Montana's Map Reveals 1.56M Acres of State Trust Lands Remain Inaccessible
Karmactive Team
Montana's new digital mapping tool exposes 1.56 million acres of state trust lands trapped behind private property gates - what does this mean for outdoor enthusiasts?
Recent DNRC data reveals nearly 25% of Montana's state trust lands require private landowner permission for access, despite generating $335 million for education.
Central and southeastern Montana face the highest concentration of landlocked public parcels, where private ranches completely surround state sections.
How does an $8 conservation license grant Montanans access to these working lands that support farming, ranching, and energy industries?
The interactive map distinguishes accessible state lands with blue borders from inaccessible ones marked in red, alongside crucial recreation information.
Legal walk-in access, motorized routes, and water access under Montana's Stream Access Law determine public accessibility criteria.
DNRC's new tool integrates fire restrictions, block management agreements, and cultural resource protection guidelines in one comprehensive platform.
Which special scenario parcels require additional research before public access can be granted?
As eleven Western states join Utah's lawsuit seeking control over federal lands, Montana's mapping initiative raises questions about future public land management.