But at an event Wednesday marking the purchase of 4,000 acres for the first such park, Schweitzer says a tight state budget means the Access Montana program might not be renewed next legislative session.

The Circle R River Ranch, along the Yellowstone River about 30 miles east of Billings, was bought last month for $5.2 million. The purchase price included $266,000 from the access fund, which state officials said helped leverage the deal.

The park will include about 50 campsites and will also be managed for hunting. It is scheduled to open for some public use beginning Sept. 1. State parks director Joe Maurier says two more land purchases are nearing completion and 20 more are being negotiated.