Painted Rocks State Park
Also known as Painted Rocks State Recreation Area
- Status
- Status not postedDaily sunrise – sunset
- Entrance fee
- $8 per dayAnnual pass available
- Day-use reservations
- None mentioned
- Dogs
- Statewide rule — see below
- Camping
- Yes
- Official site
- fwp.mt.gov(406) 273-4253
Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current
Overview
Covering about 23 acres, Painted Rocks State Park lies in Ravalli County, about 40 miles south of Hamilton.
Visitors come for canoeing and kayaking, boating, swimming, wildlife watching, and fishing. Water access includes a boat ramp. Camping is available: campsites, including RV sites and tent sites.
Hours
Park, gate, office and facility hours are listed separately because they often differ. Alerts above override normal hours.
| Facility | Days | Hours | Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park | Daily | sunrise – sunset | — |
Official wording
Open daily all year Dawn to dusk
Source: official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Times are local to the park (America/Denver).
Fees and passes
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Montana residents who pay the (resident) | $9 · year |
| Day use entrance fee with a vehicle | $8 |
| Day use entrance fee as a walk-in, bicycle or bus passenger | $4 |
| With a Nonresident Entrance Pass (nonresident) | Free |
| Campsite fees range from | $4 · night |
| Campsite fees range from | $34 · night |
Official wording
Montana Residents • Montana residents who pay the $9 state parks fee with their annual vehicle registration have no daily entrance fees to state parks. For residents who don't include this in their vehicle registration, non-resident day use fees apply. Nonresidents • Day use entrance fee with a vehicle: $8 • Day use entrance fee as a walk-in, bicycle or bus passenger: $4 • With a Nonresident Entrance Pass: Free Campsites • Campsite fees range from $4-$34 per night, depending on season and available amenities. Visit Reserve America to check fees and reserve a campsite at Painted Rocks State Park. Montana State Parks offers hike/bike, rustic, tent, rv, and boatslip campsites.
Montana park passes
- State parks fee with Montana vehicle registration — $9 per vehicle per year (residents). No daily entrance fees to state parks for that vehicle Details
- Nonresident Entrance Pass (12-month) — $50 per vehicle. Free entrance and discounted camping ($10-$12/night) for one year from month of issue Details
- 7-Day Nonresident Entrance Pass — $35. Entrance for 7 consecutive days and discounted camping; sold at parks only Details
From the Montana state guide. Confirm which passes this park accepts.
Reservations
- Day use
- No day-use reservation requirement mentioned
- Booking system
- ReserveAmerica (montanastateparks.reserveamerica.com)
- Phone
- 1-855-922-6768
We link to the official booking system rather than showing live availability, which changes minute to minute.
Pets
See the park’s wording
Pets Allowed (amenity list)
Service animals are generally permitted where pets are not. Check with the park for specific areas.
Camping
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. The park offers 23 campsites, a boat ramp and a dock. There are 6 reservable campsites, available for reservation from Memorial Day through Labor Day, Thursday-Sunday only.
From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.
Things to do
Wildlife viewing and birdingBoatingCampingCanoeing and kayakingFishingHikingPicnickingSwimming
Amenities
Facilities
- Restrooms
- Picnic areas
- Picnic shelters
Water
- Boat ramp
Camping
- Tent camping
- RV camping
✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.
Accessibility
Amenities: ADA Accessible
Conditions change. Contact the park to confirm specific accessible features before your visit.
Getting there
- Address
- 8809 West Fork Road
Darby, MT 59829 - Nearest town
- Hamilton — about 40 mi south (straight line)
- Coordinates
- 45.6813, -114.3010
- Phone
- (406) 273-4253
- jessica.martin@mt.gov
Nearby state parks
Sources and freshness
- Montana State Parks — park page — last checked Oct 29, 2026
- Montana State Parks Find a Park list, joined with FWP 'State Park Locations' ArcGIS layer
- Wikidata
- USGS PAD-US 4.1 (boundary and acreage)
“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology