Jan 30, 2026
Fort Peck Announces Winter Access For Motorized Vehicles
FORT PECK, Mont. - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Fort Peck Project has announced winter guidance for motorized access at Fort Peck Reservoir located near Fort Peck, Montana.
Motorized recreational vehicles are only permitted on developed ice access routes such as public or numbered roads, boat ramps or other designated routes within USACE owned recreational areas. All other off-road vehicle operations are prohibited on USACE land. This prohibition includes driving along the shoreline between the frozen lake and the high-water mark except for the purpose of navigating around an ice pressure ridge or open water. In this situation, the shortest route available must be used and cannot exceed one-eighth of a mile.
Motorized vehicles, to include snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and side-by-sides, must be properly licensed and registered while operating on USACE roads and designated access routes.
In addition to recreation area boat ramps, the following routes are designated open for vehicle access to the ice on Fort Peck Reservoir: Road #2002 behind the Shaft Buildings; First Dredge Cuts access road across Highway 117, located west of Roundhouse Point; Second Dredge north parking lot located adjacent to the vault toilet; and Duck Creek Road #1901 to the point.
Vehicles can access the ice in the Pines area at the end of Pines Recreation Area Road #1300. Gates are open along with the designated route through the Old Pines youth camp to Fifth Coulee Bay.
Fort Peck Reservoir and the Dredge Cuts were covered with ice as of Jan. 24, 2026, but it is important to note that conditions may change across the frozen lake at any time. Recreationists may travel on the ice at their discretion. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers does not encourage or recommend driving on the ice at any time. Thin ice or open water may exist near springs, shallow points and pressure ridges.
In addition, changing water flows through the powerhouses can influence ice conditions both above and below the dam. Flows at Fort Peck are determined in coordination with the Missouri River Basin. Current conditions can be found here: https://www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/
For more information, call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Peck Project natural resources office at (406) 526-3411.
Motorized recreational vehicles are only permitted on developed ice access routes such as public or numbered roads, boat ramps or other designated routes within USACE owned recreational areas. All other off-road vehicle operations are prohibited on USACE land. This prohibition includes driving along the shoreline between the frozen lake and the high-water mark except for the purpose of navigating around an ice pressure ridge or open water. In this situation, the shortest route available must be used and cannot exceed one-eighth of a mile.
Motorized vehicles, to include snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles and side-by-sides, must be properly licensed and registered while operating on USACE roads and designated access routes.
In addition to recreation area boat ramps, the following routes are designated open for vehicle access to the ice on Fort Peck Reservoir: Road #2002 behind the Shaft Buildings; First Dredge Cuts access road across Highway 117, located west of Roundhouse Point; Second Dredge north parking lot located adjacent to the vault toilet; and Duck Creek Road #1901 to the point.
Vehicles can access the ice in the Pines area at the end of Pines Recreation Area Road #1300. Gates are open along with the designated route through the Old Pines youth camp to Fifth Coulee Bay.
Fort Peck Reservoir and the Dredge Cuts were covered with ice as of Jan. 24, 2026, but it is important to note that conditions may change across the frozen lake at any time. Recreationists may travel on the ice at their discretion. However, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers does not encourage or recommend driving on the ice at any time. Thin ice or open water may exist near springs, shallow points and pressure ridges.
In addition, changing water flows through the powerhouses can influence ice conditions both above and below the dam. Flows at Fort Peck are determined in coordination with the Missouri River Basin. Current conditions can be found here: https://www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/
For more information, call the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Fort Peck Project natural resources office at (406) 526-3411.
