Top state parks
State ParkMakoshika State Park
State ParkMadison Buffalo Jump State Park
State ParkMedicine Rocks State Park
State ParkMissouri Headwaters State Park
State ParkFirst Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park
State ParkGreycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park
State ParkBlack Sandy State Park
State ParkTongue River Reservoir State Park
State ParkLost Creek State Park
State ParkPlacid Lake State Park
State ParkFort Owen State Park
State ParkHell Creek Recreational Area
State Parks by county
All state parks (24)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Makoshika State Park | Dawson County | — | Glendive | 4 |
| Madison Buffalo Jump State Park | Gallatin County | — | Manhattan | 2 |
| Medicine Rocks State Park | Fallon County | — | Baker | 1 |
| Missouri Headwaters State Park | Gallatin County | — | Three Forks | 2 |
| First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park | Cascade County | — | Sun Prairie | 3 |
| Greycliff Prairie Dog Town State Park | Sweet Grass County | — | Big Timber | 1 |
| Black Sandy State Park | Lewis and Clark County | — | Helena Valley Northeast | 3 |
| Tongue River Reservoir State Park | Big Horn County | — | Sheridan | 1 |
| Lost Creek State Park | Deer Lodge County | — | Anaconda | 3 |
| Placid Lake State Park | Missoula County | — | Seeley Lake | 2 |
| Fort Owen State Park | Ravalli County | — | Stevensville | 2 |
| Hell Creek Recreational Area | Valley County | — | Miles City | 1 |
| Lake Elmo State Park | Yellowstone County | — | Lockwood | 6 |
| Beavertail Hill State Park | Granite County | — | Clinton | 2 |
| Whitefish Lake State Park | Flathead County | — | Whitefish | 5 |
| Thompson Falls State Park | Sanders County | — | Thompson Falls | 1 |
| Sluice Boxes State Park | Cascade County | — | Malmstrom Air Force Base | 2 |
| Wayfarers State Park | Flathead County | — | Bigfork | 4 |
| Lake Mary Ronan State Park | Lake County | — | Lakeside | 2 |
| Yellow Bay State Park | Lake County | — | Bigfork | 2 |
| Rosebud Battlefield State Park | Big Horn County | — | Sheridan | 1 |
| Finley Point State Park | Lake County | — | Polson | 2 |
| Tower Rock State Park | Cascade County | — | Sun Prairie | 1 |
| West Shore State Park | Flathead County | — | Lakeside | 3 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph state parks
State parks often protect a signature feature — a gorge, lake or overlook — that is best in early morning before visitors and harsh light arrive.
- Check park hours: many state parks close at dusk, which affects sunset and night shooting.
- Ask rangers about photography permits for commercial work, models or drones.
- Weekday mornings are the least crowded at popular viewpoints.
- Trail maps often mark overlooks — combine them with the sun azimuth to plan.
- Day-use fees or passes are common; buy them online before arriving.
Season: Spring wildflowers and autumn color are peak seasons in most parks.