Park County is located in southcentral Montana. When the Northern Pacific Railroad opened its central repair facility in 1882, it established Livingston as a major transportation hub in the region. Livingston is located at the intersection of Interstate 90 and Highway 89, is home to Montana Rail Link, and is in close proximity to the two busiest international airports in the state.

Park County covers a land area of 2,803 square miles ranging in elevation from 4,000 to 12,000 feet and had a population density of 5.6 people per square mile. Nestled between four mountain ranges and spanning the beautiful Paradise and Shields Valleys, Park County is the 12th most populous county in Montana.

Arts & Culture

When you need a break from the trails, Park County has a wide array of cultural amenities created by the number of resident artists, musicians, writers, and actors.

A walk along Livingston’s Main Street delights the eyes with the downtown’s public sculptures and art galleries that range from classic Western to modern. The Livingston Art Gallery Association hosts summer art walks where you can visit dozens of galleries as you walk the historic downtown. You’ll find other galleries, shops, and art displays throughout Park County’s valleys and prairies, sometimes where you least expect them in the coffee shops, homes, or studios that are just off the beaten paths.

Take in the Livingston Roundup Rodeo over the 4th of July weekend. This a popular event the top rodeo cowboys and cowgirls in the country and draws crowds into the 10,000s. If something a bit smaller is your style, catch one of the many ranch rodeos around the county for a real Montana cowboy culture experience.

Music abounds at local nightspots, outdoor venues, and seasonal festivals. Plus, the area boasts live theater at the historic Shane Center for the Arts and Blue Slipper Theatre, as well seasonal and outdoor venues across the county. The area’s numerous authors and independent bookstores mean frequent readings, signings, and other literary events.

History, museums, and shopping round out Park County’s entertainment offerings.

Climate

Sitting at 4,500 feet elevation, Livingston has a cool, semi-arid climate typical of the mountains and valleys in the northern Rocky Mountains. Park County’s mountainous geography and high elevation produces dynamic weather patterns across all seasons. The topography surrounding Livingston creates windy conditions, especially in winter.

Due to the latitude and elevation, Park County has four distinct seasons. Spring brings rainy weather, with a third of the 17 inches of annual precipitation falling at that time. Summer brings long warm days and cool nights. The average growing season is 105 days with the first significant frost typically occurring in September.

Fall is a lovely time of year when the mountains are dusted with snow and the cottonwoods along area rivers turn vivid shades of yellow and orange, making for a stunning backdrop for an afternoon float. Winters can come early and stay late, providing a long, snowy season for winter recreationalists.

Education

Community-oriented schools form the core of Park County’s education system. Each school prides itself on close connections with its students and their families. Children in larger communities attend traditional-style school systems that feature elementary, middle, and high schools while those in the rural areas typically start at smaller schools and transition to the larger schools for later grades.

Park High School, the largest high school in Park County, recently completed a major, $15 million renovation project. The remodel included adding a new multipurpose space, improving science labs and vocational classrooms, and upgrading the track and field facility. Gardiner High School was ranked the #1 high school in Montana in 2017 and is currently undergoing certification to become the first LEED school in the state. Shields Valley High School is the smallest high school in the county, yet consistently provides high quality, personalized instruction to its student body.

Montana State University and Gallatin College in neighboring Gallatin County, plus Montana State University Billings in neighboring Yellowstone County, offer local students close-to-home options for pursuing higher education. The three colleges’ proximity also offer opportunities for adults seeking continuing education and workforce training.

History

Park County was created by the territorial legislature February 23, 1887. Prior to the 1880s, the region was Crow territory. The first record of white men in the region was Lewis and Clark.

Trapping, mining, ranching, and tourism opened the region to settlement in the mid- and late 1800s. By 1880, the population for the county was only about 200. This led to the creation Yellowstone National Park by Congress in 1872, the country’s first national park.

In 1881, the Northern Pacific Railroad, building a line westward, entered the state of Montana. Livingston was reached on November 22, 1882 where a settlement of 500 people had sprung up. That same year it opened its central repair facility and established Livingston as a major transportation hub in the region. In 1883, the National Park Branch of the NP Railroad was completed and the east west sections of the railroad joined together near Garrison, opening up the entire country to rail.

Following these events, the local area had a period of rapid growth. By 1890, the county had a population of 6,900. Steady growth since then has brought the county to where it is today.

Healthcare

Whether you live in town or in a rural area, Park County has a range of high-quality options for access to health care.

Recently named one of the Top 20 Critical Access Hospitals in the country, Livingston HealthCare provides quality care at its recently construced $43.5 million hospital and medical campus in Livingston. LHC also provides comprehensive medial services at the Shields Valley Clinic in Wilsall. LHC is affiliated with Billings Clinic, Montana’s largest hospital and health care group, and draws upon its specialists and experts to provide additional care for patients in Park County.

Community Health Partners, associated with the nonprofit group America’s Health Centers, also operates a clinic and dental clinic in Livingston. Plus, Park County has independent providers including dentists and eye care professionals as well clinics and health care providers in additional communities.

Housing

When it comes to finding a place to call home in Park County, you’ll find many options.

Park County has many homes that are close to small but bustling historic downtowns. Or you can choose more modern homes in newer neighborhoods. If you want to get out of town, there are working ranches, rural properties, luxury homes, mountain cabins, and riverside retreats.

In recent years many individuals and families have moved to Livingston for the quality of life, connection to the community, and the competitive home prices. Wherever you land, the common thread is quaint communities and gorgeous landscapes.

Recreation

Season by season, Park County is full of exceptional beauty. Multiple mountain ranges ring the valleys while rivers and streams meander through the open lands making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.

Fishing, hunting, mountain biking, rafting, wildlife watching, photography, hiking, kayaking, motor sports, cross-country skiing, backcountry skiing, snowmobiling — it’s all here. Park County has a wealth of public lands and is the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park. This area is known for its uncrowded recreation areas that offer an escape from the everyday.