The following provisions apply to persons engaging in general recreational use of state trust land:

1. (1) A recreational use license as described in ARM 36.25.1203 is required by any person 12 years of age or older.
2. (2) A recreationist must present their license upon request by a Montana game warden or department employee.

3. (3) For motorized vehicle use:

   1. (a) Recreational motorized vehicle use is restricted to open roads.
   2. (b) A person holding a "permit to hunt from vehicle" issued by the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks may drive on any road that is not closed by the department by sign or barrier.
   3. (c) Parking is allowed on open roads in accordance with applicable traffic regulations, and within 50 feet of a customary access point that is accessible by open road. A parked vehicle must not block vehicle access or gates, or cause damage to the land or improvements.

4. (4) For snowmobile use:

   1. (a) Snowmobile use is allowed on open roads where permitted by applicable traffic regulations.
   2. (b) Off-road snowmobile use is only allowed on unleased land. It is not allowed where expressly prohibited by the department.

5. (5) For firearm use:

   1. (a) A person may not use a firearm negligently as defined in 45-2-101, MCA.
   2. (b) A recreationist may not discharge a firearm on state trust land within 1/4 mile of an inhabited dwelling or an outbuilding in close proximity to an inhabited dwelling without permission of an inhabitant. Temporary absences of inhabitants do not render a dwelling uninhabited.
6. (6) Campfires are prohibited on leased or licensed land unless in a designated campground.
7. (7) Fireworks are prohibited.

8. (8) For overnight use:

   1. (a) Overnight use of leased or licensed land must be within 200 feet of a customary access point or public waters such as a stream open to the public for recreational purposes pursuant to the stream access law under 23-2-302, MCA.
   2. (b) Motorized vehicles and camping trailers must be parked according to the requirements described in (3)(c).

   3. (c) Overnight use may not exceed the following time limits:

      1. (i) In a designated campground, the maximum stay is 16 days in a 30-day period.

      2. (ii) For dispersed camping outside of a designated campground, the maximum stay is:

         1. (A) two consecutive days on leased or licensed land; or
         2. (B) 16 days in a 30-day period on land that is not leased or licensed.

   4. (d) A recreationist may keep horses on state trust land overnight, subject to the following restrictions:

      1. (i) horses must not be allowed to remain in stream riparian zones for more than one hour;
      2. (ii) only certified noxious weed seed free forage may be brought onto state trust land; and
      3. (iii) horses must be restrained to minimize impacts to vegetation.
9. (9) Pets must be kept on a leash or otherwise controlled to prevent harassment of livestock or wildlife.

10. (10) Food storage requirements under ARM 12.12.109(1)(a), (b), and (c) apply from March 1 to December 1, or for an extended period of time if posted on site, on state trust land:

    1. (a) located in any county west of the Continental Divide; or
    2. (b) in Glacier, Toole, Pondera, Teton, Lewis and Clark, Cascade, Jefferson, Broadwater, Meagher, Beaverhead, Madison, Gallatin, Park, Sweet Grass, Stillwater, Carbon, Liberty, Blaine, Hill, Chouteau, Fergus, Judith Basin, Wheatland, or Golden Valley Counties.
11. (11) Littering is prohibited.
12. (12) A recreationist may not interfere with the legitimate lease management activities of lessees or their agents.
13. (13) A recreationist may not interfere with a person making lawful recreational use of state trust land.
14. (14) The department may impose additional restrictions pursuant to 77-1-804(6)(h), MCA, to protect public safety, property, or the environment. A recreationist may not violate site specific restrictions.
15. (15) The department may close specific state trust land to recreational use pursuant to ARM 36.25.1207. A recreationist may not violate a closure.
16. (16) State trust land enrolled within a wildlife management area or a block management area are subject to the management area rules set by the Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks. A recreationist may not violate the rules applicable to state trust land enrolled in a wildlife management area or block management area.
17. (17) Recreationists are responsible for determining whether state trust land is legally accessible.
18. (18) A recreationist may not trespass onto private lands, regardless of the absence of fencing or signage.
19. (19) A person who violates a recreational use rule is subject to penalties described in ARM 36.25.1212.

Authorizing statute(s): 77-1-209, 77-1-804, MCA

Implementing statute(s): 77-1-804, 77-1-806, MCA

History: NEW, 2025 MAR, Notice No. 2025-91, Eff. 11/8/25.