Thoughtful planning developed with public input and staff expertise gives park managers valuable guidance every day in administering parks and recreation lands. A general plan directs the long-range development and management of a state park by defining broad policy and program guidance. This guidance is essential to managers and staff, and is of value to those organizations and individuals who have a substantial interest in the state park system.
Each of the larger state parks has a management plan. If you don't find the plan you are seeking here, please check the web page for the specific park, e-mail the Parks Division here, or call (406) 444-3750.
- Smith River State Park and River Corridor Management Plan—The existing Smith River State Park and River Corridor Management Plan was adopted in 1996. To ensure that quality of the recreation experience remains high and to protect the outstanding river resources, FWP is currently updating the plan. Numerous opportunities exist for the public to engage in that process.
- Rosebud Battlefield State Park Final Management Plan—The Rosebud Battlefield State Park Final Management Plan is a result of over a year’s worth of public input, education, and assessment of management areas unique to this state park. The plan defines the park’s mission and vision and identifies and provides solutions to seven areas of management concern. May 2008.
- Makoshika State Park Management Plan (
565 KB)—Public input throughout the planning process and comments on the draft plan were instrumental in forming the Makoshika State Park Management Plan. The plan guides park operations, visitor services, recreational opportunities, resource protection, and park maintenance. October 2005.
- First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park Management Plan ( 908 KB)—The management plan for First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park, previously named Ulm Pishkun State Park, addresses cultural and natural resource management, visitor services, recreation, park infrastructure, financial and human resources, interpretation, and education. December 2005.
- Outreach & Partnership Plan ( 156 KB)—The Outreach & Partnership Plan outlines steps to strengthen the connections between state parks, park users, businesses, and communities. October 2005.
- Pictograph Cave State Park Management Plan ( 1.5 MB)—The implementation of this plan will bring about long-term protection of the archaeological resources at this National Historic Landmark; increased visitation to this and other area heritage sites; increased understanding of our past; and increased safety to staff and visitors. February 2003.
- Lone Pine State Park Management Plan ( 450 KB)—A citizen–based management team developed this plan to guide Lone Pine State Park through the next decade. The team identified six management issues and developed alternative actions to address them. May 2003.
The Mission …
… of the Montana State Parks system is to conserve a repesentative diversity of the state’s natural, cultural, and recreational amenities, provide resource education and interpretation, and help facilitate sustainable economic development through tourism.
