Montana is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Idaho to the west; North Dakota and South Dakota to the east; Wyoming to the south; and by the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, and Saskatchewan to the north. It is the fourth-largest state by area, the eighth-least populous state, and the third-least densely populated state. Its state capital is Helena. The western half of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges, while the eastern half is characterized by western prairie terrain and badlands, with smaller mountain ranges found throughout the state. In all, 77 named ranges are part of the Rocky Mountains.
Flathead County is in the U.S. state of Montana. At the 2020 census, its population was 104,357, making it the state's fourth most populous county. Its county seat is Kalispell. Its numerical designation is 7. Its northern border is on the state's north border, making it contiguous with the Canada–US border, facing British Columbia.
Kalispell is a city in, and the county seat of, Flathead County, Montana, United States. The 2020 census put Kalispell's population at 24,558. In Montana's northwest region, it is the largest city, and the commercial center, of the Kalispell Micropolitan Statistical Area. The name Kalispell is a Salish word meaning "flat land above the lake".
The Flathead Indian Reservation, located in western Montana on the Flathead River, is home to the Bitterroot Salish, Kootenai, and Pend d'Oreilles tribes – also known as the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation. The reservation was created through the July 16, 1855, Treaty of Hellgate.
Fort Peck Lake, or Lake Fort Peck, is a major reservoir in Montana, formed by the Fort Peck Dam on the Missouri River. The lake lies in the eastern prairie region of Montana approximately 140 miles (230 km) east of Great Falls and 120 miles (190 km) north of Billings, reaching into portions of six counties.
Flathead Lake is a large natural lake in northwest Montana.
Wild Horse Island, approximately 2,164 acres (876 ha) in size, is the largest island on Flathead Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Montana. Protected as a state park since 1977, the island near Big Arm Bay is home to abundant wildlife including bighorn sheep, mule deer, waterfowl, and bald eagles. It is managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and lies within both the Flathead Indian Reservation and Lake County, Montana.
The Flathead National Forest is a national forest in the western part of the U.S. state of Montana. The forest lies primarily in Flathead County, south of Glacier National Park. The forest covers 2,404,935 acres of which about 1 million acres (4,000 km2) is designated wilderness. It is named after the Flathead Native Americans who live in the area.
The Bison Range (BR) is a nature reserve on the Flathead Indian Reservation in western Montana established for the conservation of American bison. Formerly called the National Bison Range, the size of the bison herd at the BR is between 350 and 500. Established as a National Wildlife Refuge in 1908, the BR consists of approximately 18,800 acres (7,600 ha) within the Montana valley and foothill grasslands. The management was transferred back to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in 2022 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service after more than a century of federal management and nearly two decades of negotiations.
The following is an alphabetical list of articles related to the U.S. state of Montana.
The Regional designations of Montana vary widely within the U.S state of Montana. The state is a large geographical area that is split by the Continental Divide, resulting in watersheds draining into the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Mexico and Hudson's Bay. The state is approximately 545 miles (877 km) east to west along the Canada–United States border and 320 miles (510 km) north to south. The fourth largest state in land area, it has been divided up in official and unofficial ways into a variety of regions. Additionally, Montana is part of a number of larger federal government administrative regions.
Black Sandy State Park is a public recreation area on the western shore of Hauser Lake reservoir, an impoundment of the Missouri River, located thirteen miles (21 km) northeast of Helena in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, in the United States. The park is along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
Council Grove State Park is a history-oriented, public recreation area located eight miles (13 km) northwest of Missoula in Missoula County, Montana. The site of the park hosted the signing on July 16, 1855, of the Hellgate treaty between representatives of the United States government and members of the Bitterroot Salish, Pend d'Oreille, and the Kootenai to create the Flathead Indian Reservation. A monument commemorates the signing. The park is 187 acres (76 ha) and sits at an elevation of 3,198 feet (975 m). Natural features found in the park are its large, old-growth ponderosa pines, grassy fields, and cottonwood stand by the Clark Fork River. Its recreational features include hiking and fishing.
Wayfarers State Park is a 67-acre (27 ha) public recreation area overlooking Flathead Lake, one-half mile south of Bigfork, Montana. The state park hosts the annual Northern Rockies Paddlefest, which in 2013 attracted over 200 participants.
West Shore State Park is a public recreation area occupying 129 acres on the western shore of Flathead Lake five miles south of Lakeside in Lake County, Montana. The state park offers boating, fishing, camping, swimming, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
Finley Point State Park is a 28-acre (11 ha) public recreation area located on the Finley Point peninsula at the southern end of Flathead Lake ten miles east of the community of Big Arm. The state park has RV and tent camping facilities as well as boat camping slips.
Lake Mary Ronan State Park is a public recreation area located seven miles (11 km) northwest of the Flathead Lake community of Dayton, Montana. The state park occupies 120 acres (49 ha) on the east side of 1,500-acre (610 ha) Lake Mary Ronan. The lake is 47 feet deep at its deepest spot and is known for kokanee salmon and yellow perch. Twenty-five campsites and a boat ramp are found in the park.
Les Mason State Park is a public recreation area on the east shore of Whitefish Lake, four miles north of Whitefish, Montana. The day-use state park encompasses eight acres that include a 585-foot sand and gravel beach, short walking trails, and facilities for swimming, canoeing, and picnicking.
Yellow Bay State Park is a public recreation area occupying fifteen acres (6.1 ha) on the eastern shore of Flathead Lake twelve miles (19 km) south of Bigfork in Lake County, Montana. The state park offers boating, fishing, camping, swimming, and wildlife viewing.
