Lone Pine

Lone Pine State Park encompasses 270 acres on a forested hillside overlooking the Flathead Valley near Kalispell in Flathead County. The park provides year-round recreation with trails, interpretive exhibits, and panoramic views of the valley, Flathead Lake, and surrounding mountain ranges.

The forest supports white-tailed deer, black bears, red squirrels, and diverse songbirds. Raptors including red-tailed hawks hunt from the park's elevated vantage points. The varied habitats from forest to grassland support good species diversity.

Ponderosa pine and Douglas fir forests cover the hillside. Native bunchgrasses and wildflowers grow in open meadows. The park's elevation provides a transition from valley grasslands to montane forests.

The park sits on a forested ridge above the Flathead Valley, a major glacially carved lowland. The ridge provides commanding views of the valley floor, Flathead Lake to the south, and mountain ranges in all directions.

The Flathead Valley experiences cold winters and warm summers, moderated somewhat by the proximity to Flathead Lake. Annual precipitation averages about 16 inches at valley level, with more on the hillside.

The Flathead Valley has been home to the Salish and Kootenai peoples for thousands of years. Kalispell developed as a railroad town in the 1890s and grew into northwestern Montana's commercial center.

Lone Pine State Park was developed to provide year-round outdoor recreation near Kalispell. The park's visitor center and trail system make it a popular community resource.

Over 7 miles of trails serve hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding in summer, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. The visitor center provides exhibits on local ecology. Panoramic valley views are outstanding.

The park offers a visitor center, extensive trails, picnic facilities, and an archery range. It is located about 4 miles southwest of Kalispell, accessible via Foys Lake Road.

The park preserves an important forested hillside near Kalispell from development. Trail management addresses erosion on the hilly terrain. Environmental education programs serve the community.