Montana State Parks Foundation received donation of land, intends to donate to FWP for state park

The Montana State Parks Foundation received a donation of 109 acres of land in north-central Montana with the intent of donating the property to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks to become Montana’s 56th state park. The historic property was formerly part of the PN Ranch and is located at the confluence of the Judith and Missouri rivers between Winifred and Big Sandy. The land was donated to the Montana State Parks Foundation by American Prairie.

The area is culturally and historically significant and was used for centuries by Indigenous people, playing host to significant treaties and peace councils. In 1805, the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped in the area, giving the Judith River its name. The U.S. Army built Camp Cook near the property to protect steamboats on the Missouri River, and a commissary and trading post were developed there. Not long after Camp Cook closed, Thomas Power and his partner purchased the camp, relocated it and renamed it Fort Claggett. Ranching thrived in the area and Power, along with his new partner Gilman Norris started the Judith Mercantile and Cattle Company, known today as the PN Ranch.

The proposed acquisition and development of the property would provide a rustic state park that preserves important pieces of Montana history and provides access to Montanans and visitors to the state.

If approved, the proposed acquisition and development would include:

• Perpetual public access to the property
• Interpretive opportunities to the public related to the surrounding historic district
• Expanding the Montana State Park system into a portion of the state with limited access to state parks
• Recreational opportunities including camping, wildlife watching, hiking and access to the Judith River and Missouri River for fishing and other water-based recreation
• A state park in north-central Montana with the potential to benefit the surrounding small communities due to increased tourism
• The preservation of historic structures and cultural resources found on the property

FWP released a draft environmental assessment (EA) for the acquisition and development of the property on Nov. 15. The public comment period for the EA runs through 5 p.m. on Dec. 14. The EA and information on how to comment can be found at FWP’s website.

The Montana State Parks and Recreation Board will meet on Dec. 20, and the acquisition of the Judith Landing property will be on the meeting agenda. The public will have the opportunity to comment on whether FWP should acquire the property during the board meeting, with advance registration required. Information on the Montana State Parks and Recreation Board meeting will soon be available at fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/parksandrecreationboard.

If FWP acquires the property, FWP would seek funds for development and operations of the park at the 2025 legislative session and through private donations. If funding is obtained, FWP expects development of the property would begin in 2026.