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Montana
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Montana State Parks

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Montana
Glacier Country Region
Beavertail Hill State Park
Beavertail Hill State Park © Kae Cheatham
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BEAVERTAIL HILL STATE PARK
BEAVERTAIL HILL STATE PARK
29895 Bonita Station Road
Clinton, Montana   59825

Phone: 406-542-5500
Reservations: 406-677-6804
Email: park email button icon
One-half mile of the park is located on the Clark Fork River that provides terrific fishing and floating opportunities.

You can camp and go on a one-hour walking nature trail through a thick canopy of cottonwoods. There are interpretive programs in the amphitheatre on Friday evenings during the summer.

The park has an elevation of 3,615 feet and is 65 acres.

Boating is carry-in only. There are 28 developed campsites and tipi rentals.

Now available for rent are two tipis. The two Sioux-style tipis at Beavertail Hill are 18 feet in size and can comfortably sleep six-eight people. The canvas tipis have no furnishings, but do have indoor-outdoor carpeting and a picnic table and fire grill located outside. Existing ADA Level: Easy Accessibility.

Park Map (pdf)
History of the Area
The abandoned railbed to the north once carried the tracks of the Chicago,Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad. In its heyday, the railroad known as the "Old Milwaukee" operated over ten thousand miles of routes in a dozen states. This unique rail line managed to play many roles at onetime. To some, it was a speedway for mail and passenger trains on the Chicago-Milwaukee-Minneapolis route. To the farmers of the northern prairie and the loggers of the western forests, the Milwaukee was a"granger," or a network of branch lines that carried raw materials to the marketplace. At one time, the company was the only railroad with a main line running from Chicago to the Pacific Northwest. The Milwaukee road had many unique aspects. In addition to the usual right of way roadbeds, tracks, and communications power lines, the Milwaukee sported large brick power substations. Electrification of the Milwaukee set an industry standard. Unlike urban streetcar lines, which used electric traction for smoke abatement reasons, the Milwaukee converted for long~range savings in operating costs. The distinctive engines reached to the powerlines with tall, folding pantographs, and bore powerful names like "Thunderhawk." The abandonment of the western lines in 1980 was accompanied by regret and speculation about the factors that toppled a vital member of many Montana communities. Brick depots, electrical substations, and picturesque tunnels remain as witnesses to the passage of the hold Milwaukee Road.
FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES OVERVIEW
Day-UseSwimming Beachyes
BoatingLaunch Rampsyes
CampingPrimitiveyes
 Electric Sitesyes
Camping
Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Each campsite has a picnic table, fire grate, and a place to park a recreational vehicle or pitch a tent. The campground closes for the off-season. A comfort station with restrooms and drinking water sources are centrally located.
Campground Map (pdf)
Fishing
The waters of the Clark Fork River contain rainbow and brown trout, hut other coldwater species, such as the mountain whitefish, can also he found. Required fishing licenses are availabhle at any Montana



Picnicking
Beavertail Hill State Park offers picnic tables and grills, perfect for a family outing. Enjoy meals amidst beautiful natural scenery.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
August 9 Great Stopping Point
park review stars; one to five We stayed here at the start of August 2011. The park has very spacious campsites. While there are no major attractions at the park, it is a convenient stopping point between Glacier National Park and Yellowstone - way better than any commercial campground. In addition to the Clark Fork river, there is a pond on the other side of I-90 where you can swim or fish for bass, perch, and stocked trout.
October 3 Clean Convenient and comfortable by Helena camper
park review stars; one to five This is a great Montana State Park- roomy sites, lots of amenities, close to interstate without really being aware of it - and the Clark Fork.
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Directions
Beavertail Hill State Park is located 26 miles southeast of Missoula on I-90 to Beavertail Hill exit #130, then .25 mile south on county road.

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Montana
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Montana State Parks

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