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Fish Creek trail proposal is open for comment
- carolyne334
- Mar 27
- 3 min read
Updated: Apr 2
We need your voice!
Keep reading for context and points of consideration, then click the link at the bottom to add your thoughts and support our initiative.
Fish Creek Wildlife Management Area and State Park is approximately 42,000 acres of public land adjacent to the Great Burn Proposed Wilderness and is located approximately 25 miles west of Missoula in Mineral County. A former FWP director carved out a section of this acreage to create an approximately 5600-acre State Park that will allow for managed recreation use and associated infrastructure. The state park is in the process of land management planning that is a necessary step to provide guidance to the land managers as they determine what recreational uses will be allowed, what infrastructure is needed, and how the park should be responsibly developed and managed into the future.
Part of the planning process requires the land management agencies to seek public input. During the first round of planning that took place, MMBC provided input on trail development and proposed a plan that included approximately 20 miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails. Due to several factors, that initial planning process was halted.
Over the past year, the planning process has restarted with a slightly different group of stakeholders, and MMBC continues to be well-positioned to provide valuable input on where trails could be built and how to build trails in a way that is appealing to mountain bikers. Our organization is participating in the process to hear what other groups have to say about their interests, as well as to inform the land managers and other stakeholders about the importance of a well-built trail system that provides a beneficial recreational resource for Mineral County that is likely to draw visitors to the State Park.
At this point in the process, the State of Montana and FWP is seeking the public’s input on the land management process. MMBC members have an opportunity to weigh in on an area that could see the development of a whole new system of purpose-build bike trails.
So, we need your help! We need you to submit comments telling the land managers what kind of trails and infrastructure you’d Iike to see made available in Fish Creek State Park. Here are a couple of talking points for you to consider in your comments:
Responsible trail development and long-term maintenance in select areas to minimize impacts to land and help protect wildlife in the park with habitat protection built into a wildlife-sensitive design (Whitetail Flats area is an ideal location for main trailhead).
Trail system with close proximity to Interstate 90 and ease of access close to the state park entrance would be preferable for supporting local businesses and sustainable tourism.
Stacked loop, purpose-built, and directional trails are preferable; with some trails managed as bike-only downhill trails. Multi-use, non-motorized trails are also acceptable, as are progression-based trails for beginners, families, and advanced riders.
Singletrack style trails (both bike-only and multi-use) that offer a variety of features including technical trail features (rocks and rock gardens, roots, natural drops) as well as areas of flow type trail riding that utilize our natural terrain.
Camping areas would add more appeal for rider looking for a weekend of camping and riding or for bikers passing through the area to stop and camp/ride.
Roads are an important feature for access to build trails as well as to provide short connectors between trails however, roads converted to trails are not a desirable experience for mountain biking.
Comments can be submitted here:
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