Montana Trails Updated for Accessibility

The Montana Conservation Corps improved accessibility at Flathead Lake State Park’s Harry Horn Trail.

Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Hiking

Bold vector editorial illustration of a wide, level gravel trail winding through a stylized forest. — The Montana Conservation Corps has completed accessibility improvements at Flathead Lake State Park, widening trails to better accommodate visitors with disabilities. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Montana Conservation Corps completed trail work at the Harry Horn Trail within the Wayfarers Unit of Flathead Lake State Park. The project successfully widened and leveled paths to ensure safer outdoor recreation for individuals with disabilities.

Why it matters

By incorporating feedback from the disability community, the foundation aims to uphold the principle of nothing about us without us in park development. This effort makes outdoor spaces significantly more inclusive for visitors with mobility, vision, and hearing impairments.

A Walk Move Audit involving 20 participants with lived disability experience informed the project. Crews improved accessibility by clearing brush, removing roots, and widening paths.

The players

Montana Conservation Corps

This organization provides hands-on service and conservation projects for public lands across the state.

Montana State Parks Foundation

The foundation works to enhance the state park system through community partnerships and project funding.

University of Montana Rural Institute for Inclusive Communities

This research center focuses on improving the independence and inclusion of people with disabilities in rural areas.

Summit Independent Living

This non-profit organization advocates for the rights and independence of people with disabilities in Montana.

Whitefish Community Foundation

This organization manages charitable grants and community programs to support regional development.

The details

The Montana Conservation Corps crew executed the manual labor of clearing brush and removing rocks and roots to level the terrain. These enhancements were guided by a planning audit developed by Summit Independent Living and funded by the Whitefish Community Foundation.

A Walk Move Audit was conducted in September 2025.
Montana Conservation Corps crews worked on the Harry Horn Trail on September 24, 2026.
Construction efforts on the Harry Horn Trail concluded in 2026.
The foundation plans to initiate the second phase of development in 2028.

Culture Shift

This project represents a shift toward the principle of nothing about us without us, moving from standard construction to inclusive design. It reflects a broader transition in public land management toward prioritizing accessibility for all citizens.

Visitors with mobility, vision, or hearing disabilities can now navigate the Harry Horn Trail with greater ease and safety. This change simplifies trip planning for families and individuals who previously faced barriers to accessing this state park unit.

The takeaway

Inclusive park design relies on direct consultation with the communities most affected by terrain barriers. Implementing these changes locally ensures that natural beauty remains an accessible resource for every visitor.

What happens next

The foundation intends to launch the second phase of the accessibility project in 2028, which includes the development of new trail systems and a summit trail.