visit:
The prime time to visit Tongue River Reservoir State Park is during the summer months, from June to August, when the weather is warm and conducive to outdoor activities. However, the park is open year-round, and each season offers its own unique charm. Spring brings colorful wildflowers, while fall showcases the vibrant changing foliage.
To ensure the accuracy of the information provided, it is advisable to cross-reference multiple independent sources, such as the official Montana State Parks website, travel guides, and reputable outdoor recreation websites.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- 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 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.
- 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.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Tongue River Reservoir State Park, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tongue River Reservoir State Park | ✓ | ✓ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Tongue River Reservoir State Park as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Tongue River Reservoir State Park
What can I do at Tongue River Reservoir State Park?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Tongue River Reservoir State Park?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Tongue River Reservoir State Park.