A history-rich parcel of land along the Judith and Missouri rivers in north-central Montana has been donated to the Montana State Parks Foundation. The foundation is hoping the state of Montana will accept the donation to create its 56th state park. The nearly 110 acres was donated by the nonprofit group American Prairie, which bought the surrounding 47,000-acre PN Ranch in 2016. The land was home to one of the state’s early fur trapping forts, as well as its first military post, Camp Cooke. The ranch was formed in the 1880s, and the land still contains the ranch house as well as the old Judith Land Post Office. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has drafted an environmental assessment to analyze the possible acquisition. Comments are being taken through Dec. 14. Ideas for the park include picnic and rustic camping facilities as well as interpretive panels and a walking trail.
To learn more, check out my story at https://billingsgazette.com/outdoors/american-prairie/article_7b0203a2-a5f5-11ef-b15e-2bc01dca5e72.html.
