Montana's national parks get millions of visitors a year, but the state's 55 state parks fly under the radar — and one of the easiest to reach is Beavertail Hill, a 65-acre riverside park just off Interstate 90 east of Missoula.
The park sits between the Clark Fork River and an old railbed, which makes it a natural stop whether you're road-tripping between Glacier and Yellowstone or just need to stretch your legs. Despite its small size, there's plenty to do. A shady loop trail circles the park with river and mountain views, and anglers can cast into the Clark Fork, where the brown trout here are reportedly larger than in stretches downstream of Rock Creek. If the river isn't producing, Beavertail Pond — an 11-acre stocked pond across the interstate — is designated a family fishing water, and reviewers regularly report pulling out trout weighing several pounds. Note that anyone aged 12 or older needs a fishing license, and there's no visitor center or gear rental on site, so come prepared.
Camping is where Beavertail Hill shines. Two dozen sites all have electricity, with water, restrooms, and firewood nearby, and RVs up to 28 feet can fit. If you'd rather skip the tent-pitching, there are two unfurnished tipis available for groups. Sites run from $4 to $42 depending on the season, with tipis at the top end. In summer, rangers host Saturday evening chats about the local area. Sites are walk-up only, but you can check availability ahead on the Montana State Parks website.
A few practical things to know. The park is open year-round but reachable by car only from May through October. Entrance costs $8 for out-of-state vehicles; Montana residents who haven't paid the $9 state parks fee pay too. Visitor numbers are genuinely low — just over 32,000 in 2025 — so crowds aren't an issue. One honest caveat: the interstate proximity means you'll likely hear traffic and trains at night. If a silent night in the woods is the goal, reviewers suggest Lake Mary Ronan State Park, a quieter lakefront option nearer Glacier instead.
Beavertail Hill is also a handy base for bigger adventures: Lolo National Forest, one of Montana's more underrated outdoor areas, is close by for hiking, backpacking, and fishing. For anyone driving I-90 through western Montana, it's a low-cost, low-effort way to get a proper dose of Big Sky Country without fighting for a parking spot at a national park.
