Flathead Lake

The West’s biggest natural lake, with island camps.

Flathead Lake covers about 191 square miles of clear water between the Mission and Swan ranges, with state park units around the shore and islands you can paddle to. The classic outing is the crossing to Wild Horse Island, a day-use park with wild horses and bighorn sheep, and small first-come campsites on Cedar and Bird islands make overnight trips possible. It’s big, open water, so check the wind and wave forecast before any crossing.

At a glance

Size

191 sq mi, about 160 mi of shoreline

Wild Horse Island

2,160-acre day-use park, about 2 mi from the tour launch

Island camping

Cedar Island 6 sites, Bird Island 3, first-come

Shore camping

140 sites in five state park units

Island fees

$20/night nonresident camping; $4 Wild Horse Island day fee

Good for

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

What’s here

• Flatwater
• Paddle-in camping
• Boat rentals
• Guided tours
• Paddleboarding
• Wildlife
• Swimming

Rentals, guides and shops

• Sea Me Paddle (Tour Glacier)

  Kayak and SUP rentals in Lakeside and at Whitefish Lake State Park, two-hour Somers Bay tours and a five- to six-hour Wild Horse Island kayak-and-hike tour.

• Polson Boat Rentals

  Powerboat rentals at the south end of the lake in Polson.

Events

“Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• RaceMay 28–30, 2027 (Memorial Day weekend)

  Bigfork Whitewater Festival

  Kayak races on the Swan River’s Wild Mile, which runs through downtown Bigfork.

• FestivalLate JulyUsually

  Flathead Cherry Festival

  Downtown Polson celebrates Flathead cherries with artists, cherry treats and family fun.

Where to stay

• lodgeFlathead Lake Lodge

  Family-run, all-inclusive dude ranch on the lake near Bigfork, founded in 1945.

  Bigfork
• hotelKwaTaqNuk Resort & Casino

  Lakefront hotel with about 100 rooms in Polson, on the south shore.

  Polson

Nearby

• Wild Horse Island State Park · By boat

  Hike grassland and old ponderosa forest on the lake’s largest island; six landing sites, no docks, no pets.

• Bigfork Summer Playhouse · Bigfork

  Summer musical theater in Bigfork village.

• Glacier National Park · 50 min drive

  The west entrance is under an hour north of the lake.

Getting there

• Glacier Park International (FCA) · about 30 min drive
• Missoula · about 1.5 hr
• Spokane · about 4 hr

Directions in Google Maps