Montana does not share its land boundary with any sea. So you can say that Montana does not have any of your typical seaside beaches. When travellers think about Montana generally they don’t think about beaches. They picture snowy mountains or hiking trails. Simply speaking, there are many places worth visiting in Montana. Despite that Montana has some of the best freshwater beaches in the entire world. Beaches that feel peaceful and calm. Beaches that are way better than some of the more popular and crowded ones. If you are planning on visiting Montana and looking for the best beaches in Montana to visit then this guide is all you will need.
Top 6 Beaches In Montana For Swimming, Relaxing & Scenic Views
1. Whitefish City Beach
Whitefish City Beach has the kind of vibes that make you stick around longer than you originally planned. The beach mixes clear blue water with tall mountain views perfectly, creating an aesthetic feel especially during the evenings. It is one of the many swimming beaches in Montana. And also one of the few sandy beaches in Montana.Some people come here to do fun activities like swimming and paddleboarding while some people just like to relax under the sun.
Things to Experience Here
- You can swim in the calm lake water
- You can rent kayaks or paddleboards
- You can also relax on the sandy shoreline
- You can watch the sunset over the mountains
- You can enjoy lakeside picnics with friends or family
How to Get to Whitefish City Beach
Whitefish City Beach is located at 123 E Lakeshore Drive. It is about 13 miles away from the Glacier Park International Airport. That is about a 20 – 25 minute drive from the airport. If travelling with a group of people, maybe friends or family then the best thing to do is book a charter bus.
Places Nearby That You Should Visit
- You should go to the Whitefish Mountain Resort for gondola rides and hiking trails
- Glacier National Park is also within driving distance; you can go there too. For more information about the park, follow the article Glacier National Park on National Geographic.
- Or you can go downtown Whitefish for local shopping and visiting the cafes.
2. Flathead Lake State Park
This lake feels too massive. And that is because Flathead Lake is one of the largest lakes in the entirety of the western United States. It is also one of the many Pebble Beaches in Montana. This is the kind of place that once you are there, will make you lose track of time. It has clean and clear blue water combined with beautiful mountain backdrops. Here you can do boating or you can collect the many colourful pebbles. You can simply sit on the beach and relax if that’s your vibe.
What Visitors Love to Do Here
- You can go swimming in the clear water
- If you are more adventurous then you can also experience boating and kayaking
- You can go fishing along the shoreline
- Sunset photography is a must
- Camping near the lake can give you a lifetime worth of memories
How to Get to Flathead Lake State Park
Flathead Lake is located in the northwest region of Montana. The east shore is bordered by Montana Highway 35 and the west side of the lake is accessible from US Highway 93. It is about 20 miles south of Kalispell via US-93 and about 16 miles north of Polson on US-93.
Places Nearby That You Should Visit
- You can go to Wild Horse Island State Park for hiking and wildlife spotting
- You can also go to Bigfork for art galleries and lakeside dining
- Or you can go see cherry orchards around Flathead Valley during the summer season
3. Yellow Bay State Park
If you prefer more quieter beaches that are away from the crowd then the Yellow Bay State Park will be worth the trip. The whole area is surrounded by trees and the water here is very calm. This makes the beach feel very peaceful and relaxed. If you are someone who is into reading while sitting by the water or you like to take long walks then this place is exactly for you.
Ways to Enjoy This Spot
- Deep-water swimming or peaceful reading.
- You can take peaceful lakeside walks and skip flat colourful stones
- You can relax and have a picnic by the shore
- Or you can explore nearby scenic viewpoints
How To Get To Yellow Bay State Park
Yellow Bay State Park is located at 23861 MT Highway 35, Bigfork, MT. If you are travelling from the south, navigating the tight 180-degree entrance turn can be incredibly stressful in a convoy of standard vehicles. Coordinating a corporate retreat or family outing via a professional charter bus ensures a trained driver handles the narrow, winding stretches of MT-35 safely while your group enjoys the lakeside views.
Places Nearby That You Should Visit
- Swan Lake for peaceful nature views
- Jewel Basin Hiking Area for alpine lake hikes
- Small lakeside communities along the eastern Flathead shoreline
4. Big Arm State Park
The Big Arm State Park has more of a natural and rough vibe to it compared to other, more polished beaches in Montana. The beach is located along the Flathead Lake. The park gives you a view of a wide open lake with and tall mountains behind the lake. People like to set up camps here and have some outdoor adventures. The place becomes ever more beautiful during the night because the clear dark sky reflects the shining stars onto the lake below. Big Arm is highly popular for group camping and multi-day water expeditions.
Highlights of the Area
- You can camp beside Flathead Lake
- You can also go boating or fishing
- You can watch colourful sunsets over the water
- You can explore scenic walking areas
- Or you can simply enjoy the peaceful evening views
How to Get to Big Arm State Park
You will have to drive 13.5 miles north of Polson on US Highway 93. Turn onto Big Arm State Park Road to reach the entrance. And from Elmo, MT, you will have to drive approximately 4 miles southeast on US-93. Nemtu will cost you about $8 if you are not a resident of Montana.
Places Nearby That You Should Visit
- You should visit Wild Horse Island State Park for wildlife and hiking
- Polson for local restaurants and lake views
- Scenic Flathead Lake drive routes nearby
5. Salmon Lake State Park
The Salmon Lake State Park is completely surrounded by forest and the lake has a very calm environment which attracts many travellers especially those who are looking to disconnect for a while. It is a very simple place with a very peaceful vibe. It gets even more beautiful in the morning as early in the morning you can find mist floating above the lake water which creates an almost poetic environment. Salmon Lake is a favourite for school field trips, nature photography clubs and scout troops. Rather than organizing a stressful carpool chain across the highway, a single shared shuttle or minibus keeps your group on the exact same schedule.
Popular Activities
- You can try kayaking and canoeing
- You can go fishing near the shoreline
- Relaxing by the water is a favourite of many
- You can also go for wildlife photography and bird watching
- Or you can explore nearby forest trails
How to Get to Salmon Lake State Park
The Salmon State Park is located directly off the highway, 5 miles south of the town of Seeley Lake and near milepost 7. It is at 2329 MT-83 N, Seeley Lake, MT 59868. Non-registered vehicles will cost a total of $8 up on entry.
Places Nearby That You Should Visit
- Seeley Lake for boating and local cafes
- Lolo National Forest for hiking and scenic drives
- The Clearwater River Canoe Trail is nearby
6. Lake McDonald
Lake McDonald is world-famous for its crystal clear waters and the vibrant multi-colored pebbles that line its shores and shallow waters. It is easily the most pretty beach in all of Montana. There are mountains behind the lake and their reflection falls upon the water’s surface. Walking on the shore of this lake is a different vibe altogether.
Don’t Miss:
- You can photograph the colourful lake rocks
- You can watch the sunrise over the mountains
- You can also take scenic boat rides
- You should also explore nearby Glacier National Park trails
- And you can enjoy peaceful lakeside moments
How to Get To Lake McDonalds
From the town of West Glacier (about 33 miles from Kalispell), enter the park and take the Going-to-the-Sun Road. The lake stretches approximately 10 miles along this main thoroughfare. If you want to go in there with a private vehicle then it will cost you about $35. Motorcycles will cost you $30 and if you decide to walk then it will cost you $20 per person. These prices drop significantly during the winter. If you are not from the US and are more than 16 years in age then it will cost you about a$100 on top of the standard fee. The $100 surcharge is a per-person fee and not a flat vehicle fee. A single car holding four international adults will face a $435 entry total ($35 vehicle pass + $400 in surcharges).
Places Nearby That You Should Visit
- Going-to-the-Sun Road for one of America’s most scenic drives
- Avalanche Lake for hiking and photography
- Apgar Village for local shops and cafes
Best Time to Visit Montana Beaches
Summer Season
Summer is the best time for swimming, kayaking and relaxing. The weather stays warm and most lakes are fully accessible.
Fall Season
Fall brings fewer crowds and beautiful golden scenery around the lakes. It’s one of the best seasons for photography.
Spring Season
Spring brings fresh greenery and the beaches get even more peaceful. The lake water can still be super cold.
Final Thoughts
Montana’s beaches may not have palm trees or ocean waves but they have something many popular beaches don’t. That is peace and calmness. There are many other things to do in Montana but these lakeside beaches create the kind of travel memories that will stay with you. For travellers looking to experience a different side of the American outdoors these are some of the best beaches in Montana to explore and if you are travelling with a group then booking a Montana Charter bus service with BUSXOXO will be your best option.