Lone Pine State Park will continue to offer its outdoor education programs through free, family-friendly public events for the remainder of the month.

Located five miles southwest of Kalispell, the park offers more than seven miles of hiking trails and an interpretive center with information about living in a wilderness-urban interface. Other amenities at Lone Pine State Park include a picnic area and community room, both of which are available for rent, as well as a horseshoe pit and archery range. Visitors are charged an $8 vehicle fee for nonresidents.

Celebrating Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday^th To commemorate his 100th birthday, several educational programs will honor the legacy of the public service icon, such as Smokey’s Storywalk, which will be open to visitors as a self-guided experience from August 10-16. Visitors can explore the trail and discover Smokey’s story at their own pace, starting behind the picnic shelter. “Ignite Your Fire Knowledge,” an engaging program that explores the world of fire ecology and how fire promotes new growth, is scheduled for Saturday, August 10, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. There will be opportunities to learn fire safety practices to protect local communities and homes.

The park is also hosting a casual field trip on Thursday, August 15, 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. and Saturday, August 17, 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. to learn about local bird species, immerse yourself in nature, and share your passion for birdwatching with others. This Saturday, participants will have the opportunity to journal during the “Introduction to Nature Journaling” hike, where curious beginners and experienced creatives alike can deepen their connection to nature while documenting the natural world through drawing and writing.

On Thursday, August 22, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Denny Olson, conservation educator at Flathead Audubon, will lead an exciting raptor identification and recognition workshop to enhance participants’ birdwatching skills.

The Camo program continues every Sunday at the Visitor Center. Camo, the resident bull snake, enjoys her weekly meal while visitors learn more about her behavior and her world.

Some events have limited seating. To secure a spot, call 406-755-2706 to register.

Learn more about Montana’s state parks at https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks.