PAINTED ROCKS STATE PARK
Located in the West Fork Valley of the Bitterroot Mountains, Painted Rocks Reservoir offers boating, camping, and fishing in a scenic, western pine forest setting.
Painted Rocks received its name from the green, yellow and orange lichens which cover the grey and black rock walls of the granite and rhyolite cliffs along the West Fork Road.
The park offers 25 campsites, a boat ramp and a dock. There are 6 reservable campsites, available for reservation from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Thursday-Sunday only. The rest of the sites are first come, first served. There are 2 sites that can fit RV/trailers up to 35 feet in length and 23 sites limited to 25 feet in length. There is no potable water available.
Wildlife abounds in the area around Painted Rocks. Elk, mule deer, white-tailed deer, black bear, and moose can be found here. In the 1980s, bighorn mountain sheep as well as peregrine falcons were reintroduced to the area. The reservoir is used as a stopping ground for waterfowl during spring and autumn migrations. Don't be surprised if you see Osprey, Great Blue Heron, Spotted Sandpiper or Bald Eagles.
Activities
Bird Watching
Boating
Camping
Canoeing
Fishing
Hiking
Lake Fishing
Motor Boating
Nature
Photography
Picnicking
RV Camping
Sightseeing
Swimming
Tent Camping
Wildlife Viewing
In 1939, the Montana Water Conservation Board began construction on Painted Rocks Dam. Originally constructed for agricultural use, the Painted Rocks Reservoir now provides water for irrigation, stockwater, domestic use, and in-stream flows for fish.
By the 1820s, the West Fork of the Bitterroot had become an important corridor for American and English fur companies as well as the mountain men of the era.
The West Fork of the Bitterroot, like the rest of the Bitterroot Valley and much of western Montana, has been part of the homeland of the Salish people for countless millennia. It was always a place of importance to the Salish as a particularly good hunting area, as well as a place rich in other important traditional foods, including huckleberries, serviceberries, bitterroot, trout and other fish and mountain tea.
Park size 23 acres. Elevation 4,724 feet.
1. Painted Rocks State Park offers a refreshing swimming experience in the crystal clear waters of its reservoir.
2. The park's beach area is perfect for sunbathing and picnicking before or after your swim.
3. Swimming at this state park allows you to enjoy stunning views of surrounding mountains and forests.
4. There are no lifeguards on duty, so swimmers should be cautious when entering deeper parts of the water body.
5. Children must always be supervised while swimming due to varying depths throughout the lake/reservoir area.
The park offers a variety of boating options for visitors. It features a boat launch area which allows easy access to the water, making it ideal for activities like motorized and non-motorized boating. Visitors can enjoy fishing from their boats as well since the reservoir is home to several species of fish including trout and pike. However, due to fluctuating water levels in late summer and fall seasons, caution should be exercised while launching larger vessels during these times.
Located in the Bitterroot Valley, this area offers fishing opportunities on its reservoir. Anglers can catch rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. The park also allows ice-fishing during winter months for those seeking a unique experience. A valid Montana fishing license is required to fish here.