Montana has some great playgrounds – here are the ones I’ve found so far. Do you know of another one that should be on this list? Please let me know!
Near Glacier
Columbia Falls
Marantette Park – 133 13th St E, Columbia Falls
Lovely park with sheltered picnic tables and nice large trees for shade. The playground has something for everyone and makes a great stop before heading into or going out of Glacier National Park. Big Sky Water Park is just a short drive away.
Kalispell
Woodland Park Playground – Conrad Dr & Woodland Ave, Kalispell
Woodland Park is located in a beautiful wooded area with a great playground, sheltered picnic area, duck ponds, public restroom and a seasonal waterpark right nearby.
Lawrence Park – 1105 North Main Street, Kalispell
The playground in Lawrence Park is located in a quiet area next to a large grassy area with space for soccer, frisbee golf and ultimate frisbee. In addition to the playground (which has a zipline) you can also find a climbing boulder, public washroom, pathways and trails and access to the Stilwater River.
Whitefish
Baker Park – 5th St and Central Ave
In addition to a great playground with sections for school-aged and preschool children surrounded by large trees, you can also find picnic tables, a gazebo, a seasonal washroom and river access. The playground is a short drive away from City Beach.
Polson
Riverside Park – 1st St W &3rd Ave W
Riverside Park is located right along and river and has a playground, grassy area, public bathrooms and a roped off river swimming area.
Along I-15 (south from Lethbridge)
Shelby
Johnson Memorial Park – This playground isn’t amazing, but the town is just inside the border and Shelby also has a sizeable truck stop making it a really good pit stop. On the south side of the trees you can also find their indoor pool which has a free spray park too.
Great Falls
Gibson Park Playground – Park Dr N & 4th Ave N
Gibson Park is park of a large park area located along the river in Great Falls. There are playground structures for small and bigger kids, swings and lovely large trees. There is also nearby raised train tracks, historical features, public washroom and flower gardens.
To the North there is a duck pond which is a bit more of a goose pond when we’ve been there. It’s lovely and you can see a lot of waterfowl but the goose poop is no joke. A short walk under the train tracks will take you to their skatepark and to Riverside Park’s playground (below).
Elks Riverside Park – River Dr N & 6th St N
A short walk from Gibson Park, Elks Riverside Park offers a nice playground, much quieter setting, views of the river, covered picnic area, public washrooms and the skatepark is a nearby.
Broadwater Bay Park– River Dr S & Broadwater Dr
Broadwater Bay Park is further south along the river from Gibson and Elks Riverside Park. The playground is great but what I really love is the old artistic playground features that they have kept after redeveloping the playground.
Helena
Centennial Park – 1250 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena
Centennial Park and Memorial Park (below) are both walking distance from Carousel Way where you can find Exploration Works! (Helena’s science centre) and the Great Northern Carousel (and ice cream shop).
Centennial Park has a great playground, bike park, climbing boulder, fitness loop, dog park and lots of green space.
Memorial Park – 1203 N Last Chance Gulch, Helena
The last time we were at Helena’s Memorial Park playground, the playground was in need of a little TLC but it was still a lot of fun. The kids love this castle-like style playground that we don’t have in Calgary. You can also find the Last Chance Outdoor Waterpark and Pool nearby.
Along I-90
Missoula
Dragon Hollow Playground – S Ryman St & W Front St
This playground is so nice looking you’ll feel like you should be paying but it is free to access. It’s located right next to A Carousel for Missoula and a short walk from the Children’s Museum Missoula. It has been recently updated and now includes an accessible area.
Silver Summit Playground – Cregg Ln & Cottonwood St
Located a short drive from Dragons Hollow Playground, the creators of this playground tried really hard to make this playground inclusive and fun for kids of all abilities. In the surrounding McCormick park you can also find picnic tables, pathways, silver’s lagoon, children’s fishing pond, a ropes course and skate park and public restroom by the softball fields.
Philipsburg
Located along the Pintler Veterans Memorial Scenic Highway (alternative route to I-90 from Missoula to Butte)
School Hill Road and Schnepel St
This school playground is done in a wooden construction style you don’t see in Calgary. It makes a great stop if you are going to the popular Sweet Palace Candy Shop.
Butte
Stodden Park – Rowe Rd & Holmes Ave
Inclusive playground for kids of all abilities – huge playground with a mix of pour-in-place recycled tire and engineered wood fiber chips. Includes a toddler area, swings (regular, baby, accessible and a double swing), zipline, interesting climbers and slides. This million dollar playground is definitely worth a visit.
The larger park area also includes a water park and a carousel.
Bozeman
Dinosaur Playground – Davis Ln & Winter Park St
This playground has a dinosaur theme which fits in well with the nearby Museum of the Rockies which has a large dinosaur exhibit. It is located along Gallatin County Regional Park where you can find walking paths, a pond, covered picnic area, giant climbing rocks, swimming area and beach, port-a-potties and a skate park.
Billings
Pioneer Park – Parkhill Dr & 3rd St W, Billings
This playground has something for everyone from little kids to bigger kids who need more of a challenge. It’s located in the centre of a lovely park with a public washroom, large trees, picnic areas, a creek, picnic tables, sports fields and a wading pool.
South Park – South Broadway, 6th Ave S, Billings
South Park’s playground is located in the center of the park area and has equipment that both little kids and big kids will love. The playground is right next to the new (fenced) spray park. The park also offers public washrooms, picnic sites, sports fields, and an outdoor swimming pool.
Near Yellowstone
West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone Town Park – Firehole Ave & N Canyon St
A great stop before heading into Yellowstone if you are using the West Entrance to the park. The playground is solid with large trees, shaded picnic areas and public washrooms.
