Fort Owen State Park provides the unique opportunity to stand on the edge of Montana history, where many “firsts” for the state were made. Some of these firsts include creating a safe place for indigenous cultures of the Bitterroot Valley to intertwine and communicate with settlers and missionaries. Fort Owen was also the site of Montana’s first permanent European settlement, and the state park commemorates many other “firsts” that took place in its backyard. The land surrounding the state park was home to the first sawmill, grist mill, agricultural development, water right, the first school, and the original site of Montana’s first Catholic church.  Fort Owen State Park sits in a small parcel of land in the middle of a privately-owned ranch and farm. Visitors to Fort Owen have the opportunity to contemplate the history and growth of the state of Montana, listen to the natural sounds of the area, and view the beautiful Bitterroot Mountains and surrounding valleys.

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Amenities