Makoshika State Park Fully Reopens After July 3 Wildfire

MILES CITY — Makoshika State Park has fully reopened to visitors following a July 3 wildfire that burned 169 acres and forced a partial closure of Montana’s largest state park.

The wind-driven fire spread quickly through the park, prompting officials to close all camping and day-use areas while keeping access limited to the visitor’s center near the park’s entrance. Rain and fire crews had the fire mostly contained by July 4, but hot spots lingered through the weekend.

“With no further hot spots detected this week from a July 3 wildfire, Makoshika State Park fully reopened to visit traffic today,” Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced in a news release.

The fire, which remains under investigation, destroyed the park’s popular yurt campsite and caused significant damage to other facilities. A toilet near the tent campsite was also destroyed, along with picnic tables and signage throughout the affected area.

Park maintenance crews worked this week to remove hazardous trees along roadways to ensure visitor safety. However, four campsites in the fire zone may remain unavailable for the rest of the season as staff work to reclaim those areas. The affected sites will be barricaded while restoration work continues.

The fire’s timing disrupted several of the park’s educational programs, forcing cancellations during the busy summer season. Regular programming is expected to resume, with schedules available at on the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks website.

Dawson County is not currently under fire restrictions, but officials are urging caution as they warn fire danger is increasing across the region this summer.

“Visitors are encouraged to check in advance for any restrictions or closures before coming, and to use extreme caution due to increasing fire danger this summer,” the announcement stated.

Makoshika State Park, whose name comes from the Lakota “maco sica” meaning “bad land” or “land of bad spirits,” spans more than 11,000 acres near Miles City in southeastern Montana and is known for its fossil beds, hiking trails, and distinctive badlands terrain. The park typically hosts thousands of visitors annually, particularly during summer months.

For current information on restrictions and closures, visitors can check fwp.mt.gov or contact FWP Region 7 at mprell@mt.gov.