Outdoors briefs

FWP announces changes to the reservation processes at state parks

HELENA — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will implement changes this year to the reservation process for state park sites. The changes will create more opportunities for recreationists to enjoy state parks and comply with legislation passed by the 2023 Legislature.

Starting this year, visitors will have up to three months prior to their planned arrival date to make campsite and lodging reservations or purchase tour tickets. This is a change from the six-month booking window in the past. 

Visitors need to be aware that the maximum stay per site changed from 14 consecutive nights to 7. The last change allows at least 20 percent of state parks’ campsites to be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Sites are reservable from the third Friday in May through the third Sunday in September. People can start making reservations on Feb. 17 at 9 a.m. by visiting fwp. mt.gov/stateparks/ or calling the call center at 855-922-6768.

FWP to host public workshops to discuss outdoor recreation plan

HELENA — Whether you love hiking, hunting, biking or fishing, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wants to hear your thoughts on what matters most for the future of outdoor recreation in our state. Over the next few months, FWP will be gathering input from the recreating public as it updates its Statewide Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).

SCORP serves as a guide for local, state and federal agencies as they work with FWP to develop future outdoor recreation opportunities across the state. SCORP also outlines outdoor recreation goals for the state over the next five years.

“We’re going to reach out to people who love the outdoors, no matter how they choose to recreate,” said FWP Director Dustin Temple. “We want all viewpoints and ideas incorporated in this document that will really help guide how we develop outdoor recreation opportunities over the next five years.”

SCORP is updated every five years and is required for the state to receive funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), which provides matching grant funds to state, tribal and local government entities to develop outdoor recreation.

The first step in updating the SCORP, FWP will host nine public workshops around the state, including a virtual option, in February and March. These workshops are designed to answer questions from the public and get feedback on outdoor recreation ideas from communities around the state. The insights and ideas gathered from these public workshops will help shape the goals and objectives of the 2025-2029 SCORP.

The workshop in Kalispell was held Feb. 21 at FWP Region 1 Headquarters.