Judith Landing State Park is Montana’s newest state park, established in January 2025 after Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) acquired a 109.43-acre property at the confluence of the Missouri and Judith Rivers in north-central Montana.

Located within the scenic Missouri River Breaks and part of the Judith Landing Historic District, the park is rich in cultural, historical, and natural significance.

Details

The parks location is approximately 50 miles north of Lewistown, 44 miles south of Big Sandy, and 23 miles northwest of Winifred, accessible via Montana Highway 236 (partially paved, partially gravel).

The site has been used for millennia by Indigenous groups like the Blackfeet and Assiniboine for seasonal camps and tribal peace councils.

In 1805, Lewis and Clark camped nearby during their expedition and in 1855, paleontologist Ferdinand Hayden discovered the first documented dinosaur skeletal remains in North America here.

The area hosted Montana’s first military post, Camp Cooke (1866–1870), and was a key stop for steamboat traffic.

The PN Ranch, established by Thomas C. Power and Gilman R. Norris in the 1880s, became one of Montana’s earliest large cattle ranches.

Historic Structures

The Norris ranch house (1901), a symbol of Montana’s ranching legacy.

A granite and sandstone store/warehouse (1882, partially collapsed).

A log post office, root cellar, schoolhouse, and blacksmith shop.

The property includes ranch land and riparian habitat, with significant wildlife and diverse fish species in the Missouri and Judith Rivers.

It offers scenic cottonwood galleries and access to the Upper Missouri National Wild and Scenic River.

Current Status

The park is undeveloped, with no on-site amenities. Visitors should expect a “rustic” experience (pack in/pack out trash, no water or hookups).

FWP has proposed a development plan to preserve historic structures and enhance public access, with funding requests submitted for the 2025 Montana legislative session. Development is anticipated for 2026 or 2027 if funds are secured.

Recreation Opportunities

Activities include camping, wildlife watching, hiking, fishing, boating, and water-based recreation.

The nearby Judith Landing Campground (managed by the Bureau of Land Management, open May 15–October 15) offers eight first-come, first-serve campsites with fire rings, picnic tables, vault toilets, and trash dumpsters, but no water or reservations. It’s a popular launch point for watercraft on the Missouri River.

Public Involvement

FWP is seeking community input through open house meetings (held in May 2025) to shape the park’s future development and management.

Visitors are asked to respect the historic and cultural significance by not disturbing buildings, archaeological features, or artifacts.

Judith Landing State Park is a unique convergence of Montana’s Indigenous, exploratory, military, and ranching histories.

Its designation as a state park ensures perpetual public access, historical preservation, and expanded recreational opportunities in a region with limited state parks.

The park’s remote location offers a chance to step back in time while enjoying the natural beauty of the Missouri River Breaks.

For more information or updates on development plans you can contact:

Mailing Address: FWP Region 4 Headquarters
Attn: Judith Landing State Park
4600 Giant Springs Rd

Great Falls Mt, 59405

Phone: 406-454-5854

Email: cannon.colegrove@mt.gov

Wadsworth Park here in Great Falls, has seen several recent improvements aimed at enhancing its facilities and accessibility, making it a more attractive community destination.

Here’s a summary of some recent key upgrades at the park:

Wadsworth Pond Bank Stabilization

In October 2024, construction began to install rock along the banks of Wadsworth Pond at seven locations.

This project, funded largely by a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Community Ponds Grant, along with contributions from Montana Trout Unlimited, Missouri River Fly Fishers, and Walleyes Unlimited, aims to control erosion, improve water quality for fish and wildlife, and provide safer public access points to the water.

The initiative addresses sediment issues that were degrading the pond’s ecosystem.

Permanent Toilets

In April 2025, the Walleyes Unlimited Great Falls chapter, in collaboration with Great Falls Parks & Recreation, successfully installed a permanent double-vaulted toilet at the park after over three years of effort. The Wadsworth Pond Community Coalition plans to add two more toilets to improve visitor convenience

Future Planned Improvements

The Wadsworth Pond Community Coalition, comprising groups like the Sun River Watershed Group, Great Falls Parks & Recreation, and Walleyes Unlimited, is working on additional enhancements.

These include installing picnic pavilions, planting more trees, and further improving the fishery.

A $150,000 donation from Howard and Shawna Strause in 2025 is supporting these efforts, with a goal to complete projects by the end of summer 2025.

The coalition aims to make the park a family-friendly destination for activities like fishing, disc golf, and water sports.

Fishery and Water Quality Enhancements

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has noted significant improvements in the pond’s fishery, with over 900 fish, including yellow perch, transferred in 2021 to bolster populations.

Improved water management by the West Great Falls Flood District and the City of Great Falls has enhanced water quantity and quality, leading to thriving fish populations, including walleye over 8 pounds.

A 2021 FWP Community Pond Program grant of over $40,000 funded pipe improvements to address water quality and level concerns, further supporting angling opportunities.

Community Engagement

The Wadsworth Pond Community Coalition is open to public participation, encouraging community involvement in ongoing and future improvements.

The park has seen increased visitor traffic, reflecting its growing popularity for activities like kayaking, paddle boarding, and dog walking.

These improvements are transforming Wadsworth Park into a more accessible and enjoyable space for recreation, with a focus on environmental sustainability and community use.

For the latest updates or to get involved, contact the Great Falls Parks and Recreation Department at (406) 771-1265.

– image by Lynndsie T Hamilton

Montana voters are facing updated identification requirements following the recent signing of Senate Bill 276 (PDF) by Governor Greg Gianforte. These changes affect both voter registration and in-person voting procedures.

Voter Registration ID Options

To register to vote in Montana, you must provide one of the following:

• • Montana driver’s license number
  • Last four digits of your Social Security Number (SSN)

Other forms of current and valid photo identification, such as:

• • School district or postsecondary education photo ID
  • Tribal photo ID

If you do not have a photo ID, you can use at least one of these qualifying documents showing your name and current address:

• • Current utility bill
  • Bank statement
  • Paycheck
  • Government check
  • Other government document

In-Person Voting ID Options

When voting in person, you will be asked to present identification. Acceptable forms include:

• • Valid Montana driver’s license
  • Montana state identification card
  • Military ID
  • Tribal photo ID
  • U.S. passport
  • Montana concealed carry permit
  • School district or postsecondary education photo ID

If you do not have a photo ID, you must present a current document with your name and address (such as a utility bill or government document).
Previously, voters could not use non-photo ID options such as a piece of mail or by filling out a form to vote.

Provisional Voting

If you are unable to provide any of the above identification options, you can contact your county election official to discuss the provisional voting process.

Absentee Voting

All registered Montana voters can request an absentee ballot.

Summary Table: Acceptable Voter ID in Montana

These changes are now in effect, and voters are encouraged to review their identification documents ahead of upcoming elections to ensure compliance with the new requirements.

The future of kitchen lighting is likely to focus on a blend of functionality, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal, driven by advancements in technology and design trends. Based on current developments and the trajectory of smart home innovations, here are the key directions:

Smart Lighting Integration:

Kitchen lighting will increasingly integrate with smart home systems. LED lights with IoT capabilities will allow users to control brightness, color temperature, and even lighting scenes via apps or voice assistants like Alexa or Google Home. For example, you might set a warm, dim light for a cozy dinner or a bright, cool light for food prep, all with a simple voice command. Some systems may even sync with circadian rhythms, adjusting light tones to promote alertness during the day and relaxation at night.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability:

LED technology will continue to dominate due to its low energy consumption and long lifespan. Future kitchens might incorporate solar-powered lighting or energy-harvesting systems, like kinetic energy from opening cabinets, to power small lights. Additionally, manufacturers are likely to use more eco-friendly materials, such as recycled plastics or biodegradable components, in lighting fixtures.

Adaptive and Task-Oriented Lighting:

Lighting will become more task-specific, with under-cabinet lights, recessed lighting, and pendant lights designed to adapt to the user’s activities. Motion sensors and AI could automatically adjust lighting based on where you’re standing or what you’re doing—brighter lights over the stove when you’re cooking, softer ambient lighting when you’re dining. Some systems might use cameras or heat sensors to detect activity and optimize illumination accordingly.

Aesthetic and Customizable Designs:

Lighting will play a bigger role in kitchen aesthetics. Expect to see more sculptural fixtures, like minimalist LED strips or artistic pendants, that double as decor. Customizable lighting, where you can change colors or patterns, will also grow in popularity—imagine a backsplash with embedded LED panels that shift hues to match your mood or the season.

Hygienic and Health-Focused Features:

With a growing emphasis on hygiene, especially post-pandemic, UV-C lighting might be integrated into kitchens to sanitize surfaces when not in use. These lights would activate automatically during off-hours, killing bacteria on countertops or utensils without human intervention.

Augmented Reality (AR) and Interactive Lighting:

As AR technology advances, kitchen lighting could become interactive. For instance, lights might project recipes or cooking guides onto countertops, or highlight specific areas of the kitchen for meal prep. This could be paired with gesture controls, allowing you to swipe through instructions without touching a screen.

The overall trend points toward kitchens that are smarter, more sustainable, and highly personalized, with lighting that enhances both functionality and the overall experience. While some of these technologies, like UV-C or AR lighting, are still emerging, they’re likely to become more mainstream in the next 5-10 years as costs decrease and adoption grows.