Restrictions at Cooney State Park During Restoration Project This Spring

March 30, 2026
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Montana's Cooney State Park, a prime spot for outdoor enthusiasts to exercise their Second Amendment rights—think concealed carry hikes, family target practice sessions on public lands, or simply packing heat while fishing the reservoir—is hitting a temporary snag this spring. From April 6 to May 13, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is launching a shoreline restoration project to fix the scars left by the devastating 2022 floods. That means closures and restrictions at Marshall Cove and Red Lodge campgrounds, with only Cottonwood Campground staying open for business. It's a classic case of Mother Nature's wrath meeting government bandaids, but for 2A folks, it's a reminder that even in wide-open Big Sky Country, state-managed recreation areas can flip from open carry paradise to restricted zones without much notice. Digging deeper, this isn't just about dirt and dredging; it's a microcosm of how environmental projects can encroach on our public land freedoms. FWP hasn't explicitly banned firearms in the announcement, and Montana law still allows permitless concealed carry statewide (thanks to HB 102 from 2021), plus open carry for those 21+. But closures mean fewer access points for responsible armed recreation—hunting prep, plinking, or self-defense during backcountry camping. Imagine planning a family outing with your AR-15 slung for varmint control, only to find gates locked and rangers redirecting you to Cottonwood, potentially overcrowding the one open spot. We've seen this playbook before: post-disaster restorations often balloon into permanent fixtures, like expanded no-shoot buffers or safety ordinances that chip away at 2A access. The 2022 floods wrecked shorelines across the West, prompting billions in fed funding via Biden's infrastructure bills—watch for how that green money translates to more rules layered on top of our rights. 2A community, here's the pro tip: Don't wait for FWP to clarify. Scout Cottonwood now via apps like onX Hunt for legal shooting spots nearby, pack your MT concealed permit (or go permitless), and hit up local commissioners before May 13 to voice support for full, armed access post-project. This is low-hanging fruit to reinforce that public lands are for *all* Americans, including those who value self-reliance with a sidearm. Stay vigilant—spring restoration could be tomorrow's climate resilience excuse for broader restrictions. Gear up, get out there, and keep the Second Amendment firing on all cylinders.

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Montana’s Cooney State Park, a prime spot for outdoor enthusiasts to exercise their Second Amendment rights—think concealed carry hikes, family target practice sessions on public lands, or simply packing heat while fishing the reservoir—is hitting a temporary snag this spring. From April 6 to May 13, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is launching a shoreline restoration project to fix the scars left by the devastating 2022 floods. That means closures and restrictions at Marshall Cove and Red Lodge campgrounds, with only Cottonwood Campground staying open for business. It’s a classic case of Mother Nature’s wrath meeting government bandaids, but for 2A folks, it’s a reminder that even in wide-open Big Sky Country, state-managed recreation areas can flip from open carry paradise to restricted zones without much notice.

Digging deeper, this isn’t just about dirt and dredging; it’s a microcosm of how environmental projects can encroach on our public land freedoms. FWP hasn’t explicitly banned firearms in the announcement, and Montana law still allows permitless concealed carry statewide (thanks to HB 102 from 2021), plus open carry for those 21+. But closures mean fewer access points for responsible armed recreation—hunting prep, plinking, or self-defense during backcountry camping. Imagine planning a family outing with your AR-15 slung for varmint control, only to find gates locked and rangers redirecting you to Cottonwood, potentially overcrowding the one open spot. We’ve seen this playbook before: post-disaster restorations often balloon into permanent fixtures, like expanded no-shoot buffers or safety ordinances that chip away at 2A access. The 2022 floods wrecked shorelines across the West, prompting billions in fed funding via Biden’s infrastructure bills—watch for how that green money translates to more rules layered on top of our rights.

2A community, here’s the pro tip: Don’t wait for FWP to clarify. Scout Cottonwood now via apps like onX Hunt for legal shooting spots nearby, pack your MT concealed permit (or go permitless), and hit up local commissioners before May 13 to voice support for full, armed access post-project. This is low-hanging fruit to reinforce that public lands are for *all* Americans, including those who value self-reliance with a sidearm. Stay vigilant—spring restoration could be tomorrow’s climate resilience excuse for broader restrictions. Gear up, get out there, and keep the Second Amendment firing on all cylinders.

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