Skip to main content
Go to search page

STATE PARKS MENU

MENU

Alt image text here

Fort Owen State Park

Visit the site of many "firsts" in Montana history, including home to Montana's first Catholic Church.

Alt text placeholder
Alt text placeholder
Alt text placeholder
Alt text placeholder
Alt text placeholder
Alt text placeholder
Alt text placeholder

Fort Owen State Park is the site of many "firsts" in Montana history and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

It was home to Montana's first Catholic church founded by Father DeSmet in 1841, and the state's first permanent white settlement. Also located here was Montana's first sawmill, first grist mill, first agricultural development, first water right, and the first school for settlers.

Major John Owen arrived in the Bitterroot Valley in 1850 and established the fort and began trading with the Indians and the growing number of immigrants.

Period furnishings and artifacts are displayed in the restored rooms of the east barracks. Take your time to browse the interpretive signs and exhibits that detail the state park's history.

Fort Owen State Park is 1.9 acres in size and sits at an elevation of 3,398 feet.

Recreate Responsibly

Tips to stay safe while getting outdoors

To keep our state parks safe and accessible to all, make sure you know before you go, practice physical distancing, plan ahead, play it safe, explore locally, leave no trace, respect wildlife, and do your part to build an inclusive outdoors. 

Visit the Recreate Responsibly page for more information 

Fort Owen State Park

Address

99 Fort Owen Ranch Rd.
Stevensville, MT 59870
Latitude/Longitude:
(46.51948 / -114.09705)

Find a Park >
Park map

View the park map to learn more about amenities, parking and camping details

View Park Map 
Park fees

Learn about fees and regulations for all Montana State Parks

View Fees >

Meet The Park Manager

Michael Hubbell

Michael was born and raised in San Diego CA, and began his parks career in 2000 with San Diego County Parks & Recreation.  He started as a Park Attendant, moved onto Park Ranger and then Supervising Park Ranger until 2024.  Michael has managed Day-Use Parks, Campgrounds, Open Space Preserves, Community Parks and Historical Sites.  He started with Montana FWP in 2024 as the Recreation Manager of Travelers' Rest, Fort Owen and Painted Rocks State Parks as well as the Upper Bitterroot & West Fork fishing access sites.

CONTACT INFO
Mailing Address:
PO Box 995
Lolo, MT 59847

Phone: 406-273-4253
Email: Michael.Hubbell@mt.gov

Photo of Park Manager Michael Hubbell