New property opening soon at Missouri Headwaters State Park

THREE FORKS, Mont. — Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks will host an event Friday to celebrate a new 26-acre property at Missouri Headwaters State Park.

The event offers participants the opportunity to explore the plot from 11 a.m. at the information center.

The majority of the parcel is expected to open to the public in October. The remainder of the property will remain closed to the public until a cultural survey is conducted.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks sent the following:

A 26-acre property recently added to Missouri Headwaters State Park will soon be open to the public.

FWP is planning an event to celebrate the acquisition and the important habitat, cultural resources and expanded recreational opportunities associated with it. The event will take place on Friday, October 25th at 11 a.m. and begins at the information plaza opposite the park office. All are welcome to visit and explore the plot and the rest of the park.

The Montana State Parks Foundation acquired the property in February with funds provided by a grant from the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust and supported by Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation, then donated the property to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in April.

Since then, FWP staff have been preparing the parcel for safe public access, including removing old farm equipment, fences and other materials.

Further habitat restoration work is planned, but most of the parcel is scheduled to open to the public later this month. The westernmost portion of the property, which includes a house and several outbuildings, will remain closed to the public until a basic cultural survey can be conducted and any structures not identified for reuse or preservation due to their historical significance can be removed .

“The acquisition of this property by Missouri Headwaters State Park has been a goal of the family and park staff for many years, and we are so grateful to the family and our partners for helping make this vision a reality,” Linnaea said Schroeer, regional park and outdoor recreation program manager for FWP. “This project secures and protects the wild heart of the park for the public to enjoy forever.”

“We are thrilled that the expansion of Missouri Headwaters State Park is open to the public,” said Megan Buecking, executive director of the Montana State Parks Foundation. “This new property provides the public with an opportunity to enjoy outstanding cultural and historic resources, promotes fisheries and wildlife habitat, and expands public access to this iconic park. We would like to thank our partners for the collaboration that made this project possible. We look forward to the bright future of Missouri Headwaters.”

“Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation is pleased to have played a role in making this project a reality,” said Mitch King, executive director of Montana’s Outdoor Legacy Foundation. “This partnership between the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust, the Montana Parks Foundation and the family.” has ensured the continued protection of this important property in Missouri Headwaters State Park. I can’t think of a better use of trust funding.

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The acquisition received overwhelming public support throughout the entire process, which included an environmental impact assessment. The Montana State Parks and Recreation Board issued initial approval for the acquisition on February 5, followed by final approval by the Montana Board of Land Commissioners on March 18.

This addition permanently secures important habitat and cultural resources on the property, which was private land that bisected the eastern edge of the park. It also ensures more continuity and expanded leisure opportunities.

Within the boundaries of Missouri Headwaters State Park, the Jefferson, Madison and Gallatin rivers join to form the Missouri River, the longest river in the United States. This area is significant to Native Americans and was visited by members of the Corps of Discovery in 1805. The park is now a National Historic Landmark and hosts thousands of visitors each year. The park is located approximately 5 miles northeast of Three Forks on Trident Road. For more information about the park, click here or call 406-285-3610.