BLM’s Ringing Rocks recreational site improvements are music to our ears.
The Bureau of Land Management upgrades public access with the natural look of TrueGrid permeable pavers.
“TrueGrid went in just like LEGOs. It happened so fast - within a day the site was prepped, the permeable paving was locked in, and the gravel was filled fast and easily. And now we have a nice hard surface for parking and future amenities that fits with the primitive aesthetic of the area.”
- Kathie Marks, BLM Engineer
Challenge
The Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. BLM manages vast tracts of U.S. public lands for multiple uses, balancing conservation of natural, cultural, and historical resources, including for outdoor recreation.
The Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), signed August 4, 2020, focused on improving public access and enhancing outdoor recreation by providing Federal funding for deferred maintenance on roads, trails, campgrounds, and infrastructure.
The Butte Field Office in Montana, which manages 300,000 acres of public land in Southwest Montana, invested a portion of their GAOA funds into a unique recreation area between Butte and Whitehall in the Pipestone Recreation Area on BLM, adjacent to the Deerlodge National Forest.
The BLM’s Ringing Rocks Recreation site is one of just seven phenomena in the world where certain rocks will ring or resonate like bells when struck by a hammer. Given this area is so remote, weather conditions have been a major factor preventing visitor access and BLM maintenance, with periodic road washouts and impassable mud conditions. Major construction on the access road, parking facilities, and trails would allow for better and safer public access.
“The material was fast and easy for our crew to install. TrueGrid is so durable, I can see it being used effectively in large parking areas and park trails, where erosion is normally a problem.”
- John Holland, Highland Construction Services Superintendent
Solution
Improvements to enhance safety and public access at the Ringing Rocks recreation site began in July 2025. The project included road upgrades, trail construction, and expanded parking, all designed to improve the visitor experience while protecting the area’s unique natural features and preserving the site’s backcountry character.
Among the key improvements was an expanded accessible parking area, which is where TrueGrid permeable pavers came in.
BLM’s goals included:
A mandate to keep the site aesthetics primitive and natural, like the surroundings
Mobility-limited visitor-friendly access
Hard surfaces for wheelchair accessibility
Paved infrastructure for future improvements, including a porta-potty
An alternative to poured concrete or asphalt pavement that could be easily hauled in and installed, given the area’s steep grade and limited vehicle access
Minimal maintenance
American-made
The Bureau of Land Management selected TrueGrid permeable pavers to reinforce the lower parking lot at Ringing Rocks. The sustainable USA-made material met their objectives for an ADA-compliant hard surface with a natural look, which was also easy to transport into the work area on a trailer.
Highland Construction Services orchestrated a seamless installation, from excavation to installation. After a quick training from Montana Hardscape Hub on prep and installation best practices, the crew was ready to roll. They’re used to “heavy lift” civil construction projects, so prep work - even in these rugged conditions - was no problem. Except for the occasional weather delay, when the steep access road (then under development) was too muddy to pass…
The crew excavated the area, laid and secured non-woven fabric, prepared the base aggregate layer with road mix, snapped together TrueGrid PRO PLUS and TrueGrid DECK, popped in blue SnowSpots (to mark out ADA stalls) and then filled TrueGrid with road mix for a reinforced ADA-friendly parking area.
“After this experience, we’re recommending TrueGrid to other clients, from the Forest Service to private ranches.”
- Adam Gassett, Highland Construction Services Owner
Result
The project was completed in the Fall 2025.
Even graded gravel can make a rustic area like Ringing Rocks seem too developed. Visitors who like backcountry experiences can get pushed away by crowned two-lane roads and established parking areas. 4” rock was used for the access road so it would feel cobbly and natural, and the portion of the parking lot paved with TrueGrid maintained the same primitive appeal.
Every one of their parking lot goals was met with TrueGrid permeable pavers. BLM achieved the structural stability of traditional pavement that they were looking for, and with a natural look consistent with the surroundings. They look forward to welcoming growing numbers of visitors this Spring and beyond!
TrueGrid is the world’s strongest permeable paver. Used in grass and gravel paving, it’s strong enough to park a crane on, stand up to Montana’s tough climate and snow plowing, and still last for decades.
Contact Montana Hardscape Hub here to learn if TrueGrid can solve you commercial , farm & ranch or residential paving problem.
Photo credit: Highland Construction Services
TrueGrid was delivered on pallets for easy transportation to the work site
The parking area was excavated to include depth for 8" base gravel and 2" TrueGrid height; non-woven fabric was secured to the leveled native ground
TrueGrid PRO PLUS pieces were snapped together, after which TrueGrid DECK was added for the ADA space
The crew completed the installation of the TrueGrid layer
Blue SnowSpots were added to mark out ADA parking and aisles
TrueGrid was now ready to be filled
Road mix infill was poured and raked into the TrueGrid cells
The crew raked angular aggregate into the cells
A crew member continued to fill the cells while another crew member used a plate compactor to further compact the infill material
The plate compactor was used to compact the material to avoid future maintenance, preventing the need for regular infill replacement
The gravel-filled TrueGrid PRO PLUS transitioned easily to TrueGrid DECK
Another look at the finished TrueGrid parking area