Fish Creek

Fish Creek State Park encompasses 42 acres along Fish Creek near Alberton in Mineral County, in the mountainous terrain of western Montana. The park provides camping and stream access in a scenic forested canyon setting.

Fish Creek supports native cutthroat trout and bull trout. Black bears, moose, and white-tailed deer inhabit the surrounding forests. Dippers bob along the rocky stream, and varied thrushes call from the canopy.

Dense forests of Douglas fir, western larch, and western red cedar cover the mountainous terrain. The creek corridor supports a lush riparian zone with alders and shrubs. The western Montana moisture supports rich forest diversity.

Fish Creek flows through a steep canyon carved into the Belt Supergroup metamorphic rocks that characterize much of western Montana. The creek is a tributary of the Clark Fork River, and the canyon walls expose colorful sedimentary layers.

Western Montana's mountain climate produces cold, snowy winters and warm summers with cool nights. Annual precipitation exceeds 20 inches, supporting dense forest growth. Summer thunderstorms are common.

The Clark Fork corridor through western Montana has served as a transportation route for millennia. Mining and logging were historically important industries in the surrounding mountains.

Fish Creek State Park was established to provide recreation along the scenic creek in western Montana's mountainous landscape.

Stream fishing for native trout is the primary draw. The forested canyon setting provides scenic camping. The creek's clear water and rocky pools make it attractive for wading and exploration.

The park offers 19 campsites and day-use facilities. It is located about 5 miles south of Alberton via Fish Creek Road, off Interstate 90.

Native cutthroat trout conservation is a priority. The park protects important stream habitat in a region where native trout face pressure from non-native species and habitat alteration.