Montana State Parks :: Fort Owen

Fort Owen

STATE PARK

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

SEASON AND HOURS
Park
Open all year
5/1 - 8/31: 8am to 9pm
9/1 - 4/30: 9am to 5pm

LOCATION
100 Stevensville Cutoff Rd. E (park is located on the left)
Stevensville, MT 59870
Latitude/Longitude: (46.51948 / -114.09705)

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MEET THE PARK MANAGER
Photo of Loren Flynn, Fort Owen State Park Manager

Loren Flynn joined Montana State Parks in 2009 and is the manager for Travelers’ Rest, Fort Owen and Painted Rocks State Parks. Prior to that he was Executive Director of the Travelers’ Rest Preservation and Heritage Association, and also worked many years at the University of Montana. Loren grew up in Toston and Butte, MT. and majored in Business Management at Montana State University.

CONTACT

CONTACT INFO
Mailing Address:
Fort Owen State Park
PO Box 995
Lolo, MT 59847

Phone: 406-273-4253
Email: lflynn2@mt.gov

Fort Owen

STATE PARK

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 agricultual 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 through a small museum housed in preserved and partially-reconstructed structures.

Enjoy the interpretive signs and exhibits that detail the state park's history.

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

Activities Available