Montana Park of the Week: Beavertail Hill State Park

Just off Interstate 90 east of Missoula, Beavertail Hill State Park offers river frontage, tipi rentals, a one-hour walking nature trail through a thick canopy of cottonwoods, developed campsites, and picnic areas.

Beavertail Hill became a state park in 1968. It was created to ensure fishing, camping, and other outdoor activities would remain available to the public.

You can camp, picnic, or take a one-hour stroll through a thick canopy of cottonwoods on the park's self-guided nature trail. There are also horseshoe pits and spaces for all types of outdoor games. Firewood and ice are available for purchase on-site.

There are 24 campsites with electricity and 2 tipi rentals. The two Sioux-style tipis at Beavertail Hill State Park are 18 feet in diameter and can comfortably sleep six to eight people.

The canvas tipis have no furnishings but do have indoor-outdoor carpeting inside, and a picnic table and fire grill located outside.

State Parks staff and volunteers host weekly interpretive talks and storytelling events at the amphitheater located in the park.

One-half mile of the park is located on the Clark Fork River, providing terrific fishing and floating opportunities. Boating is carry-in only.

Remember to make your camping reservations early as the campgrounds fill up quickly during the summer season.