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The Flathead and Mission Valleys are great places to get outside and start your new year off with a First Day Expedition. On the first day of 2026, all the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, State Park sites: Flathead Lake (all units), Lone Pine, Whitefish, Lake Mary Ronan, Les Meson, Logan, Thompson Chain of Lake and Somers Beach State Parks invite you to go outside and discover your state parks. To help guide your winter expedition, you have an opportunity to win some prizes! To earn points, you must take a photograph of each activity and submit via email to [email protected]. All activities must occur at one of the participating parks listed above on January 1st, 2025. Photos, names of participants, and miles hiked/ran must be submitted via email to [email protected] by 6 PM on January 3 to be entered to win prizes. Point breakdown:
1 Point categories:
• Wildlife Track Pictures
o 1 point per wildlife species properly identified by its track, with picture.
• Tree/shrub Identification
o 1 point per species you correctly ID with picture.
• Litter Patrol
o 1 point per piece of litter that is not your own trash collected.
2 Point categories:
• Per mile, per person hiked/ran/skied/snowshoed.
• Per snow angel (or other angel if no snow is present).
• Per snow creature built, extra points are awarded for creativity.
5 Point categories:
• Having a picnic
• Sunrise Picture
o Must be time stamped with January 1st, 2025
• Fishing
o Ice fishing (if safe ice available) or gear fishing or fly fishing.
• Making a campfire (where permitted and only in designated fire rings) and having S’mores
o Please remember to drown your fires before you leave for your next adventure.
• Reimagine what you’re seeing and draw what it would look like in the summer.
• Write one intention for 2026 that is inspired by the places you have visited throughout the day.
10 Point Categories:
• Per person for wading into a lake at least ankle deep.
• Utilizing one of the archery ranges, Big Arm unit of Flathead Lake State Park or Lone Pine State Park.
• Per Park that you travel to.
o Picture of you at the entrance signs as proof.
Photos, names of participants, and miles hiked/ran must be submitted via email to [email protected] by 6 PM on January 3 to be entered to win prizes.
1st place:
Two nights at either Big Arm Unit of FHLSP yurt or Finley Point Unit of FHLSP cabin
2nd place:
Two nights of camping at Logan State Park or Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park
3rd place:
$40 at either Lone Pine State Park or Flathead Lake Ranger Station gift shop
4th place:
REI Water Bottle
For More information call the Ranger Station at Wayfarers: (406) 837-3041 ext.0
What: First Day Hike Extravaganza
When: Thursday, January 1st 2026 from 8 AM to 5 PM
Where: Flathead Lake State Park (all units), Lone Pine State Park, Somers Beach State Park, Whitefish State Park, Les Mason State Park, Lake Mary Ronan State Park, Logan State Park, and Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park.
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