Sluice Boxes State Park, State park in Cascade County, Montana, United States

Sluice Boxes State Park is a public recreation area twelve miles south of Belt on the Kings Hill Scenic Byway, where the northernmost eight miles of the Belt Creek canyon wind out of the Little Belt Mountains between large cliffs and ledges. Remains of the canyon's mining and railroading days stand throughout, and the park offers fishing, hiking, floating, picnicking and backcountry camping.

This area became an active mining zone in the late 1800s with the Montana Central Railroad and Barker Mines extracting silver and transporting ore to regional smelters. As mining operations ceased, the terrain gradually transformed into a protected space for outdoor recreation and environmental conservation.

The canyon holds visible traces of its mining and railroading past, such as the remains of old structures scattered along the Belt Creek route. Visitors today walk, fish and float through the same eight-mile canyon, and the Kings Hill Scenic Byway brings them to the park entrance twelve miles south of Belt.

The best time to visit is spring through fall when trails are passable and weather is stable. Bring sturdy footwear and plenty of water, as hikes can be demanding and shade is limited along the canyon routes.

The railroad once ran special fishing excursions bringing anglers up the canyon for weekend trips after the creek earned recognition as a premium trout stream. Today fly fishing remains a highlight, with waters that still support healthy fish populations.