Happy New Year!

2012 will be an exciting year for Montana State Parks!  Montana's first territorial capital, Bannack is celebrating 150 years of History since the gold strike there. Bannack became a state park in 1954 and we are looking forward to promoting this wonderful state park and the new group use shelter there and getting more visitors to this popular historic, amazing ghost town destination this year. 

Smith River applications are available now online, the Smith is a premiere recreation destination. Last year, we had 5,000 applications for 1,000 permits selected by lottery. There will be a super permit winner again, this year, too. We hope to see you on the Smith! 

We are launching a new AmeriCorps program that will help our parks preserve and promote Montana's natural and cultural resources.

Montana State Parks statistics are amazing, in 2011, 98,415 visitors participated in interpretive programs, school programs and special events offered at our state parks. Included in this number are more than 20,000 students who participated in educational programs presented and hosted by parks division staff. We also had more than 1,300 volunteers providing 46,000 hours of service for state parks in 2011. We look forward to these continued partnerships and support.

Many of us share the concern that technology will replace the great outdoors as the place where children learn, play and grow. Montana State Parks shares that concern and is working to expand interpretation, special events and overall opportunities for families and communities to relax, explore, and build great memories on our wonderful public lands. We need your ideas to do that. Don't hesitate to call or email us if you have ideas or concerns about your park system.

Also, keep in mind that Montana State Parks receives no funding from hunting and fishing licensing and no general fund dollars. Our largest source of revenue is through a $6 dollar fee you pay each year during your light vehicle registration. This funding program has been around since 2004 and allows residents daily access to all 54 state parks and fishing access sites without any entrance fees. In California and Utah, for example, they charge anywhere from $5 to $15 dollars just to get into one state park for the day. We want our parks to continue to be accessible and an affordable way to get away.

Check out our website stateparks.mt.gov and click on the Recreation tab to get up to date information on recreation safety, funding opportunities for your community and more.