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BEAVER CREEK PARK
Located 12 miles south of Havre on Highway 234, this
natural recreation area of 10,000 acres extends to the north slope of the
Bears Paw Mountains. Picnic areas and developed secluded campsites are
located for public use. The park offers unlimited opportunities for
recreation such as sightseeing, hiking, fishing, cross-country skiing and
snowmobiling. Within the park are two lakes that are open to fishing all
year round. Stream fishing opens the 3rd Saturday in May. On the adjacent
Rocky Boy Reservation are many more miles of cross-country skiing trails,
as well as down hill skiing, and access to many more fishing holes.
Beaver Creek Park is part of a unique area in North
Central Montana Plains country, the Bears Paw Mountains. The Park is a 10,000-acre strip
along the North slopes of the Bears Paw Mountains, about one-mile wide by 17 miles long,
and is one of the largest county parks in the Nation. Within this natural recreation area
are rolling grasslands, pine woods, aspen and cottonwood groves, rocky cliffs and cold
rushing streams. The vegetation ranges from box elder, alder, willow, buffalo berry on the
north end to cool leafy cottonwood, aspen, ponderosa pine, lodge pole pine, and Douglas
fir on the south end.
Beaver Creek, Bear Paw Lake and Lower Beaver Creek Lake are well
stocked with Rainbow and Brook trout. The Park abounds with wildlife, among the many
animals you may see are whitetail and mule deer, bobcat, beaver, coyote, fox, mink,
pheasants, grouse, Golden Eagles and hawks.
The geology is interesting. Formations range from glacial deposits at
the northern end through volcanic strata and dikes, to metamorphic and sedimentary rocks
in which fossils can be found.
Plant and bird species from the Rocky Mountains merge here with those
of the Plains providing an excellent area for biological studies.
There are many developed
camp and picnic grounds in the Park. Most are equipped with tables, fire
grates and vault toilets. Smaller campgrounds don't require prior
reservations but some special area may be reserved for large group
activities. Also, available at Camp Kiwanis is a youth camp with cottages,
activity building and dining and rec hall. These are available for
organized groups by advance reservation only and there is a fee for their
use.
The Bear Paw Nature Trail was originally
built by soldiers from Fort Assinnboine in the 1800s, now has 20
interpretive panels that share information about the wildlife, archaeology,
and history of the park. The signed portion of the trail begins at the
Lion’s campgrounds park and leads south for the 2 miles to Rocky Boy.
A resident
Superintendent and Park Office are located at Camp Kiwanis. Contact the
office at (406) 395-4565 for inquiries about the Park and requests for
reservations.
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