Summer adventures continue at Lone Pine State Park

If you haven’t taken the kids out to Lone Pine State Park yet this summer, you’re burning daylight. The park just outside Kalispell has a packed calendar running through August, and honestly, it’s one of the better deals going for families who want to get outside without driving two hours into the backcountry.

Here’s what’s on tap.

Junior Ranger Programs
Select Tuesdays, June – August • 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

These sessions are built for kids entering grades 3 through 6, and they’re actually worth your time — not just busywork with a badge at the end. Each program mixes hands-on activities with real outdoor exploration. The kind of stuff that gets a ten-year-old actually paying attention.

Three upcoming sessions to know about:

• June 23 – Flowers and Pollinators: Kids dig into the life cycle of plants and learn how flowers and their pollinators depend on each other.
• July 7 – Scientific Classification: How do scientists sort and name plants and animals? This session breaks it down hands-on.
• July 21 – Trophic Energy Transfer: Follow energy through an ecosystem and trace how plants and animals connect through food chains.

Cost is $4 per student per session. Space is limited, so don’t wait until the week before to register. Email grace.osler@mt.gov or call (406) 755-2706 ext. 4 to get signed up.

B.A.R.K. Ranger Hikes
June 27 and July 25 • 9 – 10:30 a.m.

Your dog can earn a title now. The B.A.R.K. Ranger Hikes let you bring your canine out on the trails while you both learn the four principles that keep parks working for people, pets, and wildlife alike. Dogs that finish the program walk away with an official Lone Pine B.A.R.K. Ranger dog tag. In my experience, that’s the kind of thing that gets framed and hung in the mudroom.

Cost is $4 per participant. Registration required at forms.cloud.microsoft/g/KVT9wgVJ12.

Sundays with Camo
June 28 and July 26 • 2 – 2:30 p.m.

Camo is Lone Pine’s resident bull snake, and he puts on a good show. These short weekly sessions let visitors watch his feeding and learn how bull snakes fit into Montana’s ecosystems — they’re better predators than most people give them credit for. Free, no registration needed. Just show up.

Outdoor Movie Night: Disney Nature Bears
Wednesday, July 17 • 7 p.m.

They’re showing Disney Nature Bears on the lawn behind the Visitor Center. Bring a blanket or a lawn chair, pack whatever snacks you want, and settle in. It’s free, but they’re capping attendance at 50, so register ahead of time at forms.cloud.microsoft/g/fuVCkhanKk.

Beginner Archery for Kids
July 23 • 10 – 11:30 a.m.

This one’s for kids entering grades 4 through 8, and it’s limited to 12 youth — so it’s small, focused, and actually useful. Instructors cover the real fundamentals, all equipment is provided, and no prior experience is needed. If you’ve got a kid who’s been asking about hunting or just wants to try something new, this is a solid start. Cost is $4. Register at forms.cloud.microsoft/g/jBCMAZ7Znd.

Summer goes fast up here. Lone Pine is right in Kalispell’s backyard and it’s doing the work of getting the next generation outside. That’s not nothing.