Sluice Boxes State Park, State park in Cascade County, Montana.
Sluice Boxes State Park is a natural area in Montana's Little Belt Mountains carved by Belt Creek, featuring dramatic limestone cliffs and rocky ledges across roughly 1,454 acres. The park includes trails that follow the creek bed and traverse the narrow canyon with various difficulty levels for different visitors.
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.
Since 1889, the area evolved from an industrial mining zone into a recreational destination where visitors explore historical structures and natural formations.
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.
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