Department Of Commerce

Last Updated On: May 20, 2022

Recreate Responsibly

The Montana Office of Tourism is committed to keeping Montana’s outdoor spaces, communities, residents, and visitors safe. Please join us communicating these guidelines for responsible recreation to visitors traveling throughout Montana.

  • Know Before You Go.

    Check the status of the place you want to visit. If it is closed, don’t go. If it is crowded, have a backup plan.

  • Plan Ahead.

    Prepare for facilities to be closed, pack a lunch, and bring essentials like hand sanitizer and a face covering.

  • Explore Locally.

    Limit long-distance travel and make use of local parks, trails, and public spaces. Be mindful of your impact on the communities you visit.

  • Practice Physical Distancing.

    Keep your group size small. Be prepared to cover your nose and mouth and give others space. If you are sick, stay home.

  • Play It Safe.

    Slow down and choose lower-risk activities to reduce your risk of injury. Search and rescue operations and health care resources are both strained.

  • Leave No Trace.

    Respect public lands and waters, as well as Native and local communities. Take all of your garbage with you.

  • Build an Inclusive Outdoors.

    Be an active part of making the outdoors safe and welcoming for all identities and abilities.

As part of this initiative, the Montana Office of Tourism has developed a toolkit of resources to help you educate residents and visitors on safe travel best practices.

What’s in the Toolkit?

The toolkit contains print and digital templates that may be customized to reflect any local restrictions specific to your organization, community, or business. We encourage you to use these pieces to spread the word and build awareness of these important travel messages.

Click here to download Water Safety Toolkit.

Download Recreate Responsibly Toolkit:

  • Printable Posters: Hang in storefront windows, public bulletin boards, etc. Full color and black-and-white versions available.
  • Printable Flyers: Have copies available as a grab-and-go resource for guests.
  • (Zip File w/fonts, Word, PDF) 
  • Printable Table Tent: For placement on tables and counters. (PDF)
  • Website Copy: Update your website to help educate visitors and guests before they arrive.(Word, PDF)
  • Social Media Resources: Image and copy pairings to post on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. 
    • Social Media Post Copy (Word, PDF)
    • Social Media Badges: PNG files to place over images if desired. (Zip File)
    • Social Graphics by Platform (Zip File) 
  • Press Release Template: Get the word out through your local news channels. (Word, PDF)
  • Radio PSA Template: Get the word out through your local radio stations. (Word, PDF)

Fire Safety & Awareness:

Montana's wildland fire season generally starts mid-summer and fires may impact travel and destination visitors. The Montana Office of Tourism has developed a toolkit of resources to help educate residents and visitors on safe travel best practices when it comes to wildland fires and safety. Materials are included for both preventative education as well as materials that can be updated with specific information on local conditions.

The toolkit contains print and digital templates that may be customized to reflect a website for your organization, community, or business. We encourage you to use these pieces to spread the word and build awareness of these important fire safety messages. You can download the entire toolkit or individual pieces below:

Download Fire Safety & Awareness Toolkit:

  • Printable Posters: Hang in storefront windows, public bulletin boards, etc. Full color and black-and-white versions and two content options.
    • All Posters (Zip File) 
    • ‘Aware’ Color: 11 x 17 (Word)
    • ‘Aware’ Black & White: 11 x 17 (Word)
    • ‘Spark’ Color: 11 x 17 (Word)
    • ‘Spark’ Black & White: 11 x 17  (Word)
  • Printable Flyer: For distribution at local businesses and public locations and can be updated for as needed for fire related information.
    • All Flyers (Zip File) 
    • ‘Conditions’ Color: 8.5 X 11 (Word)
    • ‘Conditions’ Black & White: 8.5 x 11 (Word)
    • ‘Spark’ Color: 8.5 X 11 (Word)
    • ‘Spark’ Black & White: 8.5 x 11 (Word)
  • Graphics: Individual graphic elements (Zip File) 
  • Window Clings: For local businesses and public locations. (Zip File)
  • Website Copy: Help educate visitors and guests before they arrive. (Word) 
  • Social Media: Image & copy pairings to post on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.  
  • Press Release Template: Get the word out through your local news channels. (Word) 
  • Radio PSA: Get the word out through your local radio stations. (Word) 
    • ‘Don’t Start the Spark’ 
    • ‘Act Responsibly’ 

Thank you for helping us keep residents and visitors safe!

Other Resources:

Recreate Responsibly

For more Recreate Responsibly information and tips, we encourage you to seek the most current information from the following sources:

RecreateResponsibly.org

Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics

Montana Invasive Species

Invasive species include plants, animals, and microorganisms that are nonnative to our ecosystem and cause harm to natural and cultural resources, the economy, and human health. You can do your part to help protect Montana against the spread of invasive species through these simple actions.

  • Play, Clean, Go - Always wash and dry your boots, bikes, and off-road vehicles between uses.
  • Don't Move Firewood - Buy it where you burn it or gather it on-site. Firewood can harbor insects and diseases, and Montana depends on healthy forests.
  • Noxious Weeds - Clean your gear before and after recreating. Remove weed seeds and
    burs stuck to your shoes, clothing, and pets and dispose in trash. Wash mud from the wheel wells and undercarriage of your vehicle.
  • Clean. Drain. Dry. - Boats can spread harmful aquatic plants, animals and diseases. Clean, drain, and dry your watercraft and gear after every outing. 
  • Squeal on Pigs - Feral swine can impact our water, fish, birds, crops, livestock, and the environment. If you think you see a feral swine, call 406-444-2976

Learn more through this Invasive Species Information Video

Partner Information & Travel Updates

Glacier Country Tourism Recreate Responsibly (Community Information)
Recreate Responsibly in Western Montana (Consumer Information)

Whitefish CVB Recreate Responsibly (Information Page)
Whitefish CVB Friend of the Fish (Video)

Discover Kalispell Recreate Responsibly (Information Page)
Discover Kalispell “Ten Things You Need to Know Before Coming to Montana” (Blog)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Recreate Responsibly (Information including articles on “Traveling in Bear Country” and “Outdoor Recreation Ethics”)

USDA Forest Service Responsible Recreation (Information Page) 

National Park Service (NPS) Recreate Responsibly (Information Page)

Glacier National Park Leave No Trace (Information Page)
Glacier National Park Plan Your Visit (Page)

Yellowstone National Park Plan Your Visit (Page)

Aquatic Invasive Species (Information on protecting Montana waters and watercraft inspection requirements) 

Montana Department of Transportation (Travel Conditions/Alerts/Closures/Incidents)

Status of Montana Parks, Recreation & Public Lands 

Some of the Best Things to do Outdoors this Summer in Montana—Featured on Good Morning America, ABC News’ Will Reeve shows how to take advantage of the great outdoors in Montana this summer with a focus on sustainability and responsible recreation.