State Park plan moves forward

Montana State Parks (MSP) is moving forward with a proposed change to the group site and group day use areas at Thompson Falls State Park. MSP issued a decision notice for the Group Campsite Project on Monday.

The public comment for the proposal ended Saturday, and MSP reported that they received one comment in favor of the proposal and no comments opposing it.

The change will relocate the existing group campsite closer to the river. The existing group campsite area will be repurposed as a group day use site available to the public to facilitate large events such as weddings and picnics. Two failing picnic pavilions would also be replaced with facilities that provide water and electricity. New parking spaces would be added for the upper group day use area.

The current group site is located near Blue Slide Road in an area that is not level and provides inadequate space for the four-trailer capacity of the group site, according to MSP. The existing group site is underutilized due to these flaws, as well as its distance from the Clark Fork River. By moving the campsites closer to the river, and installing a covered picnic pavilion, MSP anticipates higher utilization of the site. The existing picnic pavilions are deteriorated beyond repair, as are the existing picnic table and free-standing charcoal grill that are associated with this site. These amenities would also be replaced.

To view the final decision notice and environmental assessment (EA) visit stateparks.mt.gov and click on “public notices/submit comments.” Or to request a copy, contact Betsy Kirkeby at (406) 444-3343.