Big Arm, Finley Point, Lake Mary Ronan, and five others in Region One are among the 21 Montana parks units where campers could reserve spots under a proposal being considered by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
FWP is seeking public comment on a proposal to implement a campsite reservation system. Currently, all campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis statewide. The proposed system would allow reservations online or by telephone.
The program would not require that a camper make a reservation. Some campsites in each park will remain on a first-come, first-served basis. “This service is the single greatest request we receive from State Park visitors” says Dave Landstrom, Region One Parks Manager. “We routinely receive calls from both resident and non-resident visitors who are trying to coordinate a family camping trip or vacation at one of our state parks. We are just as likely to get a call from Libby or Kalispell as we are from Spokane or Calgary. Folks want to know that they will have a place to camp together when they meet at the park.”
Northwestern Montana parks under consideration are Big Arm, Finley Point, Lake Mary Ronan, Logan, Thompson Falls, Wayfarers, West Shore and Whitefish Lake. In western Montana, the parks under consideration for camping reservations are Beavertail Hill, Placid Lake and Salmon Lake. Eastern Montana parks include Cooney Reservoir, Tongue River Reservoir, Brush Lake, Hell Creek and Makoshika. In southwestern Montana, the parks include Bannack, Black Sandy, Lewis and Clark Caverns and Missouri Headwaters state parks.
The environmental assessment is accessible on the FWP Web site at fwp.mt.gov. Look under “State Parks for Campsite Reservation Proposal.” Hard copies are available at the Montana State Parks office in Helena at 1420 E. 6th Avenue, or by calling (406) 444-3750.
Comments on the proposed campsite reservation system will be accepted until 5 p.m. May 18, 2010, and should be e-mailed to: [email protected]; or mailed to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Attn: Campsite Reservations, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620-0701.