HELENA – The Montana state parks system welcomed an estimated 3.38 million visitors in 2025. This number is a 4.9 percent increase from 2024, an 11.5 percent increase from 2022 and a 27.3 percent increase over the last 10 years. Since 2015, total visitation has increased by more than 725,000 visitors, representing a 27.3 percent rise.
Based on reservation data, the highest number of reservations were made by residents of the following states:
- Montana
- Washington
- Idaho
- California
- Colorado
- Oregon
- Texas
- Florida
The five most visited state parks in 2025 were:
- Giant Springs with 645,978 visitors (Region 4)
- Flathead Lake (all units) with 362,136 visitors (Region 1)
- Cooney Reservoir with 194,447 visitors (Region 5)
- Lake Elmo with 181,462 visitors (Region 5)
- Lone Pine with 170,467 visitors (Region 1)
People are also reading…
Visitation by region
Region 1 (northwest Montana)
Region 1 served approximately 984,685 visitors in 2025, representing an estimated 2 percent increase compared to the previous year. Visitation in Region 1 accounted for just under 30 percent of total use across the state park system, a share that remains consistent with prior years.
Region 2 (western Montana)
With an estimated 421,227 visitors in 2025, Region 2 experienced a 9.6 percent decrease compared to 2024. Visitation in the region accounted for 12.4 percent of the system’s total use in 2025, continuing a downward trend observed in recent years.
Region 3 (southwest Montana)
With an estimated 255,537 visitors in 2025, Region 3 experienced a 5.9 percent increase compared to 2024. The region accounted for 7.5 percent of the system’s total visitation, consistent with its share in 2024.
Region 4 (north-central Montana)
With an estimated 967,946 visitors in 2025, Region 4 experienced a 21.8 percent increase compared to 2024. The region accounted for 28.6 percent of the system’s total visitation, representing a 4 percent increase in its share from the previous year.
Region 5 (south-central Montana)
With an estimated 460,469 visitors in 2025, Region 5 experienced a 1.3 percent decrease compared to 2024. The region accounted for 13.6 percent of the system’s total visitation, a slight decline from the previous year.
Region 6 (northeast Montana)
For many years, Regions 6 and 7 were combined into a single administrative unit. Beginning in 2022, they were separated, with Region 6 consisting solely of Brush Lake State Park. With an estimated 31,044 visitors in 2025, Region 6 experienced a 30.9 percent decrease compared to 2024. The region accounted for approximately 0.9 percent of the system’s total visitation in 2025, a decline from the previous year.
Region 7 (southeast Montana)
With an estimated 265,317 visitors in 2025, Region 7 experienced a 6.8 percent increase compared to 2024. The region accounted for 7.8 percent of the system’s total visitation, consistent with its share in the previous year.
A full list of state parks, regional breakdowns and their estimated visitation levels can be found in the 2025 report, which will be posted to the State Parks webpage soon.
